Kali Interceptor

Intro

No item of kit is more important than the helmet. It is the requisite piece of safety equipment, and it is also one of the most argued about items one can buy - not on the merit of function, but mainly regarding fit and appearance. The iterations of brain buckets have come a long way, with Troy Lee Designs setting the benchmark for aggressive half-shell helmets with the A1 years back, and brands like 6D reinventing the wheel with their ATB-1 T. So, anytime a new dome cover arrives on the scene, it is scrutinized heavily, compared to what has come before it. Kali Protectives have managed to carve out a strong position in the market with their deep line up of gear, holding up well in their corner against some of the more prominent giants of the industry. Pushing for good-looking functionality with an affordable price tag, many riders who’d rather spend money on food and gas for riding trips have been drawn to the consumer-oriented brand. They sent over one of their newer models, the Interceptor, for Vital to take a First Look, replete with a new liner technology and rider-minded accessories.

Highlights

Tech

• Nano Fusion: “In-molded multi-density EPS with acrylic self-healing foam and carbon nanotubes. Dissipates impact energy more efficiently in a smaller volume.”
• LDL -Low Density Layer: “When we first began experimenting with materials to help reduce low-g or subconcussive impacts that are below the threshold of our current foam liners, we tested a number of materials until we found a type of vinyl nitrile we call Bumper Fit. This substance is similar to Poron or D30 and hardens on impact to help provide some low-G protection. The material also acts as a memory foam, which helps to reduce hot spots and increase comfort. We call the latest iteration of this technology LDL,or Low Density Layer. It consists of specially designed Armourgel padding that is placed throughout the interior of the helmet. It reduces rotational impact forces up to 25%, and reduced low-g linear forces up to 30%.”

Features

• Supervents
• Antimicrobial pads
• Adjustable visor
• Accessory mounting system
• Locking sliders
• Material
• PC shell and underwrap
• EPS foam
• Retention
• BOA ® Closure System
• 24 Vents
• 390g / 13.7 oz
• S/M (52-58 cm), L/XL (58-62 cm)
• EN 1078, CPSC Certifications

Initial Impressions

This helmet looks sharp: esthetics are on point, the blue hue is a nice compliment to the overall black shading. All of the contact points are sturdy, the straps are robust, and the clip feels solid - no cheap plastic securing the goods. A notable part of the design is that the padding is appropriately placed. At no point is the EPS foam in contact with your head. This is also due to the secondary layer of LDL, or the Bumper Fit (as Kali calls it) vinyl nitrile strips that are strategically staggered through the interior. Keeping the helmet’s cranial position refined is the renowned BOA System, which adjusts the snugness of the helmet around the back of the head via a rotating dial. It has a great subtle texture on the dial which makes giving it a spin easy in either gloves or bare hands. This is helpful particularly for those with a strong thatching of hair which compresses during the ride, meaning the helmet needs tightening along the way. A nice touch is the ear strap closures/sliders, as they are small and rounded, keeping them tucked away from said ears and there are no square edges for hair to catch on if your mane is on the shaggier side like mine. Opening and closing the rachet-like sliders is a tad tighter/firmer than something like a TLD A-series, but I think that’s perfectly ok, as these are “set and forget” parts. They won’t be moving around during a ride creating an accidental uneven fit. The vents on this helmet are enormous. For those with less hair, sunscreen will be nearly mandatory, but on the up-side, heat expulsion will be amazing. At the back, the helmet drops down further than a classic XC helmet, providing extra protection - it’s like a safety mullet. A three-position visor gives ample sun and weather shielding out front, and it is strong and rigid, it’s not a flimsy, bouncy design flourish. Interesting extras are the accessory mounts for a light and a POV camera; handy bits for those who work late and others who like to capture the action on rides. There are five colors to choose from, and two sizes - I opted for the blue L/XL. It fits true and looks as advertised.

Out of the box impressions are strong.

On The Trail

I found the helmet fits “long”, in the sense that the sides don’t feel “locked in”. The internal plastic head cradle with the adjustable dial only comes around half way on the helmet, to about the middle of the ear. For me, this made the helmet feel flighty, but this could be chocked up to head shape and personal preference on my end as I have a large, rounder head full of dumb jokes and a manic interest in eating. Because of this, I prefer a deeper-set fit, a helmet that feels locked to my head. The padding left a little to be desired, as it didn’t quite soak up as much of the drippage as I’d have liked, and it turned out to be a little lean in the front in general. If Kali were to provide some extra bits for further comfort customization, this would certainly remedy the problem for me.

