MET Trenta 3k Carbon Tadej Pogačar Review

On the occasion of the Italians' 30th birthday, introduced in 2018, slightly revised in the meantime, and enhanced with the safety feature Mips Air in 2022, MET is once again popping the corks with the Trenta 3k Carbon: a Tadej Pogačar dedicated Limited Edition celebrates the Slovenian and his two Tour victories in 2020 and 2021, seamlessly fitting into the successful track record of the high-performance road helmet - triumphs at several Grand Tour stages, monument, and one-day races.
Or is it rather the typically protruding hairstyle from the ventilation openings of the 24-year-old, which is honored with the special edition? In any case, a playful "Hair" stands there, where Pogačar's tufts of hair often peek out.
What further distinguishes the limited special edition is a gently iridescent color scheme that spans the entire helmet construction like a rainbow, as well as an equally colorful shimmering symbol on the central bridge, which is likely meant to represent Pogačar's monogram - very stylish!

Technically, the Signature model is identical to the series helmets and therefore features all the attributes that distinguish the "ventilation wonder" Trenta 3k Carbon.
The first thing that stands out in terms of construction is the carbon structure integrated into the In-Mould polycarbonate shell, which allows the density of the EPS foam, and thus the weight of the helmet, to be reduced – 221 grams in size M is indeed a fine value!

Also characteristic: all the ventilation functions, starting with the sloping KVF rear, the upper air intake copied from the NACA, and the 19 ventilation openings with internal air channels.
All of these serve a sophisticated ventilation management system utilizing the so-called Venturi effect and, with the help of the rear wind deflector, also provide a significant improvement in aerodynamics – MET quantifies the aerodynamic advantage at up to 7% at 45 km/h compared to traditional constructions.

The very small head support area ultimately serves the best possible ventilation, but as we already know from previous tests, it also has a positive effect on wearing comfort.
And what doesn't fit immediately is adjusted to fit, because the adjustment options are manifold thanks to the 360° headband, vertical, and occipital adjustment.
As delicate as these adaptation options may appear visually, their operation is, according to experience, simple in practice. And the adjustment of the strap dividers and the closure on the Air-Lite polyester straps is also easy and hassle-free.
The anti-allergenic and washable inner pads are the icing on the cake when it comes to wearing comfort.

Newly added in 2022 was the Mips Air option, which is fixedly included in the special model. The rotational management system in its lightest version is supposed to allow 10-15 mm of relative movement between the energy-absorbing EPS shell and the padding, into which it is integrated using a silicone ring.

• Price: € 330,-
• Sizes: S/52-56 cm, M/56-58 cm, L/58-61 cm
• Weight: 221 g/M on the BB scale, 220/225/265 g according to the manufacturer
• 3K Carbon Technology, embedded carbon fiber cage for improved shell performance
• Mips AIR® rotational management system, developed for additional protection and weight saving
• Exceptionally comfortable and secure fit on the head thanks to the sophisticated inner shape
• In-mould polycarbonate shell with EPS inner shell
• MET Safe-T Orbital Fit System
• 360° headband, vertical and occipital adjustment for a customized fit
• Air Lite straps with adjustable divider for maximum aerodynamics and comfort
• 19 ventilation openings, specially designed internal air channel system to improve ventilation and comfort
• Sunglasses openings for securely docking sunglasses while climbing or during breaks
• Tubular tail virtual foil for improved aerodynamics
• Rear wind deflector for constant airflow in riding position
• Limited head contact area to maximize ventilation
• Reflective stickers on the back of the head for better visibility in low light conditions
• Includes soft bag for the helmet