TLD D3 Helmet - First Look!

 So here are a few thoughts.

100grams heavier, that is lame.

1/4" thicker EPS shell, that is good, I hope it is on the sides where it is lacking in the D2.

20 vents? Helmets don't need a lot of vents they need the right vents.

The more vents you have the less EPS shell you have. Unless the vents are small, in which case they don't vent well when you are waiting for you hommie to get down the trail. In other words, when you are stopped. Basically all helmets vent well when you are moving. So, more vent isn't always good.

The other reason which is more important is the more vents you have the less EPS shell you have. Which means the EPS shell that is there has to be harder to displace the energy from a crash. The EPS testing has to displace under 250 Gs of force. A nice thick soft EPS shell can take the spike of the impact and smooth it out nicely. Either high speed or low speed. An EPS shell that has less material still have to test under 250Gs and so the EPS shell is made harder to meet that requirement. This means at high speed impacts (over 20mph or so) the helmet will displace the energy of the impact well and will reduce the impact for your brain. At lower speeds impacts there isn't enough force and your brain ends up smashed against your skull causing injury. Which is why XC helmets with all those vents are so freaking dangerous. ... anyways....

I'd really like to see the impact test results on the new EPS shell at low speeds and high speeds. We dont all bomb down the hill like Sam.

The other thing, look at how high the back of the helmet is. Totally exposing your most important vertebrae. I'm sure with a Leatte brace the helmet will have a lot of mobility, but if you aren't wearing one there is just so much being exposed.

 Someone asked if there is a market for $450 helmets ... there is. Posers.

Come to Whistler, EVERYONE is wearing those TLD Carbons ... remember, it's more important to LOOK good than to BE good.

 did they really need to cram 5 or 6 tld logos onto these helmets? i know you need to advertise and spread your brand awareness, but c'mon troy lee...we know who you are.
sick paint jobs, but lose a couple logos for perfection.

 Don't get me wrong, I love the D2 I have, I would just like to have seen TLD thicken up the sides a bit more and reduce the price. Maybe shorten the visor too. The aerodynamics of the D2 could be improved which it seems like they worked on. Wind tunnel photos anyone?

 That looks horrid... what's with all the crap designs? where's the stealth black?? Not everyone want to look like a 7 year old when the ride!!

 Personally, as an owner of both the D2 and The One, i find the D2 was a much nicer experience to wear all day, But The One gives you a much safer feel wearing it, it's not as pretty, not as light and i had problems with the liner splitting. Saying that i got my Lux replaced under warranty at a year old coz of the liner issue and now have the 09 Vine.
Personally i think the D3 is going to stike the void between functionallity and aesthetics (Shouldnt Matter, but it does to most)
Well done Troy, looks a nice lid..Just please dont charge us £500 uk for the pleasure.

 silly, pointless, overpriced helmet with messy looking paint jobs - the right helmet for people who don't realise after 1 hard crash you should replace your helmet as the polystyrene will have been compressed and maybe cracked and therefore compromised, especially with the carbon fibre shell which could be completely compromised after just one head slide as carbon tears easily once damaged.

- you do realise Steve Peat will get a new helmet for every race right!? who else can afford $450 every time they go down hard?

 For all of who who are putting down TLd for their pricy helmets obviously dont know that much about what they are saying. Yes TLD are some of the highest priced helmets on the market, precisely why i couldnt afford one, and went for a 66 evolution carbon instead. What is not right, and not fair to put down is the quality of their products, and especially how much more advanced this design is.

The D3 has dual density EPS foam, its not simply that its thicker. This is very effective, because it means that it has two stages of protection, one stage that has a lower density, thus crushes more easily which prevents concussions and smaller injury, and then the second stage is for higher speed impacts to prevent the foam from bottoming out. This is the closest anyone has gotten to a perfect helmet, you see loads of people riding DOT helmets, well the way that i see this is almost mixing the DOT kind of security with the light weight non DOT helmet, and only 100g heavier, dont complain about the weight, for so much more protection and ventilation it only weighs 100g more than a skimpy (what it looks like now) d2. Of course it will cost alot, 3 years of R&D, well of course that will cost alot, but they are also pushing the whole industry further as their competition will have to try and match these new technologies. About the paint....they have done better in the past and i hope they do a Palmer edition because his D2 model looks amazing!
Its not as simple as what looks cooler....you only get one head

 never been a huge fan of tld helmets and this is no exception. just my opinion though.

 Not sure why you all bitch about the RRP? RRP of the D2 is 475$ according to Chainreactioncycles so this one is acctually cheaper... And who pays full RRP on stuff anyway, you can always find place online that will sell it cheaper.

 this is how helmets should be made!

by-far the best generation of troy lee, and a new standard for the full-face helmet market.

