Trek Simply added three new mountain bike helmets to its lineup, and so they all characteristic their WaveCel safety. First launched below the Bontrager brand in 2019, WaveCel was Trek’s reply to different superior helmet safety techniques. The mobile grid contained in the helmet can flex, crumple, and glide in impacts to scale back influence and rotational forces earlier than they meet your head.
Whereas the idea behind WaveCel hasn’t modified, the precise product has. Trek has immediately addressed suggestions from clients (together with us), that the preliminary WaveCel design tended to run sizzling. This new model contains 10% bigger cells to permit for extra airflow and cooling (extra on this later), with the additional advantage of it being 15g lighter.
Now, Trek is including three new MTB helmets with WaveCel expertise, the Blaze, Rally, and Quantum. All the helmets characteristic some degree of deeper protection and embrace 5-star scores from Virginia Tech.
Blaze 3/4 Convertible Helmet
On the top quality is the brand new $249 Blaze WaveCel MTB helmet with its distinctive detachable 3/4 protection. For riders in search of extra protection than a half shell, however with out going full face, 3/4 protection helmets have turn into extra fashionable. However for lengthy, sizzling climbs, it will be good if you happen to may take away that further protection to chill issues down.
That’s precisely what the Blaze helmet permits with simply detachable ear protection. All sides has a single launch lever on the within which permits the quilt to pop proper off. To place them again, choose the correct aspect (the covers are labeled L and R), line up the pins, and pop it again in. The covers are sufficiently small that you could retailer them in a big pocket or bag, and their elimination actually does make for a cooler experience.
Together with the detachable 3/4 protection, the Blaze contains numerous premium options together with a three-position, goggle-optimized visor with a magnetic breakaway system. The visor simply pops out and pops again in with magnets on either side, and the adjustment presents optimistic detents that gained’t slip by chance.
Moreover, you’ll discover sunglass storage in the visor – so it gained’t poke by the vents into your head. The design additionally appears to work higher with extra sunglass earpiece shapes after testing with glasses that had fully straight earpieces and a few with radically curved earpieces. On the again is a goggle strap gripper, and a Fidlock magnetic buckle secures the helmet.
There’s additionally a detachable Blendr mount for lights and cameras that makes use of a friction match plus a magnet to maintain it in place.
Match is adjusted with a micro-adjustable BOA match system, which features a four-position peak adjustment for the cradle.
On the Scale, our medium pattern appears to have are available below claimed weight at 487g with the three/4 protection put in, however over claimed weight at 399g with out it put in. The Blendr mount provides 26g.
Priced at $249.99, the Blaze WaveCel is offered in three sizes.
- Removeable ¾ protection
- Up to date lighter and cooler WaveCel
- 5 star rated from Virginia Tech
- Cooling entrance vents
- Breakaway magnetic visor with sunglass storage
- Goggle optimized design with rear strap catch
- Removeable Blendr mount
- BOA match system
- Layflat cam-locking strap dividers
- Fidlock buckle
- CPSC / CE
- S/M/L sizes
Blaze WaveCel First Impressions
Final month, I ended up getting a sneak peek on the Blaze WaveCel helmet whereas I used to be visiting BOA at their HQ. Along with the new footwear from Journey Ideas, a few of us additionally acquired an opportunity to experience within the new Blaze helmet. It was a reasonably sizzling day within the mountains above Denver and we got down to pedal as much as the highest of the brand new Virginia Canyon MTB park which is at the moment in improvement.
I used to be very joyful to have the power to take away the ear covers through the climb because it was noticeably cooler, and the added safety wasn’t wanted through the climb. As soon as we acquired to the highest although, I used to be simply as joyful to reinstall the covers for some added safety.
General, I’ve to say that the brand new technology of the WaveCel helmets appears to run cooler. I used to be form of dreading the warmth primarily based on my prior expertise with WaveCel, however the brand new Blaze helmet luckily didn’t go away my head on fireplace. It appears extra seemingly that the big frontal air consumption vents are largely liable for the helmet’s improved cooling potential, however both manner, it’s an enchancment.
By way of match, the Blaze appears to have an extra-long and slim profile in comparison with lots of the helmets I’ve tried. The BOA system does an important job of cinching it down and pulling my head to the entrance of the helmet, but it surely does lead to my ears being positioned proper on the entrance of the ear holes. It really works for me, but it surely’s a kind of suits that you just’ll need to attempt before you purchase.
Rally WaveCel MTB
Take the Blaze and do away with the detachable 3/4 protection fully, and you’ll get one thing similar to the Rally WaveCel. That includes the identical up to date and cooler WaveCel tech with giant frontal cooling vents, the Rally is a contemporary path helmet with deep protection.
The Rally has lots of the similar options because the Blaze together with the sunglass storage within the visor, a goggle-friendly design with a rear gripper, a detachable Blendr mount, a Fidlock buckle, and a BOA match system.
For the precise weight, our medium Rally helmet got here in at 377g, and the Blendr mount provides 26g.
Match
Just like the Blaze, the Rally has a reasonably lengthy and slim profile that requires me to cinch the BOA dial fairly a bit to dial within the match on the medium. As soon as dialed in, the helmet feels fairly comfy, but when my head was any wider on the temples, it will be too slim (regardless of being a reasonably extensive helmet on the outside).
Apparently, the Rally is the one helmet of the three to hold AS/NZS normal certification for Australia and New Zealand, and it additionally provides an XL dimension (solely in black). The value drops considerably from the Blaze with a $159.99 retail for the Rally.
Quantum WaveCel Helmet
Riders in search of a lighter path helmet with rather less protection, the brand new Quantum steps in. Outfitted with the up to date WaveCel system and entrance cooling vents, the helmet ought to let in additional airflow. It has deeper protection for a path helmet, although not as deep because the Rally or Blaze.
Match is adjusted with Trek’s Headmaster III match system, and the helmet makes use of a normal buckle. The visor-based sunglass storage of the opposite helmets is changed right here with grippy channels on the helmet, although you’ll nonetheless discover a three-position visor.
With a claimed weight of 330g, the Quantum WaveCel will likely be obtainable in S/M/L and XL in black just for $124.99.
trekbikes.com
