A couple of weeks ago during a cycling weekend with friends we had a discussion about helmets.
I already knew that when you make a crash with your helmet you have to replace it. Even if you don’t see any damage on the outside, the foam on the inside could be affected by the crash resulting in less protection.
What I didn’t know is that you also need to replace your helmet if you haven’t crashed with it.
Although research shows aging doesn’t affect the materials inside the bicycle helmet, but exposure to ultraviolet light and water does.
Manufacturers advise to replace a bicycle helmet every three to five years. I don’t think this really is necessary for everyone and depends on how much you use your helmet.
But the discussion made me think about my own helmet. I think I have used this helmet for over 8 years already and it has been on my head tens of thousands of kilometers in those years.
Since I have never had a crash where I hit my head, I didn’t see the need to replace my helmet. Until now….

The search for a new helmet

Back home from the cycling weekend I started an online search for a new bike helmet and found out that there is so much to choose. The prices range from 25 to 300 euro. Every helmet must comply with the European safety standard EN 1078. The height of the price depends on comfort, appearance, aerodynamics, weight, brand and features.

Apart from a helmet being comfortable and good looking, safety is my main concern when choosing a helmet. As mentioned before; every helmet must comply with the European safety standard (EN 1078), but there are some helmets with additional safety features.
And that is where I focussed on in this search.

MIPS vs WaveCel

Technology in the biking industry has improved quite a bit over the years. When you compare a 30 year old bike with one from today many things have changed.
But when you compare a 30 year old helmet with a brand new one it still is made from plastic with foam in the inside.
That is why some manufacturers started focusing on developing helmets that would provide better protection.
What I have discovered is that there are two main technologies; Wavecell and MIPS.

MIPS

MIPS stands for Multi-directional Impact Protection System and is a technology that was developed by specialists at the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) and a brain surgeon at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden, in 1996 (Source Wikipedia).
The Mips ® safety system features a low-friction layer inside the helmet that allows a multi-directional movement of 10-15mm on certain angled impacts, intended to help reduce rotational force to the head (Source)
MIPS technology is used in helmets of a couple of different manufacturers.

WaveCel

WaveCel is a technology developed by Bontrager (which is owned by Trek).
The WaveCel technology consists of a cellular structure inside the helmet that reduces linear and rotational forces. You can tell that it's a different technology just by the looks.

WaveCel works like a crumple zone that helps absorb the force of impact before it reaches your head. In order to protect your head and absorb the energy created by an angled impact (Source).

WaveCell structure works in three steps:

1. Flex – reduces the initial frictional forces.
2. Crumple – reduces the impact forces.
3. Glide – the WaveCel redirects the energy away from your head.
   
   

Bontrager claims that WaveCel helmets are up to 48 times as effective as standard foam helmets in preventing concussions from common cycling accidents. (Whitepaper)
You can check the following youtube link for more information:

Comparison

The claims from Bontrager being 48 times as effective as standard foam helmets in preventing concussions are challenged by other manufacturers.
They claim that Bontrager has done unreliable research for marketing purposes.
The fact is that there is no independent research for this industry yet.

But even when it is less than 48 times safer, it is always better to choose a helmet with better protection. Both MIPS and WaveCel helmets will protect you better than an old foam helmet. And a WaveCel helmet even more than a MIPS helmet because it reduces both rotational and linear forces.

On the other hand, there are also some drawbacks to the WaveCel helmets. WaveCel is a patented technique by Bontrager/Trek, so if you want one, you are tied to this brand.
MIPS technology is integrated in a larger number of brands.

The cons for both technologies is that it adds some more weight to the helmet. For a MIPS helmet this is between 25 and 45 grams, but for the WaveCel it almost adds 100 grams which is a significant amount.

My choice

After finishing my research I made the decision to buy a WaveCel helmet.
Safety was the deciding factor for me. Although the technology might not be 48 times as effective as standard foam helmets as Bontrager claims; it does look like a very reliable technology that will protect me and my brain better in case of a crash.
As I’m also using my road bike for commuting I come across a lot of traffic, so safety first. And for the extra 100 grams, I’ll take those for granted.

And here is what I bought; The Bontrager Circuit WaveCel

The Bontrager Circuit WaveCel is a comfortable and aerodynamic helmet.
The helmet has a BOA® Fit System dial on the back with which you can adjust it with a single hand.
It has two magnetic mounts; one on the back and one on top where you can place lights or an action cam if you like. The lights and/or cam can easily be removed for instance to be charged. I have removed the mounts for now since I‘m not riding in the dark and I don't have an action cam (yet).

A nice service from Bontrager is that they will send you a new helmet when you are involved in an accident within one year after you have bought the helmet.
You just send the broken helmet back to the dealer you bought it from and Bontrager will send you a new one.

After a couple of rides with my new helmet I must say I'm pretty pleased with it. In the first place it feels very safe. It is nicely adjustable with the one-hand BOA system and the padding on the inside makes it very comfortable.
The extra weight is noticeable, especially when I compare it to my old helmet. Although I actually forgot about it during the ride.
All in all a good choice I think.

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