LinkPro Sports was founded in 2014 by Stephen Catterson, who wanted to create a helmet that combined top safety features with communication, technicality, and style. A new helmet born of these goals, the Explore1, seems to have hit all of those marks.
Get The Latest Sports Tech News In Your Inbox!
The Explore1 is an advanced skiing helmet that has high-end safety features as well as innovative communication technology. It is equipped with Multi-directional Impact Protection System (MIPS) technology, RECCO, radio communications and Bluetooth connection.
As for any helmet, those wearing it want to be confident that their head is protected. The Explore1 does a great job of making sure that skiers are safe with the help of MIPS technology.
MIPS is a Swedish helmet technology that lets the helmet slide relative to the head, so that there is more protection against rotational violence to the brain that is caused by angled impacts. While most helmets are tested only by dropping them vertically onto a flat surface, MIPS technology takes into the account that when someone falls, their head normally hits the ground at an angle.
The MIPS has a low friction layer inside so that the helmet can absorb more of that rotational impact, creating a better protection for the skier.
Along with having physical safety, the Explore1 is also equipped with RECCO Rescue System protection.
Ski resorts and mountain rescue teams have RECCO detectors that send out a search single to those who have the RECCO reflectors. These reflectors, which are in the helmet, send back a directional signal to direct the rescuer to the skier. This allows for rescue teams to be able to find the skier if he or she is lost or an avalanche occurs.
Another feature that Explore1 includes is its communications hardware that has two microphones with noise cancelling speakers. This system works with Bluetooth so that skiers can answer phone calls or play music.
The communications hardware also has an integrated FM radio transceiver, which allows skiers to communicate with other LinkPro helmet wearers within a 1.86-mile line-of-sight radius. This feature will definitely come in handy high up in the mountains where cell phone reception is poor or non-existent.
Besides the safety features, another bonus of the helmet is that skiers can customize the helmet to look however they want with over one thousand different color combinations.
Those who have the helmet will be able to download an app on Apple and Android for full control over the helmet settings including radio frequency selection, over the air updates and sound transparency control.
Skiers don’t have to worry about the helmet’s battery dying, because it contains a 1000mAh lithium battery that is thermally regulated, ensuring that the helmet’s technologies will last all day.
The helmet is expected to be on the market at the end of the year, and can be pre-ordered at linkprosports.com.