Awake 1.0 – Rethinking (or revolutionizing?) Helmet Safety
SEVENTWENTY is a new brand of cycling and ski helmets out of Italy, that employs an innovative honeycomb structure to dampen impact forces, as opposed to the common styrofoam cores in other helmets. It is similar in concept to the HEXR 3D printed helmet, introduced here earlier, however there are some key differences.
But let’s take a look first at the technology employed in the Awake 1.0, their mountain bike helmet, and at all their other helmets:
A patented elastomer honeycomb structure (called HexaGo®) made of an high energy absorption polymer sits inside a polycarbonate shell. The structure absorbs both linear and rotational impact, thus eliminating the need for employing other technology such as MIPS. As opposed to a traditional styrofoam core, that is permanently damaged after an impact, the HexaGo® structure recovers its original shape due to its rubbery characteristics.
SEVENTWENTY are proponents of safer helmets and the Awake 1.0 is the product that goes along with that advocacy. In order to ensure market compliance, EU standard EN 1078 currently requires that bicycle helmets transfer an acceleration force of no more than 250g to the head. Under EN 1078 testing, commercially available helmets have an average value of 171g (see Folksam’s Bicycle Helmet Test 2020, Helena Stigson). As SEVENTWENTY point out, the EU standards seem too lax, and the average helmet’s performance too poor, as slight concussions can occur from values such as 100g or even less. Furthermore, the tests are performed at 16.7 km/h and 19.6 km/h, which is quite slower than most cyclists average speed. The Awake 1.0 has a average value of only 115g, which is significant better than other helmets.
Take a look at this chart showing impact forces:
In addition to greater safety, SEVENTWENTY claim that their helmet also offers great ventilation. While they did not provide me with data to back that up, it seems intuitive that such an open structure on the inside does allow for great heat dissipation.
I have briefly mentioned the similar HEXR helmet, so what how do they compare? For one, they are not for the same target group. Whilst the Awake 1.0 is a mountain bike helmet (and a commuter helmet is available, too), the HEXR is aimed at road cyclists. The Awake 1.0 performs higher in safety, with 115g of acceleration force as tested, vs. the HEXR with 144g. The Awake 1.0 emphasis is on safety and it is an injection moulded helmet, which each helmet performing comparably. The HEXR is about fit as much as about safety, every helmet is custom 3D printed according to the customer’s head shape, which also explains a significantly higher sales price of GBP 299 (around EUR 350). There is further a difference in weight, both are no light weights: the Awake 1.0 weighs 499g for size M, the HEXR weighs an average of 310g.
The Awake 1.0 is produced in Italy, and available for shipment within the EU and to the UK. SEVENTWENTY plan to enter the US market in 2022. A road helmets will be developed at one point, but there are some other products such as a ski/snowboard helmet and a full face helmet for downhill that are in priority, so road cyclist might need to wait a while for their version.
What is very positive is that Airhelmet srl, the company behind the SEVENTWENTY brand has a sustainability programme that involves the recycling of 100% of their HexaGo structures once the helmet has to be replaced. They are working right now on a platform on their website to give customers the possibility to return their used 720 helmet and buy a new one with reduced price.
Specs:
- Weight: 499g
- Material: HEAP (high absorption polymer), polycarbonate
- Visor: Adjustable front visor locks into 3 different positions
- Strap Closure: Magnetic (Fidlock)
| Product | Awake 1.0 |
| Price | EUR 199 (currently on sale for EUR 155) |
| Brand | SEVENTWENTY |
| International Shipping available | Yes, EU and UK |
| Company Location | Italy |
| Manufacturing Country | Italy |
| Sustainability Info | recycling program, reduced plastic in packaging |
| Product / Company link | https://720protections.com/ |
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