I’ve ridden in and loved my One K for years. When I took a tumble in it towards the end of last year though, I knew it was time to replace it. Not wanting to be without a helmet while going through the One K replacement policy (this was in the middle of both the pandemic and the holiday rush, and shipping was taking forever!) I decided to just purchase a new helmet for the time being. Enter: the Trauma Void Lynx.
Quick Facts:
| Trauma Void Lynx (My size: Medium 54-58 cm) | One K Defender (My size: Medium 55-56 cm/ 6 7/8 -7, with Medium liner) |
|---|---|
| Dial fit sizing, adjustable | Fixed sizing, comes in round or oval shaped, size can be adjusted somewhat with liner |
| $249.95 | $239.95 |
| Removable/washable liner | Removable/washable liner, can be used to adjust fit of helmet |
| 3 vents (sides and back) | 7 vents (sides, 2 front, back, 2 center stripe) |
| Visor/brim is breakaway | Visor/brim is fixed |
| Multi-point harness with buckle | Buckle harness |
| Deeper profile, sits lower on head | Lower profile |
| SEI/ASTM F1163-15 Certified | SEI/ASTM F1163-15 Certified |
| Has MIPS | No MIPS (but One K has recently come out with a MIPS model for $299.95) |
The Details:
Trauma Void Lynx
What initially drew me to the Lynx was its safety rating. It has MIPS technology for better brain protection and was the “Best in Class” winner of Folksom’s independent helmet tests. Safety is my number one concern with a helmet and I’m usually willing to forgo other features and/or spend a bit more to have the best protection possible. Happily, I didn’t feel like I was compromising at all with this helmet. It’s very competitively priced, especially for a helmet with MIPS (and is currently on sale!) and I find the fit very comfortable.
I was initially a bit worried that the dial system would be annoying, but once I have it on and adjusted I don’t even notice it! I typically wear my hair in a single braid, but I feel like I could do different hairstyles and still get a good fit because of the adjustability of the dial.
Weight-wise it doesn’t feel any heavier than my One K, and I’ve never felt fatigued or gotten a headache while wearing it (if you find yourself getting a headache double check how you’ve fit the dial- I always adjust it snugly, so it passes the eyebrow wiggle test and doesn’t move when I shake my head, but I don’t cinch it as tight as the dial can go so it’s not painfully digging in). If you have a more oval-shaped head and adjusting the dial doesn’t help the fit enough, the One K in the oval shape may be a better choice for you.
The profile of the Lynx is on the deeper side. It fits a bit lower on the head, and I do find it looks a bit bulky on me. The look doesn’t concern me, but some people may find the fit of the deeper profile to not be to their liking.
One K Defender
I’ve had this model of the One K for a couple years of daily riding and always been happy with it. Having had a pretty good fall while wearing it I can confidently say it offers good protection. Now that One K offers a MIPS model though I would definitely choose to upgrade for the added safety.
The fit of the One K is excellent, and is definitely one of the best helmets I’ve owned. It doesn’t have the adjustability that the Lynx has with the dial, but if you find the right fit for you it is so comfortable. Being able to choose different size liners also helps to make the fit more customizable.
The One K is also lightweight and the many vents mean it’s cool even when riding outside in the summer. I haven't had the opportunity to ride with the Lynx in the heat, but it has fewer vents than the One K and I suspect it might not be quite as cool and airy in the hotter temps.
The design of the One K is also a bit sleeker; it looks more streamlined on my head and while I don’t notice a weight difference between the One K and the Lynx, the One K does look a bit more streamlined and lower-profile.
My Takeaways:
Having been impressed with the comfort and fit of the Lynx (plus the great safety features!) I’ll be keeping it for daily schooling. I plan to replace my One K Defender with the new MIPS model, and since it’s a bit more stylish I will save it to be my showing helmet.