WaveCel, the Most Important Helmet Technology
Since the Invention of the Helmet
Complete protection for your head
WaveCel is a revolutionary helmet safety tech that’s available exclusively in these Bontrager helmets. Standard foam helmets are designed to protect against direct impacts. But WaveCel accounts for how most cycling accidents actually happen: ungracefully, with twists, turns, and angled impacts. These WaveCel road, mountain, commuter, and e-bike helmets are remarkably effective at preventing concussions caused by common cycling accidents.
WHAT IS WAVECEL?
WaveCel is a collapsible cellular material that lines the inside of Bontrager helmets.
It is the result of a four-year partnership between Trek’s Research & Design teams, orthopedic surgeon Dr. Steve Madey, and biomechanical engineer Dr. Michael Bottlang. Drs Madey and Bottlang have collaborated for the past 25 years and pioneered advances in fracture care, thoracic and pelvic trauma, and head injury prevention. This is the only helmet technology ever funded by grants from the National Institute of Health to help prevent traumatic brain injuries amongst cyclists.
HOW IT WORKS
Unlike a standard foam helmet, which is designed to protect against direct impacts, WaveCel accounts for how most cycling accidents actually happen—ungracefully, with twists, turns, and angled impacts.
WaveCel absorbs energy in multiple ways. On impact, the layers of the WaveCel material move independently and flex until the cell walls crumple and then glide, actively absorbing direct and rotational energy and redirecting it away from your head.
This three-step change in material structure—flex, crumple, glide—is remarkably effective at dispersing the energy from an impact. Nearly 99 out of 100 times, WaveCel prevents concussions from common cycling accidents.*
We've Got You Covered
Every Bontrager WaveCel helmet is backed by a 30-day guarantee. If you don’t love it, we’ll take it back. It’s that simple.
If your WaveCel helmet is impacted within the first year of ownership, we’ll replace it for free through the Bontrager Crash Replacement Guarantee.
Every Bontrager WaveCel helmet received a five-star rating in Virginia Tech’s safety rating system. That’s perfect marks on every helmet in the lineup.
*Results based on AIS 2 Injury (BriC) at 6.2 m/s test at 45° comparing a standard EPS Helmet and the same helmet modified with WaveCel insert as described in detail in Comparison of Bicycle Helmet Technologies in Realistic Oblique Impacts. For more information visit trekbikes.com/WaveCel