Lazer eyewear and urban helmets – Interbike 2012

Deluxe versions of Armor and Street, plus Magneto glasses developments

James Huang/Future Publishing

Published: September 24, 2012 at 1:12 pm

We saw several new helmets from Belgian lid company Lazer Sport at Eurobike, but the brand brought even more 2013 models – and some fresh eyewear – to this year's Interbike show.

Lazer continues to grow its urban range with 'Deluxe' versions of the Armor and Street. These feature fancier graphic treatments and materials including fabric covers, wood-grain prints, leather straps and metal hardware.

While highly similar in terms of appearance, the US$80 Armor Deluxe and US$60 Street Deluxe are fundamentally different. The Armor Deluxe uses in-molded construction and is impressively lightweight at around 275g (claimed) while the Street Deluxe uses a separate bonded-on hardshell that increases the claimed weight to a more substantial 450g.

Leather straps and metal hardware for lazer's armor deluxe helmet: - James Huang/Future Publishing

Leather straps and metal hardware on the Armor Deluxe

Lazer has also adapted its Effect snowsports helmets to produce the US$100 Sweet – essentially the same helmet but without the winter insulation. Key features include the comfortable RollSys retention system, adjustable venting, a built-in rear LED flasher, an optional GoPro camera mount and a dual-layer EPS foam liner that air can flow through for improved ventilation.

The popular US$60 CityZen has been updated as well, with a smaller brim.

Eyewear updates

Lazer continues to push the virtues of its innovative Magneto eyewear system, and it's been improved for 2013 with a second model, the M1S, that features a trimmer form factor for trimmer faces. According to Lazer Sport's Chris Smith, the M1S is 5mm narrower and 3mm shorter front-to-back than the standard M1.

Also new on the Magneto front are handy snap-on 'docks' for Helium helmets. These allow users to attach the non-folding glasses on top of their heads when the glasses aren't in use.

Lazer tackles the issue of where to store unused magneto glasses with these new snap-on docks for helium helmets: - James Huang/Future Publishing

Snap-on docks for the Helium helmet hold Magneto glasses when they're not in use

Meanwhile, riders with smaller faces wanting a more casual option can look to the new AR-2, with a stylish half-frame configuration, interchangeable lenses and grippy hydrophilic inserts at the nosepiece and temples for a slip-free fit.