Early Roots in Materials Science (pre-2010s)
The technology behind RHEON a so‑called “strain‑rate sensitive polymer” that remains soft during normal movement but stiffens under sudden impact was developed over more than 15 years by a team of scientists and engineers working out of a major research institution in London.
The Birth of RHEON Labs (2017)
The company now known as RHEON Labs was formally incorporated as a private entity on 21 June 2017. This formal foundation date marks the transition from research and prototyping into a commercial enterprise aiming to apply the material for protective gear across sports, cycling, motorcycling and beyond.
First Products and Early Adoption (Late 2010s - Early 2020s)
Following incorporation, RHEON began collaborating with helmet and gear makers to integrate their adaptive‑polymer technology into protective padding and impact‑absorbing inserts. RHEON’s material responded differently depending on the speed and force of impact, promising flexibility during normal wear and rapid stiffening under crash conditions - a key selling point for riders and athletes.
As of 2022, RHEON was being used in products ranging from cycling and MTB helmets to body armour, and was being discussed in media articles as an “energy control” solution for head and body protection.
Growing Credibility and Wider Reach (2022-2025)
By 2025, RHEON Labs is listed as an active engineering‑design company headquartered in London. Their material platform continues to be positioned as a way to rethink how protective gear is made - emphasising comfort, adaptability and real‑world impact performance rather than just static protection.
RHEON’s vision now spans multiple disciplines from motorcycle helmets to cycling gear, and even contact‑sports helmets in other domains, reflecting confidence in the technology’s versatility and resilience under repeated impacts.
What Makes RHEON Different
- The core polymer behaves dynamically: soft and flexible during normal movement, stiffening under sudden impact to absorb energy.
- The technology responds to the rate of impact (“strain‑rate sensitive”), which provides better protection for crashes that involve high-speed or rotational forces more than traditional static foams.
- This innovation allows protective gear to stay comfortable and unrestrictive when worn casually or during long rides/travels, yet deliver high-level safety when it matters.
Explore RHEON equipped gear today and ride with protection built on smart materials and real-world performance.