Troy Lee Designs

D3 Carbon Fiber Helmet - Limited Edition

When we're cleaning DH lines during gravity sprints, the last thing on our minds is the very real danger that we're putting our minds themselves in. Troy Lee Designs hasn't forgotten, though, and it puts our untroubled minds even more at ease with the Limited Edition D3 Carbon Fiber Helmet. This limited edition model has the same carbon body, titanium hardware, and complex impact-absorption system as the civilian model, it's just been updated with graphics celebrating the signature colors of one of the sport's much-feted, dual-crown king.

While the aesthetics figuratively rock, the helmet's real strength is its strength against actual rocks, trees, and whatever other trail furniture you find along the ragged edge to throw yourself against. The D3's impact-absorption comes courtesy of a network of dual-density shock pads that diffuse small impacts and reinforce the EPS liner for protection that lasts over multiple hits. The protection also exceeds all of the relevant international safety standards, including the very stringent CPSC 1203. For all the fun in the design of its kit, TLD takes rider safety very seriously.

Comfort is also a hot point for the California-based manufacturer, and the D3 features over a dozen intake ports shuttle air through the helmet and out of the multiple exhaust ports. The lightly padded internal liner is made of Coolmax and Dri-Lex materials, which actively cool while pushing moisture away from your skin to evaporate in the air channels.

The liner can be removed and washed for those inevitable times when a freshening-up is warranted by funky liner syndrome. The chin strap fastens with a titanium D-ring, so it's lightweight, resistant to corrosion, and as strong as, well, titanium. Finally, the cheek pads are removable to help facilitate getting the helmet off in case of an emergency. After all, rocking DH aside, a helmet's number one job is to keep you safe.