When it comes to creating our helmets, design and testing cannot exist without the other. We learned early on that no crash is ever the same - from twisting and turning, to rotational and sideways, and those rare accidents that are indescribable. We account for impacts, big or small which is why we spend so much time in the test labs.
Yes, labs. Multiple independent labs.
Each lab has their own unique strengths which is why we use multiple labs for our research. Impact testing is dynamic, and while you can get some consistency you can also get varied results with what seems like a similar test. Checking and cross checking our results to ensure we are getting the most accurate data possible is important to understanding the dynamics of impacts.
Our crash replacement program brings back ‘real-life’ crashed helmets back to us. We study them, we dissect them, we learn from them. This allows us to compare how we did in the lab compared to what happens when someone crashes. Test labs are important, closing the loop is an important part of the process.
We strive to keep pushing the envelope with the best designs and materials and to implement useful protection into all of our helmets regardless of their intended use or price-point.
Our Philosophy
At Kali, our commitment to excellence extends beyond just our products—it's a philosophy ingrained in everything we do. We prioritize the highest quality materials, conducting rigorous safety testing across global labs to ensure unbiased results. From pioneering advanced technologies to innovating new processes, we're relentless in our pursuit of addressing all dimensions of impact—linear, rotational, and low G—because better protection means safer rides for everyone.
Materials and Production Methods
Recognizing the pivotal role of innovation and advancement, we dedicate significant time and resources to pioneering new materials and refining production techniques. We firmly believe that the materials we meticulously select form the cornerstone of our products, underscoring our unwavering commitment to quality and safety. Our ultimate aim is to continually deliver the highest level of protection to our valued customers, today and into the future.
KALI PROTECTIVES
We're committed to giving a shit because your safety is our priority.
Kali is about safety, technolgy and family.
Our promise to you is we will continue to develop the safest helmets in the world, so you can continue to enjoy life as it was intended to be lived,
surrounded by friends, family and great rides.
To engineer, design and produce the safest helmets and protective gear in the world.
We want to push the limits of what can be done. We continue to research new materials and new processes, as well as those done by individuals and academia, all the while looking for ways these new materials and processes can be implemented to make our protective gear safer.
Our brand was founded on innovation, technology, and a thirst for doing things better. We will continue to innovate in all aspects of our brand, from R&D to shipping and receiving to our environmental footprint.
We are driven by the concept that things can be improved.
We work on creating helmets and protectives which are beautiful, while simultaneously considering their objective to protect.
Design is not just what it looks like, but how it functions.
Design is at the forefront and thought process of all we touch.
Design is not limited to just our physical product, but it’s a way of thinking and operating.
Design can be about a better process for time-lines or your workflow.
It is our goal to include our community in our storytelling, our brand direction, and our lives. To be the best version of ourselves in all our interactions, whether it be with vendors, suppliers, distributors, bike shops, riders, or coworkers.
Kali Protectives would not be the brand it is today if it wasn’t for the Kali faithful.
IN-MOLDING
In-molding motorcycle helmets, or any full face helmet, is unique to Kali Protectives.
We saw the value of fusing the EPS liner with the outer shell in bicycle helmets and saw its potential for full face motorcycle helmets. This process allows us to create a bond that needs zero glue, tape or gaps. It turns out that when you eliminate the gap between the shell and EPS liner, you can reduce the g-forces sustained to your head by as much as 30%. Our in-molding process allows the shell and foam to work together to quickly dissipate impacts. We find it to be important to the final product we are proud of.
As of now, Kali Protectives is the only company to use in-molding technology in full-face helmets.
Why is eliminating the gap important? The gap prevents efficient energy transfer to the EPS foam, increasing the risk of major head trauma.
Kali was born of a breakthrough in safety technology. In-molding is a patented process in which helmet EPS is injected directly into the shell. This process eliminates the double spike in g-forces the head experiences during a crash and decreases the likelihood of injury and permanent damage
EPS & GEOMETRIC SHAPES
Expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam in helmets has been the industry standard for decades. In 2007, Kali Protectives was approached by Australian physicist, Don Morgan, with a new application of EPS: cone-shaped EPS.
These EPS cones crush in a way that directs impact forces away from the rider's head, thereby decreasing forces sustained from the head. Think of it similarly to crumple zones in cars.
Kali was the first, and continues to be, the most active in using this now widespread technology.
We’ve found that using multi-directional cones introduces more safety advantages and further diverts forces. This technology combined with LDL acts as a progressive damper to absorb different levels of impact and distribute energy laterally, all while contributing to a smaller, lighter helmet.
LIGHTER HELMETS
Linear Forces
Less mass on a rider’s head means less force during impact. Simple physics.
