Newlane folding helmet - A clever gadget for those eking out every inch of space

Newlane sits in an interesting corner of the cycling world where urban utility meets gadget. This is Brompton’s natural habitat, and Newlanes are aimed at the same market.

Newlane isn’t a heritage helmet maker so comes at this project with a fresh approach, leaning into the needs of commuters who have to carry or stash everything they need.

This foldable helmet is aims to solve the everyday inconvenience of carrying a helmet when not riding, or storing it in a locker at work. It’s trying to make the helmet less of a burden when it’s not on your head.

Newlane helmet: Construction and features

At first glance Newlane’s helmet looks pretty normal. And while it’s not as elegant in looks as the best road helmets we regularly review, it's not as pricey either. And there aren’t many clues that it can be folded down.

The mechanism is given away by a chunky looking clasp at the back. Release the clasp and the top half of the helmet lifts away. You then twist it around a rubber, rotating pivot at the front. The inverted top then fits neatly inside the lower section held in in place by the clasp and leaving the concave section of the inside of the helmet, facing upwards.

With the domed top of the helmet now stashed inside, the helmet has a lower profile, a little more than half the original depth. This makes it a little easier to store in a bag, be that a backpack, or something more formal.

Once you’ve figured it out, it’s a doddle to use. Importantly, none of it feels fragile or likely to wear out in a hurry, and is very clever to be able to do this without compromising protection.

The helmet retails for £89.99 with an optional crash replacement warranty for £39 a.

Newlane helmet: Fit and use

The helmet fits securely, with the usual circular dial at the back to tighten the cradle retention system and straps that join under the ears then fasten under the chin. But it does lack some of the luxury of road helmets from more established brands. You will notice that straight away if you’re used to good quality cycle helmets.

It also weighs 470g. A top end road helmet weighs around 270g, while a TT helmet weights up to 370g. You'll know it’s there but it's not uncomfortably heavy, while the retention cradle has noticeable edges that I could feel on the side of my head. It’s not overwhelming, it’s just not high-end. Ventilation is adequate for light commuting duties, but on a hot summer's day, it could get a little sweaty.

There is a MIPS version available (£129.99), although you don't need it as movement between the cradle and the shell is significant, verging on wobbly. This isn’t good, sadly. But in use, it’s not too disconcerting and you do get used to it.

What's impressive is that once you're off and riding in it you don’t know it’s a folding helmet. There are no loose sections or parts that rattle as your head moves around. Of course I didn’t test its robustness in a crash, but it feels substantial and meets the required safety standards.

The question is, is the space saving worth the investment? When folded it's almost half the depth. We measured from the highest point of the arch over the ear, to a spirit level sitting on highest point of the helmet. This came out at 132mm. We then measured the depth from the same point when folded, and measured it at 69mm. A saving of 63mm. The deepest part of the helmet, at the back, is 82cm when folded.

That's not a huge space saving, but there's the added convenience of it being a flat shape when folded. If you’re a tidy packer slotting this in against a laptop flat edges could make all the difference. However, if you’re a backpack kind of person, and just throw your gear in, or are used to just strapping your helmet to the outside of your bag, you’re at little to no advantage.

Value

At £90, you’re paying a premium for it's folding capability, and whether that represents great value will depend entirely on how you use it.

If your riding involves regular transitions from bike to train, from office to café, and you use a bag with a slim profile, then the idea has clear appeal. However, the gains aren’t as dramatic as you might hope. It doesn’t collapse into something radically smaller and if you use a bigger ruck sack for commuting and and would shove the helmet in a bag with clothes, a standard helmet would do the job, and for less money.

This is the question mark on this particular design. It’s clever for sure. It undoubtedly reduces inconvenience, but can’t entirely remove it. For gadget fans, that incremental difference will be enough. It’s got a certain cool about it if you’re that way inclined. But for some, it’s going to feel like a clever idea that can't quite justify its cost.

Verdict

The Newlane Foldable Bike Helmet is a thoughtful piece of design that lands somewhere between innovation and practicality. It works, it’s easy to use and genuinely improves portability, but only to a point.

If your routine involves traipsing from train to station and into an office it offers a tangible if only modest benefit.

For more traditional cyclists, however, the appeal is less compelling. In most bags a standard helmet can be packed just as effectively, making use of the interior space in the helmet. Then add in the relatively humble fit and finish and it becomes harder to justify.

Ultimately this is a good product and definitely isn't a gimmick, but it’s not going to transform helmet storage in every case.