7iDP PROJECT.21 PRO HELMET REVIEW

Words by Travis Reill  |  Photos by Drew Rohde

For over a decade, the team at 7iDP has had one goal: design and build quality protection products that are also comfortable to wear all day. Having products that look good is always near the top of the priority list and 7iDP has taken it to the next level with their Holographic Limited Edition Series of protection. While the sparkle and shimmer of the holographic silver and black combo looked fantastic, I was especially excited to see a new half-shell mountain bike helmet offering for all-mountain to light enduro rides – the Project.21.

ABOUT THE 7iDP PROJECT.21 HELMET

Named for the 21 vents on the helmet, the 7iDP Project.21 boasts a well-ventilated, wear-all-day helmet that you can feel comfortable tackling some of the roughest trails in. Along with 21 vents throughout the helmet, Through Flow (TF) goggle ventilation helps keep both goggles and riding glasses fog-free by directing air into them.

The Project.21 has a long list of technology packed into the helmet, allowing it to meet CE, CPSC, and AS safety standards. First is 7iDP’s use of Energy Reduction Technology (ERT) in the Project.21. ERT is a 4mm dense layer of polymer foam, which protects against and absorbs both linear and rotational impacts. While many helmets boast similar protection, the safety technologies used can fall short, as they do a poor job responding to impacts below a certain threshold, where many impacts occur. 7iDP’s use of ERT takes care of both high and low-level impacts by instantly deforming and displacing the energy caused by the collision.

7iDP also incorporates Conehead Technology into the Project.21 helmet, which is something we’ve seen many helmet manufacturers doing. The Conehead structure is made with three layers:

• An outer layer consisting of EPS foam with inner-facing cones
• A middle decoupling layer, with softer Contego-reinforced foam and outward-facing cones
• An inner layer mimicking the outer layer, with more EPS foam and inner-facing cones

All of this works together to reduce the impacts of a crash on the brain, by absorbing and minimizing the linear, rotational, and angular forces transmitted to the Project.21. In addition to these helmet safety technologies, 7iDP has also added its Crash Release Visor (CRV) system, allowing the visor to detach in a crash and helping to prevent additional rotational forces.

7iDP’s Project.21 also has a relatively wide range of adjustability. Three sizes cover an XS to XXL range, with additional pad options offering more adjustability. While including an extra set of pads with a helmet is commonplace, 7iDP includes a thicker set of pads to further help perfect the Project.21’s fit. Fit is finalized by 7iDP’s dial adjust system. A size M/L is roughly 402 grams, plus or minus 10 grams depending on the pads used.

Other features and nice touches that come with the Project.21 are a Fidlock magnetic buckle and an Agion antimicrobial liner. The pads are easy to remove and wash, and everything is encased in a limited-edition padded helmet bag. The Project.21 is perhaps the needed big brother to the M2 in 7iDP’s half-shell lineup.

THE DIRT

Right away, I had no issues with the fit of the Project.21 helmet. The M/L is the size range I anticipated to fall in, and my suspicions were confirmed when receiving the 7iDP helmet, which was very comfortable. It is easily adjustable with the dial system, but the additional pads made the helmet’s fit even more adjustable. While I rode with both the thin and thicker pads, I found that a mix of the thin and thick pads got the Project.21 fitting perfectly to the contours of my dome. The padding arrangement I eventually landed on used a thicker pad on my forehead, with thinner padding everywhere else.

I can’t remember the last helmet I used that only came with one set of pads—however, a thicker set of pads is usually reserved for full-face helmets. I liked that 7iDP not only included an extra set of pads for the Project.21 helmet, but that it was a thicker pad set to let you tailor the helmet fit. This allows the user to further play around with the helmet’s fit beyond size choice and a dial adjuster. I think a mix between the thicker and thinner pads can be beneficial if you struggle to find helmets that fit your head shape.

Basically, everything about the Project.21 helmet worked well for me. I’m a fan of Fidlock buckles, the straps went around my ears nicely, and the helmet fit well overall and was comfortable. I even had my front tire wash out and smacked my head on the ground pretty good with the Project.21 holding up nicely. However, one problem I faced was with sweat dripping down my face from the front of my helmet, which ended up being a troubling issue once the early summer heat set in.

The helmet is named after the 21 vents, which 7iDP claims to allow for “massive airflow with the coverage demanded by increasingly technical bike parks, all-mountain and enduro trails. This airflow gives a cooling effect to keep you comfortable whilst concentrating on the trail ahead.” Despite my sweating, I have no problem with this statement. I did not feel like the Project.21 was poorly ventilated or that my head was warmer than other helmets I’ve used. To be clear, I did not sweat more in the Project.21 than other helmets. I think that the majority of my issue was using the thinner pad at the front of the helmet. It may be a little gross, but I think the thinner pad just didn’t soak up enough sweat, as it seemed I would have a waterfall going down my face shortly into any ride.

Switching to the thicker pad on my forehead took care of that problem quite a bit. I switched not to remedy the sweat-waterfall issue, but to do my due diligence to test the Project.21 fully. Fortunately, I lucked out, finding the thicker pad was more comfortable on my forehead and also helped with the sweating issue I was having as a bonus. But, some might find the thinner pads more comfortable, and they could potentially have the same sweat problem I had. We’d love to see a sweat gutter system incorporated to this helmet in the future, as these systems can be extremely effective with minimal penalty.

The Wolf’s Last Word

We’re no strangers to 7iDP protection, and often reach for one of their full-face helmets for an afternoon at the bike park. The new Project.21 is a welcome half-shell addition for our everyday trail rides—especially when they get a bit rowdier. Plus, adding an extra set of thicker pads make it one of the most adjustable half-shells we have had, helping things be extra comfortable. For the sweatier riders out there, consider equipping the thicker pad at the front of the helmet to help avoid issues. 

Price: $229.99
Website: 7idp.com

WHERE TO BUY
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