Discover the inflatable bike helmet that fits in your bag

A London-based startup has developed a one-of-a-kind bicycle helmet that can inflate and deflate in 30 seconds. Once fully inflated, the helmet is sturdy enough to protect a rider’s head from any impact, just like a regular helmet. However, when the helmet is not in use, the user can fold it up and carry it in a small bag or case.

The helmet, known as the Ventete ah-1, was designed in London and is manufactured in Switzerland. The helmet comes with a portable electric pump that allows the user to easily use it on the go.

It took the Ventete team a decade to come up with this design and the patented pneumatic technology that powers the helmet.

“Ventete’s multi-patented pneumatic safety technology was developed over a ten-year period in East London with the aim of inspiring and enabling the ongoing cultural shift towards spontaneous and active travel in cities” , notes the Ventete team.

A ribbed inflatable helmet

The ah-1’s clever design sets it apart from conventional bike helmets. When folded, it transforms into a lightweight, compact boomerang-shaped object that’s smaller than a laptop and as thin as a notebook. However, it’s not the only foldable helmet.

In 2015, Swedish company Hövding developed the Airbag, an inflatable bicycle helmet that looks like a cool neck gaiter. However, unlike the AH-1, it doesn’t work exactly like a helmet, but rather like an airbag for cyclists. It is designed to instantly inflate around a user’s head in the event of a potential accident.

Since its launch, Hövding has released three versions of the Airbag, costing between $400 and $600. That may seem like a steep price for a bike helmet, but the company has already sold thousands of the airbags, proving that demand is high.

In 2023, German start-up Inflabi launched another foldable helmet that it claims is four times more durable than conventional bicycle helmets. It is made of a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) membrane, a high-performance material known for its durability, elasticity, endurance and shock absorption properties. The Inflabi helmet costs less than half the price of the Hövding airbag ($160/€149).

The aH-1 is the latest in foldable helmets, but it has some distinct features that are not found in any other product currently available. For example, it has rib-like structures between its inflatable tubes that function as a protective shell and also provide good ventilation.

Ventete has not confirmed this information, but the helmet is also expected to feature a size adjustment feature. Users can decide how much air they want to insert into the ribs depending on the size of their head.

However, when asked what material was used to make the ribs, the Ventete team has yet to respond to our emails. We hope more information will be shared when the headset goes on sale on July 16 in the UK.