Rudy Project has launched the Sinergy, a new “single-material” helmet that brings sustainability, affordability and versatility to its line-up. Made with over 60% recyclable materials, the Sinergy is said to suit every riding style and weighs 250g (size S/M) and is priced at £59.
Like most things, the cycling industry has been relatively slow to embrace sustainability, but momentum is building. Rudy Project’s new Sinergy helmet is part of the Italian brand’s Ride to Zero initiative, its long-term commitment to reducing the environmental impact of its products.
Unlike many cycling apparel brands that primarily focus on sourcing sustainable fabrics, Rudy Project is tackling the challenge from another angle: simplifying the recycling process. The company says it looks at the full product life cycle, with the aim of creating items that not only last, but can also be easily disassembled and fed back into new production cycles.
“With Sinergy we want to demonstrate that innovation and sustainability are not separate concepts, but part of a single vision that looks to the future of sport and the planet,” said Simone Barbazza, Sustainability Manager at Rudy Project. “We have invested in research and development to rethink not only the helmet’s design but the entire product life cycle.”
So what does “single-material” actually mean? Well, first and foremost it means that the helmet isn’t truly single material, unfortunately, because the straps, removable inner pads, and RSR adjustment system are made separately. As much as it might help the planet, making helmet straps out of the same stuff as your helmet’s shell probably wouldn’t help your skin, so it’s just as well…
Moving on to what the single material claim is actually referring to: both the outer shell and the inner protective layer are constructed from the same base polymer – polystyrene, and expanded polystyrene (EPS). By relying on one material for the key structure, Rudy Project says disposal and recycling are made simpler and more effective. Essentially, the bit that goes on top of your head is all made of the same stuff, minus the pads.
Rudy Project says the Sinergy achieves this without sacrificing weight, functionality, or durability. The size S/M helmet weighs a claimed 250g, making it impressively light for the price and comparable to many high-end models. For reference, the Rudy Project Egos helmet weighed 255g on the road.cc Scales of Truth.
The helmet also has 11 ventilation holes help keep riders cool on warmer days.
How does it rank for protection? While the Sinergy helmet doesn’t include Mips or similar rotational technology, and there is no independent crash test data on this lid yet, all helmets sold in the UK must meet the European CE/EN 1078 safety standard. Rudy Project also notes that their other helmets undergo in-house rotational impact testing.
Pricing and availability
The Sinergy helmet will be available from October 2025 via Rudy Project and selected retailers. It comes in two sizes – S/M and L – and six colour options. It’s priced at £59 which is less than half the price of the Venger Road, which at £129.99 was previously the most affordable helmet in Rudy Project’s line-up.
10 thoughts on “Rudy Project releases new “single-material” helmet to boost sustainability, with an accessible £59 price tag”
A piece of gear that road.cc
A piece of gear that road.cc calls reasonably priced that is actually reasonably priced, there’s a novelty! Looks very interesting and I’d certainly consider one when I need a new lid. What does “can also be easily disassembled and fed back into new production cycles” mean, will they have a scheme whereby one’s used helmet can be sent back to the company for recycling?
On the sustainability section
On the sustainability section of their website, it says “In the near future, we will be able to collect glasses at the end of their life for a conscious recycling of materials.” (https://www.rudyproject.com/en-gb/sustainability-ride-zero then hover over the “Recycle” panel).
No mention of helmets, but presumably the ambition is that yes, they would also have a similar scheme for helmets?
Other caveat is that of course, at the moment, that collection scheme is just words – I’m pretty sure various other brands have promised such things that have never materialised, or were so restrictive as to make them impractical to most consumers (e.g. requires the owner to pay for return shipping, or to drop it off at a “participating retailer” of which there may be none in the UK).
If the model has the right
If the model has the right size on, that 2nd pic is the worst case of mushroom head I’ve ever seen!
I find this comment deeply
I find this comment deeply offensive.
The helmet’s shape doesn’t
The helmet’s shape doesn’t look great, unfortunately.
That’s what happens with only
That’s what happens with only two sizes
The worrying thing is that’s
The worrying thing is that’s an official photo from Rudy Project.
Another awful mushroom/onion
Another awful mushroom/onion shaped helmet, many manufacturers describe their latest offerings as sleek and low volume but they’re often anything but! surely with all the technology available today there is a way of making a Helmet with less bulk?
rdaddict wrote:
Fairly sure not, given the low weight requirements for cycling helmets. I don’t know much about the materials available but I’m pretty certain that if the cycling industry could find a way of persuading us all to buy new helmets at £350 a go they’d have done it by now.
rdaddict wrote:
Well, that’s just like your opinion, man…