Kali Releases Multiple Impact Helmet: The MacDuff - Interbike 2016
Press Release
The future of protectives is coming in hot! Kali Protectives arrives at Interbike 2016 with some next level technology including the release of the Macduff, the world’s first multiple impact bicycle helmet. Available only in Matt black, the Macduff is a dirt/street half shell that utilizes Kali’s new Nano Core technology, the product of an exclusive partnership with Italian materials manufacturer Alia Mentis. Nano Core combines Kali’s proprietary Composite Fusion technology with Casidion - self-healing acrylic foam that incorporates carbon Nano-tubes, effectively replacing the EPS foam found in traditionally constructed helmets.
Nano Core dissipates impact energy more efficiently than traditional EPS and can do so in a much smaller volume producing a lighter helmet. After an impact, a helmet using a traditional EPS foam liner will dent as it absorbs impact energy. EPS foam does not rebound; it stays impacted even though the helmet shell may return to its original shape and should be replaced. The Macduff however, equipped with Nano Core, will rebound without any loss in protection, and can continue to be used. No more crash and trash, the Macduff can withstand up to 8 impacts before needing to be replaced.
A sneak peek. Come by the Kali booth for a full demo and to meet the man himself, Matt Macduff.
COMPOSITE FUSION
Over a decade ago Kali founder and lead engineer, Brad Waldron developed the tooling and technology to completely in-mold a full-face helmet, something that has yet to be replicated. This breakthrough in safety technology is called Composite Fusion™, a process that eliminates the need to tape or glue foam into helmet shells. Instead, Kali bonds the shell and foam liner allowing the use of a thinner shell, producing a lighter and ultimately stronger helmet. Lighter means less mass attached to your head. In a crash, less mass on your head reduces the resultant impact g-forces acting on your grey matter.
Composite Fusion™ - Better impact energy management, increased dynamic range - smaller, lighter and stronger. It's a no-brainer.
SHIVA 2.0
In 2014 Kali released Composite Fusion™ Squared, launched the Shiva and changed what was possible for a full-face helmet. The revolutionary Shiva delivered DOT protection in a full carbon fiber helmet that weighed 1050 grams, and was an unprecedented 30% smaller than other DOT helmets. After extensive research, lab testing and some unprecedented real-world testing including Nicholi Rogatkin's 2015 Red Bull Rampage 30 ft crash and Matt Macduff's Loop Of Doom, Kali is pleased to release the Shiva 2.0 for 2017.
The Shiva 2.0 features the same strong and lightweight full carbon fiber shell as its predecessor, but with an entirely new interior. Kali uses Composite Fusion™ Squared to in-mold Nano Core and EPS into geometric cone shapes, allowing for exceptional interior and exterior energy management.
The 2.0 incorporates Kali's LDL (Low-Density Layer) rotational impact technology. LDL is a proprietary padding system placed throughout the helmet, reduces rotational impact forces up to 25% and low-g linear forces by up to 30%.
These advanced technologies were put to the test in 2015 when Nicholi Rogatkin, wearing an LDL equipped Shiva prototype, crashed at Red Bull Rampage falling over 30ft before coming to a stop. Luckily, he survived the crash without losing consciousness or sustaining significant injury.
A team of concussion researchers from the London Imperial College recreated Rogatkin's crash in laboratory conditions. They were able to calculate the linear and rotational g-forces Nicholi experienced. They found that the addition of LDL to his Shiva reduced Nicholi's chance of experiencing MTBI (Mild Traumatic Brain Injury) from 60% down to 10%.
The Shiva 2.0 - Engineered to help you be unstoppable.
CHECK US OUT
If you're at Interbike, make sure to drop in to see the booth to experience Kali's approach to innovation in safety technology. Team riders, Nicholi Rogatkin and Matt Macduff will also be on hand to sign posters and answer questions between 11am - noon on each day of the indoor expo.
![photo juliengrimard]()
![photo aledilullo]()
Dates: 9/28-30
Times: 11am - noon daily
Location: Kali Booth #11044
![See you at Interbike. Booth 11044]()
For more info contact: marketing@kaliprotectives.com
MENTIONS: @KaliProtectives / @nicholirogatkin / @mattmacduff / @sterlinglorence / @aledilullo / @coldsalt / @the-rise / @redbullbike
 |
The future of protectives is coming in hot! Kali Protectives arrives at Interbike 2016 with some next level technology including the release of the Macduff, the world’s first multiple impact bicycle helmet. Available only in Matt black, the Macduff is a dirt/street half shell that utilizes Kali’s new Nano Core technology, the product of an exclusive partnership with Italian materials manufacturer Alia Mentis. Nano Core combines Kali’s proprietary Composite Fusion technology with Casidion - self-healing acrylic foam that incorporates carbon Nano-tubes, effectively replacing the EPS foam found in traditionally constructed helmets.
