While some consider it uncool to put too much consideration into how you look while riding your bike, the popularity of Troy Lee Designs’ apparel would suggest the bulk of riders are guilty of being a bit more self-conscious than we might admit! Even if you don’t view the bike park lift line as a runway, you probably like a few of Troy Lee’s graphics, which infamously range from safe and subtle to splashy, eye-popping madness.
Recently Troy Lee Designs released their 2016 collection of helmets and apparel. Since the collection is quite large, we’ve cherry-picked a few new or revamped items to highlight here. From knees to elbows, jerseys, shorts and gloves, TLD has a lot happening for 2016- and there’s a few things for the ladies too…
New protective gear:
The Raid knee guard is TLD’s all-new top of the line gravity oriented knee pad. Features include a new FIT-LOCK system with leg straps that sit above your upper calf to prevent slippage, a D30 knee cap for flexible impact protection and abrasion resistant side padding. For comfort and articulation the Raids utilize a seamless back panel, flex gusset and a one-piece stretch abrasion panel.
The new Speed series elbow and knee guards provide a slimmer padding option for light-duty trail protection. Both the Speed elbow and knee sleeves use 4mm D30 for impact protection, and the elbow pads feature abrasion-resistant mesh on the inner arm for comfort and breathability. The slip-on Speed knee sleeves feature 360° seamless construction to keep your legs comfortable.
Improved for 2016:
After a revamp just two years ago, TLD’s popular T-Bone knee guards have been modified again for 2016. The EVA pads on the sides are now thicker, the pull tabs now feature injection molded Velcro, and the graphics were updated to match the aesthetics of this year’s premium protection line.
Helmets:
The flagship D3 full-face has seen some refinements for 2016, most notably a new head form shape which was intended to improve the fit, but also allowed for more EPS padding in the frontal crash zone. TLD also updated the cheek pads with a new extended shape that better contours to the jaw area, and they’ve smoothed out the edges on the front trim for a cleaner look. Shown above are the Midnight Carbon Black and Blacklight Carbon Black graphics.
The D2 will receive new graphics for 2016, but otherwise boasts the same construction and features as last year’s model. Here’s a look at the Invade Green and Sonar Yellow graphics.
The A1 open faced helmet has seen some refinements where the straps integrate with the internal EPS layer, and gets a new composite filament layer between the EPS and the shell for added protection from penetration. The Drone Army Green and Reflex Red colorways are pictured above.
Mens Apparel:
The Ruckus enduro kit has seen numerous updates throughout the line, and TLD has added a new removable liner to the Ruckus short that features air mesh material and an improved chamois. They’ve also added a Ruckus sleeveless base layer. This slim under-layer offers a compression fit and seamless construction. The three rear pockets are intentionally placed high up so they won’t interfere with shorts or pants.
The ACE trail kit was designed with XC in mind, but its snug fit has proven popular with riders across various disciplines. Along with improvements to all pieces in this line, TLD has added a new pair of Air Bib shorts and Air base layers. The bib shorts are the company’s most ventilated shorts yet, and are designed to go over the Ace trail outfit. The super mesh Air base layers are made from a stretchy, moisture-wicking 95% polyester/5% spandex blend with flat lock stitching, and they provide a snug compression fit.
Womens Apparel:
There’s some news from Troy Lee Designs for the ladies as well- For 2016, the company has released the Ace glove in a women’s specific fit. With a breathable mesh back panel and a sleek single-layer bonded cuff, the Ace serves as a lighter option versus the existing XC women’s glove. The women’s Skyline jersey has also been redesigned, and now includes a Lycra rear neck panel on a tapered cut with a V-neck collar. This year’s jerseys are also made from a new 100% polyester fabric that is softer and wicks moisture better than the previous Skyline jerseys.
Everything from Troy Lee Design’s 2016 line is already available worldwide. What you see here is just a small sampling of the new stuff so to see the full collection with available sizes, color options and pricing check out TLD’s 2016 flipbook online.
