Closca’s Collapsible Bike Helmet
The Kickstarted bike helmet, now available to the public, folds flat to store easily between rides
What deters many from strapping on a helmet before biking to the grocery store or utilizing a city’s bike-share program is oftentimes the burden of carrying around the bulky (but potentially life-saving) accessory after the bike is parked. Here’s where the foldable bike helmet from Valencia, Spain-based start-up Closca comes in, one of the few European models that complies with US safety requirements.
The Closca arrives in a box noticeably too small to hold a standard bike helmet. Designed by two industrial engineering students at Polytechnic University of Valencia, the unconventional three-piece construction not only allows for a collapsable form, but Closca says, it softens physical impact—in the event of a fall—and allows the helmet to absorb shock more efficiently. Plus, the expanded polypropylene (EPP) material is as sturdy as it is lightweight (we weighed the small-sized helmet at roughly 8.4 ounces, or 238 grams). And the helmet (all sizes) has been rigorously tested at Applus+ IDIADA labs and passed both EU and US safety tests, so rest easy knowing that safety doesn’t have to be compromised for convenience.
A bonus is the removable cover that attaches via elastic and velcro. Available in a range of different colors, fabrics and designs, most of the covers are strictly decorative—save for the waxed cotton waterproof flatcap cover, which does add a practical element.
The ultimate goal of the young company is to get more people on bikes, safely—especially in cities. After a successful Kickstarter that overwhelmingly surpassed its goal nearly a year ago, Closca helmets are now available to the public for purchase. Find them online for €62 with an included cover; additional covers are sold separately for €22. A few models are also available on Fab for $95.
And keep an eye out as the company plans to launch Closca Kids this September. For now, the adult size small can fit children eight-years-old and up—depending on their size, of course.
Photos by Nara Shin