The Omega Helmet: Helping Top Triathlete Marlene de Boer Perform Better

The Cadomotus Omega helmet, which Marlene de Boer has been using since March of this year, is helping her achieve peak performance. From its aerodynamic design with smart ventilation openings to a well-thought-out visor with a handy click system, every feature supports her goal of top results. “In terms of aerodynamics, this is definitely a special helmet.”

“I race to be the fastest,” says Marlene de Boer matter-of-factly when asked what a good helmet should offer. In her opinion, a helmet should contribute as much as possible to that performance. Its appearance is not her main concern—though she does find it quite stylish—“I think it’s a very beautiful helmet.” However, the practical advantages of the helmet ultimately make the difference for her. And in that regard, the Omega helmet, which she uses for World Cups and championship races, more than meets her expectations.

Helmet Visors Along the Side of the Road

Sometimes, small details determine whether something is truly good or not. Marlene raced with the Omega helmet for the first time in competition during her Ironman in Durban, South Africa. It was a race with varying weather conditions, including rain, which meant athletes sometimes needed a visor and sometimes didn’t.

Other triathletes struggled with complicated visor systems, and some got so frustrated that they threw their visors away mid-race.

"I saw a lot of visors lying along the side of the road in South Africa. Because they fog up. And then they can't reattach them, so they just throw them away," she says with a laugh.

She herself had no such issues:

"The helmet has a really nice magnetic attachment, which makes it easy to rotate and place the visor on the helmet. I could remove it quickly. With one hand. For a triathlete, it’s crucial that you don’t need both hands to adjust your helmet. That’s one of the reasons I find this an excellent helmet.

Sure, you can throw the visor away during the race, but later on, it dried up and got sunnier. At that point, you’d be very happy to still have your visor."

"We ride 180 kilometers on the bike, and it’s rarely wet for the entire 180 kilometers," she continues. "Especially abroad. You might start cycling in the rain and then ride in the sun for four hours straight. That’s a long time, and the weather can change.

I was glad that my visor didn’t fog up in South Africa. Even in rainy conditions, I had clear visibility. There are also different visor colors. Depending on the conditions, I use a dark or light visor."

Aerodynamic Advantage with the Omega Helmet

While the practical features are important, nothing beats aerodynamics, according to Marlene.

*"In a race, I prioritize aerodynamics. I feel like you lose a lot of time if you don’t use a closed helmet. Depending on the conditions, I choose either a full-aero helmet or not.

For example, at the triathlon in Nieuwkoop, which wasn’t particularly warm, I raced with my full-aero helmet. But in terms of aerodynamics, the Omega is definitely a special helmet."

And this is backed by scientific research.

Compared to a standard closed helmet, the Omega is significantly faster, as demonstrated by TU Delft and TU Eindhoven. The tests showed that the Omega remains highly aerodynamic even when the athlete moves their head, which is crucial in a long race.

Cycling five hours straight in a full-aero helmet is uncomfortable and difficult to sustain, as Fraser Cartmell and Mark Threlfall from Global Triathlon previously argued.

The Omega helmet offers both comfort and low air resistance in multiple positions.

"It doesn’t sit in your neck," Marlene notes, referring to its advantage over a full-aero helmet. "You can look sideways, climb hills, and adapt to different riding styles while remaining aerodynamic.

The Omega, originally designed as a speed skating helmet, was tested specifically for changing positions and dynamic movements."

The Omega Helmet Keeps Your Head Cool

Another comfort feature of the helmet is its advanced ventilation system.

Three air channels, protected by honeycomb mesh, prevent insects from entering while ensuring cool airflow without compromising aerodynamics.

"And your neck remains free for cooling," Marlene adds, emphasizing a key advantage over full-aero helmets.

For her first Ironman, she was glad to race with the Omega helmet, given the expected high temperatures. In the end, bad weather kept things cooler, but she knows that in hot conditions, a helmet with ventilation is essential.

Between an aero helmet and a full-aero helmet, the absence of ventilation in a full-aero model can increase head temperature significantly.

This matters during a 180-kilometer ride in the heat because overheating impairs performance.

"The Omega is simply less hot, which is a key factor. Your head isn’t fully enclosed, and it has those ventilation openings," Marlene explains.

"You really benefit from openings that keep your head cool."

Color choice also affects heat management.

The Omega helmet is available in any color, but for Marlene, there is only one option:

"I love that my helmet is white, which helps reflect heat in warm conditions."

‘The Omega Helmet Is Simply Very Practical’

Thanks to its unique features, the Omega helmet helps Marlene achieve top performance in various conditions.

• Aerodynamically, it is almost as fast as a full-aero helmet.

• In comfort and cooling, it is superior.

• With an easily removable, anti-fog visor, it prevents distractions during training and races.
  

"What I also like about a helmet with a visor, like the Omega, is that it makes me feel like I'm in my own bubble," Marlene concludes.

*"It keeps me focused and in my own energy.

And yes, it also protects me from insects, which you encounter plenty while cycling,"* she adds with a laugh.

*"I truly think it’s a great helmet, both with and without the visor. The Omega is simply very practical."