What MET-Helmets does

MET-Helmets (MET S.p.A.) is an Italian privately held cycling-helmet specialist founded in 1987 and headquartered in Talamona, Sondrio province, in the Valtellina valley of the Italian Alps. The company designs, manufactures, and distributes a full range of cycling helmets — road, gravel, tri-aero, MTB (trail, enduro, e-MTB), urban/e-bike, active/trekking, kids, and limited editions — under the MET brand, plus a gravity/MTB helmet and body-protection portfolio (knee/elbow pads, vests, shorts, gloves) under the Bluegrass sub-brand founded in 2008.

Its core technology stack combines Mips rotational energy management (integrated across most of the range), NTA 8776 higher-speed impact certification (applied as a default design parameter across urban and MTB models), an in-house proprietary TUBE Wind Tunnel for aerodynamic and thermal testing, SAS-TEC viscoelastic foam and D3O® impact-absorbing pads in Bluegrass protections, and proprietary 3K Carbon shell construction (Trenta 3K Carbon — the "first carbon helmet in the WorldTour"). Bluegrass protections hold EN 1621-1 Level 2 / Type B certification. Manufacturing and R&D are anchored at the Talamona HQ, which also houses an in-house crash-testing lab and the B2B portal operations.

The business model is a hybrid direct-to-consumer (proprietary met-helmets.com storefront in en/it/de, payments in EUR/GBP/CAD via PayPal) plus B2B wholesale through country-level distributors and independent bike dealers globally (Italy, DACH, UK, North America, Australia/NZ, Slovenia). Revenue is generated from one-time hardware unit sales of helmets (€80-€500), body protection (€30-€300), gloves (€30-€45), accessories, limited-edition/signature drops (e.g., Pogačar, Kilian Bron, Team Editions 2025/2026), and an ancillary crash-replacement service. Headline commercial relationships include official WorldTour helmet partnerships with UAE Team Emirates XRG and UAE Team ADQ, signature endorsements from Tadej Pogačar and freerider Kilian Bron, technology integrations with Mips, SAS-TEC, and D3O, and a media partnership with Pinkbike.

Name

MET-Helmets

Legal name

MET S.p.A.

Website

https://met-helmets.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

MET-Helmets is an Italian privately held cycling-helmet specialist (founded 1987, Talamona) selling MET road/gravel/MTB/urban/kids helmets and the Bluegrass gravity helmet + body-protection portfolio worldwide via D2C, distributors, and bike dealers, with headline pro partnerships including UAE Team Emirates and Tadej Pogačar.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cycling Helmets and Protective Gear

NAICS

Motorcycle, Bicycle, and Parts Manufacturing (336991)

SIC

Motor Vehicle Parts & Accessories (3714)

akta.pro primary industry

Bike Apparel, Helmets & Protective Gear Retail (CRAMAHAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Ski & Snowboard Protective Gear Retail (Helmets, Goggles, Pads, Back Protectors) (CRAMAJAC), Helmets & Protective Headgear Retail (Motorcycle/ATV/Snow) (CRAMANAB), Riding Gloves & Hand Protection Retail (CRAMANAE), Motorcycle Riding Gear & Apparel Retail (CRAMANAA), Riding Jackets, Pants & Suits Retail (Leather/Textile) (CRAMANAF), Safety Accessories & Wearables Retail (Neck Braces, Hydration, Earplugs) (CRAMANAL), Off-Road & MX Gear Retail (Dirt Bike/Motocross/Enduro) (CRAMANAG), Powersports Safety, Helmets & Protective Gear Manufacturing (IMACAEAN), Sports & Outdoor Accessories Manufacturing (Performance Gloves/Headwear) (IMAOAFAI)

Keywords

• Cycling helmets
• Mountain bike protection
• Road cycling gear
• Gravel helmets
• E-bike safety

Headquarters

HQ city

Talamone

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Direct-to-Consumer Helmet & Accessories Sales: Sale of helmets, body protection (Bluegrass), gloves, accessories, and spare parts through the proprietary met-helmets.com storefront (en/it/de locales); prices range from €35 (gloves) to €500 (Legit Carbon). Includes outlet section and limited editions.
2. B2B Wholesale via Distributors and Retailers: Indirect channel through international distributors and physical retailers/dealers; supported by a dedicated B2B portal (b2bmet.met-helmets.com). Crash-replacement and warranty are managed through the local distributor network.
3. Crash Replacement Service: Replacement of damaged helmets at a reduced cost within 2 years of purchase, paid by the consumer and routed through country distributors — a fee-based ancillary revenue stream.
4. Limited Edition / Signature Drops: Premium-priced limited editions (Pogačar, Rainbow, Pink, Absolute White, Team Editions, Kilian Bron) and collaborations (PORTAL x MET) command higher unit prices (e.g., Trenta 3K Carbon at €400, Legit Carbon at €500).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

