Wisevoter
Canada

Pikio Labs Released New High-Safety Si Oblik Helmet

The new cycling helmet has achieved the highest safety rating ever recorded in Virginia Tech STAR testing.

Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Cycling

Bold vector editorial illustration showing an exploded view of a cycling helmet with separated foam segments, highlighting modern impact protection design.
Pikio Labs launched the Si Oblik, a cycling helmet featuring a dual-density foam design that reached a record-high safety score in Virginia Tech testing. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Would you pay a premium price for the highest-rated safety gear available?

Pikio Labs has launched the Si Oblik, a bike helmet that achieved a 4.61 score in Virginia Tech STAR safety testing. This result marks a 32 percent improvement over the previous top-rated helmet, the Canyon Deflectr.

Why it matters

The helmet utilizes a unique dual-density foam design to better absorb direct impacts and minimize the rotational forces that contribute to concussions. This innovation aims to raise the standard for cyclist protection by decoupling the helmet structure into independent, flexible segments.

The Pikio Si Oblik weighs 279 grams in medium size and features 80 individual components. The helmet is priced at $379 and includes a 30 percent discount for customers who return a damaged unit.

The players

Pikio Labs

This is a Vancouver-based company that focuses on advanced head protection research and development.

Virginia Tech

This university operates an established independent laboratory that conducts standardized safety ratings for sports helmets.

Daniel Abram

He is the founder of Pikio Labs who previously developed the BrainShield system.

MIPS

This is a global company specializing in brain protection systems that frequently acquires safety-related intellectual property.

The details

The Oblik design breaks the EPS foam structure into independently mounted sections attached to the base layer with flexible connection points. These dual-density foam segments can move or detach during an impact to dissipate force more effectively than traditional monolithic shells.

Timeline

  1. MIPS technology hit the market in 2007.

  2. Virginia Tech launched helmet STAR ratings in 2018.

  3. MIPS purchased BiaGuard patents in 2022.

  4. In 2025, 167 of 272 helmets achieved five-star ratings.

  5. Pikio Labs plans to release a second helmet design early next year.

Season Trajectory

The release of the Si Oblik sets a new benchmark for protective headgear, significantly outpacing existing high-end models in objective safety metrics. This innovation forces competitors to re-evaluate their own manufacturing processes as the industry moves toward more complex, multi-component shock absorption systems.

Cyclists seeking the current top-rated protection must budget $379 for the Si Oblik, which provides a 32 percent improvement in safety score compared to the $600-range Canyon Deflectr. Users can also utilize the company’s 30 percent replacement discount program to manage long-term costs after a crash.

The takeaway

The Si Oblik demonstrates that breaking monolithic foam shells into independent, flexible sections can significantly improve rotational force dissipation during an impact. Consumers should prioritize helmets with verified STAR ratings to ensure their gear provides the latest level of protection against concussions.

What happens next

Pikio Labs plans to launch a second helmet design early next year.

Further reading

For more information on the latest developments in safety gear, visit our Cycling section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Wired.

Live Poll

Would you pay a premium price for the highest-rated safety gear available?