Trek Just added three new mountain bike helmets to its lineup, and they all feature their WaveCel protection. First introduced under the Bontrager logo in 2019, WaveCel was Trek’s answer to other advanced helmet protection systems. The cellular grid inside the helmet can flex, crumple, and glide in impacts to reduce impact and rotational forces before they meet your head.
While the concept behind WaveCel hasn’t changed, the actual product has. Trek has directly addressed feedback from customers (including us), that the initial WaveCel design tended to run hot. This new version includes 10% larger cells to allow for more airflow and cooling (more on this later), with the added benefit of it being 15g lighter.
Now, Trek is adding three new MTB helmets with WaveCel technology, the Blaze, Rally, and Quantum. All of the helmets feature some level of deeper coverage and include 5-star ratings from Virginia Tech.
Blaze 3/4 Convertible Helmet
At the top of the range is the new $249 Blaze WaveCel MTB helmet with its unique removable 3/4 coverage. For riders looking for more coverage than a half shell, but without going full face, 3/4 coverage helmets have become more popular. But for long, hot climbs, it would be nice if you could remove that extra coverage to cool things down.
That’s exactly what the Blaze helmet allows with easily removable ear coverage. Each side has a single release lever on the inside which allows the cover to pop right off. To put them back, select the proper side (the covers are labeled L and R), line up the pins, and pop it back in. The covers are small enough that you can store them in a large pocket or bag, and their removal really does make for a cooler ride.
Along with the removable 3/4 coverage, the Blaze includes a number of premium features including a three-position, goggle-optimized visor with a magnetic breakaway system. The visor easily pops out and pops back in with magnets on each side, and the adjustment offers positive detents that won’t slip accidentally.
Additionally, you’ll find sunglass storage in the visor – so it won’t poke through the vents into your head. The design also seems to work better with more sunglass earpiece shapes after testing with glasses that had completely straight earpieces and some with radically curved earpieces. At the back is a goggle strap gripper, and a Fidlock magnetic buckle secures the helmet.
There’s also a removable Blendr mount for lights and cameras that uses a friction fit plus a magnet to keep it in place.
Fit is adjusted with a micro-adjustable BOA fit system, which includes a four-position height adjustment for the cradle.
On the Scale, our medium sample seems to have come in under claimed weight at 487g with the 3/4 coverage installed, but over claimed weight at 399g without it installed. The Blendr mount adds 26g.
Priced at $249.99, the Blaze WaveCel is available in three sizes.
- Removeable ¾ coverage
- Updated lighter and cooler WaveCel
- 5 star rated from Virginia Tech
- Cooling front vents
- Breakaway magnetic visor with sunglass storage
- Goggle optimized design with rear strap catch
- Removeable Blendr mount
- BOA fit system
- Layflat cam-locking strap dividers
- Fidlock buckle
- CPSC / CE
- S/M/L sizes
Blaze WaveCel First Impressions
Last month, I ended up getting a sneak peek at the Blaze WaveCel helmet while I was visiting BOA at their HQ. In addition to the new shoes from Ride Concepts, some of us also got a chance to ride in the new Blaze helmet. It was a fairly hot day in the mountains above Denver and we set out to pedal up to the top of the new Virginia Canyon MTB park which is currently in development.
I was very happy to have the ability to remove the ear covers during the climb as it was noticeably cooler, and the added protection wasn’t needed during the climb. Once we got to the top though, I was just as happy to reinstall the covers for some added protection.
Overall, I have to say that the new generation of the WaveCel helmets seems to run cooler. I was sort of dreading the heat based on my prior experience with WaveCel, but the new Blaze helmet fortunately didn’t leave my head on fire. It seems more likely that the large frontal air intake vents are mostly responsible for the helmet’s improved cooling ability, but either way, it’s an improvement.
In terms of fit, the Blaze seems to have an extra-long and narrow profile compared to many of the helmets I’ve tried. The BOA system does a great job of cinching it down and pulling my head to the front of the helmet, but it does result in my ears being positioned right at the front of the ear holes. It works for me, but it’s one of those fits that you’ll want to try before you buy.
Rally WaveCel MTB
Take the Blaze and get rid of the removable 3/4 coverage completely, and you will get something very similar to the Rally WaveCel. Featuring the same updated and cooler WaveCel tech with large frontal cooling vents, the Rally is a modern trail helmet with deep coverage.
The Rally has many of the same features as the Blaze including the sunglass storage in the visor, a goggle-friendly design with a rear gripper, a removable Blendr mount, a Fidlock buckle, and a BOA fit system.
For the actual weight, our medium Rally helmet came in at 377g, and the Blendr mount adds 26g.
Fit
Like the Blaze, the Rally has a fairly long and narrow profile that requires me to cinch the BOA dial quite a bit to dial in the fit on the medium. Once dialed in, the helmet feels quite comfortable, but if my head was any wider at the temples, it would be too narrow (despite being a fairly wide helmet on the exterior).
Interestingly, the Rally is the only helmet of the three to carry AS/NZS standard certification for Australia and New Zealand, and it also adds an XL size (only in black). The price drops significantly from the Blaze with a $159.99 retail for the Rally.
Quantum WaveCel Helmet
Riders looking for a lighter trail helmet with a little less coverage, the new Quantum steps in. Equipped with the updated WaveCel system and front cooling vents, the helmet should let in more airflow. It has deeper coverage for a trail helmet, though not as deep as the Rally or Blaze.
Fit is adjusted with Trek’s Headmaster III fit system, and the helmet uses a standard buckle. The visor-based sunglass storage of the other helmets is replaced here with grippy channels on the helmet, though you’ll still find a three-position visor.
With a claimed weight of 330g, the Quantum WaveCel will be available in S/M/L and XL in black only for $124.99.
