Home > Clothing-Gear-Tools

EB13: Rockwell’s Unique Plastic Bead Pod Bicycle Helmets

8 Comments
Support us! Bikerumor may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. Learn More

Rockwell bicycle helmets with plastic bead pods to absorb impact

The Rockwell helmet uses pods of plastic beads from the medical industry to absorb impact by deforming their shape rather than crushing. It’s been in development for a year and will pass EN safety standards.

Not only does it conform to your head, but it’ll deform around impacts and obstacles. It’ll also hold up to small drops better than EPS shells, which makes it a great option for kids. While they won’t officially say it’s good for multiple crash impacts, the materials don’t permanently deform or lose their ability to absorb impact. Do with that what you will…

Rockwell bicycle helmets with plastic bead pods to absorb impact

They’ve done studies with University of Cologne and found that it’s temperature constant, only rising a couple degrees above ambient temperature and remaining breathable. The benefit of that comes more when you stick the soft shell part into the fridge for a couple hours before a ride to get a long term cooling effect.

Rockwell bicycle helmets with plastic bead pods to absorb impact

Target weight is 450 to 500 grams, meaning their best suited for more upright, commuter style riding.

Rockwell bicycle helmets with plastic bead pods to absorb impact

It’s a modular system, so you can mix and match colors, including soft covers. The small lever in the back (shown on the left) adjusts the rear retention system.

Retail is €139. They’re also working on a mountain helmet for snow sports. Check ’em out at Rockwell-Headgear.com.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

8 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Cheese
Cheese
10 years ago

*they’re best suited

Xris
Xris
10 years ago

Looks like an inside out raspberry for your head. I want one just for the hell of it.

Mindless
Mindless
10 years ago

450 to 500 grams? For kids? They are joking, right?

Laurens
10 years ago

Those urban helmets of Rockwell caught my attention as well.
The liner can also be put on a radiator in winter for some comfy warmth on the daily commute.
And no, it’s not a kids helmet. It’s a helmet for casual riders in an urban environment and rides that last no longer than 30min, really.

ah
ah
10 years ago

This looks really interesting, any more detail? Do the little bubbles themselves breath or are we just looking at the gaps between them for air flow? Do the bubbles feel squishy to the touch? Are they filled with a D30 type material maybe? Is this what makes it heavy?

Ben
Ben
10 years ago

I’m guessing the inventors are not cyclists. Their product is heavy and breathes like a plastic bag. Not sure sweaty rubber on skin/hair is going to be very comfortable. This seems like a step in the wrong direction.

ndp
ndp
10 years ago

“Not only does it conform to your head, but it’ll deform around impacts and obstacles”

Really? So if your heads hits a protruding object (big pointy rock, trailer hitch, etc.) the helmet deforms around it? So what happens to your rigid head bone?

I saw several kayakers in the 1990’s suffer serious head injuries from rock hits to somewhat malleable “Protec” helmets. After seeing this many of us switched to rigid composite helmets with squishy liners.

Ryan
Ryan
10 years ago

If they switch from making helmets to chairs, I’ll order two.

Subscribe Now

Sign up to receive BikeRumor content direct to your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Sign up to receive BikeRumor content direct to your inbox.