With tech like the HighBar chin strap, Canyon’s burgeoning apparel, protectives, and shoe range doesn’t follow the norms, and with a new helmet that uses polycarbonate bearings, the new Deflectr mountain bike helmet certainly fits in with that trend. Better yet, the interesting new design has launched the new helmet to the top of Virginia Tech’s safety rating. Here are all of the details.

Canyon has always done things a little differently with its helmet range, and the new Deflectr helmet built for mountain bikers follows the brand’s trend. That’s because it comes equipped with RLS, or the Release Layer System. It’s something we’ve seen floating around the internet a little bit, but not yet on a mountain bike-specific helmet.

2025 canyon deflectr hero 2.jpg
2025 canyon deflectr hero 2 (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)
2025 canyon deflectr hero 2.jpg, by Liam Mercer

RLS and the Deflectr is constructed of two shells with a release layer membrane, made of loads of polycarbonate ball bearings, sandwiched between the two. When an impact force exceeds a set limit, the bearings allow the outer shell to detach from the membrane. The result is similar to something like Mips, in that RLS reduces the rotation that can be transmitted to a rider’s head. And with that, the Deflectr sits at the tippy top of Virginia Tech’s safety rankings, earning itself a solid five-star rating.

Of course, a helmet can be incredibly safe, but that doesn’t mean much if it’s not comfortable enough to wear. To hit all of the right notes, Canyon has built several large vents around the helmet to help keep it cool, while exhaust vents are designed to “maximise airflow at higher speeds”.

2025 canyon deflectr hero.jpg
2025 canyon deflectr hero (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)
2025 canyon deflectr hero.jpg, by Liam Mercer

Elsewhere, the Deflectr dons some Canyon staples. Namely, that’s the unique HighBar chin strap which sorts the helmet’s fore and aft adjustments.  However, the brand has tweaked the chin strap by adding more ventilation, lightening the action of the dial adjuster and making it more compatible with sunglasses, says the brand.

2025 canyon deflectr light.jpg
2025 canyon deflectr light (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)
2025 canyon deflectr light.jpg, by Liam Mercer

As well as a three-position visor and sunglasses storage, Canyon has developed a magnetic rear light for the Deflectr.

Available in two colours, Canyon reckons the Deflectr weighs 396g in a medium, and it can be picked up for £159.95.

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