The Kask Mojito has been my go-to road helmet over the past 10 years. Whilst my eye has wandered over this time, there has been nothing that has fit my head quite the same. The size, weight, fit and look are as a whole, incomparable to other options on the market. The Mojito is still favoured by many top professional cyclists even though it is ‘old tech’.
Enter the Oakley ARO3. Featuring the latest in technological advancements, such as MIPS and aero optimisation, the ARO3 is a better helmet than the Mojito in terms of technological advancements… but is the ARO3 more comfortable and does it have anything else to offer?
The comparison
Fit and Adjustment
Comfort is key when it comes to helmets. A helmet can look great, but if is uncomfortable on your head, it simply is not worth it. I use a medium in both Mojito and ARO3 and the fit and comfort on the head were indistinguishable.
The retention and tightening dial works well on both helmets, but as mentioned previously the Oakley’s boa dial features a thin wire which stays out the way. The ARO3 also has three rear position adjustment holes to customise the fit around the back of your head. The Mojito has just one, which slides up and down the helmet strap. Both work, but the ARO3 offers more adjustment room.
To be honest, I never thought of helmet straps as a cause for concern. They simply were a necessity to affix the two ends of the buckle to each other. The Mojito helmet straps feature a comfortable faux leather strap which did not agitate, rub or cause any issue. The straps are easy to adjust to just under your ear to ensure snug and correct fit. Whilst the strap is more bulky than the ARO3, it works and offers a lot of adjustment range.
The helmet straps on the ARO3, let a little to be desired at first. The strap profile offers a sleeker fit than the Mojito, with no adjustment buckles to be seen. This proved to be a bit of an issue for me at first. I have been used to fitting the straps just under my ears over the last two decades of riding. Oakley helmets currently do not offer any ability to adjust the height of the straps under your ears. They are positioned in one place, which sat a good 3cm lower than my Mojito and subsequently, the bottom of my ears. This odd placement, according to Oakley, is to ensure the straps sit flush on your face, which I’ll admit they do. Initially, I did not like the placement of the straps, but after a couple of rides I adapted to the different fit and now do not notice the helmet when it is on. Are the straps more comfortable… no. Are they less comfortable… no. It is just different.
Size and Weight
There are certainly lighter options on the market than both the Oakley ARO3 and the Kask Mojito. So, if you are looking for an all-out lightweight helmet, neither are going to fit the bill. If size matters (it always does), then keep reading. One of the things which I loved about my Mojito was the physical size of the helmet. There was no mushroom like look, long protruding helmet mullet or the annoying beak that many helmets have. It was small, compact, and aesthetically pleasing.
The ARO3 is a slightly bulkier helmet in terms of weight, which I dare say is in large part due to included MIPS tech. However, the helmet is smaller and more compact in physical size than even the Mojito, which really is a standout! Can you feel the weight…yes, a little when time trialling for long periods of time. Did it bother me – not at all.
| Key measurements | ||
| Measure | Kask Mojito | Oakley ARO3 |
| Weight | 255g | 309g |
| Length | 25.7cm | 24.7cm |
| Width | 21.1cm | 21.8cm |
| Height | 15.4cm | 14.6cm |
Sunglass compatibility
Ah yes, the bug bear of many cyclists. This was one of the only areas that I always had issues with my Mojito. The placement of the straps and bottom of the Mojito always forced my glasses to be pitched too far up that I am ended up looking underneath the glasses. This led to constant repositioning of the sunglass arms and usually a requirement to wear them underneath the straps (a big no no in when you consult the cycling Velominati) causing undue pressure on my head.
When it comes to the Oakley ARO3, this ‘issue’ has been addressed with flying colours. The boa tightening mechanism on the ARO3 removes the need for a bulky retention device like my Kask and allows easy placement of my glasses, with zero interference. A huge win in my opinion for the Oakley ARO3 over the Kask Mojito.
A solution to a problem you probably never thought too much about. When my glasses aren’t on my face, I place them in the front vents of the helmet. You probably do too. This has never worked very well, where I have lost two pairs glasses over the years, but has been the only real option and handy place to keep them for ease of access.
The Oakley Eyewear Dock.
I must admit, when reading about the Oakley ARO3, I thought that their eyewear dock was a bit of marketing gimmick and they were simply giving a name and function to the air vents at the front of helmets (which all road helmets already have).
Oh my was I wrong! Simply put, the eyewear dock is absolutely amazing. The internal mould of the helmet has been specifically designed to grab hold of the arms of your sunglasses when not in use. Your sunglasses sit firmly docked in place without even the slightest movement. I even shook my head a few times to test and not a sign of being dislodged. A truly epic design that really makes a big difference.
The times are changing. My beloved Kask Mojito has finally met its match in the new Oakley ARO3…and I am loving it.
Ricky Swindale – Pushys sponsored athlete
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