Helmet questions
The new Rally and Starvos helmets have not received any product updates, they are strictly being offered in new colorways and are being launched under the Trek brand. No other products updates have been made.
We’ve incorporated a different design in the Starvos, Rally, and Jet WaveCel helmets that does not compromise quality.
The probability of injury in an actual accident depends on numerous factors, including nature of impact and individual health. All Bontrager WaveCel helmets pass CPSC, CE, and AS/NZS standards. Additionally, the Bontrager Jet WaveCel helmet passes ASTM 1447-18. No helmet can completely prevent injury, including concussions, in every type of cycling accident.
Yes. The helmet was designed for sunglass clearance for most models that are commercially available, however everyone’s head is different so how they sit on your head will be unique to each rider.
No, however, Trek does offer models such as Blaze WaveCel and Charge WaveCel with integrated bike light mounts. Find out more by visiting the WaveCel product shopping page, which can be found at the following link:
Wavecel helmetsNo, however the Bontrager Charge WaveCel helmet passes the NTA 8776 Standard making it a Speed-Pedelec approved helmet. Find out more about Charge WaveCel by visiting the following link:
Charge WavecelNo. The WaveCel material is designed to be permanently fixed to the helmet and is not replaceable. Viz material colorways are available in select WaveCel models.
The warrant for these helmets is two years. See the warranty by vising the following link:
Warranty policyWaveCel is a collapsible cellular material that lines the inside of your helmet. It’s designed to lessen the motion associated with brain injury through a three-step change in material structure. See this process in action by visiting the WaveCel page, which can be found at the following link:
WavecelWaveCel was created by a team of doctors, researchers, and engineers who have been studying head injury prevention for the last 15 years. During this time, they’ve received multiple National Institute of Health (NIH) grants to support their work. Learn more by visiting the link below.
WavecelFirst and foremost, this helmet passes all the current required safety standards. If you don’t want to take our word for it, Virginia Tech, a third-party helmet review institution, has assessed WaveCel helmets with their own test criteria and awarded all adult WaveCel helmets with a 5-STAR rating. You can see those results by visiting the link below.
Helmet ratingsVT testing uses a falling headform that is unattached to a neck or body. After some internal research we’ve found that the VT testing produces close results for different helmets for certain impact locations. We believe this may be why many helmet scores are close together. At Trek we also test with a biofidelic head and neck. In our testing, this head and neck does a better job of distinguishing between rotational helmet technologies and EPS. We are working with industry and academic partners to share our learning and results in a responsible manner. Recent academic studies have shown the importance of the neck and body mass to the kinematics of the head. That is why we choose to also do testing with a biofidelic head, biofidelic neck and representative upper torso mass. It is our current opinion that this type of test is more representative of what happens to a person during an impact.
Please refer to each product’s individual page to learn more about that particular product. The probability of injury in an actual accident depends on numerous factors, including nature of impact and individual health. No helmet can completely prevent injury, including concussions, in every type of cycling accident.
No helmet can completely prevent injury, including concussions, in every type of cycling accident. The probability of injury in an actual accident depends on numerous factors, including nature of impact and individual health.
Standard foam (EPS) helmets pass the current required safety standards. They’re designed to protect against direct linear impacts and skull fractures. WaveCel is designed to protect against the way most cycling accidents happen: ungracefully, with twists, turns, and multiple rotational impacts to the head. But a helmet is safer than no helmet.
Some cycling helmets use honeycomb shaped materials but primarily address linear impacts to prevent skull fractures. These systems may include a slip liner to the helmet to address rotational forces. WaveCel addresses both linear and angular impacts but also flexes to make a uniform dome shape that wraps mostly around the inside of the helmet.
No. WaveCel is designed to absorb the energy from an impact through crushing and shearing. If a WaveCel helmet is impacted, it must be replaced.
Replace an old helmet or a helmet with damage. The helmet is designed to absorb shock by partial destruction of the shell and liner. This damage may not be visible. Therefore, if subjected to a severe blow, the helmet should be destroyed and replaced even if it appears undamaged.The helmet has a limited lifespan in use and should be replaced when it shows obvious signs of wear.
Helmet parts lose strength over time, so even if the helmet has not been impacted or damaged, replace it after three years from date of purchase.
During our testing, we received consistent feedback from users about how comfortable it feels. Standard foam helmets have a hard, rigid shell which produces pressure points. WaveCel is a flexible dome inside the helmet that naturally conforms to different head shapes for a more comfortable fit. Give it a try!
WaveCel changes the way air flows through the helmet. It channels airflow throughout the entire helmet, allowing for better ventilation than standard EPS foam. Because a WaveCel helmet has less insulating foam material, it lets out a lot of heat and allows air to flow through it easier.
This revolutionary helmet technology adds only 53g on average to Bontrager helmets—an amount you’re unlikely to notice. That’s less than your favorite nutrition bar, 1/3 of a banana, or about two ice cubes. Yes, WaveCel adds a little weight, but nothing outweighs safety.
WaveCel is exclusive to Trek and Bontrager helmets. We began working with WaveCel in their early stages of development and have collaborated with them every step of the way. With our combined knowledge, we’ve created a game-changing product. You will likely see many other industries adopt this groundbreaking technology soon.
No. WaveCel material is not sold separately—and you can’t remove it from a Bontrager helmet.
You may see some regions that have a higher density or a relief cuts on the sides to help the material conform. That’s totally normal. This is the nature of the material. However, if there’s any damage or deformation due to an impact, you should replace your helmet.
The results of the tests we performed during the early stages of development have shown a very low risk of skin abrasion from the WaveCel material. For further protection, we put a layer of coating on the inside of the helmet.
All WaveCel helmets went through an extensive variety of protocol testing in hot, cold, and wet conditions. WaveCel passed all tests with flying colors.
WaveCel is designed to withstand UV exposure during the lifespan of the helmet. We are required to test all helmets with UV exposure, and these helmets passed all tests.
Nope! Sweat won’t hurt this technology, but it’s a good idea to clean your helmet regularly if you’re a heavy sweater. Additional NoSweat pads with a silicone channel come included with XXX WaveCel and Blaze WaveCel models to help you manage perspiration.
Like all helmets, WaveCel helmets must be replaced if they’re impacted. Additionally, compounds such as bug spray, solvents, oils, paint, and aerosols can degrade helmet materials. See the owner’s manual for a complete list.