Seen Chris Akrigg’s new Water Cycle vid?
Here’s the helmet that he’s running. The Lazer Oasiz.
// £99.99
// lazersport.co.uk
The Oasiz is the latest in a long line of quality helmets from Lazer. Lazer have been around for years but their recent adoption by distribution giant Madison has meant a bit of a relaunch … and lots of cool new features on the helmets. The Oasiz is Lazer’s top MTB helmet and comes packed with up to date style, cool features (like a Gopro mounting system for cameras and lights) and a pretty decent price.
How did it fit?
It fits well and the large, easy to find dial on the top of the helmet makes it very easy to adjust on the move. You can also adjust the height of the helmet which offers some extra flexibility for different heads sizes. The ‘Rollsys’ system means that as you adjust the helmet it tightens evenly around your head so as not to apply uneven pressure. I wouldn’t say this is more comfortable than other helmets I’ve tried … but it is comfortable.
I found the Oasiz fits my head perfectly, but another tester found that the medium was too small and the large was way too big. As always, try before you buy in your local bike shop… Especially if you’re between sizes.
Read our long term test of the Saracen Ariel 152 here.
How did the product feel on the trail? What did it do well?
It stays in place nicely and it feels light-weight, airy and solid. There’s also good coverage round the back of your head which adds to the feeling of security. There’s also a small peak so your vision isn’t impaired.
It works well with goggles though the Lazer glasses I’m running don’t fit into the helmet perfectly, but that’s as much that glasses as anything.
Adjustment is very easy thanks to the large wheel on top and the Gopro mount for lights is brilliant. That offers quick and easy on/off of lights for night rides and with a bit of fiddling allows you to run your light really low to your helmet. That means less wobbling and less chance of catching it on trees.
The magnetic buckle is also a nice feature, it lets you undo and fasten the buckle quickly and with one hand with no faff. That’s useful when you’ve got cold fingers and you’re in a rush to get moving!
Looking for new SPD shoes? Check out our Giro Terraduro review.
What wasn’t so good?
The Gopro mount system is excellent but the supplied mounts for your lights are a disappointment. You clip the mounts in and attach lights via their handle-bar mounting system … which is a great idea. However, the whole thing just sits really high on your head and makes your helmet wobble around. The effect was a wobbly helmet and a sore head.
I got round this by modifying attaching my light straight onto a Gopro mount and clipping this directly into the helmet. That works a million times better.
I did also find that the padding at the front of the helmet around your brow could be a bit more substantial. There were times when I was running a heavier light that the inner shell of the helmet applied pressure on my forehead and after a couple of hours it became uncomfortable.
Check out our review of the all new Drift Stealth 2 action camera here.
What about durability?
So far … so good. I’ve had two big crashes in the Oasiz but thankfully neither have been mega head-bashers. The combination of these, wet weather and repeated chucking in and out of my van haven’t phased the Oasiz so far. The ‘full coverage’ style of the Oasiz and the solid fit have meant that I’ve hit the deck and not lost any confidence in its ability to do its job.
Did this product make you a faster, better, happier, more comfortable rider?
I’ve enjoyed running the Oasiz. It’s easy to adjust, comfortable to wear (though that does suffer with a heavier light mounted) and the Gopro system has worked really well with my lights once I’ve done some fettling. It has also kept my few brain cells safe after a couple of larger crashes… I’m not sure it’s making me a faster rider but the innovative features mean less faff and I certainly trust it to keep me safe.
Would you buy one?
Yeah, I would. The price is certainly at the higher end … particularly for a brand that isn’t top-end fashion but it’s a good looking helmet with some smart features.
Would you recommend one to a mate?
I would, but I’d make them try on my version first to ensure it fitted them.
Our test pilot:
Name: Jamie
Age: 30something
Years riding: 20ish?
Testing time: 2 months
Tested where? Bristol trails, Cwm Carn new XC trail, Triscombe, lots of road miles.
Testing conditions: Cold, dark night rides and wet, slippy, sunny day rides.
Do you want more in depth product reviews? Get your fix here.
