Mountain Bike ·Jan 24, 2020

Anti-Intrusion Helmet Technology

Lazer's anti-intrusion technology may sound like a highly technical and complex concept. However, the idea behind this added level of protection is simple: Lazer believes that cycling helmets designed to be used with accessory devices (like a light or point of view camera) should withstand potential impacts that result from these mount-on devices.

More specifically, Lazer's anti-intrusion technology is designed to protect the rider's head by preventing mount-on accessories from penetrating the helmet's outer shell and from coming into the interior in the event of a crash.

Lazer's anti-intrusion technology includes strategically placed reinforcement areas on several of its mountain bike helmets to help protect against serious injuries. The Revolution full-face helmet was the first to receive Lazer’s signature anti-intrusion structure, and the new trail-oriented Impala and Impala MIPS helmets include this protection as well.

To verify that the anti-intrusion technology actually works, Lazer includes accessory mounts in its testing protocols. When Lazer submits a helmet for third-party testing and certification, it is tested with and without devices attached. Each helmet must meet the safety standards in both situations to pass Lazer's strict safety guidelines. This is an important process and distinction, and it's one that not all helmet brands follow.

The origin of Lazer's anti-intrusion technology can be traced back to 2012 with the Oasis mountain bike helmet. This Oasis came with an accessory mount, and Lazer quickly became aware of the potential risks associated with attached accessory devices. The company promptly modified its design to account for those risks.

Moving forward, Lazer improved on the technology that was first established with the Oasis when it launched the Revolution full-face helmet several years later. Designed from the ground up, the Revolution featured Lazer's now-signature anti-intrusion technology, and it was sold with an integrated mount, where a POV camera or similar device could be attached to the helmet's reinforced area.

The Revolution's anti-intrusion design helped evenly distribute impacts caused by a device on the helmet, and it better prevented the device from breaking through and protruding inside the helmet. The Revolution mount also had a breakaway feature, so if a rider snagged their POV camera on a low branch, the mount would shear off the helmet, lessening the risk of injury.

While the Revolution is no longer a current model, Lazer's newest anti-intrusion helmets, the Impala and Impala MIPS, followed a similar path in development. Employing a similar design as the Revolution, the Imapa uses a Velcro device-mounting strap, which is complemented by specific instructions on where to attach the strap. Mounting a device correctly on the helmet’s reinforced area helps assure that the accessory device cannot penetrate the helmet’s outer shell in a crash. And if a rider snags a device on a tree, the Impala’s Velcro strap is designed to rip and release, assuring the highest possible level of safety.

For riders who want to capture every moment on the trail, the Impala and Impala MIPS provide a sturdy platform while also boosting safety with Lazer’s anti-intrusion technology. These helmets are designed to withstand hard impacts with and without a camera mounted to the helmet, making the Impala and Impala MIPS the unquestioned leaders in mountain bike protection when it comes to real-life riding conditions.