Lazer Amy Women's Helmet

A great option for commuters and entry level female cyclists, the Lazer Amy might not be the most attractive looking, low profile helmet on the market but it is comfy, well ventilated, has two way adjustment and is certainly not going to weigh you down.

Lazer are doing a great job of producing helmets for the growing numbers of women getting on bikes. Our heads are not hugely different to men's (in shape I hasten to add), but it is good to have a choice of colours that set us apart a little. That, and potentially space to accommodate a ponytail if you happen to have long hair.

With no less than 14 helmets to choose from in their Moi collection, Lazer really have thought about every kind of rider. If you head over to their website you may even find one named after you. The Amy model is one of the more basic ones in the range, a step or two below the recently reviewed Elle, it is targeted at those just getting into the sport. It's perfect for commuting too.

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It meets CE, CPSC and AS standards so the most important things after this are ventilation, weight, fit and adjustment, plus the ease of use of the latter.

With 28 well angled vents there was never any danger of overheating. Air flow was good, though it is worth noting that there is no mesh shield or perforated padding over these vents. In warm weather insects may be an issue.

At only 230g (S), the helmet is really light for an entry level model. It does not really have a profile to match. The helmet is bulbous in shape. Personally I am not a huge fan of this but that is just personal preference. It does mean there are no peaks and points that can be potential weak points for the plastic outer shell to come away from the body of a helmet. The colour options include a bold matte blue, a loud coral and a slightly more understated bordeaux gradient (as pictured).

There are two ways of adjusting the internal cradle. The rear part can be moved up and down on a sliding notch. It took me some time to get this to actually budge, but when I did it was well worth it. It meant that the basket sat further inside the helmet and space was created for a ponytail (more so that with the Lazer Elle).

The photo here shows it at a lower setting, with not as much space at the nape of the neck, but the cradle will slide right into the helmet shell, leaving just the dial exposed in the rear groove.

Once this part of the cradle has been adjusted the dial is then used to tighten it around your head. Lazer call it the TS+ System, and say that 'a quick turn of the dial ... creates a snug, yet comfortable fit that keeps the helmet where it should be'. It really did feel secure on the head without pinching or rubbing in any one place.

The straps are really easy to adjust with no clipping or threading required, just a firm pull through the eyelets. The dial could not be simpler to use. Minor adjustments while riding are no problem and loosening it to take the helmet off is handy. Hair getting tangled in the dial is not an issue.

The interior padding is minimal, a bit more would not go amiss. The velcro patches used to attach the padding are tiny too. I suspect that if you regularly remove the pads to wash them you may well be creating your own additional Velcro patches at some point.

The Amy is compatible with two optional add-ons by Lazer: an LED taillight that clips on to the thumbwheel of the adjuster dial; and a Cappuccinolock, a combination lock that allows you to secure your helmet to your bike (or something else) by simply clipping it into either end of the lock. I didn't test either of these but can certainly see the appeal.

The Amy helmet is ideal for newcomers to the sport who are not too concerned about the profile of a helmet but are looking for a quality cycling brand and plenty of associated features.

Verdict

Quality entry level helmet with great features as long as you are not concerned about the bulky profile