We met with Luca Viano, Head of R&D at EKOÏ, here in Kona yesterday to learn all about their latest helmet. (We had also been sent a version to test ourselves, so we’ll speak to what he shared as well as our own experience!)

The first thing that stood out was this: TT helmets thus far have been just that – cycling time trial helmets, fitting within UCI restrictions. What EKOÏ has done differently with this latest product is creatively expand beyond those limitations to optimize watt savings, working in collaboration with key athletes like Sam Laidlow and Patrick Lange to validate the model and improve it in real time.

About the EKOÏ TRI AERO

Beyond optimizing aerodynamics and watt savings (of course a key feature of any helmet), a good helmet also needs to consider several other factors: it needs to fit comfortably, manage heat with effective ventilation (especially key in Kona), and work with the way you actually ride (that is, fit well with the “shape” of the rider’s optimized aero position to reduce drag even further, filling in gaps and promoting more efficient airflow).

Those priorities collectively shaped EKOÏ’s new TRI AERO, which launches today as part of the brand’s 25th anniversary.

The result is a helmet built specifically for long-distance triathlon, developed through iterative testing and feedback from top pros, not subject to UCI limits, with concurrent attention to comfort, ventilation, and these riders’ actual positions.

Watt Savings in the Wind Tunnel

According to EKOÏ, wind-tunnel and track testing with Laidlow and Lange demonstrated aerodynamic savings of up to 10–12 watts. The brand has not specified the test speed or comparison models in its launch information, so those figures provide an indication of potential gains rather than a guaranteed saving for every athlete.

For pros racing at the front, this is significant – and for age-groupers, definitely a potentially worthwhile aero investment as well.

(It is worth noting that there is an individual factor to the best aero equipment, as we all have slightly different positions and therefore different strategies that work best to reduce our individual CdA. However, while we haven’t tested this helmet in the wind tunnel ourselves, its new design beyond UCI regulations feels very compelling from a prospective watt-savings perspective.)

So, How Does It Work?

The TRI AERO’s rear profile is shaped to follow the line of your upper back in the aero position. Its serrated edge is designed to manage airflow around the helmet and upper body. EKOÏ also said the development process considered changing wind angles, including crosswinds, rather than focusing solely on air coming directly from the front.

Targeted front air intakes provide ventilation, while the wide front profile gives you a broad field of vision when riding in the aero position. Two removable magnetic shields come standard, with clear and mirrored options. A magnetic Fidlock buckle completes the fastening system.

An optional SL Extended shield, developed with Laidlow, shows just how far that pursuit of marginal gains can go. Its central cut-out lets you bring your hands closer to your face while riding on the extensions. When I tried it on, the opening was exactly the width of my two thumbs held together in my aero position. That tiny detail fascinated me. Even the space between your hands and your helmet had been considered.

“Working 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,” Viano said, showing us photos, videos, and text messages with Laidlow as they tested ongoing iterations of the helmet with him.

In addition to Laidlow and Lange, Jelle Geens, Julie Derron, and Rudy von Berg have already worn the TRI AERO in competition. As mentioned, it launches to the public today, and you can get your hands on it by visiting EKOÏ.