Our design group was unanimous in their opinion that the helmet should have a hard shell construction allied with great ventilation and be as light as possible without compromising its protective characteristics.
These beliefs were backed up when we consulted a range of riders from EWS and downhill World Cup racers to local trail riders.A Hard Shell (think DH/motocross helmet) - has an outer shell made typically of Carbon, Glass Fibre or ABS.
The shell protects the EPS foam core from puncture and absorbs energy on impact. A typical micro shell helmet (think XC/trail/road helmet) does not have a substantial outer shell, as a consequence provides inferior protection.
Ventilation - The ‘23’ In Project.23 refers to the 23 full-bore vents that allow air to flow in at the front, move through the specifically designed channels and exhaust heat at the rear. This enables incredible through-flow for ease of breathing while helping you stay cool.
Weight - There was no compromise in our choice of materials to ensure the correct balance between protection and weight. This resulted in a weight of 945 grams for the Carbon and 1060 grams for the Glass Fibre model in a size large.
ERT "Softer Is Smarter" - ERT (Energy Reduction Technology) is a patented 4mm layer of lightweight soft polymer foam that adds a layer of protection against brain injuries in both linear and rotational impacts. Unlike most impact energy management materials, which do not deform and dissipate energy below a certain impact threshold, ERT responds instantly, even at low-impact levels commonly seen in riding.