Kali Protectives Releases Updated Invader 2.0 Helmet

Feb 25, 2021
by Kali Protectives  
The Kali Protectives Invader 2.0 has landed.

Press Release: Kali Protectives


The Invader, Kali Protectives ultra-lightweight full-face trail helmet has been upgraded for 2021.

Kali has added the new Frequency Fit System, featuring vertical adjust and dial retention. The Invader is the helmet for the rider looking for added safety and security when pushing their limits on the trail.

The Kali Invader has garnered a loyal following since it's arrival early last year for its superior ventilation, Unibody construction, impressively strong chin bar and LDL, low-density layer, for help with linear and rotational impacts. Now the Invader is ready to dial in even more fans with the updated fit system.

Available immediately at all your favorite local bike shops with a price of $225 USD. The Invader hits the scales at 640 grams for a size small and is available in black, red, thunder blue and camo gray.

The Invader 2.0 is an update to Kali s popular trail helmet with the new Frequency Fit System with vertical and dial fit.

The Invader is the perfect trail helmet for the rider looking for added piece of mind.

The Kali Invader 2.0 is ready for you all-day trial rides with superior ventilation and protection.


Posted In:
Reviews and Tech Press Releases Helmets Kali Protectives


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84 Comments

  • 39 14
 Looks like something the local bike cops would wear
  • 11 1
 Ive never seen a bike cop wearing a full face
  • 12 1
 On a separate note: why do bike cops all ride bikes from 1996?
  • 10 3
 @PullMyBrakeLever: Because those are the cheapest, its not like cops understand the need for proper equipment or training
  • 9 9
 @me2menow: You didn't watch any of the protest footage from last summer? Bike cops in black full-face helmets jumping off bikes and clubbing people. Bike cops in black full-face helmets using their bikes as weapons.
  • 4 1
 @Ussr1223: i thought they rode treks?
  • 24 7
 @SJP: Not possible. Those protests were so peaceful they were nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize.
  • 4 0
 @PullMyBrakeLever: cause of pacific blue Wink
  • 1 0
 @striveCF15: Have you tried watching PB lately? Oh painful. I love bad TV and movies, I'm 9 seasons in again on Baywatch, but man PB I watched 3 episodes and I haven't been back in months.
  • 32 11
 A) Totally cool company - stand behind the product, real people answer the phone, etc.
B) Of all the bike stuff we buy - who cares what the helmet looks like? It's the one thing you really NEVER see on yourself . . .Everyone's head is different. We care that it fits well and is light enough while protecting our noggin when we get off unexpectedly . . .
C) Looks good to me, but I also care way more about how little I notice it . . .we're all a little vain, but WTF?
Go buy a sticker - if your helmet isn't silver and blue with a little red boy cow on it no one cares, man.
  • 17 2
 It's not that serious bud.
  • 12 2
 People who care a lot about their "kit" and match loud colors always end up looking kookiest
  • 6 23
flag barbarosza (Feb 26, 2021 at 13:27) (Below Threshold)
 shut the fuck up.TLD or bust
  • 5 1
 @barbarosza: my stage is far from impressive for the money, feels cheepish, looks nothing special, gets the job done and breaths well. This one might be no different, maybe even better.
  • 3 3
 @kanasasa: I'm really happy with my Stage. It's very confidence-inspiring and fits well. I wear it on most of my rides and it is reasonably comfortable while climbing.
  • 17 1
 Love my Kali Invader! Their customer service is awesome too.
  • 12 0
 Thank you, Bill. We love the fact you love your Invader.
  • 5 0
 @KaliProtectives: For those of us who live in warm places, how about about a white one?
  • 1 0
 @KaliProtectives: So where can I buy one of these in Large ASAP? Your site shows them being sold out..
  • 3 0
 @SJP: I actually did some digging around on this idea a few years back, and the punchline was that the foam that makes up the helmet is such an effective insulator, the shell color made no difference to the temperature of your head. Take it for what its worth. One piece I read noted that darker colors actually radiate (give up) heat faster than light colors too.
  • 1 0
 @CDT77: Or for those folks that ride anywhere near a road with car traffic on it... if they can't see you they might just hit you...
  • 13 2
 The Invader is straight up one of the best fitting, functional and breathable full face helmets available, this new one builds on that.
  • 2 0
 I am about a year into my Fox Proframe. I love it. How do you think this would compare?
  • 1 0
 @DKlassen8: I was wondering the same thing
  • 5 0
 I like my other Kali helmets. They head doesn't fit them quite as nice as other brands, but I like the tech and safety focus, so I buy em. Every interaction I've had with them has been great, including steering me towards a cheaper helmet because they thought it'd be a better match.
  • 4 0
 Excited for this update, I bought two of the first Invaders, (one for me and one for my wife) I love mine, it fits great, it's light and breathes so well I don't even mind climbing in it. My wife however has a really small round head, so we could never get hers to fit right, and it kept creeping down/forward when things got bumpy. I feel like this will be the remedy for that. Nice work!
  • 5 1
 The original half shell Invader was a favorite of mine and served me well through a few different minor knocks. Will probably go back to it(or and updated version) once Im done with my Smith Session.
  • 4 0
 That was the interceptor. My favorite galf shell i owned.
  • 3 0
 @getsomesy: My favorite helmet as well. I still have a couple of them. @KaliProtectives - Any chance we'll be seeing an updated Interceptor?
  • 6 1
 Got an invader and love it for bigger, rowdier days--especially the ventilation. Great product gets better
  • 2 0
 I had the money in my pocket and ready to buy and this helmet resulted in a horrible realization. I have a giant head. Didn't know but biggest size with no pads felt like my head was in a vise.

