By
Hot!
- Good price point
- 21 vents keep you cool
- Rear dial for fast easy one-handed adjustment
- Side strap slider lock to personalize fit
- Kali’s proprietary helmet safety technology- Composite Fusion™
- Lifetime Crash Replacement Policy
Not!
- “Snug feeling” fit
- Limited color selection – white or black
https://bike.kaliprotectives.com/helmets/road/THERAPY
Cost: MSRP $ 100
How obtained: review sample from company
Available: online, retail, Kali website
Colors: Black or White
RBR Sponsor: no
Tested: 15+ hours
Weight: (claimed weight) Size M – 10 oz/285 grams
Sizing: Small/Medium – 54-58cm; Medium/Large – 58-62cm
I learned about Kali Protectives helmets this past February at CABDA. Based out of California, they offer a complete line of full face motorcycle and motorcross helmets, cycling (road and MTB) and skiing/snowboard helmets, as well as protective sports armor.
Brad Waldron is the owner of Kali and comes from an Aerospace R&D background. Which is probably why Kali does not use MIPS, but instead uses new materials and construction to manage the forces of an impact.
Kali’s Technology Addresses Impact
Kali helmets do not use MIPS, but instead set out to design their own proprietary helmet safety technology – called Composite Fusion. It’s a process that bonds the helmet shell and EPS foam eliminating the air gap found in traditionally constructed helmets. Composite Fusion features a thinner outer shell that works in concert with the EPS foam to effectively reduce impact forces in a crash.
Kali also uses Low Density Layer (LDL) which consists of specially designed viscoelastic padding placed throughout the helmet. It reduces rotational impact forces by up to 24% and low-G linear impact forces up to 30%.
Placed between the hard foam liner of the helmet and the wearer’s head, LDL strips are distributed throughout the helmet to ensure maximum airflow and comfort. Their primary function, however, is to react to multiple-vector linear and rotational acceleration. LDL has multiple-vector elasticity – that is, LDL responds by stretching under pressure from a variety of different directions and force levels.
Linear concussions are the result of direct impacts that stop the head moving forward. Unfortunately, your brain continues moving and collides with the interior of the skull. Rotational concussions result from lateral impacts that spin the brain on its axis causing brain structures to tear.
If you’re a techie geek, Kali has a host of information on their web site detailing their technology as well as testing documentation.
Look and Fit
The look of the Kali helmet is low profile and comparable to other aero style cycling helmets. It is light weight and boasts 21 vents to keep you cool. Fitting the helmet was quick and easy with the single dial in the rear and locking sliders on the side straps. The web site says it comes with a bug liner, but my sample didn’t include one. The moisture wicking pads are washable and anti-microbial to keep you helmet from smelling bad.
The $100 MSRP price point is very reasonable and affordable to many cyclists. The proprietary helmet safety technology makes an even better bargain.
I wear a small helmet in virtually every brand of helmet. The smallest Kali helmet was a S/M. What I noticed wearing the Therapy helmet is it had a “snug” feel. It wasn’t uncomfortable, but I was definitely cognizant I was wearing a helmet. It could possibly be the shape of my head (more oval than round) as some brands can feel tighter in the forehead. However, some people like that secure snug feeling or their head shape may fit the helmet better.
Also, the helmet only comes in two colors – white or black. I think that’s limiting when many riders want to match their helmet to their bike or kit.
Limited Lifetime Crash Replacement Warranty
Kali Offers its customers who have purchased a Kali bicycle helmet a limited Lifetime Crash Replacement (LCR) Warranty. If you have damaged your kali bicycle helmet in a crash, you may file a claim to have your helmet replaced by Kali. You must send your helmet to Kali for inspection prior to receving a replacement. You must cover the shipping. If you crash in your replacement helmet, Kali offers a 25% discount off MSRP toward a replacement helmet. See their web site for details.
Bottom Line
Kali’s Therapy helmet may look fairly generic in just black or white. But the owner’s aerospace R&D back ground helped to develop an affordable, yet safe helmet. At only $100 MSRP, the Therapy provides a proprietary safety technology to protect your head in the event of a crash. If you are into motorcross or motorcycles you should also checkout their line of full-face helmets and armor.
Sheri Rosenbaum regularly contributes articles and reviews products for RBR. She’s an avid recreational roadie who lives in the Chicago area and a major advocate for women's cycling, serving on the board of directors and volunteering with the Dare2tri Paratriathlon Club. Click to read Sheri's full bio.
I bought a Kali Protectives “Maya” helmet last year (https://bike.kaliprotectives.com/helmets/enduro/maya). I’ve been very pleased with it, all things considered. I need a *large* helmet, and the largest Maya is a little snug on me. The only complication is that in the winter I use a larger helmet so I can get a balaclava under it; in the warmer months there’s no problem. The forward-facing vents are protected by mesh to keep out bugs. I also appreciate the visor, which being somewhat longer than usual, keeps the sun out of my eyes and also has a mounting fixture for my GoPro or headlight. The helmet has held up well, and the bright orange is relatively un-faded in spite of exposure to the sun. I would buy this helmet again.