How Do We Test Your Helmet?
- Using specialist laser technology, we create a real-time 3D hologram of your protective headgear at each inspection point.
- We then apply a small amount of heat (+2-3degC) at the inspection point.
- As the heat leaves your helmet, we compare changes between the baseline hologram and the current real-time hologram. Damage has a particular signature, which a trained engineer can identify. And like the contours on a map, the size and depth of the damage can be determined.
- We then record the inspection data and capture images.
Repeat steps 1-4 until the entire surface of your helmet has been inspected.
Why Test a Helmet?
Any type of protective headgear is capable of harbouring safety-critical damage, which in many cases is simply not visible to the human eye. So,
a visual inspection, even by a trained technician,
is as effective as predicting a winning lottery number.
The resins and glues used to manufacture the shell naturally deteriorate over time, but the factors that accelerate the rate of degradation are complex, which is why manufacturers normally state a helmet is good for 3-5 years.
Our lab has tested helmets that are less than 2 years old, which have failed. We have also tested helmets that are +10 years old and they have passed.
These results reinforce our position that a visual inspection is wholly ineffective.
But Ultimately ...
It's because we’re also bikers, boarder, skiers, cyclists, mountain bikers and equestrians - and we want to provide people like us with
peace of mind for the most important part of your gear.
