A no nonsense helmet for road cycling, the Hedkayse One sprints into pole position by being one of the quirkiest cycle helmets on the market and also one of the safest, certified to protect from concussions and even headaches should your noggin smack down onto the road during an urban commute!
The Hedkayse One helmet is, by no means, the cheapest cycle helmet you will come across but then again, Hedkayse One isn't run-of-the-mill.
Capable of being compressed or squeezed, the Hedkayse One helmet has a "tail"section that can be folded out, allowing you to reduce the helmet's footprint by half. Even with the tail section inwards, the Hedkayse One helmet can still be compressed, using the included velcro strap.
While Hedkayse One isn't totally foldable or collapsible, it feels more rugged and durable than most cycle helmets. At 500 grams, Hedkayse One is fairly weighty, weighing twice as much as a lightweight cycle helmet (approx. 250 grams), which are ideal for long distance cycling and training.
The Hedkayse One helmet might not be the most lightweight but, it sure feels like one of the safest cycling helmets your head will ever experience thanks to its helmet technology similar to MIPS (Multi-directional Impact Protection System), which takes into account rotation forces after crashes.
The popularity of MIPS helmets stems from these type of helmets being capable of preventing headaches by reducing head rotation after cycling crashes where you knock your head. Some swear by MIPS helmets, while others don't notice any difference at all.
The Hedkayse One construction is rather unique because it isn't rigid like most road cycling helmets, but kind of soft like the polyurethane foam rubber of a stress ball. Regardless of technology, the Headkayse One helmet fits nicely and that is what it boils down to. A cycle helmet that fits well and can be well adjusted will ultimately offer the protection the average person is looking for.
Hedkayse One is the perfect bicycle commuting solution for those who commute by bike, and even for those who enjoy off-road cycling since Hedkayse One is a fully certified cycle helmet that passes the EN1078 European standard safety test.
Hedkayse One can withstand a drop height from 1.5 meters onto a concrete surface at a speed of 5.4 metres per second, which translates to 19.4 kilometres per hour.
Hedkayse One is sleek looking, provides good protection and it's comfortable to wear securely on the head, thanks to a wide velcro strap that allows you to tighten the helmet so it won't move.
If you plan to take Hedkayse One on a trail riding, do keep in mind that the Hedkayse One cycling helmet doesn't feature a visor most mountain bike (MTB) helmets do, which acts like the visor of a cap to protect you from sunrays, rain and dirt.
Another thing to keep in mind when buying a cycling helmet is that cycling helmets need to be replaced every 2-3 years or sooner after you crash and bash your head. When buying a bike helmet, you definitely want to know what materials the helmet is made of.
The shell of many cycle helmets is made using the same composition of plastic bottles (Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic), which is glued to the foam liner of the helmet. Other shell helmets use ABS or polycarbonate plastic bonded to the foam liner of the helmet, making it a stronger helmet.
The foam padding used on most road cycle helmets is Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) foam, which tends to degrade over time due to sweat and knocks, which is the reason why you have to replace your road cycling helmet after a crash.
Instead of using standard EPS foam padding, Hedkayse One is made with a type of pliable foam (called Enkayse) that recovers after impact unlike EPS foam, which doesn't recover. If you have a crash or a big knock with a regular helmet, you have to replace it.
The foam liner in the Hedkayse One helmet is also anti-bacterial and sweat repellant, which stops it from absorbing into the foam, keeping it waterproof in the process. Should you need to clean it, the Hedkayse One helmet can be hand washed.
The Hedkayse One helmet can take as many knocks and bashes so you won't need to worry about replacing it like you would with a normal helmet.
The makers of Hedkayse One recommend replacing Hedkayse One every 5 years, which is 2-3 years longer than regular cycling helmets. The only time, Hedkayse One would need replacing it's when there is any visible damage to the helmet that may affect the structural integrity, but other than that, the Hedkayse One helmet can apparently go on for longer than 5 years.
As far as the outer shell of Hedkayse One, the helmet is covered by ballistic nylon material, which is very abrasive resistant, so it won’t rip or fray if torn. This ballistic nylon material also has low friction, which is supposed to reduce neck jerk upon impact.
The tabs between the foam sections of the Hedkayse One are made from a dyneema/Kevlar weave and are sonic welded to secure them for the life of the helmet, and to help reduce rotational forces in oblique impacts with a road surface.
Ventilation is another important feature on a cycle helmet, and as you can see from the pictures, the Hedkayse One has plenty of ventilation to keep you cool even on very warm days.
Hedkayse One also features a rather secure strap and buckle fastening system with teeth similar to that of a cable tie retention system.
Hedkayse One doesn't use a D-ring buckle or side release buckle like many other cycle helmets do. Instead, the Hedkayse One helmet uses a more effective plastic clasp for the chin strap that is easier to adjust on the fly via clickable teeth so no chance of strap creep. Thanks to the nifty buckle, you can make tighter or looser adjustments whilst on the bike.
You simply insert the buckle threaded tab and keep sliding until you find the most comfortable position. Then, when you need to take off the helmet or adjust it you simply lift off the orange lock
The orange lock is designed to operate easily, even with gloves. The webbing helmet straps, which are made of nylon and are attached to the shell of the helmet, provide all-round support thanks to side straps, back straps and side buckle adjustments so the Hedkayse One helmet can be adjusted to fit a head circumference between 49cm and 58.5cm.