RockGardn's 'Pearl' FR/DH Helmet - Review

Jun 6, 2010 at 23:23

I'd like to introduce you all to a small brand named 'RockGardn', operated by a husband and wife in Southern California. I first noticed the brand years ago when they originally sponsored a local NW DH Shop Team named 'Ride-This' and a few of the riders where sporting the protective gear, while proving it works with huge crashes. I personally experienced a really bad crash in Port Angeles 2 years ago and if it wasn't for all the RockGardn protection I had on, I'd be a vegetable in a wheelchair. Hard hits can do serious body damage and ruin seasons. These last few weeks I've heard about several riders getting hurt ranging from top pro's to weekend warriors. You can never have enough protection on in every crashing situation. The trick is to be prepared for the worse. It's part of racing and accepting the risks.

Read on about the RockGardn 'Pearl' Helmet

Photos By Carl Warren Photography

Rockgardn makes everything for the human body to impact the ground and offer supreme protection. I've bounced up from countless slip-outs and OTB-style crashes thanks to RockGardn's Knee/Shin protection. Anyone that knows my 'story' knows my right elbow has been shattered, dislocated, broken 2 more times and it's because I love riding my bike. I discovered Rockgardn on my own, they make great protection. I own the upper body 'Trailstar' to protect my back, shoulders and chest, my elbows are padded up heavily with their elbow protection and now I get the chance to be 'Head to Toe' when Mark at RockGardn agreed to ship me his new 'Pearl' helmet.

Weighing in at 2.41 lbs, hosting 14 vents, it's a hand laminated fiberglass shell with removable liner and cheek pads. As the name represents the finish is a subtle pearlescent white and they provide a nice helmet bag (with drawstring) to keep it looking sharp for the entire season. Rockgardn had the helmet tested by an independent lab certified to CPSC and CE EN1078 standards, in-house lab tested to ASTM F1952 (DH) and F2032 (BMX) standard which succeeds expectations and standards.



When I first received the helmet I decided to get my mechanic Craig 'cccrider1' Cleary to wear it and get his feedback. He's hard to please, knows his business after many years working in the local bike shop. He can also rip trails like a top, seasoned veteran pro, basically he knows the retail bike game. He's a tough cookie to please and I wanted to see if he would take on the challenge of working on this review with me. Here's Craig's take on the new Pearl:

"I loved that Rockgardn helmet, Excellent venting, and a very nice slim fit. I had no helmet "wag" while wearing it. I shuttled Nestor Peaks with it (full speed) 7 times in a day and only would take it off on the mild flat traverse. I used my Smith goggles that day and while the frame/ goggle opening meshed well, the silicone goggle strap did not always like the gloss of the helmet and I would have to make an adjustment or two between runs. (maybe a flatter surface where the goggle band crosses the back of the helmet.) I also rode '2 Chairs' with it and had excellent range of vision (no goggles) with my sunglasses. I really liked the dual tension adjustment on the visor so it would stay put when I set it (helped on some flat landings on Frankenstein!) Also the integration of the visor to the helmet vents was very clean and sano looking (much better then some of the big brands!) The screened in venting on the top was a plus while shuttling Syncline (ticks couldn't land on my head). Once again, nice slim fit without extra bulk. On the negative side, the helmet could be lighter, The D-ring on the buckle was crude and had an edge to it. A fastex buckle would be nice. The blingy gold (vent) in the mouthpiece should be removed and have the firm screening put in it (it basically feels like a solid piece that does not push air thru.) All in all at $139.99, I would buy one of these. Especially the Pearl White, which made me feel like a storm trooper on my white Giant Reign SX!"

-Craig Cleary


To say the least - he's right. He pretty much summed it up perfectly. I then gave it a good week of daily riding and feel his assessment is spot on - it's a great helmet and the price is MSRP'd at $139.99 (US Dollars) and in my opinion a well-thought out item. Although it;s not DOT endorsed they do provide one that is here. My only portion I failed to test out was the compatibility of this helmet with neck braces, but the design is obviously suited to work freely with any neck brace on the market. Which is my next investment since I have an injury-filled 3 years of racing already, time to prepare for another 'war' at the track and this helmet is going to be my key to a solid result, no matter what happens during my race run. Rubber Down or Drive Home With A Frown!






Rockgardn's Dealer Locater is HERE.


Mike 'northwestdhdad' Estes