Ventete aH-1 helmet and pump

The Ventete aH-1 helmet and pump has been in development for a decade and is aimed primarily at urban riders who want a collapsable design to stow in a desk, bag or pannier when not in use. It takes 30 seconds to inflate and, while the inflatable design suggests it may feel like having a dinghy on your head, it actually achieves what feels like a tailored fit. Though heavy, and there’s no way you can escape that price, I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how airy it is, and its weight wasn’t apparent on commuting and training rides.

> Buy now: Ventete aH-1 helmet for £350 from Ventete

For more options, check out our best cycling helmets buyer’s guide.

Specification

We’re told the aH-1’s structural inflatable technology is made from a triple-laminated high-tenacity nylon that’s chosen for ‘exceptional’ tear and abrasion resistance. It feels sturdy, with a texture that reminds me of an inflatable dinghy, and also feels really abrasion resistant.

Glass fibre ‘ribs’ provide braced reinforcement across each chamber, helping it to maintain structure and to defend against scuff damage. Internally, rather than helmet pads, there is a dimpled liner that actually reminded me of the tentacles of an octopus.

This was developed in collaboration with RHEON Labs and incorporates an impact polymer designed to defend against twisting forces.

The helmet is inflated through a discreet Presta valve and gauge. The latter works very much like a spirit level; once the black line is centred, the helmet is correctly inflated for optimal fit and protection. This is roughly 30-35psi. When fully deflated the helmet compresses to about 3.5cm thick for easy storage.

Ventete assures me its helmet has been tested to over twice the recommended pressure without issue, but it does warn against exceeding this pressure.

We did have some issues with the gauge and despite guidance from Ventete, we couldn’t get it to reset. But from a consumer perspective, this would be covered by the warranty. And during testing I stuck within the 30-35psi range.

Ventete supplies a Fumpa mini-inflator with the helmet. This makes for very speedy inflation but other models work just fine, and I’ve also achieved the correct pressure using a high-pressure frame-fit pump. Do take care to avoid bending the Presta valve, though, and under no circumstance consider using a CO2 inflator.

The big question is: is the technology as effective as foam in the event of a crash? Well, independent tests undertaken by Imperial College London confirmed it exceeded EN1078 and was significantly better than foam at resisting linear and rotational impacts.

In the event of a crash, the helmet should be inspected and returned to Ventete.

Achieving a good fit

Much of this boils down to fine tuning the fit by regulating the pressure. Bleeding a few psi will give you a looser fit, while increasing the pressure will cause the helmet to grip your head more tightly, which means it will work with different head sizes. It has the usual adjustable chinstrap and buckle.

From totally deflated, it will inflate to 30psi in around 20 seconds (tested with a standalone digital gauge) and it’s similarly easy to deflate and compress. Remove the dust cap, slacken the Presta valve and press. Compressing the helmet’s walls gently, as you would deflate a spare, accelerates this process, which I got down to just 10 seconds with practice.

Talking of pressure, assuming you’re not shoving the helmet into a pannier or messenger bag when you’ve reached your destination, the fabric stays inflated very well. I found I only needed to add a little pressure every 10-12 days or so. The fabric takes a little while to ‘bed in’, and for the first few outings it felt a little tight, but after around six inflation-deflation cycles it felt fine.

Comfort

I’m used to wearing lids weighing around 250g, so the extra weight of a 465g lid was initially apparent – but not uncomfortably so. And I was happy doing 50-mile rides without issue.

Probably the biggest surprise with the Ventete was the airflow, which feels incredibly efficient, and easily on a par with some feathery race lids I’ve used. And even as spring temperatures have climbed towards the high teens, I’ve stayed comfortable and sweat-free even during harder cycling efforts.

Our black helmet may retain some heat during summer, but the Ventete is also available in white. And while Ventete says the lid is suitable for all types of riding, I feel its weight means it’s best suited for commuting and leisure riding.

I’ve worn this for off-road rides and its after around three hours of riding that the helmet’s extra weight became a little wearing. Other than that, it’s only been positives when it’s come to the lid.

I wore a cap under the helemt during showers and to keep the sun from my eyes, and I also tried several Gore-Tex-type covers from different brands over the helmet, and they all worked without any problems.

Durability

To be frank, I’d be disappointed if I’d found any weaknesses in the materials or construction given the helmet’s asking price, even if it does include the pump.

I’ve ventured through foliage while riding this, and it’s been hit by small stones thrown up by the front tyre. Add in the usual day-to-day carelessness with most of us treat our helmet, and there’s still no sign of wear, which augurs well for its long-term use.

Value

‘Got a ten-pound head? Get a ten-pound helmet.’ Even allowing for this old adage and the fact that the price includes a mini-inflator, the Ventete aH-1 is undoubtedly expensive. At the same time, its unique design is different to that of a traditional helmet, so direct comparisons are a little harder to make.

The £199 e-bike-certified unit1 Aura MIPS weighs a claimed 440g and complies with the Dutch NTA8776, European EN1078 and US CPSC helmet standards. It features integrated lighting with ambient light sensors, crash alert technology, fidlock magnetic chin strap closure and a visor. However, it still employs the traditional EPS and polycarbonate shell construction.

The £89.99 folding Newlane Flip & Clip Helmet also has the familiar EPS/polycarbonate construction, and though Matt Lamy was impressed by how it folded, he found it heavy and the ventilation limited.

The Hedon Headstrong Creme is £280 and is inspired by motorcycle helmets. It’s made from carbon fibre with a leather trim and conforms to the EN1078 standard, but it still weighs in at 410g for the medium.

Conclusion

All in all, the Ventete AH-1 grew on me during the time I spent testing it. I’m impressed by the concept, and it’s been considerably more comfortable on longer outings than I was expecting. However, while I’ve grown to like the idea and believe the helmet has genuine potential, I’d need to see the weight and price come down a bit before investing in it or recommending it for harder riding efforts.

Verdict

Impressive concept that’s well executed and surprisingly airy – but the weight and price limit its appeal

> Buy now: Ventete aH-1 helmet for £350 from Ventete

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