Essential for every cycling discipline and level of practice, the cycling helmet aims to guarantee maximum safety and comfort for its wearer. While manufacturers long prioritised solidity to prevent all kinds of fractures, they are now focusing on protecting the most essential organ: the brain. Manufacturers have therefore developed adapted and sophisticated technologies, based on thorough case studies and crash-test simulations assessing the risks according to the force and direction of impacts. As a result, numerous systems have emerged to provide ever higher levels of protection.
Fox Fluid
Always seeking to improve its products, the American brand FOX decided to launch its helmet protection system against damage caused by rotational and linear impacts. Called Fluid in reference to cerebrospinal fluid, it shares the same characteristics as the fluid that protects your brain. Designed in the form of pads that attach to strategic locations inside the helmet, the Fluid technology moves with the rider's head during a fall. Upon impact, the pads compress and the fluid dissipates inside. In this way, the force of linear and rotational impacts is reduced.
The most comprehensive approach
between safety and performance
FLUID INSIDE
The most reliable protection system. A set of capsules containing a low-viscosity, incompressible oil along with an impact foam protects your brain by reducing linear and rotational forces associated with an impact.
MAGNETIC VISOR RELEASE SYSTEM 2.0
Second generation MVRS. The magnetically attached visor detaches on impact to minimise external rotational forces in the event of a fall.
Multi-composite Technology
Lightweight and exclusive design. Shell constructed with a blend of carbon and FRP resins, ultra-rigid and ultra-lightweight.
CAGE
One-piece injected chin guard designed to better absorb impact forces and optimise rider breathability
X-Static Liner
Removable anti-microbial, anti-odour and anti-perspiration liner. Machine washable, the X-Static® liner prevents bacterial growth and eliminates odours
Superior Injected Mesh
Injected and protected ventilation grilles to ensure maximum airflow and ventilation whilst protecting against dirt
VARIZORB EPS
Double-density EPS with conical structure, providing better protection by distributing impact forces over a larger surface area
4 SHELL SIZES
4 shell sizes for an ideal fit and comfort
Ultra-Ventilated Design
Superior ventilation, 11 air inlets and 4 outlets to create maximum airflow
mips
The Mips system (Multi-directional Impact Protection System) is an increasingly widespread safety technology found in cycling helmets, both road and MTB, notably on models from brands such as Bell/Giro, Met, Fox, POC, TLD, and Zero RH+. Mips helmets are characterised by the addition of an intermediate layer between the head and the outer shell, whose movement is slightly independent of the shell. The Swedish brand now offers several protection systems
The shell and inner lining are connected by flexible elastomer attachments: on impact, the shell slides over the Mips layer to limit the transmission of forces to the skull and prevent the risk of concussion. Effective against radial impacts, Mips helmets are particularly useful for oblique impacts.
MIPS-C2
The MIPS C2 protection system is the most widely used on the market, found in numerous helmets. Here, the shell and inner lining are connected by flexible elastomer attachments: on impact, the shell slides over the Mips layer to limit the transmission of forces to the skull and prevent the risk of concussion.MIPS-A1
The MIPS A1 protection system is the lightest in the brand's range and takes the form of small pads. It is generally found in road and cross-country helmets. It sits between the shell and the foam so as not to compromise the rider's comfort. The MIPS A1 consists of two low-friction layers that slide over one another, thereby reducing the force of linear and rotational impacts.MIPS-E2
The MIPS E2 protection system is designed specifically for full-face helmets. Here, the rider's head sits inside a "cap" which contains two low-friction shells connected by flexible elastomer attachments. In the event of an impact, they slide and limit the force of the impact for better absorption.MIPS-F2
The MIPS F2 protection system uses the classic low-friction shell. It is connected to the inner lining by elastomer fixings located between the outer shell and the EPS shell. Upon impact, the fixings deform to allow the shell to slide over the Mips layer in order to limit the transmission of forces and thus protect your brain as much as possible.
The MIPS Spherical protection system is the most discreet offering from the Swedish manufacturer. To ensure protection and comfort, the technology is integrated between two low-friction EPS foam layers, connected to one another by elastomer attachments. In the event of a fall, the EPS foams slide over one another to reduce the force of linear and rotational impact. It is currently only available on the Bell Super DH and Giro Aether helmets.
KOROYD
Koroyd is a new material that absorbs more energy upon impact compared to international standards, while improving airflow. This revolutionary material is composed of thousands of copolymer extruded tubes, thermally welded together, to create an unprecedented and perfectly homogeneous high-tech core. Each section of Koroyd is designed to precise specifications of hardness, size and thickness in order to offer the best impact resistance as well as an appealing aesthetic.
ODS
Specific to the 6D brand, which specialises in moto/bike helmets, the ODS (Omni-directional Suspension) system aims to limit the transmission of forces and energies created by an impact, in order to protect the rider's head from potential damage. The shell of helmets featuring this technology consists of two layers of expanded polystyrene (EPS) — a material that effectively absorbs shocks — between which multiple mini elastomer shock absorbers are integrated.
With their characteristic hourglass shape providing multi-directional flexibility, these small suspension elements compress the two EPS layers upon a radial impact to increase their absorption capacity. On oblique impacts, the outer layer attached to the shell pivots slightly on the inner layer, which is in contact with the head, to best disperse the forces of the impact.
Leatt turbine 360
Developed in its world-renowned Leatt Lab research laboratory, the Turbine 360° technology is found exclusively on all Leatt brand helmets. The idea is to reduce not only the linear impact in the event of a frontal shock, but also rotation in the event of a high-speed fall.
POC SPIN
The POC brand has built a reputation in the cycling world through its helmets. In a constant drive to improve the effectiveness of its products, the Swedish brand created the SPIN (Shearing Pads Inside) protection system, which aims to reduce the impact of linear and rotational shocks.
The SPIN technology comes in the form of pads. These pads replace the foam typically placed inside the helmet. They are in direct contact with the wearer's head for greater effectiveness without compromising comfort. In the event of a fall, the pads act to dissipate the forces of the impact in order to protect your brain as effectively as possible.