 |
 |
Nano Core dissipates impact energy more efficiently than traditional EPS and can do so in a much smaller volume producing a lighter helmet. After an impact, a helmet using a traditional EPS foam liner will dent as it absorbs impact energy. EPS foam does not rebound; it stays impacted even though the helmet shell may return to its original shape and should be replaced. The Macduff however, equipped with Nano Core, will rebound without any loss in protection, and can continue to be used. No more crash and trash, the Macduff can withstand up to 8 impacts before needing to be replaced.
 |
COMPOSITE FUSION
Over a decade ago Kali founder and lead engineer, Brad Waldron developed the tooling and technology to completely in-mold a full-face helmet, something that has yet to be replicated. This breakthrough in safety technology is called Composite Fusion™, a process that eliminates the need to tape or glue foam into helmet shells. Instead, Kali bonds the shell and foam liner allowing the use of a thinner shell, producing a lighter and ultimately stronger helmet. Lighter means less mass attached to your head. In a crash, less mass on your head reduces the resultant impact g-forces acting on your grey matter.
Composite Fusion™ - Better impact energy management, increased dynamic range - smaller, lighter and stronger. It's a no-brainer.
 |
SHIVA 2.0
In 2014 Kali released Composite Fusion™ Squared, launched the Shiva and changed what was possible for a full-face helmet. The revolutionary Shiva delivered DOT protection in a full carbon fiber helmet that weighed 1050 grams, and was an unprecedented 30% smaller than other DOT helmets. After extensive research, lab testing and some unprecedented real-world testing including Nicholi Rogatkin's 2015 Red Bull Rampage 30 ft crash and Matt Macduff's Loop Of Doom, Kali is pleased to release the Shiva 2.0 for 2017.
 |
The Shiva 2.0 features the same strong and lightweight full carbon fiber shell as its predecessor, but with an entirely new interior. Kali uses Composite Fusion™ Squared to in-mold Nano Core and EPS into geometric cone shapes, allowing for exceptional interior and exterior energy management.
 |
The 2.0 incorporates Kali's LDL (Low-Density Layer) rotational impact technology. LDL is a proprietary padding system placed throughout the helmet, reduces rotational impact forces up to 25% and low-g linear forces by up to 30%.
These advanced technologies were put to the test in 2015 when Nicholi Rogatkin, wearing an LDL equipped Shiva prototype, crashed at Red Bull Rampage falling over 30ft before coming to a stop. Luckily, he survived the crash without losing consciousness or sustaining significant injury.
A team of concussion researchers from the London Imperial College recreated Rogatkin's crash in laboratory conditions. They were able to calculate the linear and rotational g-forces Nicholi experienced. They found that the addition of LDL to his Shiva reduced Nicholi's chance of experiencing MTBI (Mild Traumatic Brain Injury) from 60% down to 10%.
The Shiva 2.0 - Engineered to help you be unstoppable.
 |
CHECK US OUT
If you're at Interbike, make sure to drop in to see the booth to experience Kali's approach to innovation in safety technology. Team riders, Nicholi Rogatkin and Matt Macduff will also be on hand to sign posters and answer questions between 11am - noon on each day of the indoor expo.
Dates: 9/28-30
Times: 11am - noon daily
Location: Kali Booth #11044
For more info contact: marketing@kaliprotectives.com
MENTIONS: @KaliProtectives / @nicholirogatkin / @mattmacduff / @sterlinglorence / @aledilullo / @coldsalt / @the-rise / @redbullbike
Author Info:
Must Read This Week
Sign Up for the Pinkbike Newsletter - All the Biggest, Most Interesting Stories in your Inbox
PB Newsletter Signup
"Look! he lands on his head all the time and hes fine!"
The whole idea could be a load of BS marketing, but at least this has a real crash behind it on video, too bad they don't have controlled crash video and results comparing a "normal" helmet. Show us some real data!
For me no1 issue is fall prevention. Educating myself and getting my kids to learn how to ride (bikes, rollerblades, skateboard) in a good way, and telling them how to approach risks. If a kid or old dude contamplates jumping a 6ft drop while having no clue about riding in balance, then well... All in all accidents happen, always, but many can be prevented through skill. There is a reason why most accidents happen on A-Line kind of trails. Lots of travel + lots of body armor + little skill + big jumps = BANG!!!
I cringe at the thought that Nicholi wasn't stopped. I don't blame anyone, everything happened quickly and head injury awareness still seems quite small. But for the future record situation like his shouldn't be happening again. You took a serous digger: you're out. Just like puncture or almostany other mechanical takes you out of the competition, so should a serious banger.
Then the friction between helmet and the ground is a very interesting one.
Finally I failed to find much info in youtube vids and articles I found googling on how rotational stress happens in the brain. It seems we know more about black holes than that.
Sorry for this bombing but I am genuinely interested in the subject. And BTW I don't believe cool form design goes in the way of safety and ergonomics. It does cost extra design work, one must make many real size models and three times as much drawings, but it may be worth a kid saying: DROOOOOL!
When looking into Kali's LDL I asked why they werent bigger or smaller. 5mm? According to my interviews, it was found that taller LDL pieces(such as an 8mm tall one that was tested) made the helmet need to be bigger, which created more leverage and mass, negating the effectiveness.
