WaveCel helmets

What is WaveCel?

WaveCel is a collapsible cellular structure that lines the inside of your Trek or Bontrager helmet. It’s designed to be more effective than traditional foam helmets in protecting your head from injuries caused by certain cycling accidents.

How it works

WaveCel works like a crumple zone that helps absorb the force of impact before it reaches your head. In order to protect your head and absorb the energy created by an angled impact, WaveCel is designed to go through a three-step change in material structure.

Step 1: Flex

First, the cells flex to reduce the initial frictional forces.

Step 2: Crumple

Next, the cells crumple like a car bumper on impact.

Step 3: Glide

Finally, WaveCel glides to redirect energy away from your head.

Shop WaveCel helmets

If your WaveCel helmet is impacted within the first year of ownership, we’ll replace it for free through the Bontrager Crash Replacement Guarantee.

Watch the video

WaveCel is available only in Bontrager helmets online and through authorised Trek and Bontrager retailers.

Every Bontrager WaveCel helmet received a five-star rating in Virginia Tech’s safety rating system. That’s perfect marks on every helmet in the line-up.

We recommend wearing a helmet at all times while cycling. No helmet can completely prevent injury, including concussion, in every type of cycling accident. Some portions of helmets with an insert, such as the perimeter portion, will have properties similar to EPS helmets. The WaveCel insert of Trek Starvos and Rally helmets and Bontrager Circuit, Starvos, Rally and Jet WaveCel helmets covers the front, top and sides of the internal area, while the rear is EPS and may have properties similar to EPS helmets. The WaveCel insert of Bontrager XXX, Specter, Blaze and Charge WaveCel helmets covers the front, rear, top and sides of the internal area.