Kask Launches Nirvana Headphones: Aerodynamic Over-Ear Headphones Claim Six Watt Savings Over Utopia Y
Kask claims its new Nirvana helmet offers significantly more ventilation than most top aero helmets, as well as increased protection. It says the Nirvana is a good option for cyclists obsessed with aerodynamic performance, not just for road racing, but also for track and triathlon.
We spotted the new helmet on the heads of Ineos Grenadiers pros including Filippo Ganna during pre-season training in early 2024, so it took a while for Kask to officially launch the new helmet. At the time, we posited that it was a new Utopia Y, but we were told that the two would exist in tandem.
Kask, however, claims that the Nirvana performs significantly better than the Utopia Y on several metrics.
In its head-to-head testing, Kask claims the Nirvana was more aerodynamic at 28 mph and over a 0-20 degree yaw range than its Utopia Y, with a 35 percent reduction in drag. That equates, Kask says, to a 7.2-second gain over 12 miles at 31 mph, or the equivalent of six watts saved.
Kask claims superior ventilation for the Nirvana, despite its aerodynamic design (Photo credit: Kask)
The Nirvana’s ear flaps, which wrap around the upper part of the earlobes, are said to help smooth airflow. They’re similar to those on the recently launched Poc Procen Air’s semi-closed design, which (with a visor, a feature not offered by the Nirvana) proved to be the most aerodynamic of 24 helmets in our recent wind tunnel helmet tests – another trend in helmet design?
Unfortunately, the Nirvana’s availability came too late to participate in this wind tunnel test, but we’ll make an effort to get back out there and see how it fares against the Procen, S-Works Evade III, and others.
Kask says the Nirvana’s aerodynamic performance doesn’t come at the expense of ventilation, which it says has increased by 19 percent over the Utopia Y, for better thermal comfort for the rider.
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Multipod padding is supposed to increase ventilation as well as shock absorption (Photo credit: Kask)
Kask points out that as racing speeds increase, aerodynamics become increasingly important relative to weight. The need for protection is also greater, given the increased potential impact speed.
The Nirvana headset incorporates a technology called Multipod, first seen in the Elemento headset, launched last year.
Multipod is a 3D printed variation of the helmet’s internal padding, with a hexagonal lattice structure. It is integrated into the helmet and, in the event of a crash, can collapse but can also shear between planes to provide additional protection against non-linear impacts.
Kask claims this increases rotational energy absorption by 10% in its WG11 safety testing protocol.
Kask points out that the Multipod’s impact absorption is the same regardless of the direction of impact. The lattice structure also has the advantage of increasing the Nirvana’s ventilation. Additional merino wool padding is present on the front and sides of the helmet to ensure sweat absorption.
The Kask Nirvana helmet also features a faux leather chin bar, reflective details on the rear, and a goggle port in the front vents, although this is detrimental to aerodynamics. At the rear, the helmet uses Kask’s Octofit+ fit system to ensure a secure fit.
Weight and price
Kask believes the Nirvana is a good option for time trials, triathlons and track, not just road racing. (Photo credit: Kask)
Kask lists the Nirvana at 270g in Europe and 290g elsewhere, depending on regional safety requirements. Like all of its helmets, the Nirvana is made in Italy.
The Nirvana is available in five different colorways, including the Cherry Burst orange gradient favored by the Ineos Grenadiers professional team. This is one of three color gradients offered, a first for Kask, as its previous helmets have all been a single, uniform color.
There are only two sizes available, instead of the more normal three, with a M for head circumferences of 52 cm to 58 cm and a L for head circumferences of 59 cm to 62 cm.
Kask’s MSRP for the Nirvana helmet is £320 / $400 / €360 / AU$570, rivalling the Elemento.
