Kali Therapy
MIPs-alternative head protection
At first glance, Kali’s Therapy lid looks like a traditional vented road helmet. The low volume size and angular design all look good but there’s little to distinguish it from a myriad of other sub-£100 helmets on the market.
What sets it apart, however, is some clever tech on the inside. Rather than opting for a MIPS system (in which an insert – usually a film – is fitted inside the helmet to counter rotational forces in the event of a crash) Kali has developed its own system called LDL, or Low Density Layer. This is a padding system that combines traditional pads with Viscoelastic gel pads that can compress and shear in all directions. Imagine an octopus’ sucker on its leg, that’s what they look like. These clever pads can compress, rotate and stretch and Kali’s research shows that this reduces rotational impact forces (like MIPS) by 25 per cent and low-g linear impact forces by 30 per cent.
The finish of the helmet is good, with the hard shell integrated into the foam core providing complete coverage of the easily damaged EPS foam. The 21 vents are split between five large forward-facing in-vents, a further 11 across the crown and five large exit ports. The rear cradle of the helmet has two vertical settings offering a centimetre of adjustment and, as the rear cradle has two mount points set on the sides, it leaves the rear open and compatible for riders with longer hair and ponytails.
The Therapy meets all international safety standards. Weight-wise, our L/XL tips the scales at 320g. The sizing is generous and microadjustments from the rear dial are great, even if the cradle adjuster is a little on the large side. The straps are a bit weighty and thick, so they don’t deal with the heat that well, quickly getting soaked through. Overall, however, the Therapy is a great helmet. The design keeps airflow consistent and the fit is great, the MIPS alternative is far less intrusive on the helmet’s performance and, with better fittings, the Therapy would give any premium helmet a run for its money.