When we first had the chance to check out the Stage in person, it was so light it didn’t seem real. It wasn’t that long ago that just getting a full face helmet below 1000g was considered super light, and now we’re talking more than 300g less than that!
Last shown at Eurobike, the helmet seemed like it was near production and that seems to be the case with the official launch. Even though the helmet has a seam where it looks like the chin bar would come off, this is not a convertible helmet. Which is partially how they got it to be so light. Starting with a Polylite shell with fiber reinforcement, the helmet uses a dual density EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) foam co-molded with EPP (Expanded Polypropylene) to deal with both high and low speed impacts. The chinbar itself is injected with polyacrylite and uses an EXOskeleton reinforcement, and includes an EPP lining.
Further safety is provided through the use of an integrated MIPS liner that is shaped to allow the 11 high flow intakes and 14 open core exhaust vents to do their thing.
To dial in the fit, the helmet includes a 10 and 13mm thick headliner pad, 15, 25, and 35mm thick jaw pads, and 10 and 15mm thick neck roll pads. Combined with three shell sizes, you should be able to get pretty close to the ideal fit. A Fidlock magnetic buckle ensures the helmet stays on your head.
The adjustable visor is head in place with anodized aluminum hardware and offers a 40mm range of adjustment.
The sample we weighed at Eurobike came in at 678g, while the official claimed weight is 690g (M/L). We’re inclined to believe that the U.S. versions will be closer to the 690g mark since they meet CPSC 1203, CE EN1078, ASTM F1952, ASTM F2032, and AS/NZS 2063-2008 standards.
Eventually, the helmet will be available in five colors and in three sizes each, though TLD is offering a limited early release with only a few colors and sizes available. Each helmet will sell for $295 and includes a drawstring helmet sock.
