Review: Catlike Whisper Deluxe helmet.

//Review: Catlike Whisper Deluxe helmet.

Review: Catlike Whisper Deluxe helmet.

 

Whisper Deluxe.

 

The first thing to admire about the Catlike Whisper Deluxe ($275) is the unique design. This isn’t a Giro or Specialized or Mavic with curved, sculpted vents. The Whisper screams distinctive and people usually have a love or hate reaction.

Initially we weren’t much on the esthetics behind the “shotgun hole” or “Swiss cheese” approach to ventilation. But with time we’ve come to really appreciate the Whisper for just that reason. There’s nothing else like it on the road and the recognition is instant. In fact, ProTeam Movistar wears the Whisper and even in a crowded peloton shot from a helicopter camera, you can’t miss the Whisper.

Major exhaust.

 

The 39 vents provide the requisite max air-flow that is cost of entry these days. Perhaps easy to quantify in a lab but hard to compare on the road, we found the Whisper gave us plenty of cooling air. The vents out the back are huge, like the exhaust ports on a 70’s muscle car. Catlike calls it Dual Flow and the goal is to equalize the flow from intake to exit. (Cool side note: the Whisper is the easiest helmet to pick up — with all the roundish holes, it’s like a bowling ball — stick two fingers in anywhere and lift.)

Of course, before you become super cool, you have to adjust fit. In this respect, the Whisper Deluxe uses a fairly lightweight, simple and we’re temped to say old school retention system. The design uses a ratchet system that requires two hands to pinch-click in or to release. Works fine, nothing fancy.

 

 

What’s of more interest is the vertical adjustment. The rear straps on each side run down through what we’ll call two soft rubber O-rings. Again, we’re thinking a little oddball but it actuality, we’d argue it almost works better than any other approach. Instead of popping out a plastic piece tightly embedded inside the rear shell, you simply slide the O-rings up or down through the straps to raise or lower.

We found that it was a simple task to dial in that fit and it’s extra handy in the Winter when you’ve got a cycling cap or thin wool hat to accommodate. Once we set the Whisper up, it fit as well and with as much precision and comfort as our Giro and Mavic lids. Sometimes, simple design beats gizmo flash.

Throw the Whisper on the scale and a medium weighs in at just 260 grams. That’s down in the same territory as the Limar Ultralight and roughly 30 grams heavier than the Giro Aeon. So you’re in the light category but not anorexic which can sometimes be unhealthy when you hit the tarmac.

It’s worth noting that the Whisper has a round interior shape that would seem be a disadvantage for heads with an oval shaper. We’re in the oval category but fit was excellent. And while we’re on the subject of shape, the rear depth of the Whisper seems to provide an extra measure of protection in back. So if you’re going to crash, you’re just down for road rash, not cranial surgery.

 

Inside the Whisper.

 

Speaking of going over the bars, Catlike claims their in-mold process — which bonds the hard outer shell to the inner polystyrene — not only ups the crash resistance but works to diffuse the energy of the impact by spreading it throughout the structure. Hopefully, we won’t have occasion to put that statement to the test. The Whisper, like all lids, has passed all relevant US and Euro safety standards.

In the end, ventilation, light weight, personalized fit and safety certifications aren’t the driving reasons to select the Whisper Deluxe. Those factors are almost givens in this price range. What draws us to the Catlike is the distinctive visual style. In that respect, the Whisper Deluxe makes quite a loud statement.

Catlike

Whisper Deluxe

Recent reviews

KHS Flite 747 road bike

Capo Padrone long sleeve jersey

Hincapie Emergence bib short

Mavic Plasma SLR road helmet

Hincapie Signature eVent rain shell

Icebreaker Sprint & Roto LS base-layer

Capo Padrone bib short

Icebreaker Commute Zip jacket

Giro Aeon helmet

Sugoi Zap vest

Pearl Izumi P.R.O RD II road shoes

Ritchey Pro Carbon Evo handlebars

Pearl Izumi Barrier Lite vest

Keo Blade pedals

Mavic Infinity Bib short

Icebreaker Circuit bib short

Mavic Ksyrium Elite wheelset

Whisper head shot.

 

 

 

By |2019-02-03T16:10:10-08:00March 20th, 2012|Product Reviews|17 Comments

About the Author:

17 Comments

  1. […] Catlike Whisper Deluxe helmet […]

  2. […] Catlike Whisper Deluxe helmet […]

  3. Wojwys May 6, 2012 at 11:21 am - Reply

    You’ve been very generous describing the flimsy retention system. For this price point something that basic, requiring two hands is simply ridiculous. On the top of that straps with small pads run across your temples, causing some major headaches.
    However, if you add the retention stystem from Kask Vertigo you may have the best world cycling helmet.

    • walshworld May 7, 2012 at 9:55 am - Reply

      Perhaps I was too generous and I may revise that. It does perform the function. I haven’t had any issues with the straps, pads and headaches. The helmet fits just fine but that often just head shape. The Giro and Specialized helmets continue to be the most comfortable in my book. I have not checked out the Kask — I’ll give it a look. Best, Matt

  4. […] Catlike Whisper Deluxe helmet […]

  5. […] Catlike Whisper Deluxe helmet […]

  6. Scott Rigsby July 24, 2012 at 7:59 am - Reply

    Where can I find this helmet in Atlanta GA? Thank you.

    • Wojtek Wysocki July 24, 2012 at 2:17 pm - Reply

      Scott, based on the local rep coordinates, Lifetime Bikes in Loganville may have them. Haven’t seen you in a while. Riding Covington Century by any chance?

  7. […] Catlike Whisper Deluxe helmet […]

  8. […] Catlike Whisper Deluxe helmet […]

  9. […] Catlike Whisper Deluxe helmet […]

  10. […] Catlike Whisper Deluxe helmet […]

  11. […] Catlike Whisper Deluxe helmet […]

  12. […] Catlike Whisper Deluxe helmet […]

  13. […] Catlike Whisper Deluxe helmet […]

  14. […] Catlike Whisper Deluxe helmet […]

  15. […] Catlike Whisper Deluxe helmet […]

Leave A Comment