Sweet Protection Trailblazer MIPS

Sweet Protection, a long-time Stif Staff favourite and the industry leader in high-performance Helmets, Eyewear and Technical clothing announced today that its celebrated Trailblazer Mips Helmet has received the highest rating to date of more than 120 helmets currently tested by the renowned Virginia Tech Biomechanics Helmet Lab. It's the go-to open face helmet for most of us here, so we're as delighted for the folks at Sweet as we are delighted to hear our heads have been in the safest place they could have been.
Virginia Tech?
In collaboration with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the Virginia Tech Biomechanics Helmet Lab impact tests helmets to evaluate its ability to reduce linear acceleration and rotational velocity of the head resulting from a range of impacts a cyclist might experience. Virginia Tech has conducted these tests since 2011 and the ratings are the culmination of over 10 years of research on head impacts in sports to identify which helmets best reduce concussion risk. See the Bicycle Helmet Ratings here: https://helmet.beam.vt.edu/bicycle-helmet-ratings.html
What did Virginia Tech have to say?
“The Virginia Tech Biomechanics Helmet Lab feels very rewarded when helmet companies utilize our real-world testing protocols to improve helmet performance, which keeps people safer,” said Barry Miller, Director of Outreach and Business Development at the Virginia Tech Biomechanics Helmet Lab.
What did Sweet have to say?
- “This is excellent news! It’s really satisfying to see that our helmet technology we have spent years developing get such a high rating. I’m proud to have this stated by a renowned third party like Virginia Tech, and I’m looking forward seeing more of our helmets being tested as we’re relentlessly trying to improve our helmets to make them safer”, says Ståle Møller, Director of Design & Development at Sweet Protection.
- “On behalf of the Sweet Protection family I’m extremely happy to learn about the recent test results from the recognized helmet test program at Virginia Tech. The rating has quickly grown to be an industry reference when it comes to helmet safety, particularly in the North American markets. Seeing our Trailblazer Mips Helmet on top of the list with the best score of any helmet they have ever tested confirms that our helmet technology is world-class. It’s that simple – and important, says Atle Enberget, Director of Sales & Marketing at Sweet Protection.
Tell me about the TrailBlazer!
Released in March 2020, the Trailblazer Mips Helmet is Sweet Protection’s latest take on the ultimate trail helmet. With its trickle-down shell technology based on decades of experience and development, the Trailblazer Mips Helmet provides strength and performance with its unique 4-piece variable shell construction. The helmet introduces an updated design with a contemporary take on the Sweet Protection DNA with a more progressive style.
The Trailblazer Mips Helmet is featuring an adjustable visor with a new visor mechanism, very efficient ventilation including the proven STACC ventilation and a completely new Occigrip turn-dial adjustment system. As all Sweet Protection’s helmets, this model is equipped with the Mips technology, a low-friction layer intended to help reduce rotational forces to the head.

What puts the trailblazer in the No. 1 Spot?

The Mips Brain Protection System
The mips brain protection system is a helmet-integrated low-friction layer that's designed to reduce rotational motion transferred to the brain from angled impacts to the head.

4 Piece Shell Construction
The unique four-piece in-mold shell structure utilises variable Polycarbonate outer shell thicknesses and geometrical shapes to optimize the protection performance.

In Mold Construction
In-Mold Construction is a technique that directly fuses the shock absorbing EPS liner with the Polycarbonate and Carbon shells to create a lightweight and strong structure.

EPS Liner
The advanced EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) Liner is constructed with variable bridge- and channel volume in order to optimize the overall impact protection performance.

DOV Ventilation
Digitally Optimised Ventilation is optimised through digital air flow simulation. This ensures the air flows well through vents and internal channels at different speeds.

STACC Ventilation
Superficial Temporal Artery Cooling Channel is a front vent, an internal channel and an exhaust vent that cools down the temporal artery without exposing your temples which is the most vulnerable area of the head. Patent Pending.

Occigrip Turn Dial
Makes the helmet easily adjustable with a low volume mechanism. The Occigrip construction provides a firm and comfortable fit and prevents the helmet from rolling on your head. Adjustable in both reach and height.