iXS Trigger AM Helmet

Aside from grabbing your bike, a helmet is the most essential product when prepping to ride. Helmet safety and design are all quite competitive these days with each brand touting a variety of features. A few months back, iXS launched an entirely new helmet, the Trigger AM. The focus was on fit and ventilation while still meeting all the current safety standards. We've been filling the top-shelf offering from iXS with buckets to sweat to see how all its features add up. To see if you should “pull the trigger,” keep scrolling.

Highlights

• Double in-mold shell technology
• Fidlock magnetic chin strap fastening
• ErgoFit Ultra head retention system adjusts multiple directions
• External and internal ventilation channels
• Three-position, goggle-compatible adjustable visor
• Two sizes: Small/Medium (54-58cm), Medium/Large (58-62cm)
• Eight color options
• Meets all current safety standards: EN1078, CPSC, KC
• Weight: +/- 350g
• MSRP: $139 USD

On The Trail

Mountain bikers. We’re all beautiful and unique snowflakes with our infinite head shapes. That is to say, helmet fit is a bit subjective. Manufacturers can make their best efforts to meet the needs and shapes of riders but there are limits. In this case, the Trigger AM comes in two sizes with an adjustable retention system to fine-tune the fit. As it would happen, the head the helmet was tested on was exactly in the middle of the S/M and M/L sizes, at 58cm in circumference. The M/L was comically huge and the S/M was just a smidge tight on the sides of our lightbulb-shaped head. This was the first time that sizing such as this was an issue, so we were a bit let down. While snug, the Trigger AM was never uncomfortable or caused blood flow restrictions to the brain.

Once properly adjusted, the ErgoFit Ultra retention system held the helmet in place. Never once did the Trigger AM bounce, shift, or feel out of sorts. The Fidlock system was fantastic, easily clicking into place every time and quite intuitive to get undone. We were really happy with the velcro wrap-around strap on the chin portion of the helmet. The excess helmet straps stayed tucked away and the added padding at the chin portion was a nice touch.

Part of the Trigger AM’s design is goggle portability via a flip-up visor and a contoured back, perfect for holding a goggle strap. The idea being that one flips up the visor and moves the goggle from the rider’s eyes to the forehead region. This also worked well for mounting a headlamp for the morning commute to work.

The depth and overall head coverage from the Trigger AM were both on point. This is a helmet intended to offer more protection than your standard XC lid and from our standpoint, that is appreciated. By comparison, the depth of coverage was similar to the Giro Chronicle, offering slightly more than the Troy Lee Designs A1. Along the same lines of comparing the Trigger AM with other brands, sweat mitigation was on par with the Giro and Troy Lee Designs helmets. That is to say, the pads absorbed plenty of sweat but would grow saturated and begin to trickle just as any other helmet would. We were fortunate to never have to properly test the full coverage of the Trigger, but knowing it was there gave us the feels.

Riders may notice a lack of MIPS or another way of addressing rotation during impacts in the Trigger AM, a feature becoming increasingly common in today's helmets. We reached out to iXS to inquire why this was so. They noted that the Trigger AM’s focus was on ventilation and fit, two areas they felt MIPS or related systems made more complicated. iXS also noted the Trigger AM meets all current safety standards, plus the fact that there are those for whom the jury is still out on rotational impact system effectiveness. Whether or not this is a deal-breaker is up to you.

Things That Could Be Improved

Our only real complaint with the helmet is beyond the actual product and quite personal, which would be the fit. Our tester landed between the two sizing options and neither were ideal. Making three instead of two sizes would likely make it more accommodating to more riders. Other than that, it's a slow clap for iXS.

Long Term Durability

Our Trigger AM made the rounds under our watch: small road trips, mud, dust, cold, and heat. It even went across the pond to Italy and back again. There were no red flags or raised eyebrows and the helmet held its own. The double in-mold construction held up with no concerns, the finish was solid, and the outer layer showed no delamination, scratches, fades or anything of note. This is a well-built helmet just as any top-tier bike helmet should be.

What's The Bottom Line?

The iXS Trigger AM helmet ticks all the boxes for the rider looking for a bit more coverage and solid goggle integration. The finish and quality are on par with other popular helmets from various brands. Truly, the only determining factor in choosing this helmet or any other comparable helmet will boil down to what fits best and the type of protection desired. So long as those requirements are met, a rider can’t go wrong with the Trigger AM.

Visit bike.ixs.com and thegravitycartel.com for more details.

Vital MTB Rating: 4.5 stars - Outstanding

About The Reviewer

Brad Howell - Age: 40 // Years Riding: 25 // Height: 5’9” (1.75m) // Weight: 160-pounds (72.5kg)

Brad started mountain biking when a 2.25-inch tire was "large," and despite having threads, bottom brackets sucked. Riding in the woods with friends eventually lead way to racing, trying to send it at the local gravel pits, and working in bike shops as a wrench to help fix those bikes. Fortunate enough to have dug at the past six Rampages and become friends with some of the sport’s biggest talents, Brad has a broad perspective of what bikes can do and what it means to be a good rider. The past few years Brad worked in the bike industry and got to see the man behind the curtain. These days, though, he likes just riding his bike in the woods with friends.

Photos by Robert Beaupre