REKD Protection, commonly referred to as REKD, is a British brand specialising in safety equipment for action sports. Its product line encompasses helmets, pads, guards, gloves, wrist protection and related accessories. The brand positions itself around a combination of protection, performance, comfort and affordability, catering to both serious athletes and recreational riders.[1]

The company’s current UK address is Unit 6 Amersham Commercial Park, Raans Road, Amersham, Buckinghamshire, HP6 6FT. REKD Protection states that it is owned and distributed by Stateside Skates Ltd.[1]

REKD was established to address a perceived gap in the market for premium-quality protective products that remained affordable. Early industry profiles described the brand as emerging from an established action-sports brand house with experience in markets such as skateboarding and longboarding. The concept was to create a dedicated protection line that would complement these existing businesses.

Rather than focusing on a single discipline, REKD was conceived as a broad action-sports protection brand. Its products were intended to serve a wide range of users, from skateboarders and aggressive inline skaters to cyclists and commuters.

One of the company’s early recognisable products was the Elite helmet, which launched in early 2015. According to REKD, the helmet’s distinctive ventilation pattern and outer design subsequently became a key element of its visual identity.[1]

Development of helmet design

A significant stage in the brand’s development involved moving away from conventional, externally available helmet moulds towards custom shapes designed specifically around the REKD identity and its users.

Later developments, including the Elite 2.0 and Ultralite helmets, focused on achieving a lower-profile fit, improved ergonomics, better ventilation and differentiated materials. The Elite 2.0 utilises an ABS outer shell, while the Ultralite features an in-mould construction with a polycarbonate outer shell.[2] This approach helped establish REKD’s aesthetic: protective equipment designed to resemble standard action-sports gear rather than bulky, purely utilitarian safety equipment.

REKD has expanded significantly beyond its original helmet and basic protection offerings. The current catalogue includes several major categories:[1]

• Helmets: Elite 2.0, Ultralite, Urbanlite, Urbanlite E-Ride, Pathfinder, Sender and junior versions.
• Knee and elbow protection: Ramp, Pro Ramp, Energy Ramp and Energy Patrol products.
• Impact protection: Energy Impact Shorts and the Energy Ranger Protective Vest.
• Shin and ankle protection: Energy Covert products.
• Wrist guards: Standard, Pro and Energy Freedom models.
• Pad sets: Recreational, heavy-duty, junior and triple-pad configurations.
• Gloves: Including Status Gloves and Icon snow mitts.
• Goggles: Including the Ascent and Rocker snow-goggle systems.
• Accessories: Backpacks, helmet padding and replacement components.

REKD Energy Foam

A key technology associated with the modern REKD range is REKD Energy Foam. According to the manufacturer, this material remains flexible during normal use but alters its behaviour upon impact; its molecular structure forms a more solid state to help dissipate energy. REKD states that its Energy Foam can reduce impact energy by up to 75% more than standard high-density foam.[1]

This material is used in products such as the Energy Pro Ramp Knee Pads, where it is intended to provide protection without making the pads excessively rigid during movement.

Helmet construction

REKD employs different construction techniques depending on the specific helmet model. The Elite 2.0, for example, uses a high-density EPS inner core and a heavy-duty ABS outer shell, whereas the Ultralite employs in-mould fusion technology combining EPS with a polycarbonate outer shell.[1][2]

Newer lightweight helmets emphasise:

• Low-profile shapes
• Ventilation
• Lightweight construction
• Adjustable retention systems
• Antibacterial padding
• Ergonomic fit
• Certification to applicable safety standards

Elite / Elite 2.0

The Elite is one of REKD’s foundational helmet designs. Its original ventilation and trim design helped establish the brand’s recognisable aesthetic. The current Elite uses an EPS inner core, ABS outer shell, nylon straps and a multi-vent design. According to REKD, it is certified to EN1078 and CPSC standards.[1] The Elite family is primarily aimed at users of skateboards, longboards, BMX bikes, scooters, roller skates and inline skates.

