First Look: 2016 Troy Lee Designs D3, A1, and D2 Helmets 9

​It's always exciting to see what Troy Lee comes up with, and we always look forward to spring and the release of each new season's fresh range. First out of the gates, launching today, the 2016 crop of helmets (for apparel, you'll have to wait just a little longer). Looking for inspiration as he went to work on the new line up, Troy says he found it trailside:

“I get asked all the time; ‘Troy, where do you get your design inspiration from?’ and I have to pause, because I am surrounded by so many creative outlets, whether it is new carbon bikes, motorcycles, artists, paint colors, the list goes on and on. This year for our bicycle line I felt inspired with what I saw on the trail…in the wild. My youngest kids are riding their bikes a lot more and seeing the ride experience through their eyes is like a bicycle rebirth for me, I am loving it. From our family rides on our local Laguna Beach trails, to the big pilgrimage we make to Whistler, Canada, I find inspiration in the shapes and colors that are all over outdoors…they say you have to stop and smell the roses, it’s very true.

Inspiration also comes from our amazing athletes we are partnered with all over the world. They racked up more wins and exposure for us than we ever could have imagined. The athletes push us daily to innovate and create - that inspires us.

But ultimately, your safety, comfort and style is my priority, which always pushes us the most and we at TLD have done an incredible job bringing you another year of riding equipment for 2016. I hope you enjoy it and hope to see you on the trails!” -Troy Lee, Owner Troy Lee Designs

With those words to whet our appetite, we were eager to pop the lid on a couple of boxes of early samples that showed up on our doorstep one day. Read on to discover what we found inside as we take you through the 2016 TLD helmet line up below.

2016 Troy Lee Designs A1

The A1 was launched in 2013, and it made a big splash when it did. With the extended coverage trail lid movement in full swing as we all continued to push our trail bike riding to new levels of fun, the A1 quickly found itself on many a rider's wish list, and with good reason. It offers outstanding levels of comfort and lots of safety features, not to mention good looks. For 2016, the A1 sees minor improvements mostly in regards to construction (with the addition of a composite filament layer between the shell and the EPS liner for extra penetration protection), and of course, a rad new range of colorways to choose from.

2016 Troy Lee Designs A1 Highlights

• Reinforced polycarbonate shell in-molded with the EPS liner extends down the sides and back of the head for maximum protection and durability
• 8 pressurized intake passages draw in cool air for maximum ventilation
• 8 rear vacuum vortex outlets help exhaust and draw heat from head
• Triple position adjustable retention system allows customized fit for various eyewear, head shape and riding styles
• Single piece, ultra plush, removable and washable comfort liner made of anti-microbial moisture wicking material for a dry, comfortable feel
• Full spectrum adjustable Moto inspired visor with anodized aluminum hardware
• Race inspired styling
• MSRP: $165 USD (Reflex), $139 USD (Drone)

We have a lot of combined trail time with the A1 here at Vital, and it is easily one of our preferred trail helmets. It is hard to beat for outright comfort, and it is very well ventilated. We've all smacked our domes with it, and we're still here to tell those tales, so TLD must be doing it right when it comes to safety as well. We have to say we think some of the designs are particularly sweet this year too.

The A1 Drone gets 4 new colors for 2016, and the all-new Reflex line features 5 designs, some of which have a matching big brother in the D3 family. Here is an overview of some of the new options, for the full palette head on over to: www.troyleedesigns.com/helmets/bike/.

2016 Troy Lee Designs D3

We don't hand out many 5-star reviews here at Vital, but the D3 rightfully earned itself a spot in that exclusive club. Offering comfort and safety in a well-ventilated and lightweight package, the D3 has riders the world over trusting it for their gravity protection needs, looking past the somewhat steep price tag in the process. Troy Lee never rests, and although we only had minor niggles with the original D3 (which were subsequently addressed), the 2016 version sees several design improvements (mainly related to fit) as well as a whole slew of new graphics, ranging from the murdered-out to the outright outrageous. Just as we like it.

2016 Troy Lee Designs D3 Highlights

• NEW head form/shape that has been slightly modified to accommodate some comfort zones that TLD customers and athletes wanted updated for better fit. Extensive testing led TLD to make to a slight modification that will allow the D3 to accommodate more riders.
• NEW cheek pad, the “3D" cheek pads feature an updated shape and contour to better fit the jaw and cheek area. This new 3D cheek pad extends more toward the front as well, for a more secure fit.
• NEW smoothed edge trim on the face molding area.
• Added more EPS in the key frontal impact zones for even greater safety.
• 3 different EPS size ranges, with 6 different sized cheek/headliner kits, for a huge range of sizing.
• Machined titanium visor screws and ‘D-ring’ chin strap fasteners for reduced weight.
• Custom made helmet bag comes with every D3 helmet composite or carbon.
• D3 comes with 2 fully adjustable, matching graphics visors.
• 14 intake ports over forehead, brow and chin areas guide airflow past rider’s head for maximum ventilation.
• 6 high-flow exhaust vents release hot air ensuring an even flow of cool air throughout the helmet’s interior.
• Removable and washable comfort liner with Coolmax® and Dri-Lex® materials.
• Technologically advanced aerospace carbon / composite shell construction.
• EXCEEDS CPSC 1203, CE EN 1078, ASTM F1952, ASTM F2032, AND AS/NZS 2063:2008
• MSRP: $449 USD (Carbon), $375 (Composite)

With that kind of feature list, it is no wonder that riders like Aaron Gwin, Steve Peat, Brandon Semenuk, Cam Zink, Jerome Clementz and Brendan Fairclough put their trust in the D3. And since we were lucky enough to already get our 2016 sample, we're happy to report that it's still a prime choice for us mere mortals as well.

The D3 gets 4 new style families for 2016 (Reflex/Bezerk/Blacklight/Midnight), as well as updates to existing designs (Pinstripe II). From the super stealthy carbon Midnight to the psychedelic Blacklight, there's something here for everybody. Check out the teasers below then head to www.troyleedesigns.com/helmets/bike/ for more.

2016 Troy Lee Designs D2

The D2 was the helmet to have back in the day, and it's been so popular ever since that it has remained in the catalogue for those looking for full-face protection in a more budget-friendly package. And if you're worried that budget-friendly means that Troy Lee would skimp on the design side, worry no more: the 2016 D2 line up looks as feisty and as fresh as ever:

2016 Troy Lee Designs D2 Highlights

• Lightweight aerospace composite shell.
• High-flow ventilation system incorporated into shell and liner.
• 7 intake ports over top, forehead and chin areas guide airflow past rider’s head for maximum ventilation.
• 4 exhaust vents release hot air ensuring an even flow of cool air throughout the helmet’s interior.
• Removable and washable comfort liner and cheek pads.
• Machined cross-top aluminum visor screws.
• Adjustable Orbit visor allows for custom height placement.
• Large eye port allows for easy fitting of all goggle shapes and sizes.
• Super soft helmet sock included.
• MSRP: $228 USD

The Troy Lee Designs 2016 Helmet Collection is available as of today at finer dealers worldwide. For more, head to www.troyleedesigns.com/helmets/bike/.