Going above and beyond since 1954. Because you only get one brain.
The Dome is the global authority in helmet testing, research and development. Based in Scotts Valley, California, the Dome’s unrivaled resources include more than 50 test fixtures as well as 3D printers, injection and thermal molding equipment, an in-house wind tunnel, CNC machines and other equipment required to design, develop and evaluate new ideas in head protection.
The test lab and its associated personnel began in 1954 to support Bell Helmets. In the following decades these resources have served many helmet categories (including tactical, military, hockey, football, baseball and equestrian) and supported many brands, including Bell, Easton, Giro, MIPS and Riddell. The facility was officially named the Dome in 2011. Today the Dome is focused on testing and R&D in powersports, cycling and snow sports and serves as the in-house test lab for Bell, C-Preme and Giro.
“The reason is simple – head protection is serious business and we all benefit from learning.”
The idea of lifting the veil on this longtime resource came from recognizing an unmet need – the lack of education related to head protection, testing, materials and technology. With misinformation and confusion in the marketplace, we realized that the Dome might have the most to offer on these matters. After all, we’ve been doing it longer than anyone else. In an era when the vast majority of helmet brands are choosing designs from a foreign factory’s catalog, and investing in sales and marketing rather than testing, the Dome still continues to rigorously test in house. Beyond testing and innovation, we advise standards boards, develop and build our own testing machines and continuously share information with brands not affiliated with us.
In the interest of full disclosure, those of us on the Dome payroll are currently employed by the same company that owns several helmet brands including Bell, Giro, Raskullz and Krash. Rather than showcase marketing terms and glossy campaigns, however, the Dome’s intention is to be an unbiased resource for consumers and other helmet brands alike. The reason is simple – head protection is serious business and we all benefit from learning.
The Dome is steeped in scientific method and we believe the key to accurate testing and development is objectivity. Which led us here – investing in this resource to share some of what we’ve learned, to address common misconceptions and to shed light on what we believe it takes to drive innovations in head protection. Our intention is to present the facts, explain the science and host the data. We hope you find this resource enlightening.