MET-Helmets designs, manufactures, and distributes cycling helmets and protective equipment under the MET brand (road, gravel, MTB, urban/e-bike, active/trekking, kids, and limited-edition helmets) and the Bluegrass sub-brand (gravity MTB helmets, body protections, and gloves). The portfolio is sold globally via direct-to-consumer e-commerce, country distributors, independent bike shops, and a B2B trade portal, with products priced from €30 gloves up to €500 Bluegrass Legit Carbon full-face DH helmets.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Bluegrass: In-house brand of MET S.p.A. created at the end of 2008, focused on gravity, enduro, downhill and BMX helmets, body protections (knee and elbow pads, vests, shorts) and gloves.

Products and services

• MET Trenta 3K Carbon Mips Flagship carbon road helmet engineered for maximum lightness, ventilation, and aerodynamic efficiency with Mips rotational impact protection; priced at €400. Available in standard, Pogačar, UAE Team Emirates XRG, UAE Team ADQ, Rainbow, Pink, Black, and Absolute White editions.
• MET Manta Mips Aerodynamic triathlon/road helmet used by UAE Team Emirates; second-generation design minimises drag while maintaining Mips rotational protection. Available in standard, Pogačar, Absolute White, Tan Line and Pink editions.
• MET Drone Wide Body II Pioneer of wide-body construction for time-trial helmets; designed to push airflow over the shoulders rather than the helmet shell. Used by UAE Team Emirates time-trial specialists including Tadej Pogačar.
• MET Codatronca Long-tail aero road/triathlon helmet in the MET tri-aero family.
• MET Trenta Mips / Trenta Wander / Trenta Absolute White Performance road helmet line (non-carbon) featuring Mips rotational protection, offered in a Wander gravel colorway and Absolute White limited edition.
• MET Rivale Mips / Rivale Absolute White Road helmet with Mips rotational protection; available in an Absolute White limited-edition finish.
• MET Estro Mips / Estro Wander Road helmet with Mips, also offered in the Wander gravel colorway for mixed-surface riding.
• MET Vinci Mips Road-essential helmet with Mips, positioned as the accessible premium road option. Featured in the 2026 Wax White collection.
• MET Idolo Mips / Idolo Entry-level Mips-equipped road helmet in the MET cycling range.
• MET Allroad Mips / Allroad Wander / Allroad Gravel-specific helmet family, including the 2026 Allroad Wander launch with the Wander Herbal color story.
• MET Veleno Mips / Veleno Wander Trail and e-MTB helmet with Mips; offered in a Wander gravel colorway variant.
• MET Parachute MCR Mips Convertible enduro helmet with removable chin guard; exceeds ASTM 1952 (downhill) and ASTM 2032 (BMX) standards; weighs ~700 g in size M.
• MET Revo / Revo Kilian Bron Enduro helmet with Mips Air Node rotational protection, 23% improved ventilation over prior generation, 5-star Virginia Tech rating, and NTA 8776 certification. Also offered as Revo Kilian Bron signature edition.
• MET Terræ Trail MTB helmet launched with the "TERRÆ" story; focused on connection to terrain and adventure riding.
• MET Shelter Mips / Shelter Trail MTB helmet offered in Mips and non-Mips variants; also a Shelter Youth kids version exists.
