Urge’s latest All-Air mountain bike helmet introduces extra ERT impact protection at an affordable price level we’re not used to seeing. Combining their signature eco-friendly materials and the new co-developed impact dispersion & reduction tech, the new All-Air delivers lightweight all-mountain safety in a full vented trail helmet that won’t break the bank…
Urge All-Air affordable all-mountain bike helmet, with ERT
Urge says the hallmark of the new all-mountain All-Air helmet is its “exceptional ventilation” (hence the name) and all-around comfort.
Developed to offer lightweight, well-ventilated protection for trail, all-mountain & enduro mountain biking (together with MTB legend Fabien Barel), the All-Air uses a mostly open design with a bit of extended occipital coverage in the rear.
But while you can get the new helmet with or without the new blue ERT inserts, it’s this new additional crash protection that really sets the All-Air apart from many other helmets at this price point. And ERT doesn’t reduce airflow, and barely increases price…
ERT Extra Protection – Impact & rotation reduction tech
The All-Air’s secret is Energy Reduction Technology (ERT) pads that disperse impact forces.
While MIPS is the big name in reducing rotation in a crash, we’ve seen plenty of other helmet technologies with similar impact force reduction technologies like SERT, Spherical, SPIN, Turbine 360º. But almost invariably (except for maybe Leatt), that extra protection tech only shows up on expensive helmets. Now wait a minute, 7idp’s SERT… Seven Energy Reduction Technology… sounds a lot like Urge’s new ERT. And voila, it’s the same system that the two companies codeveloped, just now available in a much cheaper Urge skid lid.
Urge says that the ERT development was a big step, especially in low speed impacts. “During an impact, it’s crucial to reduce as much as possible the quantity of energy from the shock that can possibly reach the brain.” ERT is said to do just that, reducing 21% of the energy that would transfer from an impact to the rider’s head/brain vs. a conventional EPS-only helmet.
It works first by adding an extra layer that can deform under a direct impact force, then return back to its original shape, spreading that force out over a larger area – just like your viscoelastic knee pads for example.
But since it can also deform at an angle to an indirect force, it also offers some damping of rotational impacts as well, similar to the MIPS concept. It’s a relatively simple technology that Urge is debuting now in the All-Air, but they say will be soon adapted to bring extra protection to a number of other helmets throughout their complete range.
All-Air – Tech Details, pricing & availability
Beyond ERT, the All-Air gets a 6 of 7 eco-responsible rating from Urge, featuring 80% recycled content. That means the main shell is made from recycled EPS foam, the rigid visor is recycled ABS, and the straps are made of recycled PET bottles.
The multi-part in-mold helmet features 21 vents in total, the bulk of which are forward facing to draw in air. It also gets molded-in internal vent channels and dial retention at the back.
The helmet is CE crash certified, weighs 310g (S/M), and comes in two sizes (S/M 54-57cm & L/XL 57-59cm). The All-Air sells for 89€ without the extra inserts, and 109€ with the additional security of the ERT protection pads. The helmet is available now direct from Urge, in five matte colors – black, red, white, gray & blue.
From now through the end of July as supplies last, Urge will give a ‘Urge To Protect’ t-shirt to everyone who buys the new All-Air (also available separately for 35€).
