Upstart Park & Diamond have developed a new collapsible urban cycling helmet disguised as a baseball cap that packs down surprisingly small. Actually promising improved safety over a conventional one-piece EPS helmet, the unique energy dispersing tech is proven, and the new helmet is ramping up to production with a crowdfunding pre-order campaign.
Park & Diamond collapsible cap, urban cycling helmet
The team behind Park & Diamond developed the collapsible baseball cap helmet in an attempt to get more urban cyclists to wear a protective helmet. One of the founders’ sister was hit while riding without a helmet and spent four months in a coma before recovering. So they set out to develop a commuter helmet that was more comfortable, more of an off-the-bike style, and more convenient to carry once you pedal to your destination.
The team behind Park & Diamond developed the collapsible baseball cap helmet in an attempt to get more urban cyclists to wear a protective helmet. One of the founders’ sister was hit while riding without a helmet and spent four months in a coma before recovering. So they set out to develop a commuter helmet that was more comfortable, more of an off-the-bike style, and more convenient to carry once you pedal to your destination. Now after three years of development the project is almost complete. And an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign is the last step to kickstart the helmet towards consumer availability.
Park & Diamond foldable bicycle helmet Tech Details
The folding helmet features a fabric outer skin that gives it the baseball cap look, and an inner skin for a comfortable fit on your head. Both are removable and can be hand washed, or swapped out when new styles are introduced.
In between, a proprietary energy dissipating composite shell (not simply EPS like a standard helmet) is made up of many smaller geometric elements that together are able to absorb the energy of an impact. In its expanded position their interlocking shape allows the elements to transmit energy to each other in a crash, while also allowing the entire thing to pack down rather compactly – to about the size of a large water bottle, so it doesn’t take up too much space in your bag.
Park & Diamond have crash tested their system in development saying it surpasses the US CPSC certification standard, and is expected to receive EU EN-1078 certification as well.
The Park & Diamond collapsible helmet will be available in three adult sizes (S, M, L) and has a claimed light weigh of approximately 8oz/230g.
Park & Diamond Bicycle Helmet Pricing & Delivery Estimates
The Park & Diamond helmet is available for pre-order starting today over at Indiegogo.com. Half off pre-order pricing starts at $79 for the helmet, including the standard black removable baseball cap cover. Additional covers will be introduced later in 2019. The crowdfunding campaign for the collapsible helmet runs until the end of October, with deliveries to Indiegogo backers slated for the first months of 2019.
