Troy Lee Designs made a splash all those years ago when they introduced the A1 helmet back in 2013. Traditionally more of a gravity / DH brand this open face helmet has a real focus on maximising safety for trail riders in a light weight design with a low cut across the back for enhanced coverage. This has since caught on across nearly every MTB helmet brand and now eight years later Troy Lee Designs is staying at the forefront of helmet technology with the release of their new A3 helmet.
Protection Features
Naturally the low rear cut is carried over to the A3 for that added coverage but there's so much more to it than that! The A3 helmet also has dual density foam to protect riders from impacts at various speeds. EPS foam is firmer and great for protection at high speeds while the EPP foam is a little softer and protects riders in the event of a lower speed crash. Combining the two gives riders added confidence in their gear for all speeds of riding. As is standard on nearly every high end MTB helmet now MIPS technology has been utilised yet, in typical TLD fashion they've gone a step further. Instead of having a MIPS liner and an adjustable fit system TLD have integrated the two to not only give you maximum safety benefit but create a sturdy, comfortable design.
So what does this all mean when you crash? No helmet will give you 'concussion proof' protection and let you throw caution to the wind but you can ride with confidence knowing the Troy Lee Designs A3 helmet is class leading with a 5 star Virginia tech safety rating.
Comfort Is Key
There's no point having the best helmet in the world if it digs into your head and you never want to wear it. Luckily TLD have made one seriously comfortable helmet that hugs your head firmly yet comfortably. The integration of the fit system and MIPS liner mentioned above feels great as well. To top it off the fit system adjustment wheels has very small increments allowing for precise adjustments to get the pressure just right.
The Bells and Whistles
If you're paying a premium price for a helmet you're allowed to expect a little bit more and the Troy Lee Designs A3 delivers exactly that. You get a clean and easy to use 'Fidlock' magnetic buckle making it easy to use on the go. It's damn hot here in Australia and nobody wants sweat in their eyes while you're trying to focus on the trail. TLD have addressed this with an in-built sweat gutter and even throw in a few replacements should you need to swap them out! To top if off you also get an extra helmet liner included in the bag so you have no excuses for not having a fresh, clean helmet!
Who's It For?
If you're looking for the most detailed and tricked out mountain bike helmet to keep you safe for Enduro / trail / all mountain riding the Troy Lee Designs A3 is perfect for you. With such comprehensive protection and a tonne of small details that add up to make a big difference we can see Australian MTB riders relishing all that this helmet has to offer.
Check out the Troy Lee Designs A3 Helmet
