Rudy Project — best known for their line of premium optics — has just released their newest edition of noggin protection. It’s slick; it’s Italian; it looks fast; it’s the Airstorm. Blast past the break for details…
The helmet game has been the same for the last couple decades: make ‘em lighter, cooler, and more adjustable. Rudy Project’s new Airstorm appears to do all three. At 260g it’s remarkably light. With 16 gaping holes in the front and 4 exhaust vents out back, it looks cool (literally and figuratively). And finally, with Rudy’s award-winning RSR8 Retention System, it should be highly adjustable. The only thing we’d like to see Rudy (and all helmet makers) do is progress beyond the platitudes of “lighter/cooler/adjustable” and start developing concussion-protective helmets. Whether this means adopting established technology (such as MIPS) or created a proprietary technology (as Bell/Giro are rumored to be doing), sports medicine has developed beyond archaic helmet technology and the industry must catch up.
The 2014 Airstorm “represents the next generation of helmets from a company dedicated to Elevating Your Performance.” But cyclists know it all comes down to personal fit. So if you don’t buy the marketing hype, just go try one out; Rudy Project is offering an unprecedented 90 day trial period with a no-hassle no-questions-asked policy — full refund of your $175 it you’re not stoked.
