Giro releases Soft-shell ski helmet

[Nick]

http://gizmodo.com/5979988/a-soft+shell-helmet-that-bounces-back-with-every-hit

The new type of lining, Vinyl Nitrile, is soft and flexible unlike traditional expandable helmet liners. So where most helmets are pretty much done after one hard blow, the Combyn snaps right back into shape, ready to go again. While there's no set number of impacts the helmet can take, the cool part is that the user can send the helmet in to Giro and have it analyzed for its current durability—totally free of charge.

 

[C-Rex]

That's pretty cool. What's the price tag on that brain bucket?

 

[Nick]

Article claims $120, I think later this year

 

[C-Rex]

I guess I could have gotten off my lazy ass and just read it for myself, sorry.

That's not bad. I was expecting it to be in the 200+ range.

 

[SkiingInABlueDream]

So it's actually a soft liner helmet, not a soft shell. But I guess "soft shell helmet" is a more attention grabbing headline than "soft liner helmet"?

Seems like a good idea but if I needed a helmet that could "take all sorts of hits over, and over, and over again..." I think I'd be rethinking my approach to skiing.

And separately, was anyone else initially reminded of that (thankfully shortlived) softshell ski boot fad from ~10 years ago?

 

[Nick]

interesting; I thought the exterior was soft looking at the pic

 

[Huck_It_Baby]

This is interesting. I've never really bought into the notion that if you hit your head once the helmet is no longer good. I've definitely hit my head multiple times with all of my helmets.

 

[Cannonball]

I've definitely hit my head multiple times with all of my helmets.

If you are going to hit your head with your helmet, then a soft helmet might be just right for you!

 

[Huck_It_Baby]

If you are going to hit your head with your helmet, then a soft helmet might be just right for you!

haha! good catch