• MET Crossover Mips / Crossover Trekking helmet for hybrid city/leisure riding with optional Mips protection.
• MET Downtown Mips / Downtown Urban/trekking helmet with Mips and non-Mips versions for daily commuting and casual cycling.
• MET Miles Mips / Miles City helmet with Mips for urban cyclists.
• MET Intercity Mips E-bike urban helmet with adjustable shield and magnetic light, Mips-equipped, NTA 8776 certified.
• MET Urbex Mips E-bike urban helmet with magnetic light, Mips and NTA 8776 certification.
• MET Vibe On Mips / Vibe Mips / Vibe E-bike commuter helmet with rear USB LED light and, in the Vibe On variant, an adjustable windshield visor. All versions NTA 8776 certified; Mips available on Mips versions.
• MET E-Mob Mips / E-Mob Lightest NTA-8776 certified helmet in the MET urban range, with rear USB LED light and Mips option.
• MET Crackerjack Mips / Crackerjack Children's cycling helmet with optional Mips protection.
• MET Hooray Mips / Hooray Children's cycling helmet with optional Mips protection.
• MET Shelter Youth Mips / Shelter Youth Youth version of the Shelter trail MTB helmet with optional Mips.
• Bluegrass Legit Carbon Carbon full-face downhill helmet developed for DH and Enduro racing at €500.
• Bluegrass Legit Mips / Legit Full-face downhill/BMX helmet inspired by athletes inside the tape, available with Mips.
• Bluegrass Vanguard Core Full-face MTB helmet for enduro, trail and E-MTB using the Safe-T Heta retention system.
• Bluegrass Jetro 3/4 jet-style mountain-bike helmet with extensive head and jaw coverage for enduro, E-MTB and dirt, featuring Mips.
• Bluegrass Rogue Core Mips / Rogue Bluegrass trail helmet with optional Mips core rotational protection.
• Bluegrass Intox Downhill helmet in the Bluegrass gravity range.
• Bluegrass Superbold BMX helmet in the Bluegrass gravity range.
• Bluegrass Venture Vest Hybrid protection vest with chest and back protection for enduro and e-MTB at €250.
• Bluegrass Arto Armour Full-body protection for downhill, BMX, enduro at €300.
• Bluegrass Arto Vest Chest and back protection vest at €230.
• Bluegrass Arto Shorts Protective undershorts for downhill, BMX and enduro riding.
• Bluegrass Aura Shorts Lightweight, breathable protective shorts for MTB riding.
• Bluegrass Seamless B&S D3O / Seamless Lite D3O Seamless back-and-shoulder protectors using D3O impact-absorbing technology.
• Bluegrass Armour Lite Lightweight upper-body armour from the Bluegrass protection range.
• Bluegrass 3Straps Knee Level 2 Type B certified MTB kneepad for Trail, Enduro, DH and E-MTB featuring SAS-TEC technology, at €110.
• Bluegrass Aura Core Knee Level 2 Type B certified MTB kneepad for Trail, Enduro and E-MTB with SAS-TEC technology, at €130.
• Bluegrass Arto Knee Level 2 Type B certified MTB kneepad for Trail, Enduro, DH and E-MTB with SAS-TEC technology, at €90.
• Bluegrass Aura Knee MTB kneepad with SAS-TEC technology.
• Bluegrass Aura Core Elbow MTB elbow protector with SAS-TEC impact technology and Level 2 / Type B certification.
• Bluegrass Aura Elbow MTB elbow protector with SAS-TEC impact technology and Level 2 / Type B certification.
• Crash Replacement Service Replacement of damaged MET/Bluegrass helmets at a reduced cost within 2 years of purchase, paid by the consumer and routed through country distributors.

