A Closer Look at Troy Lee Designs' New "D4" Helmet
We spotted the new Troy Lee Designs helmet earlier this month and since Brendan Fairclough, Tom van Steenbergen, Brandon Semenuk, Cam Zink and Kyle Strait were riding in it in the past few days, we've got some better photos of it to share with you now.
The new helmet, which we're guessing will be called the D4, has two centered forehead vents that the current D3 that was released in 2009 doesn't have, as well as two larger vents moved further out on the forehead. The venting looks different on the chin-bar too, with the side vents lower and slightly further forward.
We haven't heard of any proprietary rotational protection tech from Troy Lee so expect MIPS to cover that, as it does on the D3. You can probably also expect the D4 to be lighter than its predecessor along with claims of greater protection and, because it's 2019, a breakaway visor.
The new helmet, which we're guessing will be called the D4, has two centered forehead vents that the current D3 that was released in 2009 doesn't have, as well as two larger vents moved further out on the forehead. The venting looks different on the chin-bar too, with the side vents lower and slightly further forward.
We haven't heard of any proprietary rotational protection tech from Troy Lee so expect MIPS to cover that, as it does on the D3. You can probably also expect the D4 to be lighter than its predecessor along with claims of greater protection and, because it's 2019, a breakaway visor.
Tom van Steenbergen
Brandon Semenuk
Tom van Steenbergen
Cam Zink
Cam Zink and Kyle Strait.
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Member since Mar 30, 2011
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Everyone, @stikmanglaspell is the global category director at TLD. We're obviously trying to get our greedy little hands on a test unit ASAP to do a review for you guys, but we don't have one yet.
and all these folks having issues with timing of promos, press releases, Jesus... take LsD, DMt, schrooms, what ever, wake the hell up. Black implies white, self implies the other, the world rolls, nobody gives a sht about your values. If someone wants to sell a helmet or a bike and you don’t like the sequence of appearances, shag someone, smoke a joint, do yourself, whatever, make yourself happy, whatever ot takes, Bejesus... nobody cares about your values, nobody, so care about yourself. Cheeer the fuuuuuuk uuuuup
You wanna talk about it Waki we here for you
Meanwhile why not head over to his profile page and enjoy some of Waki's greatest comments whilst admiring his artwork. #bemorewaki
Those tears though
Nobody was willing (understandably) to let us take a helmet to do product shots so...
Be cool to see the release data with the safety stuff they've incorporated, maybe even have a full face helmet test done amongst the PB staff @brianpark
After any big crash I pull the liner and inspect it, if I see compressed or cracked foam i dont use it anymore, Id rather buy a new helmet than wing it in a compromised helmet.
(I have a family of 4 riders, with 2 teenage boys that race DH and have been in a D3 since age 11-12)
Im not doubting the quality of the D3 helmet, just saying I'm Happy with the direction they went with the D4 with what looks to be a bigger shell and more protection, enhancing the D3 shape.