$10,000 crowdfunding target for inflatable helmet

German brand Inflabi is appealing for funding for its rather unusual creation: an inflatable helmet.

The design, which has been updated since it first broke cover at Eurobike earlier this year, allows for the helmet to be packed away when not in use, with the deflated profile reported to be 80% smaller than when inflated.

The company is seeking to raise $10,000 as part of a crowdfunding campaign in order to get the product to market next year.

The helmet is strongly aimed at commuter cyclists, as the brand has identified that the needs of this group are different from recreational cyclists.

"They would always use helmets when mountain biking, but they wouldn’t when commuting by bike," the Inflabi founders told BikeRadar.

The reason behind this was due to the inconvenience of carrying or storing a helmet when not on the bike. It was this that led the founders to design the Inflabi inflatable helmet.

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© Inflabi

The helmet can be inflated with a bike pump

Unlike a traditional cycling helmet that has a solid extended polystyrene construction, the Inflabi uses pressurised air chambers to offer impact protection. The brand claims that this design allows for the Inflabi to be used after an impact so long as it can hold air when inflated to 30psi.

Even though the helmet is still in its prototype phase, the brand is looking to move into production next year. In order to secure the funding necessary, Inflabi has created a campaign on the crowdfunding site Indiegogo, with a minimum target of $10,000.

• Read more: The true cost of cycling: What gear should you buy to get started?

When the helmet is made publicly available for purchase, it is expected to cost €159.

It is worth mentioning that, as of the time of reporting, the helmet is yet to receive an official safety certification. The brand has said it expects the helmet to be up to four times safer than the requirements set out in EN1078 European safety standards.

These claims will be put to the test in April, with the helmet having already passed the brand's internal testing.

© Inflabi

The inside of the Inflabi helmet

Would a packable inflatable helmet encourage you to wear a helmet more when city riding or commuting? Let us know your thoughts on this in the comments below.