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review
Helmets
LAS Squalo helmetLAS Squalo helmet

LAS Squalo helmet

8
by Iwein Dekoninck
UPDATED Thu, Oct 15, 2015 04:24

First Published Apr 18, 2011

2
£79.99

VERDICT:

8
10
Good fit, good adjustment and temperature regulation options with winter and summer pads
Weight: 
294g
Contact: 
www.chickencyclekit.co.uk
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The LAS Squalo looks quite distinctive, from the front it's a bit like a multi-eyed monster staring at you. I quite like it, but it might not be for everyone. The Squalo is distinctive also because it comes with two sets of pads: a winter one with mesh covering the holes in the helmet and a lighter weight summer one. The winter one has worked quite well for me these last few weeks when there's been a bit of a chill in the air on the early morning commute. I like this concept a lot. The 29 vents keep the air circulating well.

Adjusting the helmet is quite easy; there's a big dial to adjust the width of the back strap and you can also slide the back strap up and down. LAS dub this, the Cat-Eyes 3D Evo 3D fitting system and reckon that it allows up to 44mm of either horizontal or vertical adjustment - enough to fit a wide variety of head shapes. I found it really quick to get a good, comfortable and secure fit. The downside of the adjustment system is that the vertical adjustment doesn't stay input when you take it off; this hasn't bothered me too much as I tend to play around with adjustments on most rides anyway.

At 294 grams, it's reasonably light and it easily trumps some much more expensive helmets in the weight weenie game, although it is itself trumped on weight by the Canyon Excel we tested recently that tips the scales at 255g and costs fifty quid less. It doesn't offer any more protection than the Canyon - both are rated to CE1078.

The Squalo comes in a soft bag, which is nice if you want to keep it scratch free when it's not on your head and it's got nice soft fabric velcro'd around the chin strap: it's soft to the skin and it keeps the strap ends out of the way.

The LAS Squalo comes in two sizes: 54-59cm; and 57-63cm, and lots of colours: red/black/white, black/white, blue/black/white, white, green/white, pink/white, yellow/grey/white and blue/white. There should be something to your liking there. There's also a women's version too.

Verdict

Good fit, good adjustment and temperature regulation options with winter and summer pads.

road.cc test report

Make and model: LAS Squalo helmet

Size tested: Red/white/carbon

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

The Las Squalo is a lightweight, compact, aggressively styled cycling helmet that is unmistakably European, combining an innovative design with an aggressive and modern technical line. An excellent ventilation system for exceptional internal comfort, 29 vents ensure continuous circulation of the air.

Veltek interior- a soft and absorbent technical fabric in a single piece so it is easy to remove and wash, with built-in anti-insect net + supplementary Silver Dry summer interior in open-particle breathable washable fabric that dries in 30 seconds!

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
9/10

The vents work very well.

Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
9/10
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
9/10
Rate the product for value:
 
7/10

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

It performed very well. I tended to forget it was there which is what you want from a helmet.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

I particularly like the winter pad on a chilly morning.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

The up and down back strap adjustment doesn't tend to stay put when it's not on your head. This could be annoying for some, on the other hand it makes the helmet profile smaller if you need to stow it away in a backpack.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 32  Height: 1.78m  Weight: 76kg

I usually ride: All of them!  My best bike is: Cervelo Dual

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, touring, club rides, fixed/singlespeed, Audax

LAS Squalo helmet
LAS

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2 comments

Avatar
The _Kaner | 13 years ago
0 likes

Unfortunately I think this is a futhermuckinugly beast.

Avatar
seanieh66 | 13 years ago
0 likes

This helmet has been out for a few years now, I know I've hd three. Its a top lid as it fits my big head 3

There are few others that have such a flexible fit. I love it and would be gutted if LAS dropped it.

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