Kali Protectives’ unique viscoelastic LDL inserts have softened blows to the head for a few years, and now that comfy safety tech comes to two of their enduro rider favorites. The popular enduro half-shell Maya gets a generation 2.0 reboot, while the full-face Alpine reimagines the old Avatar.
Kali Maya 2.0 enduro half-shell helmet with LDL tech
From its debut the Maya helmet incorporated enduro helmet features that have become mainstays on the trails now – extended coverage low down the back of the head, multi-part in-mold shells to protect the EPS foam from daily abuse, and a goggle-friendly visor and strap retention.
The new Maya 2.0 builds on top of that, carrying forward all of those features in a new helmet with more refined shaping, look & fit.
The $100 enduro and trail mountain bike helmet gets a new style regular pad liner for improved sweat control, a bug liner to keep the bees out, and new strap management. At 360g, the Maya 2.0 come in three sizes (XS/S, S/M, L/XL), five colors, and is certified by both CPSC & EN 1070.
But the big improvement is in adding the LDL pads which Kali says, “reduces rotational impact forces by 25% and low-g linear forces by 30%.”
Safety Tech Details
Kali’s mantra is putting the softest materials close to you head, while expanding out with ever stronger materials to lessen the impact to you head in a crash. Their multi-density EPS cones construction and Composite Fusion in-molding get them the crash durability to survive impact testing, while also doing a better job at dissipating energy in a crash.
Then on top of that (or rather inside), the little green LDL soft viscoelastic gel nubs protect you from the rotational and low-g linear impact forces that other tech like MIPS work to offset as well.
Both helmets also keep a relatively round profile, which Kali reminds us is actually the safest way to shape a bike helmet – remember you would rather your head glance off a rock or tree, rather than getting caught and rotating abruptly. There’s still plenty of shaping, but Kali says they try to keep it in check overall.
Kali Alpine lightweight enduro full-face helmet with LDL tech
Like the Maya 2.0, the Alpine evolves the old Avatar model with the LDL pads inside for more comfort & better performance in a crash. The Alpine uses the same Composite Fusion Plus multi-density EPS+in-mold construction in a light 900g full-face helmet.
It gets the same updated sweat-control pad liner, LDL nubs, and features a break-away peak/visor. The Alpine is available in five adult sizes for $300 (XS, S, M, L & XL from 53-62cm) and in a slightly smaller $250 youth size (52-53) as well. It comes in three colorways and is certified to: ASTM F1952, ASTM 2032, EN 1078, CPSC Bicycle & Az/Nz 2063-2008.
Crash Coverage & Availability
And if you crash it, Kali will replace it. Kali has a pretty impressive, one-time Lifetime Crash Replacement program for all of their helmets. The limited Lifetime Crash Replacement Policy means that if you damage one of their helmets in a crash, you can file a LCR claim, and Kali will replace your helmet with one of equal or similar value. You just pay to ship it back to them. That certainly softens the blow of the $300 full-face a bit.
Both the revamped Maya 2.0 and new Alpine are available now at your local bike shop.
