iXS Sports Division Trigger AM Helmet 2019
Reviews / Helmets
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At A Glance
New for 2019 the Trigger AM is the latest trail and all-mountain lid from IXS and sits into the Trigger range alongside their new knee pads of the same name (review to follow soon). Based on the Trail RS helmet, they have built on that success to create this new helmet.
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As with any new helmet, claims are made of safety and comfort and this is backed up with their double in-mould shell technology which involves the EPS (expanded polystyrene foam) being moulded directly into the shell of the helmet.
Comfort is covered with their ErgoFit Ultra system that is a lightweight cradle system to keep the helmet in place and aiming to keep your head cool. This is adjusted with a micro-dial adjustment on the back of the helmet which tightens up the whole system.
The Trigger also has plenty of vents to keep you cool including huge front vents behind the visor. The visor is 'goggle compatible' with a large range of movement and 3 positions and space to stash them underneath.
The chin strap gets a gadget in the form of a Fidlock closure system which is a nice touch and easy to use. The only thing potentially missing is a MIPS (or alternative) option which isn't used in the Trigger.
The Trigger hits all the various EN specifications for safety, comes in two sizes and a bunch of wild colours, some of which become available in July 2019.
On The Trail
It's a comfy helmet, that's certainly the first thing I noticed. A good fit for my large head, and easy to adjust with the single dial on the back. The rear cradle has adjustment up and down to fine-tune the fit and the chin strap is fully adjustable to keep your ears clear.
The visor is a key feature on the Trigger, and for those looking to combine goggles and an open face helmet, this is a proper solution to storing goggles when not needed as they fit comfortably below the visor. If you're not running googles, then the visor just sits neatly and the adjustment is probably not going to be as important to you.
On longer, hotter rides, the Trigger has been impressively cool and the large front vents do seem to pull in the air, as well as flying bugs and insects, which is the only drawback! The Fidlock system is simple and easy to use, even one-handed. To some it may seem like an over-engineered, gimmicky solution to the more traditional closure systems, but it does work incredibly well and I like it.
Safety claims are made, and I can't question those as the helmet is certified, however a MIPS or other system for dealing with rotational forces would be the cherry on top.
Overall
Comfortable and stylish helmet with goggle compatibility and good airflow for hotter rides. It would be even better to see an offering with rotational safety technology included on a future model.
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For more information visit iXS Sports Division
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By Ewen Turner
Ewen Turner is a self-confessed bike geek from Kendal in the Lake District of England. He runs a coaching and guiding business up there and has a plethora of knowledge about bikes with an analytical approach to testing. His passion for bicycles is infectious, and he’s a ripper on the trails who prefers to fit his working life around his time on the bike.
