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Kali Protectives launches SHIVA™ fullface helmet for downhillers and moto riders

  • Ron 

After my downhill mountain biking experience last year, I could definitely understand why a DH’er might go for the added protection of a DOT-certified moto helmet over a a Snell certified bike helmet. The speeds and the hazards of downhill riding are high and protecting your body should be first and foremost, but many don’t want the weight of a moto helmet and it could be argued that the weight could increase the risk of neck or spine damage.

shiva-4

Moto level protection with bike level weight has long been the ‘golden fleece’. As technology has improved, the two worlds have gotten closer and now Kali Protectives has brought it together with their new SHIVA™ helmet.

When Kali sat down to look at the issue, they discovered that the two standards (DOT and Snell) are not that different – DOT certification requires a higher drop test, a stiffer chin bar, and an additional penetration test (the DOT penetration test is designed to simulate crashing into a pointed object like a curb, peg, or handlebar. On a bike, you may encounter similar scenarios if you crash in a rock garden, or catch a pedal).

shiva-16

The issue still came down to size and weight for DOT helmets. Due to the more stringent testing standards, DOT helmets have had to use thicker shells and more foam.

Kali was already using in-mold technology for their full-face helmets. That alone enabled them to make lighter and thinner shells, so the introduction of a new, unique multi density foam liner with a triangular pyramid shape that spread impact loads over a larger surface area (which marketing calls Composite Fusion™ Plus) allowed them to pass DOT testing without making any compromises in foam density, shell thickness, size, or weight.

Those technology advances were poured right into the all-new SHIVA™ full-face helmet, allowing ultimate protection while still reducing size and weight.

So, whether you like to push the limits on your DH bike, or grab throttle on the weekends, the Shiva offers a one helmet solution in a bike sized package, that is that is measurably smaller, lighter, and safer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vILkuykuaq4

Technology:

  • COMPOSITE FUSION​: Unlike standard construction helmets where the foam is glued into a shell, our technology allows us to inject the EPS liner directly into the shell. This in­molding technique is standard on bicycle half shell helmets, but Kali is the only manufacturer capable of doing this in a full face helmet. The advantage of this design is that it eliminates the gap between the shell and foam, which reduces the number of impacts the brain is subjected to in a crash. Rather than two impacts (ground to shell, shell to foam), there is only one impact with a COMPOSITE FUSION helmet.
  • COMPOSITE FUSION 3:​We’ve improved on our original in molding technology by adding multi density triangular pyramids throughout the EPS liner, to better dissipate energy laterally. This allows us to reduce the size of the shell, and use a lighter density foam, which is crucial for mitigating the effects of both low and high speed impacts.
  • Lighter and Smaller​: Everything is subject to the laws of physics. In school the phenomena is explained by the equation Force = Mass x Acceleration. On the trail, it’s ultimately the rider who determines acceleration, so we strive to reduce the weight and size of our helmets in order to minimize the forces applied to the head and neck in an accident. Recent studies have indicated that reducing helmet volume by 10% can reduce rotational forces transmitted to the brain by over 20%.
  • Breakaway Visor & Helmet Shape​: The Shiva utilizes a breakaway visor and less angular helmet shape, which is designed to not snag the ground in a yard sale.
  • Integrated Removable Camera & Light Mount​: Includes mounts for GoPro, Contour, Light & Motion, and a universal bar mount

Highlights​:

  • World’s lightest DOT certified helmet. Weighs 1050 g
  • Retail Pricing is $500 USD, $399 Euro
  • Available in sizes XS, S, M, L, & XL
  • Comes in three colorways: Raw carbon, Speed Machine, & Stripes
  • Meets DOT, ASTM DH, ASTM BMX, ASTM Snow, and CPSC Standards

Product Features:

  • Full carbon fiber shell
  • Integrated Airflow system, w/ 8 forward facing vents, and 8 rearward vents
  • Camera and Light Mount accessory Kit
  • Premium Travel Bag
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1 thought on “Kali Protectives launches SHIVA™ fullface helmet for downhillers and moto riders”

  1. Ben

    How does the Kali Shiva sizing and fit compare to other DH / motocross helmets? For example, the Giro Remedy, Arai VPXPro? thx

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