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Updated 9/30/17
Helmet hair. Helmet head. Forgoing a helmet altogether.
It’s rare for cyclists to display much love for their lids. And for good reason. There’s nothing worse than an uncomfortable or ill-fitting helmet rattling your skull for hours. The best helmet is one you forget about until you actually need it.
With their latest top-of-the-line Lazer Z1 helmet, Lazer set out to shake up the helmet game and succeeded with flying Belgian colors. The Z1 is extremely light, highly vented and loaded with fun options.
But Lazer has outdone themselves, taking the most-loved characteristics of the Helium and Genesis, to produce their best helmet yet. Here are a few of the main changes:
Bring out the inner warrior! The Warrior collection features graphics and colorway nods to Italian, Belgian, and Russian warriors. The Helium combines 2 densitites for foam for light weight without sacraficing safety.
Unlike other designs that press a retention system onto the back of your head, the Lazer Genesis uses a smooth thumb wheel at the top of the helmet that connects to a progressive sizing system.
Keep a Cool Head, Or a Warm One
31 vents make the Z1 a clear winner on hot days. Deep channels redirect air so it instantly evaporates sweat that threatens to drip into your eyes and you can feel the air moving through at all times.
For cold or rainy days, Lazer offers a aero-shell that protects your head from the elements or from excessive wind. The plastic cover snaps firmly into place over the helmet, offering some protection, while still allowing air to flow. When the rain stops, simply stash it in your jersey pocket.
This snaps into place and protects your head from cold wind and precipitation while still allowing for some air movement under the front of the helmet and out of the rear vents. 
While I can’t personally speak to any aero improvements afforded by the shell, it does do a great job of blocking out the elements and lessening the misery of a winter training ride. However, the shell is surprisingly low profile, so you could snap it on for your next time trial and see if it scores you any marginal gains.
Advanced Rollsys System
An upgrade to the original rollsys system, the Advanced Rollsys is a fully integrated mechanism that completely surrounds the head. Essentially it’s a flexible nylon strap attached to a dial at the top of the helmet, which precisely controls how snug the helmet is. Many helmets only adjust the tension in the rear, but the Z1 adjusts the entire helmet evenly.
Simply turn the dial for one finger fine-tuning. This evenly distributes pressure and avoids uncomfortable pressure points, something I had trouble with in the Helium.
The Lazer Z1 also adjusts height-wise, offering five different positions. The Z1 sits up a little higher than similar helmets. Only two thin strips of padding actually come in contact with the head, lessening the chance of added pressure points.
Lazer crafted the padding out of X-Static fibers to keep the pads anti-microbial and smelling fresh, even after the sweatiest efforts. This additional height makes it easy to add a cap for winter.
One of my favorite improvements to the rollsys system is repositioning the tension adjustment to the top of the helmet. This means no longer having to wrestle a pony tail through the back, making it much more comfortable for women.
Another awesome update is the Tri-Guide, which allows you to easily adjust the helmet straps, even without a mirror. The thin straps also lie flat and are unobtrusive.
The only gripe I have is that the vent design doesn’t hold my Oakleys very well.
Greater Crash Protection
The look of Lazer’s Z1 has evolved from their previous helmets. Since the temple is a common area of impact during a crash, Lazer created the T-Pro to protect the temples. Essentially they lowered the shell and added material for additional protection.
This means the helmet does fall a little lower on the forehead, an aesthetic complaint noted by a few reviewers, as the helmet line does drop closer to the eyebrows. They cited that this could potentially interfere with larger sunglasses.
Since many crashes result in multiple impacts, Lazer designed the Z1 to retain its shape in the event of a crash and to hold any cracked pieces together upon impact. The system is modelled after the roll bar in a race car.
Optional Add-ons
Did I mention that the Lazer Z1 is tricked out with various options to instantly improve safety, security and comfort?
Recognizing that sunglasses often place uncomfortable pressure on the temples, Lazer introduced the Magneto Sunglasses, which eliminate the temple pieces and replaces them with magnets in the helmet straps and sunglasses. I have not tested these glasses, so I can only report Lazer’s description.
The sunglasses include either three different lenses or a photochromatic lens. Temple pieces are included for off-the-bike use. Here’s a full review from Road.cc if you’d like to find out more.
Comfort, adjustability and security are significantly improved through an innovative magnetic system that integrates the glasses with your Lazer as well as any helmet.
The Z-LED is a red LED light that snaps into the slot in the back of the helmet for added safety. You’ll also need the cheap Mudcap to mount the light.
Keep the ARS fit system clear of debris and serves as a mount for LED taillight accessory.
This add-on turns the helmet straps into a lightweight combination lock. It’s certainly not a longterm security solution, but the Cappuccino Lock will buy you some time to slip away for a shot of espresso or celebratory beer.
Cappuccinolock installs between the sections of your Lazer helmet strap buckle and serves as a lock to secure your helmet or bicycle.
An unobtrusive heart rate sensor sits in the back of the helmet and continuously monitors heart rate, sending it to the device of your choice. Bike Radar has a full review of LifeBeam, as used with the Z1.
The Lazer and LifeBEAM cooperation is the first time wearable technology has been used in cycling helmets. The LifeBEAM application is the only device that can be placed in a cycling helmet to continuously measure the rider's heart rate, no chest strap needed.
Swap out the included pad with ones that optimize cooling and actively work to keep sweat out of the eyes. They also reduce pressure points on the head.
Freshen up the interior of your helmet with a new pad set. The Aquapad is made from a soft material that joins together the 3D deformation of a fluid and the memory shape of a solid to fit perfectly around the head.
Other Z1 Models
Z1 MIPS, which features the innovative MIPS system of protection for angled impacts.
Z1 Fast, designed as more of an aero road helmet.
This is lighter, with a more comfortable fit system, better ventilation, an additional (optional) aeroshell and improved side impact protection compared to other helmets.
The Lazer Z1 FAST cycling helmet is safer and more aerodynamic than your standard race helmet. The Z1 Fast has an integrated and non-removable cover that is attached to the EPS liner making a one piece shell that better distributes the impact a rider experiences in that undesirable but nearly unavoidable crash.
The bottom line: The Lazer Z1 bests its competition by producing an ultra-light, super cool and extremely comfortable helmet. Their innovative add-ons inspire fun solutions to common riding complaints, proving why this is the best Lazer helmet yet.
Buy it: If you want to invest in a top-of-the-line helmet with plenty of options. If you ride in a hot climate or frequently battle the elements, the Z1’s versatility will suit you well.
Save your money: If you’re looking for a basic helmet, don’t plan to ride in wet or cold conditions or won’t be pedaling on brutally hot days. In this case, I’d recommend the Lazer 02 helmet instead, which is still a high performing helmet, but at a much lower price point.
The Lazer O2 Helmet features 24 vents and internal ventilation channels for optimum airflow. Rigidity Brace System (RBS) adds reinforcement in the event of multiple impacts.
Related:
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- The Best Aero Road Helmet? Longterm Rudy Boost 01 Review
- Helmets and More: Our Weekly Guide to the Best Cycling Gear on Sale
- Thousand Helmet Review
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