Tough Turban Exploded View
L

Turban Fabric - Rubia Voil, a soft fabric made of 100% cotton and a mix of voile yarn and rubia yarn. The composition of the fabric makes it a light and durable fabric for turbans

L

Turban Fabric - Rubia Voil

L

DYNEEMA® Composite Fabric. With a strength-to-weight ratio 10 times stronger than steel, DYNEEMA® increases tear resistance and is used in bulletproof vests and clothing.

L

DYNEEMA® Composite Fabric

L

3D printed armor. Inspired by historical Sikh warriors who wore chainmail under their turbans, this 3D-printed matrix of protective armor maintains the flexibility of a traditional turban.

L

3D printed armor

L

Non-Newtonian foam is used in a variety of applications such as military armor and helmets. It starts out soft and flexible but stiffens when force is applied, dispersing impact to protect the rider.

L

Non-Newtonian foam

L

Turban Fabric - Rubia Voil

Tough Turban | Protection for Turban Wearing Riders

The Tough Turban

The Tough Turban is the latest in innovative protection that allows turban-wearing riders to express their culture while staying safe on the road. Turban-wearing motorcyclists in Canada have had a helmet exemption for years, leaving room for inadequate protection while riding. The turban is not just an important symbol for Sikhs but also is a big part of their identity and how they express themselves. The creators behind The Tough Turban identified safety and cultural expression as the core design driving characteristics.

Tough Turban 2021: toughturban.com

The Tough Turban

The Tough Turban is the latest in innovative protection that allows turban-wearing riders to express their culture while staying safe on the road. Turban-wearing motorcyclists in Canada have had a helmet exemption for years, leaving room for inadequate protection while riding. The turban is not just an important symbol for Sikhs but also is a big part of their identity and how they express themselves. The creators behind The Tough Turban identified safety and cultural expression as the core design driving characteristics.

Tough Turban 2021: toughturban.com

Tough Turban | Protection for Turban Wearing Riders
Protection for Turban Wearing Riders

Layers

Within the Tough Turban there are three layers of protection; Dyneema Composite fabric which is bulletproof laminate, Non-Newtonian Foam which is used in military armor and helmets, and 3D Printed Armour which maintains the traditional flexibility of a turban. The design also includes 3D-printed chainmail lining, which is how Sikh warriors used chainmail to affix onto their turbans before battle. The idea for the Tough Turban began with a vision to create protective gear for Sikh riders that allow them to self-express, and the Tough Turban does just that.

Tough Turban | Layers
Tough Turban | 3D Printing

The Product Development Team

The Spark team was heavily involved in the process and consulted with Sikh riders to make sure that the Dyneema material being used was durable and flexible enough to be tied into a turban. Spark Innovations worked on the concept development, preliminary design, prototyping, industrial design of the Tough Turban, and 3D Printing. The designs for the prototype are being open-sourced online, allowing manufacturers to have access to this blueprint to make a version of the Tough Turban. Find out more at toughturban.com

Tough Turban | Prototype Testing
Tough Turban