The Liv Rail MIPS helmet is, with no shadow of a doubt, the model’s most premium off-road helmet thus far, that includes the light-weight MIPS Air Node liner to assist defend in opposition to rotation-induced concussions, with a three-part in-mould building house to a dual-density EPS. Impartial helmet security testers, Virginia Tech, gave it a 5-Star score, with a rating of 11.08 (the decrease the higher). That places it in forty first place, simply shy of the 11.01 rating awarded to the dearer Troy Lee A3 MIPS.
At $189.99 USD, the Rail is a rightfully feature-packed, light-weight mountain bike helmet, with a full wrap of the EPS giving it a high-end aesthetic. It will get a top quality height-adjustable cradle, a magnetic Fidlock buckle securing the highly-adjustable chin strap, and a vent-free high floor for the positioning of an motion digital camera. On that latter level, riders needs to be conscious that a number of occasion organizers have banned the securing of motion cameras to the helmet physique, solely permitting them to be positioned on the height.
There aren’t any fewer than twenty air flow ports. The versatile peak has three-positions, the top-most of which permits for the stowage of googles when not in use.
Liv Rail MIPS MTB Helmet | Evaluation
The Liv Rail MIPS covers head circumferences from 51cm to 59cm with simply two sizes; Small for 51-55cm and Medium for 55-59cm. With a head circumference of round 54cm, I used to be given the Small to check. It weighs in at 335 grams, simply shy of the 350 gram claimed weight.
My first impression? I actually just like the look of this helmet. It has a top quality, two-tone end, glossed up on high with a matte trim. It’s elegant, for my part.
The rear cradle presents four-position peak adjustment to go well with quite a lot of head shapes. The helmet is ponytail appropriate if I run the cradle in its lowest place, however at the least on my head that does pull the highest of the helmet down firmly, making a strain level on the entrance of my cranium, simply aft of my hairline.
That’s not tremendous comfy for me, so I desire to run the cradle in a better place, forgoing the power to pop my ponytail by the hole it creates. This makes for a way more comfy match, to the purpose the place that strain level is basically eradicated.
The retention system can be tightened on the rear in fact, through an easy-to-use dial. It doesn’t cinch the plastic cradle down evenly by 360° as is the case with another high-end helmets; it tightens from the rear, pulling the cradle forwards, with the entrance half of the cradle remaining mounted to the EPS. It definitely does the job, nevertheless.
Basically, the helmet has a barely wider match than others I’ve examined lately; definitely wider than the ABUS Cliffhanger, with a broader form that’s extra comparable that provided throughout the vary from MET helmets. Certainly, Liv say the Rail was created with use of a brand new, rounder head kind to provide an elevated match vary.
For me at the least, there’s a little side-to-side wiggle room, however not a lot to concern me. For many who typically battle to discover a good match because of having fairly a broad temple area, it could possibly be value giving the Liv Rail a attempt. After all, it’s at all times finest to attempt before you purchase.
The Liv Rail gives moderately deep protection on the rear, however not fairly as deep as that delivered by the Troy Lee A3 MIPS.
The Rail’s chin strap may be very lengthy, which means it is going to adapt properly to a variety of wearers. For me, there was a number of extra strap, however I used to be in a position to tuck it securely beneath the small rubber tab on the best aspect, the place it was no bother in any respect. It’s nice to see the strap may be adjusted on the cam divider in order that riders can dial within the excellent match. It’s so necessary to get the proper ratio of strap size fore and aft of the ear with the intention to forestall the helmet being pushed away out of your head throughout a crash. After all, for those who have been to roll any distance whereas crashing laborious, there’s a great probability you’ll hit your head greater than as soon as.
The MIPS Air Node liner is fascinating, in that it’s built-in into the consolation liner. It’s one in all MIPS’ lighter weight choices, however nonetheless delivers 10-15mm of dissociation between the helmet’s major physique and the liner that is still in shut affiliation with the wearer’s cranium. This small quantity of free motion is what permits the MIPS liner to scale back the forces concerned in impacts the place the rider’s head is pressured to rotate violently.
The pads contacting the cranium/hair are backed with a low-friction plastic liner that sees low-profile pockets of air distributed throughout its floor. The liner connects to the helmet’s major plastic liner through “nodes”, that are primarily velcro, indicated on the consolation liner by the raised circles and arrows. You may learn extra about MIPS Air Node, and the right way to take care of it right here.
I did handle to get some rogue strands of hair trapped within the liner. That occurs with any MIPS geared up helmet I put on, and it doesn’t trouble me notably. If nevertheless, it’s one thing that actually places you off, I’d advocate having a look at Lazer’s vary of helmets that use a liner-free expertise for coping with rotational impacts.
I’m comfortable to report I’ve not crashed whereas carrying this helmet, so a full report on its capability to maintain me secure can’t be offered. To conclude this evaluation of the Liv Rail MIPS helmet, listed below are some Professionals and Cons that any potential purchaser ought to think about…
Professionals
- Very safe, extremely adjustable retention system
- Ponytail appropriate
- Goggle appropriate
- Light-weight
- Effectively-ventilated
- 5 Star Ranking from Virginia Tech
Impartial Feedback
- Wider match for extra rounded skulls which can be broader within the temple area
Cons
- Nowhere to securely stow sun shades
- There are a variety of cheaper MIPS geared up helmets which have a greater (safer) rating from Virginia Tech – the Specialised Tactic 4 for instance
Pricing & Availability
The Liv Rail MIPS off-road helmet has an SRP of $189.99 USD. Elsewhere, it’s priced at $209.99 CAD // $3,390 MXN // 145 EUR in France // 149 EUR in Italy.
It’s obtainable as of right now in S (51-55cm) and M (55cm-59cm), in Matte Black Diamond (under) and Matte Air Glow (examined).