Then the golden question came up... Brad asked me "how much is enough?" From my research it looks like we really dont know. No matter how safe of a helmet we make, there is always the potential of fatal impact. In regards to concussions, there is no magic number that will show whether an impact will cause a concussion or not. Every person and brain is different. All we can do is keep improving.
There is a widely accepted graph that shows what will knock someone unconscious. On one axis we have force (Gs) and on the other we have rotation. I takes about 75 gs to get knocked out. But a violent rotation with NO IMPACT, can also knock you out. Of course, most cycling accidents are a combination of both. So why are the current safety standards only focused on IMPACT?! Looks like we need to update the standards. Helmet standards also require super hard foam, to save you life from a FATAL FORCE impact, but they are so dense of material that they can do a lot of damage at lower speed impacts.
The bigger issue is EDUCATION. We all follow what the marketing campaigns of these companies tell us, but so few of us really do the hard research. I am stoked to see that people are asking the hard questions and challenging what we are told by some of these companies. It goes back to the previous article about when it is (or isnt) time to replace a helmet. Ill admit that I was FORCED by Kali to replace a helmet recently after a crash. Custom graphics on a proto helmet that was broken in and super comfortable. Even without the financial burden, (which nobody should worry about with the Kali crash replacement program) it was hard to let go of my favorite helmet.
So where do we go from here? Keep asking questions, take everything with a grain of salt. Before you make a decision, do the research. ASK COMPANIES for data. CHALLENGE the current safety standards. THINK about the products you buy, and PLAY IT SAFE when it comes time to decide whether or not to replace a crashed helmet.
I have a lot more to learn, but I hope this at least makes a few people think critically for a moment.
What do you think about Hövding airbag for commuters?
I'm not saying it doesn't work. I have a big dose of health scepticism I think. It surely helps. Just like Starbucks gives 1% to Rain Forest. Or my favorite Ethiopian coffee is fair trade. You know... the land where people starve to death but grow coffee... for fair money... Fancy sticker and a bit of help for sure, makes me feel better about my consumption. I mean, in 2 years all helmets will have MIPS. 5$ purchase price for the plastic bit, adds 15$ of margin to the helmet. why not use it when it surely helps a bit. What is there to talk about when everyone will have it? It's like InMold tech back in 2001 when I bought my first helmet
I wish I had received a real answer. All respect... gone.
home and observe their heads for next few days, if not weeks.
It's been great to hear your stuff. Thank you.
We do in fact have a "controlled crash video" for you. The Imperial College of London was able to take Nicholi Rogatkin's Rampage crash and recreate it on a test rig in their lab. From there we were able to compare the data with the real life crash in order find out exactly what the Shiva 2.0 can do. Check out the link below:
www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FPlusSizeBMX%2Fvideos%2F10153605182681685%2F&show_text=0&width=400
@WAKIdesigns: We are constantly testing different sizes, shapes and materials in an effort to find out the best possible solution to protect you when you need it most. Its all a balance and we learn more and more every do so our products will only get better and better.
Thanks for the great dialog guys, we here at Kali love it!
As far as width, I actually view wider as a better thing here. If I go down hard my helmet is likely to hit the ground before my neck or face does vs a low profile helmet. You should try one of these helmets out for a day if you can. You will quickly find out the weight and size are insignificant. It's definitely worth every penny when you see how well they are designed and how effective the tech is.
Do you plan on using LDL in trail or enduro helmets?
Talk to check out the helmet a couple times this week. After looking at it and after talking with you guys about it I'm really excited to see where the technology goes. Thanks for not kicking me out of the booth for asking too many questions. LOL! And thanks for having a couple nut jobs signing posters. LOL!
Lightweight, comfy, solid protection and good value. I agree that their graphics can be a bit "marmite" but at least there's loads of options.
My highest concern with riding is the long-term health of my brain, and my son's. I'm hoping that materials and manufacturing advances put into motion by companies such as POC, Leatt, Kali, and others will continue to enable riders to push our limits while minimizing brain injuries. To do so we need facts, not marketing.
Here are a couple of links to get you started:
www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FPlusSizeBMX%2Fvideos%2F10153605182681685%2F&show_text=0&width=400
www.vitalmtb.com/photos/features/EUROBIKE-2017-Mountain-Bike-Apparel-and-Protective-Gear,10435/Kali-Protectives-ArmourGel-Technology-and-Interceptor-Helmet,109526/sspomer,2
Perhaps that's a minor point, though from a potential customer feedback perspective, perhaps you'll consider it.
I'm not intending to be a jerk here, I'm requesting that you be completely honest. Your tech and helmets look awesome and I absolutely look forward to learning more. Looking forward to seeing the data; hopefully it will hit a sweet spot between the kinds of radar graphs, which not only have no data on them, though also not way to interpret what they represent other than "this one has more area covered" and raw numbers that require a deep understanding of brain injury.
How many inches of high density foam would be necessary to prevent a concussion? Helmet engineers have a lot work to do. just hope the marketing boys keep their hands off it.