Sweet Protection Marks 25 Years With Hydro-Dipped "Block Party” Helmets and Goggles

Some brand origin stories are cool, and some brand stories revolve around a crew of misfits who built illegal skateboard ramps and kayaks together in the woods of Trysil, Norway while listening to hard rock. Now that’s cool. It’s a story of a brand built to answer a problem of unavailable specialized gear for boating, skiing, and biking (the mountain town trifecta?) by a group of passionate athletes and designers.

I’ve been a fan Sweet Protection‘s bike and ski helmets and goggles for quite a few years now, owing to their quality, sleek looks, and attention to detail. Knowing quite a few paddler friends that swear by their gear, it’s clear that sentiment permeates well into the whitewater world as well. Despite being around since 2000, the brand seems to still be a quiet player here in North America, but the release of their 25-year anniversary limited-edition capsule aims to change that with super-fun graphics on seven favorite models of helmets, glasses, and goggles.

Each piece is truly one-of-a-kind thanks to the hydro dipping process that coats the outer shell with a unique version of the logo graphic, featuring the various iterations of Sweet’s logos over the last 25 years. Sweet is calling in Block Party, and no two pieces are alike. Included in the limited-edition release are the fan- and tester-favorite Trooper 2Vi ski helmet, Strutter whitewater helmet, Bushwhacker 2Vi and Falconer cycling helmets, plus the Connor and Boondock RIG goggles and the Shinobi RIG sunglasses.

We got to test some of these pieces on an epic shoulder-season multisport day in Colorado’s Front Range, enjoying some early-season groomer laps at Arapahoe Basin, followed by a sunset lap at the best new bike park in Colorado: Idaho Springs’ Virginia Canyon Mountain Park. Joining us were Sweet Protection ski and bike athletes Celeste Pomerantz and Jake Hopfinger.

Sweet Protection’s 25-Year Block Party Collection

Trooper 2Vi MIPS Ski Helmet

The Trooper is Sweet Protection’s purpose-built freeride helmet offering the highest level of protection in an extremely durable and low-profile shell.

• 700g
• 2-layer MIPS
• Magnetic Fidlock buckle
• Adjustable Occigrip internal fit system
• Removable liner and earpads
• Sizes: S, M, L/XL

Connor RIG Reflect Goggles

The Connor RIG goggles are Sweet’s larger-sized frameless goggles with a Toric lens construction offering the largest field of view.

• Oversized strap featuring Block Party graphics
• RIG lens tech: less eye fatigue and crisper, clearer vision
• Interchangeable lenses

Boondock RIG Reflect Goggles

The Connor RIG goggles are Sweet’s smaller-sized framed goggles with a cylindrical lens construction offering a massive field of view, with a fit for smaller faces.

• Oversized strap featuring Block Party graphics
• RIG lens tech: less eye fatigue and crisper, clearer vision
• Interchangeable lenses