What can you say about Troy Lee Designs and indeed the D3 helmet that hasn’t already been said before? One of the most significant and advanced products they’ve ever released, and with a predecessor that has been one of the most desired bicycle helmets ever, Troy Lee had their work cut out.

My relationship with Troy Lee Designs helmets started in 1997 when by sheer fluke I got my hands on a Daytona helmet, the original and still one of my most treasured possessions. In 2001 I got my first D2, which was then designed and released for the same reason as the D3, to meet the ever-increasing dangers faced from the progressive nature of bicycle riding. Nine years later I had the same initial feeling upon seeing the D3 for the first time as I did when I first saw the D2. I didn’t like it, it just didn’t look as good. After some deliberation I was just a little curious and after some well placed product placement thanks to Troy Lee’s marketing people, I wanted one!

First Impressions

I got my hands on the D3 in October 2009, and the first thing that struck me was its size compared to the D2. This was almost a moto helmet, but not in a bad way. Solid, sleek and downright mean looking with vents and lines reminiscent of a fighter jet. It looked great in the pictures, but in the flesh this thing just screamed moto!

As you open the black box it comes in you are pleasantly greeted with a spare helmet peak and a sweet Troy Lee Designs carry bag to keep your new investment in. Bolting everything together using the supplied titanium hardware, discarding the packaging I threw it on my head, and got a little concerned in the process.

Sizing

The fit of this helmet, for someone not used to moto helmets, and especially someone, whose head has grown accustomed to the feel of a D2, is a bit on the tight side. So tight that I was convinced I either got the wrong size or it was packaged or labelled incorrectly.

With the D2 I’ve always had the Medium/ Large size and found the fit perfect for my head. The D3 comes in single size increments from XS all the way to XXL! The sizing for the D3 is based on the same increments as in motorsports, so if you’re used to these you’ll know exactly where you are. With a size surely suitable for every ones head, you can’t go wrong. So I measured my head, had a look at what my fitted hat size was, read the size guide on Troy Lee’s site and then ordered a size Large. So here it was and feeling tight, but was it too tight? After some careful thought I convinced myself that I had the right size after all, the XL would have been too big, and there’s no point having a helmet that moves around when your riding. Sticking with the recommended size for my head was undoubtedly a wise move because after a few weeks of use, the fit was akin to my trusty old D2, but with increased stability. The D3 feels like it had grown around my head and just slips on like a well fitting slipper, and as comfy to boot. The snug fit is a design feature to ensure the helmet sits on your head correctly, stopping it from moving when going over the rough stuff and if you do need to bail, the protection is right where it should be.

Protection

The protection on the D3 is second to none on the bicycle market, setting new standards for safety and protection. The safety features incorporated though the D3 are pretty impressive to say the least and it has no doubt set new standards for bicycle helmets. To start with what they did over the D2 was to increase the thickness of the EPS (expanded polystyrene) liner and joined it directly to a new dual density absorbing pads system, this is what will save your life in the event of a bad off, and something they thankfully didn’t skip on.

The chin guard has also increased in size and gains the same increase in EPS as the main helmet body resulting in a helmet tested to the same level used for moto helmets. I have heard that if this helmet didn’t have so many vents it would have passed the DOT approval required by helmets for motorcycle use. Pretty impressive for a bicycle helmet.

EPS Liner detail

Other safety features that are equally as impressive are the easily removable quick release cheek pads for emergency removal and a space below the peak to write down any vital information for the emergency services, just for a worst-case scenario, but a useful feature all the same.

Features

The D3 has also been designed to work with a neck brace. A function often skimmed over, but I feel will definitely be an attractive feature for many riders. The reason for this is when running a neck brace for bicycle riding it inevitably restricts movement, but a bicycle rider needs more freedom moving the head backwards and looking ahead, very common on steep descending tracks. The designers at Troy Lee overcame this issue by designing the rear of the helmet to not restrict movement back wards against the brace, removing a small section of the helmet, increasing the rider’s head movement and freedom to look forwards without sacrificing safety. As a firm believer in the advantages a good neck brace system offers to a rider’s safety, it was something that helped seal my decision to run the D3 helmet over the competition.

Forwards

Backwards

Another massive leap in technology and function over the D2 is the venting system employed throughout the D3. From the positioning of the vents at the front to the channels in the EPS liner and out through the exit ports on the rear. Although the venting does a great job when your moving it soon gets hot if your stood around with the helmet on, mostly due to the helmets snug fit, but what full face helmet doesn’t?

Venting Channels

Construction

The overall construction of the D3 is amazing, from the mesh venting and exhaust ports, to the liner system and the rubber piping around the carbon shell. These all aid in the D3’s solid feel in your hands and makes you feel a lot safer knowing its going on your head. It looks awesome, works with a neck brace, sits goggles perfectly, you can even run headphones in it if you like. Overall the D3 has been a pleasure to use.

EPS Detail and headphone port, notice the Medium and Large helmets use the same shell

Front pad removal tab

Rear pad removal tab

5 Part removable pad set

Conclusion

So what are the negatives? Well this level of quality and protection combined with the style you only find from the house of Troy Lee Designs, comes at a price. The D3 retails for £500, which is by no means a drop in the ocean, but saying that, it’s price offers it some exclusivity, which will be appealing to the rider who wants that little bit more than just great functionality.

It definitely goes without saying that you can’t put a price on your safety while doing what you love, but £500 will be out of reach for many riders. 2011 sees the launch of the composite D3, and just like with the D2 it comes in at a slightly more affordable £400, while still having all the benefits of the lighter carbon model.

Over a year of riding you notice a lot from your gear, how it performs and indeed how it holds up through a variety of differing conditions. Overall I have no real complaints but the white pads, which unless you wash them after every outing on the bike tend to look grubby very quickly.

The issue with the pads has been addressed with some of the models coming through in 2011 having black pads, and to be honest I’m pulling at straws here to find faults in what is currently the most sought after helmet currently on the market. Would I recommend the D3? Yes, and with some great new designs coming through for 2011 and the introduction of the composite model, the D3 helmet definitely gets the Factory Jackson recommendation. If your prepared to make the investment you wont be disappointed.

Troy Lee Designs bicycle products are exclusively distributed in the UK by www.fisheroutdoor.co.uk and for everything TLD, tap the big logo below. Happy trails, Olly.

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