Helmet or No Helmet?
An interview with Anti-Ordinary founder Rob Joseph
Words: Emma Wilson
Rob has spent a lifetime around wakeboards, skiing and motorbikes and knows how shockingly terrible crashes can be. Enrolling as a medical engineering university student Rob had a deep curiosity for how science can significantly improve lives and set about playing with the idea of ski helmets that looked nothing like helmets but protected heads just as effectively as traditional helmets, if not more so.
“Honestly, the look drove the design, which drove the look. It deliberately doesn’t cover the ears, you pull the fabric down so it’s warm without obstructing your ears”. In his time as a former medical engineering student his thesis focused on helmet testing. He goes on to explain how he designed a helmet both strong and custom fitted while buying it sight unseen online.
“Everyone has a unique head shape but 99% of the population has a head size between 51cm to 61cm. We recommend you purchase the snugger fit as it will expand a bit. Initially it will feel quite hard on your head because there is no foam – like a race car but you will get used to it. The vents are built into the frame itself so you will get used to that after a few uses too”.
Rob tells us the focus on safety was key and all helmets have passed all Australian safety tests. “We have measured the force that goes in the brain, it has passed tests ASTM F 2040 (standard specification for helmets used for recreational snow sports).
And EM1078 EN-1078 ( permits lighter, thinner helmets than some of the other standards because it subjects helmets to impacts from lower heights than either Snell or CPSC).
In terms of the beanie component Rob has thought of everything. “The inner lining is merino, it’s a merino wool and acrylic blend beanie. We want you to be able to pull the fabric down over the ears to keep warm but it still be functional”.
Rob is intrigued by products that can make huge differences to the lives of people, including helmets specifically designed for people who have seizures and may eventually go down this path but for now, he’s content to support frothers out on the mountains keeping them safe while still looking good. You can find Anti Ordinary right here.