 So sweet, I love the Palmer color scheme... so bad ass he's at it again!

 450 for the lid 250 for a replacement visor. I hope the visors are made out of a more flexible plastic

 Are you all forgetting that this is the best designed helmet in the world now? Who Cares if its expensive or ugly. And Peaty, Zink, and Sam wouldnt be wearing it if it sucked. I get a pretty big discount through my shop and i think i want to get my hands on one of these.

 Basically more gimmicks than ever, its heavier than the D2, how the hell is that a leap forward? Inside it will still have the poor production of the D2...ordinary 'Polystyrene hat' glued into the full face shell. For that sort of weight you'd be better off with the TLD SE2 motocross lid. I have changed my D2 carbon for a Bell moto 8, 1250g and exceeds every safety test.

Because loud paint jobs sell helmets, this will be a hit.

 bet troy lee are pleased with such a positive reception on the biggest bike network site, lmao! prefer the D" and still wouldnt buy one of those either! poc are lightyears ahead technically (sorry to bring them into this) and the are miles better in looks and pricing, hell, even bell are taking leaps forwards not backwards!

 pretty nice, just way too expensive

 much rather get a THE 1 for $200. this looks sick but no way am i paying 500 (or more) for a helmet.

 Let's not forget that the design and shape and technology in this helmet is made for the PRO FACTORY RIDERS.And it has to be more moto and it has to provide more protection,since all the parts on bike are so evolved and riders are so so fast.And what's up with all the Asia thing? Toyota,Mitsubishi and Subaru are made in Japan.Toyota is the biggest car industry in the world,and they're engines last forever,subaru and mitsubishi are one of the greatest all wheel drive rally cars.Asian market is just so cheap.Id say you're an idiot if you had to choose between some redneck in alabama who wants 5$ an hour,or a nice chinese girl who'm you can pay 1$ for the whole day.THINK,if those helmets were'nt made in china,but in america or somewhere in europe,the price tag would be 2 times of that what it is right now.Some asian workers work in the same factory for their whole life,they are well educated in their speciality and they are replaceable,that means when somebody gets ill,any other dude in that factory could do the job also.We'll yea,TLD's name costs a lot too,but all the materials are expensive too.Just look at the new Manitou Dorado,aluminium model is 1000$ cheaper than the carbon one,and the only difference between those two forks is the material.

 best functional helment ever, but in canada i dont think people would pay 500-600 dollars for a helmet unless they have some good money lying around

 Just seems as thou TLD are trying too hard with the graphics. I own a THE personally. The composite helmet was only slightly heavier than my mates Carbon D2. Taken a big hit on it and held up. No crack just a massive scuff.

 Ugly graphics.
Titanium hardware? Come on, aluminum is lighter and strong enough, they're only using Ti because of the "bling" factor. To get all the rich kids to say OMFG THIS HAS TI I WANT IT.

 So is it 450 for the carbon version? will there be a composite version at 300? I'm not quite sure tha there is much of a market out there for $450 helmets.

 where are the 20 vent holes?

 Sweet helmets! Love my D2. I don't race nascar. Need more rattle-can paint. Anyone know where I can get one pre-paint.(sorry Troy)

 Not a big fan of overly flashy helmets.

 TLD aren't worth the money IMO. Check out the label, they're made in China. You're paying for the name and the graphics, and TLD are laughing all the way to the bank.

Also, my experience with TLD customer service was bad enough that I'll never buy another TLD product. The short story is, it took them 2 months to respond to a single warranty question.

 Hey Peaty, "don't drink and ride" if you do so, no HG DH helmets in the world can save you from any concussions, not even the Moto-X helmets. Well I have been using Moto-X helmet for years. I don't see the different, except for the weight size. By the way, Moto-X helmets are also getting lighter and lighter but much stronger than any DH helmets out there for sure.

 such a sik helmet but i think i like the look of the d2 better

 dont neg prop me for this, but if anyone else still liking the giro switchblade? i mean is a pretty good all around helmet..its light, airflow is good, full face protection, decent foam but only single layer
anyone else out there?

 nice, but I think they are trying too hard to go "moto" I liked the D2 as it was subtle, these look a bit over designed and have features and shapes for the sake of features and shapes.
Folk moaned for an update because the D2 was getting more expensive and not evolving, personally I would wear a D2 for the rest of eternity as it fits well and does the job, and of course it wont cease to now that this is available.

I'm dreading findiing out the £GBP price of this, but of course they'll still sell?

 I wonder if they are gonna supply a spare peak like The...Hint,Hint. (Good idea)

 Ok, there's no doubt that tld makes the best fitting & most sickly painted helmets in the world, but I gotta say this thing is ugly compared to the d2.

