Lazer Coyote KinetiCore helmet review – excellent protection, fit and price

A well-fitting helmet with 5-star Virginia Tech rated impact protection, at a very reasonable asking price

Side profile of man wearing Lazer Coyote KinetiCore mountain bike helmet
(Image: © James Watkins)

Bike Perfect Verdict

With trickle down technology from the more expensive Lazer Jackal, the Coyote is a compelling option in the trail helmet market at a very reasonable asking price.

Pros

  • +

    Great price for 5-star rated protection

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    Secure and comfortable fit

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    Very easy to adjust

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    Understated looks

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    Competitive weight

Cons

  • -

    Hot spots generated by large pads

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Lazer's Coyote helmet is the latest in its range to receive the KinetiCore treatment, where the MIPS system used by most MTB helmets has been replaced by Lazer's own proprietary KinetiCore technology. Lazer is rightly proud to advertise that the Coyote KinetiCore has received a 5-star rating from the Virginia Tech Helmet Lab, an industry-recognized independent test facility, providing unbiased ratings on a 1 to 5-star scale. 

On first look, the Coyote KinetiCore is very similar to the highly-rated Lazer Jackal KinetiCore already reviewed, but somehow Lazer has managed to seriously reduce the asking price to a reasonable $109.99 / £79.99.  

Lazer Coyote KinetiCore mountain bike helmet on a stone wall

The Coyote is similar in appearance to the more expensive Jackal, but the visor actually has improved visibility (Image credit: James Watkins)

Design and specifications

There is certainly more than a passing resemblance to the more expensive Jackal helmet, and that is no bad thing. The side profile is very similar, and it provides good coverage to the back of the head with the overall appearance being very understated. The branding is also very subtle, with a small Lazer logo molded into each side of the peak and a discreet decal on the rear. Our sample reviewed is labeled as Matt Light Blue, but this doesn’t appear to be available in the UK.  However, there are four other colors to choose from, listed below. 

Side view of Lazer Coyote KinetiCore mountain bike helmet on a stone wall

There are 21 various sized cutouts to provide ventilation (Image credit: James Watkins)

The Coyote has 21 various sized cutouts to provide ventilation, with very large forward facing vents and accompanying channels on the inside to direct airflow over the head. The openings have a slightly more rounded profile than the Jackal's, but share the same overall appearance. The outer shell fully covers the more fragile EPS core, and it is on the inside surface of the helmet that you will find a series of tiny blocks and shapes molded into the EPS. Lazer calls these controlled crumple zones, and they are designed to protect your head in the event of a crash, redirecting impact energy away from your brain and into the helmet itself. The added benefits of Lazer's KinetiCore technology are a reduction in overall weight, and fewer dissimilar materials being used in the construction, making recycling at the end of the helmet's life a little easier.

The Coyote KinetiCore is available in small, medium, large and extra large sizes, and the weight of the large sized Coyote KinetiCore on review is a competitive 398g.

Rear view of Lazer Coyote KinetiCore mountain bike helmet on a stone wall

The Coyote uses Lazer's TurnSys system for easy, comfortable fitting (Image credit: James Watkins)

The Coyote's peak has three distinct positions, with the high position providing ample room for goggle storage. The Jackal has rubber elements on the back to help keep goggle straps in place but these must have been omitted on the Coyote to help achieve the reduced price. Similarly, the Coyote isn't supplied with a GoPro style mount or branded carry bag that were present with the more expensive Jackal.

Fit adjustment is achieved by what Lazer calls a TurnSys system; essentially a small textured wheel at the beck of the helmet adjusts the circumference, and a ratchet system allows for plenty of height adjustment. The straps are easily adjusted to achieve a level fit on the head and the straps are secured with an excellent magnetic buckle for really easy securing and removing even in winter gloves.

Inside view of Lazer Coyote KinetiCore mountain bike helmet

Inside the helmet you'll find the controlled crumple zones, designed for impact protection (Image credit: James Watkins)

Performance

I received a size large for review, whereas I would normally choose a size medium based on my 56cm noggin. However, the excellent TurnSys system provided sufficient adjustment that I could easily achieve a comfortable fit. Out on the trail the Coyote KinetiCore felt very comfortable and stable, with no noticeable movement or bounce, despite it being slightly too big for me. Rock gardens are normally where a helmet's weaknesses can be found, and I couldn’t find any fault with the Coyote. Lazer has done a great job with its fitting system, and it should accommodate a wide range of head shapes and sizes.

On higher paced rides I did notice a few hot spots on my head where the internal padding makes contact, and when I compared the padding with the Lazer Jackal, the Coyote's pads are slightly larger, particularly over the top of the head. The padding looks to be designed around the vent openings, and the shape of the Coyote openings dictate slightly more pad coverage. The general ventilation felt good, but the larger pad contact area was noticeable when things heated up, through physical exertion or warm sunshine.

I would say the visor has been improved compared to the Jackal, with the lowest position not sitting as low and therefore not encroaching on my field of vision so much. The indents for each of the three positions also felt more definite on the Coyote.

Fit was fine with the variety of glasses I tried, with shaping on the bottom edge to help with arm clearance, and I never suffered with any fogging issues.

Close up of inside the Lazer Coyote KinetiCore mountain bike helmet

The internal pads are slightly larger than those on the Jackal, which can sometimes result in a few hot spots (Image credit: James Watkins)

Verdict

Lazer has managed to squeeze all of the innovation and its excellent fitting system that we highly rated on the Jackal KinetiCore into a much more affordable package, with little, if any compromise. The same understated performance has been achieved with the only slight negative being the large pads resulting in potential hot spots in certain conditions. 

Tech specs: Lazer Coyote KinetiCore helmet

  • Price: $109.99 / £79.99
  • Sizes: S, M, L, XL
  • Colors: Matt Black, Matt White Black, Titanium, Matt Dark Green
  • Weight: 398g (size L tested)
James Watkins
Freelance Writer

James has over 35 years’ riding experience, getting involved with the burgeoning mountain bike scene in the late eighties and hasn’t stopped riding since. He raced cross-country across the South West of the UK for many years and has even dabbled with a bit of road racing. Whether going up, down, steep or flowing, James loves it all. Living in North Devon, the hills aren’t exactly mountainous, but they are plentiful, and James likes nothing better than exploring the wilderness of Exmoor and Dartmoor, and the occasional guided trip to the Alps to get the real mountain experience.