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review
£149.99
VERDICT:
Lightweight helmet that is super-comfortable but has restricted airflow, a possible compromise for increased safety
Weight:
238g
Contact:
At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.
What the road.cc scores meanGood scores are more common than bad, because fortunately good products are more common than bad.
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For its Pro SL helmet, Endura has incorporated Koroyd technology for its crash protection benefits and while it does make for a very light helmet, airflow is compromised. Comfort and fit are very good, though, and the price isn't excessive against the competition.
- Pros: Barely feels like you are wearing a helmet because of the weight, comfortable fit
- Cons: Straw-like structure reduces airflow
I spent many years commuting without a helmet purely because I didn't like the way they felt on my head, the weight, the shape whatever I was much happier wearing a cap. The Pro SL is so light and comfortable that would never have been an issue, though; it really doesn't feel like you've got a lid on.
> Find your nearest dealer here
Because of the Koroyd technology (more of that in a bit), the Endura only requires a very slim EPS shell for its construction to meet the current safety standards. To keep the Koroyd structure away from your head, the Pro SL uses much thicker pads than you'd normally see inside a helmet, but because of how soft they are you never feel even the slightest bit of pressure around your head.
This thin construction also keeps the weight down: this M/L (55-59cm) size weighs just 238g, but it feels even lighter than that.
Adjustment is controlled by the usual thumbwheel at the rear tensioning the cradle that covers about two-thirds of the rear of the helmet.
We've seen a few other helmets using Koroyd, such as the Smith Network and the Overtake, and judging by the claims, it's a very clever system.
It uses a network of co-polymer extruded tubes thermally welded together to create a honeycomb-like structure for strength. Should you crash, Koroyd says, 'The cores crush homogenously which decelerates the energy from the impact reducing final trauma levels.'
The only downside to it is airflow. The Endura has some pretty large vents, with the main 10 full of the tubes. With an open vent, the air flows through pretty much regardless of the angle of the helmet, but with the Koroyd if the helmet isn't on the right plane then things become very warm.
If you are a 'saddle-up, slammed-stem' kind of rider you'll be fine as the tipped angle of your neck ensures the tubes are lying flat, but as soon as you start climbing or taking things easy the air tends to be deflected over the top and things can get a little warm.
I wouldn't say that the Endura is hotter than most of the aero helmets that I've worn, though, and with the small number of vents on offer it probably gives a very similar performance benefit.
> Buyer's Guide: 17 of the best high-performance helmets
Money-wise, at £150 the Endura isn't massively expensive against the opposition. I like the neat details such as the open vents to poke your sunglasses through when you aren't wearing them.
It shapes up well against the HJC Ibex with a similar weight, which costs £179.99.
It's just a smidge more expensive than the Smith Network I mentioned earlier, at £136, but it's lighter.
Overall, it's a decent helmet, and while it's not the most airy it is certainly light. If you value the safety elements of the tubes over breathability then the Endura is probably hard to beat.
Verdict
Lightweight helmet that is super-comfortable but has restricted airflow, a possible compromise for increased safety
road.cc test report
Make and model: Endura Pro SL helmet
Size tested: M/L
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?
From Endura:
DESIGN PHILOSOPHY
The Pro SL helmet builds on the success of our award-winning, flagship MT500, bringing the enhanced protection of a full Koroyd core to the road rider. Low weight, exceptional ventilation, a host of novel features and stunning looks come together in this premium road helmet.
KOROYD TECHNOLOGY
Integrated into the core design of the Pro SL Cycle Helmet, Koroyd's engineered tubes absorb energy in a more linear fashion than traditional mountain bike helmets. In the event of impact, the Koroyd tubes crush homogenously, absorbing g-force created by the rider's momentum and lowering the chance of injury.
SUPERIOR PROTECTION
The Pro SL meets the Koroyd Safety Initiative which sets voluntary lower limits to outperform standard helmet safety requirements. The KSI limits for maximum deceleration and HIC significantly reduce the correlated risk of severe head injuries in real life accidents. Looking at peak g values the KSI limit of 183g reduces the risk of fatal skull fracture to less than 5% from a suprsingly high 40% at the levels required to meet CE certification.
AIRFLOW
The Koroyd core also allows a more open structure to promote airflow, while the tubes of Koroyd structure within the vents maintain a linear flow of air to maximise breathability, cooling and comfort.
CRASH REPLACEMENT POLICY
If you're unfortunate enough to be involved in an accident that causes damage to your Endura helmet, our Helmet Crash Replacement Scheme will reduce the cost of replacing your helmet with the same model or nearest model.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
From Endura:
Super lightweight design (M/L 238g)
Integrated Koroyd® core for improved impact absorption without weight penalty
Large vents with angled Koroyd® tubes for increased airflow
Meets the Koroyd Safety Initiative (KSI), significantly reducing risk of skull fracture beyond required standards
Front eyewear dock
One-hand micro-adjustment fit system
Antibacterial fast wicking spacer fabric padding
Covered by Endura's Crash Replacement Policy and Endura Product Guarantee
Certified to CE Standard EN1078 + A1 02/2013
90 Day Satisfaction Guarantee
Rate the product for quality of construction:
8/10
Rate the product for performance:
7/10
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
As a high performance helmet it does a good job.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
So light and comfortable.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
Warm when the tubes aren't at the right angle.
How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?
For other Koroyd-equipped helmets like the Smith Network and Overtake mentioned in the review, the price is pretty similar.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes
Would you consider buying the product? Yes
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes
Use this box to explain your overall score
The biggest issue with the Endura is how the tubes need to be aligned with the incoming airflow for decent cooling, but on the flipside if you are the type of rider the helmet is aimed at you'll probably be in that position most of the time. It's light, it's comfortable and the price isn't extreme for a helmet of this level.
About the tester
Age: 40
I usually ride: This month's test bike My best bike is: B'Twin Ultra CF draped in the latest bling test components
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, club rides, sportives, fixed/singlespeed
Since writing his first bike review for road.cc back in early 2009 senior product reviewer Stu has tested more than a thousand pieces of kit, and hundreds of bikes.
With an HND in mechanical engineering and previous roles as a CNC programmer/machinist, draughtsman and development engineer (working in new product design) Stu understands what it takes to bring a product to market. A mix of that knowledge combined with his love of road and gravel cycling puts him in the ideal position to put the latest kit through its paces.
He first made the switch to road cycling in 1999, primarily for fitness, but it didn’t take long for his competitive side to take over which led to around ten years as a time triallist and some pretty decent results. These days though riding is more about escapism, keeping the weight off and just enjoying the fact that he gets to ride the latest technology as part of his day job.
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