Like every other industry, the helmet market is evolving every day and we’ve already seen helmets with a heads-up display, cameras, voice controls, and color-changing visors. However, the one featured here is perhaps the most astonishing addition to the niche smart helmet segment because it features an air purifier integrated into the helmet shell.

Dubbed the Puros, the helmet comes from an Indian startup, Shellios, and aims to tackle the increasing air pollution levels of metropolitan cities. How? Well, if you look closely, the helmet boasts a chunky section out back that is home to a patented air purifier system.

The setup cleans the air via an H13 grade HEPA filter, working alongside a blower fan powered by rechargeable Lithium-ion batteries. The blower sucks the air from behind, purifies it, and circulates it inside the helmet via a brow-mounted vent. Oh, and you can also replace the filter once it gets too dirty.

According to the company, this provides 99 percent protection from PM2.5 particles while reducing pollution exposure by over 80 percent. In addition, the airflow helps reduce visor fogging and suffocation in cold and hot temperatures, respectively.

In the meantime, the Puros boasts fiberglass construction, adheres to Indian helmet safety norms only, and straps onto your head via a micrometric buckle. For sure, the air purifier and battery would make this heavier than a conventional helmet, but Shellios hasn’t shed light on this yet.

The Shellios Puros retails at Rs 4,500 ($56) in India, and if you’re interested, the company can also send a sample to the States for around $130. The helmet isn’t DOT certified, though, so we won’t recommend you to wear it and risk getting a ticket.

In our opinion, the Shellios Puros is a capable product but we can think of a couple of flaws here. To start off, there’s no proper neck curtain to block out air coming from underneath, which ruins the whole point of clean air.

Then, the added weight is centered at the rear and can become a problem at high speeds when the wind is already pushing your head back (especially on big bikes). This is just from the top of our heads, however, and we hope the Puros proves us wrong if and when we get our hands on it.

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