https://www.explorethousand.com/
I’ll be totally honest, I never heard of Thousand prior to them contacting RBR to review their new Chapter bicycle helmet. In addition, I’ve never worn a commuter style helmet. Checking their web site, I come to find out they named the company “Thousand” as a commitment and goal of helping to save 1000 lives by making helmets people actually want to wear. Thousand started in 2015 when they launched a Kickstarter campaign and have been shipping helmets ever since.
The company also measures their carbon emissions at every single part of their operations and are taking steps to become Climate Positive. This explains the minimalistic packaging when I received the sample test helmet. The cosmetic industry could take a lesson or two from Thousand.
As commuter helmets go, the Chapter model checks all the boxes especially when it comes to safety. First, Thousand has incorporated MIPS for added protection against concussions. Second, a 50 lumen taillight is included which attaches to the rear of the helmet via magnets.
The light runtime is about what a standard commute would take and can easily be recharged at the office before heading home. According to the company the taillight has a 1 hour runtime on solid and 2 hours on flashing. If you don’t wish to wear the light on the helmet, there’s an adapter for attaching it directly to the bike.
As I was putting the helmet on for the first time, I noticed a round magnetic trap door on the side, just behind the right ear. For the life of me I couldn’t figure out what it was for. A quick check of the web site and come to find out it’s a secret “poplock”. Commuters need a way to secure their helmets and the hole lets you thread a U-lock or chain through the 1” opening. This is backed by their Anti-Theft Guarantee, meaning if your helmet is ever stolen while locked to your bike, Thousand will replace it for free.
The helmet has 8 vents that capture airflow and pass it through the interior cooling channels. I tested it out in 85-degree temps and at a moderate pace and found it comfortable. The Chapter helmet is CPSC certified in NA for cycling including BMX and MTB and CE certified in Europe for cycling, skateboarding and roller skating.
Additional features of the Chapter helmet include a visor, adjustable locking side straps, a magnetic chin strap lock, integrated dial fit system adjusts from the back of the helmet, and a storage bag. The helmet comes in three colors, black, navy and white, with contrasting visors.
The Chapter weighs more than your standard road cycling helmet at 360g (S), 370g (M) and 410g (L).
The Chapter is priced at $135 which is comparable to other helmets with MIPS. Thousand offers a 1-year limited warranty and accident replacement. If you’re ever involved in an accident and your helmet is damaged, Thousand will replace it helmet for free.
Unless protocols have changed in the last few years,
the polymers used to fabricate helmets are not tested after several years of exposure, but are tested only when new.. These plastics are approved in the unexposed state. We should be testing them after exposure to the sun..