This Bike Helmet is Better at Preventing Concussions

WaveCel

After teasing out information over the past couple of weeks about a revolutionary new development, Trek finally revealed WaveCel — a Bontrager-exclusive helmet technology that’s supposedly up to 48x more effective than standard foam helmets in preventing concussions during common cycling accidents.

WaveCel is a collapsible cellular structure that lines the inside of your bike helmet. It works like a crumple zone that absorbs the force of an impact before it reaches your head. To me, it appears to be very similar in concept to Koroyd used in Smith helmets.

In order to protect your head and absorb the energy created by an impact, WaveCel goes through a three-step change in material structure. First, the cells flex to reduce the initial frictional forces. Next, the cells crumple like a car bumper upon impact. Finally, WaveCel glides to redirect energy away from your head.

Trek claims that the structure does not impede ventilation — one of the original complaints against Koroyd. And the technology adds only 53 grams on average to the Bontrager helmets.

A single Boa dial and the included fit pads lets you quickly adjust the helmet fit and every helmet features a uniform dome shape developed from over 150 studies on what feels best in helmets.

WaveCelWaveCel is available in road, mountain, commuter, and e-bike helmets from Bontrager. In all, there are six helmets available to order now, which range in price from $150 to $300 depending on model.

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