This article was taken from the April 2012 issue of Wired magazine. Be the first to read Wired's articles in print before they're posted online, and get your hands on loads of additional content by subscribing online.
Hard helmets to meet challenging conditions.
High-speed comfort
Roof R05 Boxer V8 helmet (above)
Roof's versatile helmet is homologated for both open-face and full-face head protection in motor-sport. It's because the impact-resistant chin bar is designed to rotate independently of the bifocal visor, flipping smoothly behind the fibreglass shell.
The shape of the rounded visor and the aggressive streamlining is drawn from fighter-pilot helmet design.
£300, designerhelmets.com
Lightweight and speedy
POC Sinuse SL slalom ski helmet
POC's patented double shell helmets offer protection through their thin and hard outer layer and thicker in-mould cushion. The outer layer is deliberately designed to crack at a certain level of impact, so that the inner polypropylene foam can absorb and disperse the rest of the force.
The removable chin guard is an added reassurance for slalom skiers.
£120, skibartlett.com
For tunes and tricks
Ride Ninja snowboard helmet (above)
This featherweight lid, made from a single plastic mould, weighs just 330g, but it's still tough enough to protect your head. Its internal thermo-formed padding hugs your skull and keeps your head cosy on the slopes, and you can add detachable ear pads.
If you can't shred without tunes or taking a call, an optional audio/phone kit is available.
£100, bornextreme.com
Hang-gliding hard-hat
Icaro Grid Cut Integral
For helmets that are designed for free-flight sports such as hang-gliding, airflow is a crucial factor. Grills mounted on the fibreglass shell let air pass though channels in the helmet's polystyrene core.
The aerodynamic exterior shell is made of fibreglass composite, and weighs just 840 grams. Other visor options include clear, blue-tinted and mirror.
£216, shop.flybubble.co.uk
Underwater engineering
Composite Beat Engel DeepSea DSL B-2
Designed in conjunction with deep-sea salvage companies, this helmet is built to operate in the harshest conditions and most contaminated waters.
The fibreglass laminate shell is crowned by a handle for mounting a camera and light. Weighing 12 kilograms, it is neutrally buoyant in the water and can be used to depths of about 100 metres.
£4,720, composite-be.com
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
