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Inflabi or the bicycle helmet made of air

30/6/2023

Translation: machine translated

Looks like a swimming cap, but is actually a bike helmet: the Inflabi. The first inflatable bicycle helmet comes from Germany and is due to be launched this autumn.

No two shells rotating against each other as with Mips technology. No honeycomb technology as in bike helmets with Koroyd: From Darmstadt comes a start-up that is rethinking the bike helmet and focussing on air. The Inflabi from the company of the same name consists of 70 per cent air. In contrast to classic models, the German company's bike helmet is not made from EPS foam, but uses thermoplastic polyurethane for the textile air chambers. This belongs to a class of polyurethane plastics with properties such as elasticity, transparency and resistance to oil, grease and abrasion.

The bike helmet made from 70 per cent air.
Source: Inflabi

How a textile becomes a helmet

There are valves on the back of the helmet for inflating and deflating the Inflabi, including a pressure gauge to determine the exact pressure. A standard bicycle pump is sufficient for this. According to the manufacturer, inflation should take no longer than 20 seconds, deflation even less. The helmet can then be folded up into a small pack size and put into the bag. Another advantage of this technology is that the Inflabi does not have to be disposed of after a fall, as is usual with conventional bicycle helmets. This is because the structure of the helmet should not break in the event of an impact. This saves costs and is sustainable.

The prototype weighs around 140 grams and is therefore only about half as heavy as comparable classic models. The weight of the final series model has not yet been determined. The Inflabi is more flexible than conventional bike helmets and therefore adapts better to the contours of the head. This should make it more comfortable to wear. According to the manufacturer, the shock absorption should be up to four times higher than usual today and the European safety certification in accordance with EU 1078 should be available this year.

The Inflabi will cost around 150 euros when it is launched in November this year.

Our purchasing department will clarify whether we will have this product in our range.

Cover photo: Inflabi

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Patrick Bardelli

Senior Editor

Patrick.Bardelli@digitecgalaxus.ch

From radio journalist to product tester and storyteller, jogger to gravel bike novice and fitness enthusiast with barbells and dumbbells. I'm excited to see where the journey'll take me next.

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