KASK Nirvana – The Evolution of Aero Road Helmets

KASK has a new helmet topping their aero road category, the Nirvana, giving Ineos Grenadiers a new weapon in speed.

No matter what speed you ride at, you are always pushing through air, which creates drag and is why you see so much emphasis on aerodynamics in the cycling world. Wheels, frames, helmets, kits, they all help to reduce drag, and allows you to go faster and longer on your ride. For helmets, ventilation to keep you comfortable to allow you to comfortable and protection in case of a crash are both important factors that also need to be considered.

The new KASK Nirvana aims to improve aerodynamics, but still provides ventilation that is important to keep you cool and comfortable, which is important for performance. KASK extensively used complex computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to simulate aerodynamics, ventilation and thermodynamics, all of which are important to helmet design. The result is a helmet that KASK claims sees a 35% reduction in drag and an 19% increase in ventilation compared to the “best aero helmets in its class.”

The big change is seen on the side of the helmet. The new design extends down over the tops of the ears, bringing them under the helmet and allowing air to move around the helmet more smoothly. The ear canal is still open to allow you to keep your hearing unobstructed, but it adds some additional aerodynamics that we see in the time trial/triathlon world.

The general shape of the new Nirvana bears some resemblance to the Utopia Y, there is also some major differences. First off, the new Nirvana has just four frontal vents and one large horizontal vent that is split into three by the supporting EPS foam. The front two horizontal vents are similar to the Utopia Y, but the two vertical vents are different for a reason.

The lower central vent is a bit shorter, and the top vent is further forward on the helmet. The design comes specifically from the CFD work on ventilation and thermodynamics. Studying how the air hits a cyclist’s head to help cool them down, KASK the most important place to get cooler air coming in is right at the front of the head. From there, internal channeling moves air through the helmet to push hot air out the back through the rear ports and smoothly over a rider’s back.

As much as we focus on aerodynamics and ventilation, safety is the reason why we wear helmets. Beyond the testing standards for various regions of the world, KASK uses their Rotational Impact WG11 Test protocol to assess the performance of their helmets against rotational impacts. Very rarely do cyclists ever face a straight on impact in a crash. It’s much more likely that there will be an oblique impact that causes rotational forces on the helmet and head. To help combat this, KASK uses their Multipod 3D printed inserts that run front to back along the channels inside of the helmet. To handle direct impacts, the inserts compress, while oblique impacts will cause them to flex. Either way, they help to decrease the force in an impact while also allowing for better air flow through the helmet. Additionally, the Nirvana includes a more traditional EPS foam liner used under the full coverage polycarbonate shell.

To help keep the helmet in place, KASK uses their OCTOFIT+ retention system from other helmets in their lineup. Inside, it features the sane merino pads that are used by the Ineos Grenadiers squad in their helmets. The helmet straps are not adjustable below the ears, and it moves to a standard buckle with a classic faux-leather strap, in place of a FidLok buckle. For comfort on climbs, the rear ports can carry your glasses, allowing air to flow unobstructed through the helmet. Additionally, there is a reflective logo on the back for visibility.

The Nirvana will be available in some interesting colors. Beyond the standard matte black and matte white, KASK is including a Cherry Burst, Blueberry Fade, and Ultraviolet (missed opportunity for a grape or plum name). All three of these colors feature a fade from lighter to dark, a way to represent forward motion and speed.

Two sizes will be available, Medium and Large. The Medium comes in at 270g.

And of course, speed doesn’t come cheap. The new Nirvana will be priced at $400 USD, EUR 360, GBP 320, and AUD 570.

The Nirvana is available now on KASK’s website and to order through your local KASK dealers. We are working to get a sample in for review to compare to some of the other flagship aero road helmets, like the Ekoi Aerodinamica.

www.kask.com