The D-air® Ski was designed in 2012 to help cope with the increasingly extreme conditions that World Cup and World Championship alpine skiers face. It is the first piece of protective ski equipment to use an electronic ‘brain’ to recognize the dynamics of a fall and activate the airbag in time.
The D-air® Ski’s technology was created specifically for alpine skiing, but it has inherited some of the key features of its motorcycle rider counterpart. In this case, D-air® was created to put professional MotoGP™ riders in the best performance conditions for races, which are moving increasingly close to the limit as mechanical vehicles develop exponentially. Here is what it looks like and how it works.
D-air® Ski 2 Evo
Inside invisible protection – how D-air® Ski 2 Evo is made
The D-air® Ski 2 Evo, the latest evolution of the previous system, is composed of two separate but completely integrated units – control unit and airbag, which work in synergy with the Wave Level 2 back protector.
The 3D control unit of D-air® Ski 2 Evo
The innovative 3D control unit of D-air® Ski 2 Evo works through several sensors that can detect every movement of the skier. Data sent by accelerometers, gyroscopes and GPS is analyzed a thousand times per second by an intelligent algorithm capable of distinguishing the dynamics of an accident from those of a normal race. Once the typical movements of a fall are identified, the electronic component sends a signal to the gas generator, which inflates the bag in a few thousandths of a second.
The airbag of D-air® Ski 2 Evo
The D-air® Ski 2 Evo airbag is an engineered surface capable of covering the areas most exposed to impacts on the upper part of the athlete’s body – it protects the skier’s chest better than any traditional protector. Airbag inflation is fully controlled, as the patented microfilament technology ensures uniform pressure and thickness, and therefore safety, over the entire surface. Unlike the first-generation system, the D-air® Ski 2 Evo airbag allows up to 3 activations before it needs to be replaced; the gas generator can also be changed independently due to the Fast Replacement System.
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When does D-air® Ski 2 Evo inflate?
The intelligent system has two operating programs, which have undergone live study over years of testing and research. A highside, probably the most dangerous of falls, is when the skier is tossed in the air; in this case D-air® inflates independently before impact with the ground. The second program provided is for a significant slide during which the athlete begins a potentially very dangerous roll.
Arming the D-air® system is simple – simply close the lumbar band with velcro and close the FidLock magnetic buckle located on the band.
The D-air® Ski 2 Evo app
The latest evolution of the electronic airbag system for alpine skiing is also distinguished from its predecessor by the ability to control D-air® Ski 2 Evo via smartphone app. With the application, you can set shipping mode, the specific mode for transporting the system, you can record the gas generator change, check the battery charge level, and in general the system status.
Why choose D-air®?
D-air®, unlike other traditional protectors, can be neither seen nor felt until you need it. When deflated, the airbag lets the athlete move in complete freedom so as not to impede performance or safety. The control unit and gas generator, which are also imperceptible due to their insignificant weight and bulk, are integrated perfectly into the back protector. D-air® is there, with the athlete, ready to spring into action, but only if needed.
The story
The D-air® Ski was presented in 2012, as a prototype. Only two years later it made its debut in the World Cup and its potential soon swept away any skepticism due to the additional layer of protection. It immediately became the safety benchmark for athletes in the high-speed disciplines, Downhill and Super-G, also due to its ergonomics and lightness. Another three years later, in 2017, there was the first victory by a D-air® Ski-protected skier, with Matthias Mayer in the Kitzbuehel Super-G. As of the 2024/2025 season, the use of a protective airbag system is mandatory for all athletes, men and women, in the World Cup Super-G and Downhill disciplines, from 2025/26 also in the European Cup and North American Cup.
D-air® Ski 2 Evo is the most advanced ski protection system, capable of \[AS1\] protecting athletes intelligently and, in addition, with the practicality of independently changing the gas generator for up to three activations. Invisible and imperceptible until you really need it, the D-air® Ski 2 Evo offers freedom and protection so that you can give it your all, while maximizing performance under the most extreme racing conditions.
The communication refers to the Dainese D-air® Smart Chest protector on the chest, CE certified, Category II - Level 2 by the Certification Body authorized by the Government Authority. For further details please read the product user manual.
