Kali Avita PC & Maraka XC

I don’t know much about Kali Protectives. So, I don’t have a clever or informative intro for you.

I guess we’ll talk about the helmets?

Avita PC

First up we have the 358g Avita PC, the Enduro-y, lowish priced offering from Kali.  It offers everything one would look for in an Enduro-y helmet: Extra coverage in the back, reasonable weight and vents, and a wildlife-scaring graphics package (there are a few oh-so-slightly subtler options available).  All for around 95 dollars. I’m not sure what PC stands for though. Maybe that means “Enduro” in California?

The Kali Avita PC. I’m not going to lie to you. People made fun of me when I wore this helmet around town. I guess Enduro hasn’t caught on in downtown Vancouver yet.

Maraka XC

Kali Maraka XC. Taking photos of white and black helmets is hard.

Then we have the Maraka XC, which is a lot more money and a lot more XC oriented.  It has more vent than helmet and a pile of features to justify the elaborate price tag.  You will need roughly 230 dollars to walk out of a store with that one.

The Good

Nobody likes to start off on a bummer, so let’s talk about what is good about these helmets.

Avita PC

What your head sees. Out the top. Not out the face holes.

I will say that I’m impressed with the fit and finish of this helmet, especially at 95 dollars.  There’s hardly a corner cut and the straps and retention device look to be exactly the same as on its high dollar XC sister.  It’s comfortable and it stays put.

I especially like the retention device.  It’s solid and it takes an earnest effort to move it in either direction.  Really, this is something you want to set once at the beginning of the ride, right?  I like that this helmet doesn’t unexpectedly loosen due to contact with my backpack as I’m negotiating a steep section.

Cheers for the nice retention device. A subtle preview of the jeers to come.

As well, the buckle system is great.  It took no more than a couple of minutes to adjust perfectly, and the clasps integrated into the hardware mean that the straps aren’t moving anywhere.

Maraka XC

All of the above about straps and retention devices apply to the Maraka as well.  Set it up once and you should be happy.

That little cam lock really makes a difference.

In addition to the extra vents and high zoot extras (nicer visor, carbon highlights), the killer feature of the Maraka is the softer foam sections moulded into the shell of the helmet.  See all that yellow stuff in the photo below?

The yellow bits are good.

That’s actually nice, squishy, soft foam.  It really does eliminate a lot of the pressure points you didn’t even know you had on your helmet.  Very nice.

At 302 grams, the Maraka is pretty light for a XC lid.

The Not So Good

Of course, like anything, neither helmet is perfect.

First, I’m curious about the decision by Kali on strap mounting.  For many years now, I’ve been a fan of the skateboard style of strap mounting.  It just makes sense to mount your straps at the bottom of the helmet, doesn’t it?  I always felt like the old school bicycle style, with the straps coming out of the top of the helmet, was finicky to deal with, never fit right and just does not make sense (and 3…2…1… the comments section is now filling up with reasons why helmet straps should be mounted to the top of the helmet).  So what has Kali done?  They’ve split the difference – Front strap is skate style, rear strap is bicycle style.  And you know what?  That rear strap is finicky to deal with.  You have to place it correctly before you put it on your head.  It doesn’t cause any fit issues or problems when it’s on your head, but it’s a hassle.  And I don’t like it.

The rear straps are a bit of a hassle. But the retention device is quality.

My only other gripe is specifically with the Avita.  Kali, you’ve made a beautiful helmet, but the visor looks like a bit of an afterthought.  It’s solid and does what a visor is supposed to do.  But it looks cheap and it cheapens this helmet.

Details, details.

Conclusion

So.  There you have it.  Two helmets.  If they suit your aesthetic style, fit you right and you think my ideas about helmet straps are stupid, well my friend, you’ve got yourself a nice helmet.  The Avita is an especially intriguing option for the price.

Kali Avita PC $95 CAD / $70 USD
Kali Maraka XC $225 CAD / $190 USD

Dave Tolnai