For the first review of our July summer clothing special, we tested two items from Catlike: the Whisper Deluxe helmet, and the D’lux Micro sunglasses.
Catlike’s helmet range has a unique design, owing largely to the amount of vents: in the case of the Whisper Deluxe, thirty-nine of them.
Having worn their Whisper Plus for over a year, I was already a fan of the brand and its style, and was interested to try the Whisper Deluxe to see if their Whisper range could be improved.
Its appearance makes it the perfect helmet for riders who, like me, want a well-cooled head, as well as for those who want to stand out from the crowd. The Movistar WorldTour team wear this range and even in a crowded peloton you can’t miss their Whisper helmets.
The aforementioned vents give maximum airflow, aided by two large vents that serve as exhaust ports.
The helmet has a very comfortable fit with padding in all the right places that are easy to remove for washing, and look very durable.
The Whisper Deluxe uses a fairly lightweight, perhaps dated, but simple to use MPS retention system (better than most modern systems, in my opinion) that utilises a clever ratchet design which makes the task of adjusting the fit to accommodate a summer cap or winter liner very easy. The system on the Whisper Deluxe has been updated and simplified from earlier incarnations.
The Whisper Deluxe costs £149.99 and comes in four sizes, from XS to LG, with the smallest weighing 230 grams and the largest 270 grams. Eleven colour schemes are available.
The Catlike D’lux Micro sunglasses were lightweight, comfortable, and equipped with high quality optics.
Each pair is sold with two set of lenses – clear and tinted. Seven lens types are available for different lighting situations. All are coated with a scratch-resistant and water-repellant treatment.
To change lenses requires a small screwdriver: a process that sounded like it could be fiddly, but happily proved not to be so. The screw fitting I felt offered a greater security than some interchangeable lens types.
A rubber nose piece can be micro moulded to fit any shape of nose. The design and materials used (including rubberized, non-slip arm tips) kept the frames in place without digging into the side of your head.
The dual compound, polycarbonate frame is lightweight and minimal, giving you an unparalleled field of vision without obstruction. Unlike some offerings from rival brands, the D’Lux sunglasses didn’t interfere with the helmet straps.
These sunglasses didn’t fog as easily as rivals, especially on some of the smoggy summer days we’ve had, partly because they sit further off the face.
The D’Lux Micro sunglasses are available in nine colour schemes and cost £99.99.