 See the thing is my d2 is crazy good but i split a d2 down the middle and almost killed myself at the same time one question i have is will this helmet be able to take more? more padding doesnt mean it can take more punishment it just means ur head wont rattle around as much. Since downhill and other various biking sports are becoming more and more extream we need sumthing that can handle a million spills and a hard thrashing i dont like having to buy a helmet every 6 - 8 months but hey i will try this even tho its pricey and i will let u guys know what i think

 The D2 looks way better which is even cheaper and lighter. I hope the D2 is continued!

 So where are the D3's? They've had the release party. They said they'd be in stores in October. It's November and they're not even on the TLD web site yet.

 Looks nice and comfortable

 450 Dollars?!
F That.

 Not a fan....... The D2 was sick. The only thing it could have used was some more vents. I think I will get a 661 or a TLD Moto helmet.

 Helmets are sick, Party was sick.... Thanks to the boys from Troy Lee for a good night I look forward to it next year! Lewi

 Man....Ugly. I don't understand why bike companies insist on overdesigning everything. These graphics are just way too much. Simplify! The only decent looking one is the white and grey one. For a company that is known for excelling in designs, they failed miserably. Same goes for downhill racing outfits...they need to become simpler, not flashy and moto like. I would love to see a company that is producing simple, classy designs, without their name smeared all over the garment.
Have fun paying 500+ canadian for something that makes you look like you spent 400 dollars too much.

 Looks like the D2's are going to be very saught after lids in the coming years. Buy them now while they are still around fellas

 Yeah, they are nice but they look a little chunky like the Giro helms.
None the less, still nice.

Still too Pricey though

 I like the D2 better. And imo there are better THE helmets for far nicer prices. TLD is gonna have to shape up or lose customers.

 did they say there going to be a speaker in the helmet ?

 these new design and shape looks awesome , sikkkk designs I like them.

 that looks like crap the D2s are way nicer

 Functionally top class. Style wise fugly

 really cool graphics. I wouldnt mind payin that much for a good safe helmet and the graphics design. but it is heavier so that makes it a little less appealing.

 the black grey white and gold 1 is the best but they do cost way too much

 very nice helmet !! + it looks more aggresive i like that

 just a 3 dressed up as a 9

 Idhbakes being flashy is way more fun then the sad all in grey or something

 so so sick! i will be for sure getting one asap!

 Superb looking helmet, amazing step up from the D2.

Crazy price, but it has not put me of buying one.

 To many logos on the helmet

 well jsut bought a d2 now as found one cheap so i definatly won;t be upgrading to this for at leaste a season or 2

 my bell is like the same but still the fist one looks wicked

 not a fan d2 looks soo much better

 450!!!!!!! and its not even DOT?

 I think d2 are better they have more style i like more d2

 sweet, its heavier!

 i hate it.

 i love the look of the helmet, but to pricy!!

 i have a d2 and i love it! the new d3's look so sleek yet the graphics are so eye poppin!! good job troy lee once again

 The D2 was looks much better.

 as always sweetness, with troy lee you get what you pay for

 1st one is the coolest lol i only have the troy lee hotwheels helmet lol

 I love the frist Helmet !!! TLD Yellown

 those are sickkk

 i mean d2 looked much better.

 Meh, their alright, Peaty's new one (the top one) is sweet though....

 not as nice looking as the others

 much prefer the D2 to the new D3 ... so I do remember the Giro Remedy

 i like better the d2 helmet!

 its gonna be like $500 canadian thats too much imo

 this isthe helmet fairclough, hill and peaty are using at the moment

 Like the shells, but a bit too much white in the designs I think

 COOOOOLEST TLD'S HELMETS!

Only the yellow i don't love.

 i think they look sick

 i want one!

 i don't get it... they are ugly and expensive as hell.

 im gettin 1

 which oakleys are those at the top?

 If you've got a $10 head (which I suspect many of you have) buy a $10 helmet, otherwise pay the price and get the protection you deserve. TLD is in a class of its own when it comes to style, protection and overall badassness.

 peaty has beem gettin busy

 Are they stll gonna make the d2? or just make the d3?

 omfg so sick

 i want peaty's babys

 I HAVE ONE!!!

 sweet it looks amzing

 I want one

 ONLY 100grams heavier!

 wow the first one is really nice

 i want it

 rather have a d2

 Ohh, thats really sick, gonna buy one

 ooh there realy nice

 by-far the wurst generation of troy lee.
there mingin =/

 D2 looks better imo.

 paint to cool ...but the helmet its self just doesn't work for me

 all helmets should look this kick *ss

 ooooo HOT DAM!!

 Still looks like a bowling ball, and the guy,loooks like a kid who has got his face shut in an elevator door

 one please

 What site can i find "THE 1" at?