Kali Protectives Chakra Plus

This helmet started out as a west coast loaner when I absentmindedly arrived for a stint of riding and shooting with just a cycling cap in tow. After a couple of weeks worth of riding, it became mine, and back on home turf the helmet I grab when heading out more often than not.

The Kali Protectives Chakra Plus is a cross country mountain bike helmet, complete with visor and bug guard netting out of the box. It’s racier looking than what is seen as “urban” these days, but my riding takes me between road and trails seamlessly and I tend to burn hot—I prefer the ventilation and weight of this style of helmet most of the time. I removed and promptly lost the visor as I’m wont to do, but the bug netting is just as useful on pavement as in
the woods.

Other notable features include an in-mold shell (including a lower wrap on the front edge of the helmet to prevent shelf wear), extended rear coverage as compared to a road helmet, locking strap adjusters and a rear dial fit system. The weight, or lack thereof, was one of the first things I noticed about the Chakra Plus, with the M/L helmet coming in at a remarkable 295 g without the visor.

In most respects the Chakra feels like a much nicer helmet than the $55 retail price would indicate. I did have one side of the rear fit system pull out of the dial, but was able to pull it apart and fix it on the spot. Always best to try before you buy, the helmet that fits one person’s head may not do it for the next. Available in XS/S, S/M and M/L sizes, in a number of different
colors. www.kaliprotectives.com