On yer head
If you cycle, you’ll be aware of several undeniable facts.
First, it’s a great way to get about, and secondly, it keeps you healthy AF.
But if you give any shits at all about your safety, you’ll always wear a helmet
when you ride, so therefore you’ll know the third fact: lugging a cycle helmet
around with you is a pain in the arse. Or is it? We found out while reviewing the Hedkayse Folding Cycle Helmet.
Yeah, you’ve probably already worked out what the deal is
here: this is a helmet for cycling that will keep you safe in the event of a
crash, while also be able to conveniently fold up. Decent headlines so far. Pun
intended.
Actually, the folding feature of the Hedkayse ONE might be
the most eye-catching, but we found that the real value comes in the multi-crash
claims of Hedkayse. You see, this thing can survive multiple impacts,
unlike traditional cycle helmets which are unusable after a nasty knock.
Built in the UK from Hedkayse’s ‘Enkayse’ material, the
helmet feels softer and far more flexible than anything we’ve ever felt that
was designed to keep our brains from being damaged. You can ‘squish it’, part from the
segmented design, and part because of the material itself.
The Hedkayse ONE is a one-size-fits-all kinda deal, using
adjusting straps to tighten it to your bonce. As chaps with heads on the larger
size (all those brains, innit?) we were concerned it would be an uncomfortable
fit, but once on and adjusted appropriately it was fine.
That adjustability is the reason for the fold. The Hedkayse
ONE doesn’t fold in the truest sense, rather it can be compressed. With the rear padded
section lifted out and away from the others, the helmet can be squashed in,
reducing the width by 50%.
Yeah, half. It isn’t like this will now fit in your pocket,
or even maybe your bag, but it is a noticeable change. Having a helmet that is
no longer that awkward bowl shape means you can strap it to the outside of your
bag without it bulging out. It means you don’t have to lock it up with your
bike anymore, exposing it to thieves and the elements. It’s easier to take it
with you.
Slightly.
Moving from the novelties of multi-use and being able to
fold, how does the Hedkayse ONE actually feel when riding? Well, we must admit
to it taking a bit of time to get used to. The interior is very well padded, and
it did fit well and snug after a fiddle session with the straps, but at first
it felt… well, weird.
Weird is the only way we can describe it. We recognise that
this is unlike any other kind of helmet we’ve worn before, so a touch of
getting used to it was necessary. After a few days, however, it was just a regular
old bike helmet, with the added benefits mentioned above. So that’s a win.
But here’s the real catch. This thing costs £150 right now.
Yes, £150.
You could argue that is an investment, especially
considering that it is reusable after a crash, and being able to take it with
you will reduce the chances of it being stolen. But how often to you actually
have to buy a new bike helmet?
The Hedkayse ONE boasts all the right accreditation in
terms of safety and build quality, buy we’re just not fully convinced that
being able to collapse justifies that expense.
If you have the cash, and you like the idea of reducing the
size of your helmet, go for it. For everybody else… mmm, maybe not.
£150