Ultralite

The Ultralite adapts the classic skate-style helmet using in-mould fusion technology to reduce weight while maintaining protective performance. REKD lists weights of approximately 295 g for S/M and 320 g for L/XL, and states that the helmet meets EN1078 and CPSC standards.[1]

Urbanlite

Designed specifically for everyday urban cycling and commuting, the Urbanlite weighs approximately 320 g. It incorporates an adjustable Twist-Fit retention system, lightweight in-mould construction and a weather peak. REKD states that it meets the EN1078 safety standard.[1]

Urbanlite E-Ride

The Urbanlite E-Ride extends the Urbanlite concept for e-bike users. It features a light-equipped adjustment system, reflective elements and a FIDLOCK magnetic buckle. Notably, REKD states that it is certified to both EN1078 and NTA 8776, the latter being a safety standard specifically associated with helmets for speed-pedelec and e-bike use.[1]

Pathfinder

Targeted at MTB and cycling users, the Pathfinder uses an in-mould EPS/PC construction. It weighs approximately 265 g in size S/XL, features 23 ventilation holes and includes a detachable all-weather visor.[1]

REKD operates across multiple action-sports disciplines rather than concentrating on a single sport. Its products are marketed for:

• Skateboarding
• Longboarding
• Inline skating
• Aggressive skating
• Roller skating
• Roller derby
• BMX
• Mountain biking
• General cycling
• Scootering
• Stunt scooters
• E-bikes
• Urban commuting
• Other extreme/action sports

This cross-discipline approach is central to the brand’s identity. REKD describes its objective as providing protection for riders regardless of their particular sport or ability level.[1]

REKD’s stated philosophy centres on providing high-quality protection without excessive cost. The company emphasises safety, performance and affordability, alongside comfort and usability. It states that its products are rigorously tested and certified to provide protection without compromising the rider’s ability to perform.[1]

This positioning distinguishes REKD from traditional safety gear, which often prioritises maximum protection at the expense of weight, appearance or comfort. Instead, REKD combines protection with action-sports styling, comfort and comparatively accessible pricing.

Safety certification is a core component of REKD’s product strategy. The company maintains a dedicated Declarations of Conformity section covering numerous helmets, pads, pad sets and wrist guards.[1]

Depending on the product, REKD lists standards including:

• EN1078: Helmets for cyclists, skateboarders and roller-sports users.
• CPSC: Applicable U.S. bicycle helmet requirements.
• NTA 8776: For the Urbanlite E-Ride’s e-bike-oriented certification.
• EN14120 Level 2: Cited for certain protective pads such as the Energy Pro Ramp Knee Pads.

Certification varies by individual product; users should verify the specific declaration for each item rather than assuming uniform certification across the entire range.

Visually, REKD has developed a recognisable street and action-sports aesthetic. Its helmets generally favour compact, low-profile silhouettes, strong colour combinations and minimal branding, distinguishing them from the highly technical appearance associated with some cycling-specific brands.

The development of custom helmet moulds was particularly important to this identity. The Elite 2.0 and Ultralite designs were created specifically to give REKD a distinctive shape rather than relying on generic moulds.[2] This design philosophy allows the equipment to integrate naturally into skateboarding, BMX, skating and urban cycling environments.

REKD has increasingly moved beyond conventional external pads. The Energy product family illustrates this evolution; rather than simply placing hard plastic shells over joints, the brand has developed softer, flexible impact-protection products intended to remain unobtrusive during movement.

The Energy Ranger Protective Vest, introduced in 2025, exemplifies this direction. REKD describes it as a base-layer-style protective garment designed to provide impact protection while minimising the restrictive feeling traditionally associated with safety equipment.[1] This reflects a broader philosophical shift: protection is intended to enable athletic performance rather than merely protect the rider after an incident occurs.

REKD Protection states that it is owned and distributed by Stateside Skates Ltd, connecting the brand closely to the wider UK action-sports distribution and retail ecosystem.[1]

This relationship is significant because REKD’s origins lie in an established action-sports business environment rather than emerging solely as a conventional protective-equipment manufacturer. Early industry material specifically described the brand as originating from an experienced action-sports “brand house”.

REKD’s competitive identity is best described as mid-market, high-value action-sports protection. Rather than competing as an ultra-premium technical cycling brand, its proposition is that riders should be able to obtain properly designed and certified protective equipment without paying premium prices.

This makes the brand particularly relevant to younger riders, skateboarders, skaters, BMX riders, scooter riders, recreational cyclists, MTB riders, commuters, parents purchasing protection for children, and experienced athletes seeking lightweight or less restrictive gear.

1. Extreme Sports Protection | REKD Protection
2. Stilo Creative – REKD Protection