Rotational Forces
The closer the mass is to the center of the rider’s head, the less rotational forces sustained. More complex physics.
As a result, we found we were able to lower the density of the foam and make the shell thinner, thereby making a lighter helmet and further reducing both linear and rotational forces on a rider’s head during a crash.
Foam Density
It’s simple: Helmets are too hard and we want softer “stuff” next to your head. Our goal is to provide helmets with lower foam densities that can still address the dynamic range of an impact.
NANO MATERIAL
Nano has the capability of withstanding both double digit low and high-G impacts prior to failure. Unlike EPS foam, which can survive a singular impact, this lightweight, carbon nano polymer dissipates g-forces more efficiently than EPS, allowing us to reduce the volume of the helmet without sacrificing impact protection.
While self-healing foam in helmets doesn’t exist yet, we at Kali are hoping to change that.
Our team is currently working with experts to develop a material that can recover after a crash without compromising the safety and integrity of the helmet. The foam will also dissipate impact energy more efficiently and require less volume to be effective.
LOW DENSITY LAYERS
Low Density Layers (LDL) consists of specially designed padding that is placed throughout the interior of the helmet. It reduces rotational impact forces up to 25%, and reduces low-g linear forces up to 30%.
According to studies, 80% of all crashes are below 106 Gs. In order to protect against those smaller impacts, Kali determined that the part of the helmet next to riders’ heads needs to be softer.
Our first iteration into LDL was in 2010 with a memory foam we called Bumper Fit. Our LDL starts working with even the slightest of impacts and helps prevent brain injuries caused by repeated minor crashes over time.
We eventually moved towards more advanced materials) and are proud to offer two types of Low Density Layers in our product line.
Learn More HERE.
BIODOME
Like most manufacturing, helmet production adds strain to our planet and its resources. Eco-friendly processes and materials are widely available to factories, but most shy away from them simply because they cost more.
Kali Protectives is joining our factory in consciously selecting eco-friendly materials and production practices to do our part in lessening the strain our helmets have on the planet. We care about impacts of all types, shapes and sizes, even the impact on the Earth.
At our factory, BioDome practices have allowed for a reduction in CO2 emissions by 50% since 2016. We are able to increase the use of recycled and sustainable materials while also using renewable power resources to lessen the use of fossil fuels and virgin plastics.
It is important for our brand to work with partners with similar values and in our almost 15 years, we’ve established meaningful relationships with companies that are truly changing the game of helmet safety and manufacturing.
We have adopted several initiatives to help minimize negative impacts on our planet:
Epsilyte is a leading North American producer of advanced materials, focusing on energy-efficient and carbon-favorable products like expanded polystyrene (EPS) beads used in insulation, packaging, and safety equipment.
RHEON Labs specializes in energy-absorbing polymers, notably RHEON™, a material that remains soft and flexible but stiffens upon impact to absorb energy, enhancing protective gear performance.
Oceanworks is a Plastic Action Platform that helps brands measure their plastic footprint, fund plastic waste removal, find sustainable alternatives, and track supply chains from shore to shelf, aiming to reduce ocean plastic pollution.
Alia Mentis is an emerging force in the material science sector, developing and disseminating innovative technologies such as Koridion, an expandable material used in active core molding to produce complex composite parts with reduced material and energy consumption.
Testing
We've put in the hard work, but now it's time to prove ourselves.
We conduct testing in various labs worldwide. Why? Because each lab operates differently, with distinct procedures, equipment, and environmental factors that can impact results. By testing in multiple locations, we ensure our evaluations are unbiased and reliable. While some manufacturers may adopt a "just make it pass" mentality, we refuse to compromise on safety. If a Kali helmet doesn't meet our rigorous standards on initial testing, we view it as an opportunity for refinement, not a setback.
We're committed to giving a shit because your safety is our priority.
Real World
Lifetime Crash Replacement (LCR)
Our LCR program lets riders send back crashed helmets for a free replacement.
Why do we want crashed helmets?
When we are able to talk to riders about their crash and see how the helmet crushed, cracked, and generally held up, we can evaluate its performance and use what we learn to make design changes
Modifying helmets and improving safety is not a simple process - a single adjustment can create other issues - but studying how helmets respond to real world crashes allows us to work toward creating the safest possible helmet for riders.
- Athletes
- Staff Testimonials
- Testimonials
Design
We design with safety in mind and will be the first to admit that looking cool isn’t always our first goal. Our Kali Protectives design and development team focus on intentional designs first and foremost before being trendy.
For example, models with SuperVents might seem as though they are just a nice stylized pop of color but in reality, they serve as both a structural and cooling element.
We got lucky that it looks good, too.
Still have questions? We're here to help