{"id":794140,"date":"2026-10-06T21:46:13","date_gmt":"2026-10-06T21:46:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/794140\/"},"modified":"2026-10-06T21:46:13","modified_gmt":"2026-10-06T21:46:13","slug":"ekois-tri-aero-helmet-breaks-all-the-ucis-rules","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/794140\/","title":{"rendered":"EKO\u00cf\u2019s Tri Aero Helmet Breaks All the (UCI\u2019s) Rules"},"content":{"rendered":"

Triathlon has traditionally marched to the beat of its own drummer when it comes to equipment. Although our sport generally will follow the rulebooks for the three sports that comprise the disciplines of triathlon, there\u2019s always been exceptions. We wear wetsuits at different temperatures than most open-water swim competitions would allow, for instance. Triathlon also isn\u2019t subject to the newer UCI restrictions on maximum wheel depth in what could theoretically be called a mass start event. And let\u2019s not forget about the Great Water Bottle Fiasco (and our ongoing attempt to figure out what a fairing is).<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

So it\u2019s against this context that, as we head into the full swing of IRONMAN World Championship week, we see a new product that eschews the UCI rulebook entirely. It\u2019s in an area that probably feels ripe for development given all the focus on the front end of bikes these days. And it\u2019s a product that everybody is required to use on race day.<\/p>\n

Yep. It\u2019s a helmet. EKO\u00cf today launches the Tri Aero Helmet. And it\u2019s coming with some pretty sizable claims attached to it.<\/p>\n

If this helmet looks somewhat familiar to you as a fan of pro triathlon, you\u2019re right. This helmet\u2019s been around the block a few times. Early prototypes have been on athletes for a few months now. In fact, this is the helmet that Laidlow used on his way to win Challenge Roth over the summer.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Other athletes you can expect to see wearing the helmet this week include Patrick Lange, Jelle Geens, Julie Derron and Rudy Von Berg.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s back up a second and talk about the rules that EKO\u00cf has tossed aside to create this new helmet. In 2025, many professional teams had started dabbling with using either road aero or full-blown TT style helmets during certain stage races. Perhaps most famously, at the 2025 Giro d\u2019Italia, Casper Van Uden<\/a> and his entire leadout train from Team Picnic Post-NL used Lazer\u2019s Victor time trial helmet, complete with its visor, taking a sprint victory in Stage 5.<\/p>\n

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The UCI promptly split helmet categories up for 2026, similarly to how there are now separate wheel depth rules for time trials and mass start events. For mass start races, the UCI now dictates that helmets may not cover the ears, can\u2019t have a visor, and have a minimum of three air events. For time trials, those three elements are unrestricted. However, the UCI has set forth a maximum dimension for helmets, requiring them to measure into a 450mm x 300mm x 210mm box.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s those dimensional regulations that EKO\u00cf\u2019s designers decided to ignore as they started work on the Tri Aero Helmet. By breaking free of those dimensional constraints, the company says that the new helmet was developed with three pillars of focus:<\/p>\n

aerodynamics from both front and side angles;<\/p>\n

thermal comfort; and<\/p>\n

the biomechanics of the triathlete.<\/p>\n

EKO\u00cf says that the result of that focus makes the Tri Aero Helmet up to 12 watts faster versus other leading helmets on the market.<\/p>\n

How EKO\u00cf Attacked the Rules<\/p>\n

The first rule of an aero helmet is that it better be aero. To that end, EKO\u00cf says that it went about testing their new helmet differently than other companies. According to EKO\u00cf, traditional helmet testing protocols focus on head-on wind performance. It\u2019s there where EKO\u00cf first made modifications in the design protocol, testing for what it calls \u201creal-world race conditions, where changes in direction and crosswinds are a constant factor.\u201d And from that, there\u2019s two new design features on the Tri Aero Helmet.<\/p>\n

First is this serrated edge design on the ear flaps. EKO\u00cf says that this development helps to better manage airflow around the head, shoulders, and backs of athletes, particularly when experiencing crosswinds or higher yaw angles. There\u2019s also the geometry of the extended tail, which is meant to help \u201cextend the line of the back when the triathlete maintains an aerodynamic position.\u201d<\/p>\n

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It\u2019s between those two elements that EKO\u00cf claims the up to 12 watts worth of savings against the competition. And that testing was done in both the wind tunnel and track testing with world champions Sam Laidlow and Patrick Lange. Luca Viano, head of research and development at EKO\u00cf, mentioned how important working with elite athletes was to the development of the helmet: \u201cWorking continuously with athletes like Sam Laidlow, whose relentless pursuit of perfection pushes every detail further, allows us to keep taking performance to the next level.\u201d <\/p>\n

Being aero, though, is only half the battle. Especially in locations like Kona, staying cool and comfortable is also an imperative. Need we mention the meltdowns we saw just last year here in Hawaii?<\/p>\n

\"\"Laidlow wearing the prototype helmet with the SL visor at Challenge Roth this year. (Photo: @by_wout.photographer (wouter roosenboom)<\/p>\n

With that in mind, the Tri Aero Helmet features a few concessions to heat management. There are dedicated air intakes at the front of the helmet, which the company claims allows for proper ventilation without compromising aero performance. In addition, the magnetic shield collection is also intended to give more comfort. There are two standard shields \u2014 one is clear, the other is mirrored. And then there\u2019s the SL Extended Shield. Developed in conjunction with Laidlow, this version has a central cut-out that allows hands to be positioned closer to the face in an aero position (with potentially some visibility help there, too). <\/p>\n

The helmet does conform to CPSC \/ CE certification standards, and features a somewhat traditional magnetic strap and a two-way BOA closure for sizing adjustment. The helmet comes in two T-shirt size ranges: a small which measures 52-55cm, and a medium-large that covers 56-60 cm. It won\u2019t come cheaply, either. The standard version of the helmet retails for $675<\/a>. The Laidlow edition<\/a>, meanwhile, is $900. <\/p>\n

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