So my questions, @KaliProtectives do you have an extra large now?
  • 5 0
 With the new fit system the rear neck roll is no loner needed. I can't tell you for sure it will work for you but without the neck roll it did expand the size range a bit. What is your hat size?
  • 2 0
 @Brad-Kali: Thanks for the reply. Over 24" but don't recall exact size. I'll check it out when the LBS has it.
  • 2 0
 I've been looking, and I can't find a good description/video/graphic that showes exactly what this "Frequency Fit System" looks like? I'm very interested in the Invader, and love everything about it (and the company) on paper...but when I tried one on, there were several points in the liner that "poked" my head. If you go on their site and look at the front-facing pic, where you can see the inside, it was those blue parts. Anyway, wondering if this new fit system would address that.
  • 2 0
 Kali is definitely not bald head friendly.
  • 2 0
 @PJSANAB: There is a fix for that. I saw your second comment and responded there below.
  • 2 0
 I think that solid, sensical employee/founder response to questions and comments both positive and negative is knocking me off the fence about getting a "trail" full face. I just need it to fit my pea-sized noggin.

If any of you are motorcyclists and have both an Arai and this Invader and both fit I may have hope.
  • 2 0
 I have the Kali Avatar in small and also ride in an XS Arai RX-7, I can't wear Shoei because they whistle. The Kali one fits equally as well as my Arai, hope this helps
  • 1 0
 @Blackers: Ha, we are brothers in noggin. I found the Arai better for a rounder, if misshapen, head. Shoei feels larger, longer, and more oval, couldn't get them to feel solid. I'm going to try and get my hands on an Invader, it now sounds promising. Thanks for taking time to read and respond!
  • 2 0
 Bought it and some initial impressions:

Pros
- Incredibly light
- Cheek to cheek fit feels good.
- Did I say its very light already
- The fit at the back side, by the neck is good with the twisting dial

Cons
- The build quality feels not upto par for $220+tax, the plastic edges are rough and not fit finish
- Sun shade is twisted to one side to one side or the other, you can make it even but then flips to one side again. Seems its not molded correctly.
- For me with a mildly bald'd head up top, it sits pretty hard like plastic rods.. Trying out a different liner from their Maya helmet which helps but it also doesn't fit properly inside the invader.

Switching to it from Giro Switchblade that I adore but it has gotten really beat up. Hopefully this is as strong. The SB felt solid, hopefully this is too, trusting Kali.
  • 2 0
 @Brad-Kali:

@KaliProtectives:

So the new invader 2.0 has a new adjustable rachet at the back tor better fit? Any thing else? I've heard the padding at the top of the head are a bit flimsy, are they still the same? Is the chin strap in the same position as before? As heard it can be uncomfortable.
You say the Chin piece passed the Moto crash test. Does the mean it's almost as strong as a DH helmet but because of all the vents it can't pass the DH test?
I'm in the UK, I presume that you will still honour the crash replacement policy? If so who pays for postage and where would we post it too?

What do you think looks better.
The all black. Or. The camo grey?

