100% Trajecta Full Face Helmet

Something funny happened a while back. People started shredding mid-travel, single-crown bikes pretty hard, right around the same time as the enduro racing discipline was making a name for itself on the world stage. As these bikes became ever more capable, we started going faster and harder on rougher and more difficult trails – but since we were now on single-crown bikes that can pedal, how about we ditch the full-face helmet and the armor? Makes sense, right? NOT. But nobody wants to pedal around in a hot and heavy full-face helmet, so we need something else – the lightweight, breathable full-face helmet was born. Some feature a removable chinbar for a two-in-one solution, while others rely on more vents and less padding to achieve the breathability goals. The new Trajecta from 100% is in the latter category, check out the highlights and our video review below to find out more about how we’ve been getting along with it after a few months out on the trail.

100% Trajecta Highlights

• Smartshock Rotational Protective System - (13 Points)
• Multi-Density EPS foam - injection molded with polycarbonate
• Massive airflow - Industry leading 24 ventilation ports
• Patent-pending chin bar integration
• Weight: 870 grams (size L, verified)
• Multi-point adjustable visor designed for maximum vision and goggle stowage
• Anti-Microbial liner - washable, moisture-wicking
• Lightweight D-Ring locking closure
• Two size-specific molds - SM/MD and L/XL
• MSRP: $250 USD

Video Review

We reviewed the 100% Trajecta on Vital MTB's Gear Show. Jump right in at 8mn48s to go directly to the relevant section, or check out the whole episode for more great news and gear.

100% decided to join the lightweight full-face party earlier this year, with their all-new Trajecta helmet. Weighing in at 870 grams, this ASTM-certified full-face helmet features 100%’s take on rotational force and impact reduction technology, called “SmartShock”. SmartShock consists of a series of rubber shock absorbers designed to reduce the transmission of both linear and rotational impact forces to your head. Coupled with a multi-density EPS foam liner and patented chinbar integration technology, we feel like this is one of the most advanced helmets currently available in this category when it comes to protection. Additionally, the Trajecta features 24 ventilation ports, an adjustable visor, an anti-microbial liner and a classic double-D ring chin strap. The Trajecta comes in two shell sizes with 4 different liners to cater to a large range of head measurements.

I typically run a size Large in most helmets, and I found the size Large Trajecta a perfect fit. It doesn’t offer the same soft, luxurious feeling found in many full-on DH helmets, with more vents and less padding the experience is somewhat more austere, just like most other helmets in this category. In use however, the fit is super stable without creating any pressure points or hotspots. The frontal opening is large, and will accommodate any size of goggles. Whether you’re rattling down tech sections or climbing back up again for another run, the Trajecta knows to make itself forgotten – and that’s what you want a helmet to do, right up until the point you need it. On that topic, I did manage a pretty massive crash while testing the Trajecta, so I can at least offer anecdotal evidence that it works as intended when you lawn-dart yourself into the trail. The ventilation is great, right up there with the leading helmets in this category, and 100% gets bonus points for having managed to only place two of the 24 vents under the goggle strap. Pst, helmet designers – EVERYBODY uses a goggle with their full-face helmet. We better not find out that you still run yours with sunglasses…

So how does the Trajecta measure up to competition? We recently rounded up the leading lightweight full-face helmet options on the market (before the Trajecta was available), and the TLD Stage and the Fox Proframe came out on top. Looking at the different criteria we used to rank the helmets in that test, the Trajecta achieves excellent marks for protection, breathability, fit and comfort – right up there with the other two. At 870 grams, it weighs about 150 grams more than the class leaders, and while the general finish and quality are good, there are a couple of things that could be better (the chin strap construction is a bit basic and looks out of place here). All in all, the Trajecta’s scores would see it land in third place, a more than honorable finish for this newcomer.

More information at: https://www.100percent.com/collections/trajecta.

About The Reviewer

Johan Hjord - Age: 46 // Years Riding MTB: 14 // Weight: 190-pounds (87-kg) // Height: 6'0" (1.84m)

Johan loves bikes, which strangely doesn’t make him any better at riding them. After many years spent practicing falling off cliffs with his snowboard, he took up mountain biking in 2005. Ever since, he’s mostly been riding bikes with too much suspension travel to cover up his many flaws as a rider. His 200-pound body weight coupled with unique skill for poor line choice and clumsy landings make him an expert on durability - if parts survive Johan, they’re pretty much okay for anybody. Johan rides flat pedals with a riding style that he describes as "none" (when in actuality he rips!). Having found most trail features to be not to his liking, Johan uses much of his spare time building his own. Johan’s other accomplishments include surviving this far and helping keep the Vital Media Machine’s stoke dial firmly on 11.

Photos and Video by Johan Hjord