Named customers6 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature10 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• MipscoreTechnology or IntegrationLong-standing technology partnership: Mips low-friction rotational energy management layer is integrated across a wide portion of the MET and Bluegrass ranges. MET works directly with Johan Hedlund (Head of R&D at Mips) and references Mips Air Node on the REVO. The companies co-developed safety storytelling (Pinkbike Safety Bible Q&A) and the "Why MIPS?" landing page on met-helmets.com.
• UAE Team Emirates (XRG)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial WorldTour helmet partner for UAE Team Emirates / UAE Team Emirates XRG. Athletes including Tadej Pogačar race in MET Trenta 3K Carbon Mips, Drone Wide Body, and Manta Mips. Co-branded Team Editions released annually (Team Editions 2026). MET's content engine regularly celebrates stage wins, Maillot Jaune and Maglia Rosa moments.
• UAE Team ADQcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial helmet partner for the UAE Team ADQ women's WorldTour squad. The Team Edition Trenta 3K Carbon helmet uses "signature multicolor shading that recalls the sunset over the desert" — co-designed and raced by the team.
• Tadej PogačarflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerPremium signature partnership with Tadej Pogačar: MET produces Tadej Pogačar limited editions of the Manta, Trenta 3K Carbon and Trenta Wander helmets (e.g., "Dream State" 2026, Pogačar edition), plus race-driven editions (Rainbow Edition, Pink Edition) celebrating his 2024 Giro-Tour double. MET documents his stage wins across Giro, Tour and classics.
• Kilian BroncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSignature MTB freeride partnership: MET designed the REVO Kilian Bron signature helmet and the Slatbound Louis Reboul "Legit Carbon" content feature. The "Welcome Back Kilian" campaign marks a renewed long-term collaboration with MET/Bluegrass.
• PinkbikecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerEditorial / media partnership with Pinkbike (the world's largest digital MTB community). MET hosted Pinkbike journalist and ex-pro rider Ben Cathro at Talamona HQ to produce the "Safety Bible" Q&A that answers user questions about helmet replacement, weight vs protection, and the Mips system.
• SAS-TECcoreTechnology or IntegrationImpact-absorption technology partnership: SAS-TEC viscoelastic foam is integrated into Bluegrass knee and elbow protectors (Aura Core Knee, 3Straps Knee, Arto Knee, Aura Core Elbow, Aura Elbow) to achieve Level 2 Type B certification.
• D3O®coreTechnology or IntegrationD3O® impact-protection material is integrated into Bluegrass body protectors — specifically the Seamless B&S D3O® and Seamless Lite D3O® shorts/vests listed in the Bluegrass Protections catalog.
• PORTAL (design collaboration)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner"A design collaboration for horizontal gains" — PORTAL x MET co-branded capsule highlighted on the Stories hub; design-focused partnership rather than a pro-team or technology integration.
• Santa Cruz FSA TeamminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMTB team partnership: Santa Cruz FSA Team riders (Martina Berta, Luca Braidot, Max Marotte) feature in the "XCO meets ENDURO" content piece riding MET/Bluegrass helmets.
• Crelan-Corendon TeamminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCyclocross team partnership: featured in the "Heating up the snow with the Crelan-Corendon Team" Val Di Sole snow race story.
• Proloco Trade (Slovenia)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSlovenian distributor hosting country-specific Declarations of Conformity / DEKLARACIJA O SKLADNOSTI at prolocotrade.si/navodila/met.
• PayPalcoreTechnology or IntegrationPayment processing partner powering both PayPal checkout and the "Credit Card powered by PayPal" gateway on met-helmets.com. PayPal is also the entity handling card data; MET never sees card numbers. Payments accepted in GBP, EUR and CAD.
• UAE Team ADQ (wider women's cycling partnership)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerEditorial / storytelling partnership with women's team: "Behind the scenes at Trofeo Alfredo Binda" race-weekend feature with UAE Team ADQ.
• Hive Ride (women's cycling community)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerFeatured partnership/editorial collaboration highlighting women's cycling culture via the "HIVE RIDE" story.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• POC: Swedish premium helmet and protection specialist with overlapping road, MTB, gravity, urban and kids ranges and strong Mips integration. Directly competes with MET across the same core cycling categories at premium price points.
• Sweet Protection: Norwegian premium helmet and protection brand covering road, MTB, gravity, and winter sports. Comparable premium positioning, athlete-driven marketing, and overlapping MTB protection category with Bluegrass.
• Rudy Project: Italian premium helmet and eyewear specialist with strong road, triathlon, gravel and e-bike lines. Closely comparable peer given shared Italian design heritage, tri-aero focus, and premium pricing.
• KASK: Italian premium cycling helmet manufacturer headquartered in Piedmont, also serving road, MTB, gravel, urban and e-bike with Mips integration. Closest like-for-like peer given shared Italian heritage, premium pricing, and broad category coverage.
• Giro Sport Design: Bell-owned cycling helmet brand with extensive road, MTB, gravel, urban and kids lines plus the Spherical Mips system. A core competitor to MET in both road/aero and trail/gravity helmets globally.
• Lazer Sport: Belgian helmet brand with deep road, MTB, gravel, urban and kids ranges, part of the Belgian Cycling Factory group. Comparable product breadth to MET and overlapping premium/value price segmentation.

Broad incumbents

• Scott Sports: Swiss multi-sport brand with cycling helmets (Vivo, Arx, Centric Plus) among its broader bike, ski and motorsport portfolio. Overlaps with MET in road and MTB helmets but distributes alongside bikes, apparel and footwear.
• Bell Helmets: Iconic US helmet brand covering cycling (via Giro), motorcycle, snow and powersports. Overlaps with MET in cycling helmets but operates as a multi-category incumbent within Vista Outdoor's portfolio.
• Specialized Bicycle Components: Vertically integrated premium bike brand with its own helmet range (S-Works Prevail, Ambush, Mode) plus ANGi crash sensor. Directly competes with MET road/MTB helmets but bundled with a much larger bike and apparel business.
• Smith Optics: Broader action-sports and eyewear brand with a significant cycling helmet line (Route, Forefront, etc.) using Mips/Koroyd. Overlaps with MET in road and MTB but distributes across ski/snow and lifestyle.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/METhelmets
• Facebookfacebook.com/METhelmets
• Instagraminstagram.com/met_helmets
• Xx.com/met_helmets

Compliance13 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about MET-Helmets