Cheers mate
  • 3 0
 @KaliProtectives and @Brad-Kali I see the EN 1078, CPSC certification, but not anything downhill specific like ASTM F1952. Any reason for this or is it in the works?
  • 6 0
 The Invader is not intended to be a DH helmet. It was concieved and designed as a full face trail helmet. While the chinbar is one-piece and passes moto chinbar standard, the Invader is too well vented to pass the DH standard. If you're going that big we recommend you wear a Shiva 2.0 or the like.
  • 2 0
 @KaliProtectives: Thanks for the reply, already the happy owner of the Shiva. What is the moto chin bar standard? I'm not familiar. I'll be sure to try on the new invader when it's available near me, and see if it'll replace my current trail helmet.
  • 2 0
 I'd love lost of what actually changed between the origal and the 2.0 Article says fit system only, Kali chimed in and said the LDL is softer, I think I read the retention bsystme is different. Anyone know of anything else ?
  • 1 0
 Love my Kali Invader. For the type of riding I do, solo in areas full of Canadian Shield rocks, this is the best I’ve found. Breathes better than my Proframe, looks great too.
  • 1 0
 Loooove my Interceptor for regular riding, it's the most comfortable helmet I've ever owned. I'd give this one a go for those really stupid days.
  • 1 0
 @KaliProtectives any plans to get this certified for AU/NZ? Love the look of it and would be a great option for the Aussie summer.
  • 2 0
 Anybody know if there is MIPS version or LDL is Kali alternative to MIPS?
  • 3 0
 LDL is Kali's version though it works a bit differently. Not sure how it compares in effectiveness.
  • 1 0
 Kali LDL not only addresses Rotational impact it also addresses Low-G linear impacts.
  • 8 3
 My personal experience is the Kali took a harder hit than a TLD Stage and I had a concussion with the Stage, and not the Invader. I know not all crashes are the same, that’s just my experience. I’m not sold on MIPS.
  • 4 6
 @bill-curran: if there is one thing you can not replicate in real life-that is the 'same' crash. That being said, up here in BC, we are TLD stage fans and i've seen my friends have small to big hits in their stage while trail riding, and always a happy ending. Can't say the same for Cali models. You may not be sold on MIPS, but the globe is, it works, combined with the TLD epp/eps low speed and high speed, i'm sold.
  • 9 0
 @yakimonti: for sure the lab is not real life. It is part of the puzzle though. Our crash replacement program came about so that we could get real life crashed helmets and learn from them. In some cases we have video (Nicholi's red bull crash for example) we took that helmet back to the lab and recreated that specific crash. From the video we could determine the speed (the professors could anyway) he hit the ground. We had the crashed helmet in our hands so we new the exact location of the impact on the helmet. From there we tested with our LDL and without to see the effectiveness. I've shared those results before and happy to share those 'not real world' lab tests results with anyone interested.
  • 7 0
 Hey Max, we do not have a MIPS version. MIPS focuses on rotational forces and it does a good job at that. We took a bit different approach with low density layers. The invader has a RHEON layer shaped in a way that addresses rotational forces but also helps with low g impacts those below 100g's. I believe helmets are generally too hard and are built for only the hardest hits. Rheon is softer and hardens up as impact increases. MIPS is a hard plastic layer. We want to take care of hard hits and those low g hits. One study out of the UK said 80% of all impacts are below 104 g's. The way our standards are written we are not addressing those impact. There are many of us (not just Kali) designing helmets to address this 'low g' issue.
  • 3 0
 Cool interview and details about the tech in this B1ker Bar podcast episode.

youtu.be/iMafqgfLGlQ
  • 5 0
 Very cool to see a founder chiming in.
  • 4 0
 @yakimonti: Stage saved me from a catastrophic jaw injury last summer. Not inconceivable that it actually saved my life. Trail riding in VT. Full Face 4 Life.
  • 5 3
 @yakimonti: you speak for everyone in BC? You paint some broad strokes just because your little crew uses the same stuff. MIPs is still a "why the hell not" feature in helmets and most certainly is not proven to be safer. Same goes with pretty much every single rotational protection manufacturers offer.
  • 1 0
 @SkullsRoad: I do not, sorry I should have been more clear in that the Stage is what I see the most when it comes to full face trail lids, used to be Proframes. As for mips, I've seen enough studies to convince me, virginia tech tests for one tell me Mips is best to protect for rotational impact-if you believe that rotation causes concussion.
  • 1 0
 @Brad-Kali: Thanks for reply Brad. Essentially, I am looking for full face enduro helmet. I best fit into Giro size Medium helmets, but removable chinbar is no-go for me. I want permanent chinbar. I tried Fox Proframe in size Medium, but it had weird fit on my head and I returned it.
My downhill helmet is Leatt DBX 5.0. So I figured I'll try Leatt DBX 4.0. Leatt uses Turbine as their MIPS alternative. In addition to Leatt, I'll keep my eye out for Invader 2.0.
These are tough times and hard to find anyone with medium helmet in stock.
  • 3 2
 Can't muster a pic of it on an actual person besides the back of their head?
  • 4 0
 www.pinkbike.com/photo/20197880
  • 1 0
 @KaliProtectives: Not the best pic either if one is interested in what the helmet actually looks like on someone.

@Xlr8n this should help you: theloamwolf.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/DSC01513.jpg
  • 1 0
 Make it comfortable for us the follicle impaired aka bald head people. Those LDL’s are brutal on the skull.
  • 6 0
 @PJSANAB, Call the Kali office and ask for Jason (I'm the only Jason here). I have an option to help you with that. I too am follically challenged and was able to make the helmet comfortable with a change in pads. As for the new Invader 2.0, the LDL is softer and more comfortable 888-776-5254.
  • 2 0
 Looks like a cage for your head.
  • 1 0
 I wonder if the new twist fit system be incorporated into the older/ original invader that would be awesome Smile
  • 1 0
 @Crankhed, unfortunately, the first Invader was not designed with the retention in mind.
  • 1 0
 I'd like to see what it's like. But no response on email!
Maybe It will responsive on here?
  • 1 0
 I've emailed a couple of questions. No response yet!
  • 4 4
 Invaders must die!
  • 1 1
 Invader Helmet...
  • 1 2
 A thin plastic
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