While riding, there were times it seemed to want to be a little snugger, but due to the fore/aft fit, instead of cradling my head, it ended up just squeezing my head tip to tail. I know fit is a finicky topic, and in this case, my issues are not strikes against the Interceptor; helmet fit will always be a challenge that requires some testing in shops, parking lots, or driveways. A fact that will be popular is that it feels rather non-existent, which will be a welcome relief to riders who often feel the weight and pressure of a sturdier helmet detract from the riding experience. Considering how the helmet “felt”, in reality, it stayed put atop my mane of curls, never budging as I headbanged up climbs, or bounced my way down descents. The Interceptor was up to the task, going up and down the hill(s).

Being that it’s still Spring, and a little cooler out, I was curious if the ample venting would lead to a cold head; it did not. I still maintained a state of overheating as I always do, and thus the steam stack did its job of at least letting my excessive exertion escape up and away into the trees, and in no way adding to the retention of heat. For other MOGs (Men Of Girth), this ought to be a relief to read, and hot-weather riders will also be pleased with this effect.

For riders who live in areas where hunting is a seasonally popular past time, opting for the striking red color might be a slightly better option than the blue, as the blue is notable, but doesn’t quite “pop” liked I’d hoped (not a negative, just a comment). If the helmet had been available in yellow or orange, I’d have chosen one of those seeing as I live in southern New Hampshire and hunting season is 30% of the riding season. The sharp lines of the helmet clash nicely with round trees, but a little flare goes a long way in thick forest.

What’s The Bottom Line?

Safety is the chief concern for Kali Protectives, and their take on rotational impacts is simple yet clever. A driving highlight of the interceptor is that it aims to be light-but-safe, providing extra piece of mind while keeping the rider’s literal mind cool and comfortable. This is achieved with little green strips of vinyl nitrile, a material similar to the more commonly known orange D3O. Conceptually, the material is elastic under to the touch, and then hardens under pressure. What this achieves in real-world scenarios is a 25% reduction in rotational force and 30% in low-g linear force, meaning your noggin is better-sheltered during smaller crashes, as well as the big yard sales. What looks like little green rows of three suction cups used for hanging pictures, are actually a low-tech brain army keeping harsh forces at bay when it matters most. To me, this is strong added value for the Interceptor, and think it is fantastic that helmet companies are taking new and innovative approaches to helmet safety.

This helmet is definitely up to the task of being the first line of defense when the rubber side is no longer down. Kali intends the Interceptor to be an option in their new “Enduro” helmet lineup, and it’s paired up with the Maya helmet in the same category. I think for many riders, the latter is a much more genre-specific design as it is more shell-like, has angled vents, more head wrap, and a beefier construction. The “use meter” next to the Interceptor on the web page shows it’s ratings for different uses, specifically pumping it up to 100% on the “Trail” and “Enduro” categories. I feel that it is an aggressive XC/Trail helmet due to its rather open design, but with the addition of the LDL layer, is capable for nearly all adventures just short of full-on stage races and exceptionally rugged terrain.

As said before, the vents are huge, reminiscent of a few XC and Road helmets on the market right now. This is great for riders who overheat easily or live in super hot regions, but for those of us who live in the woods, it’s a little concerning due to penetration risks with sticks and rocks. The Interceptor is specifically great for someone who wants to ride hard and fast in hot climates where the trails are a little more wide-open where tree branches hanging in the trail aren’t a constant issue and on slightly less rugged terrain where deadfall and other debris don’t litter the trail area. It is comfortable, breathes exceptionally well (a strong point of contention for many similar helmets), and looks great aesthetically. The protection is ample and greater than many other lightweight trail helmets. It is perfect for the enthusiast Trail shredder and XC rippers who are just as fast on the descents as the climbs. Kali has developed a bridge helmet, which fills a neglected segment of the equipment market. Buyers need to be a little thorough in the evaluation of their riding when choosing from the line up though, noting the differences between the Interceptor and the Maya. Noting how one’s head is shaped will also aid in helmet selection. At the end of the day, a helmet which protects a bit more, vents like a power plant cooling tower and fits comfortably like a well-worn hat will no doubt be a big winner with a large contingent of riders.

About The Reviewer

Zach Faulkner looks like a circus bear on a bicycle, and his riding style has been compared to a landslide, with debris chasing his rear wheel down the hill, replete with sounds of destruction. His zeal for riding is life-long, having been astride a bike since before he was forming memories. Bikes kept him in the woods and out of trouble through his teenage years, resulting in some notable race results in what was known as “Jr.X” at the time. Zach moved away from racing in the “PRO” category a few year back and can now be found lying in the dirt next to race courses around the World holding a camera and hoping the auto-focus didn’t drop on that last shot. He also moonlights as a writer and product tester, doing his best to provide constructive insight and thoughts. Known online as #MTBJesus thanks to Maddog Boris, and is Huge Mountain Bike Geek according to Sven, you’ll probably see him before you hear him, or vise versa, it’s hard to say.