The next generation of polo technology
Recently, the HPA has announced the upcoming changes to polo helmet regulation, effective from 1 January 2018 onwards. Helmets must now be certified under the following type marks: PAS015:2011, SNELL E2001, VG1 01.040 2014-12 and UTAC/CRITT 04/2015. In the October issue of Polo Times, we feature this topic in detail, listing all the helmets which reach the requirements and explain the rules; so if you are not a subscriber you are missing out!
Robin Spicer, the lead designer and founder of Armis Polo, whose helmet design is one of those that has achieved the new HPA standard spoke to The Discovery Channel about the importance of protection systems in polo helmets and why he believes a change is required. Click here to see the video.
In Armis Polo’s words, “Modern technology has enabled us to produce helmets that are strong, lightweight and extremely comfortable to wear. The main part of the helmet that protects your head is the protective liner made of high-grade polystyrene, EPS (like microscopic bubble wrap that acts in the same way as the crumple zone on a car), which is in turn protected by a hard carbon fibre shell.” The Armis Polo Helmet also features a one-of-a-kind MIPS system, which has been developed to reduce rotational impact on the brain when receiving an impact from an angle. MIPS mimics the brain’s own protection system by adding a low friction layer between the head and the helmet.
On impact, i.e. when you fall and land, the Armis Polo Helmet does three things:
1. The shell diffuses the impact over a large area.
2. The helmet liner reduces bruising to the brain by increasing the length of time it takes for the shock to meet your head and for you to stop. The bigger the impact, the more EPS bubbles burst, so it is actually the hat liner that collapses and not your skull.
3. The MIPs system then engages reducing rotational violence on the brain during angled impacts.
Armis Polo has also now introduced a customisation service enabling clients to design their own helmet to their unique design specifications. This service can be taken advantage of at all participating retailers.
Video credit: Discovery Corporate Services Ltd/Marcus Jones
Photography: Robin Spicer spoke to The Discovery Channel about the next generation of Armis Helmet. Courtesy of Armis Polo