Bike.com evaluations the brand new Arai Contour-X

For greater than seven many years the Arai household has been producing premium handcrafted helmets in Japan. The Arai patriarch has been capable of relaxation comfortable understanding that they’ve, to one of the best of their capability, developed the most secure helmets doable for his or her prospects. Whereas there have been loads of modifications over time by way of supplies and different issues, extra philosophical viewpoints like the graceful, spherical R75 shell form designed for glancing off of impacts have develop into mainstays of the model.

The newest helmet to hit North American shores from the Japanese marque is the Arai Contour-X. This helmet fills a sport-touring and on a regular basis use class for Arai, slotting in between the likes of the Corsair-X on the sportiest finish of the spectrum and the Signet/Quantum and Regent-X on the different finish. In different components of the world, the Quantic – because it’s referred to as within the EU – has been round since mid-2021.

Holding the unhealthy vitality out

As talked about earlier than, the Arai shell form has modified little over time. There have been loads of corporations growing new methods to mitigate rotational vitality transfers to the rider’s head, however Arai strongly believes its R75 shell form supplies a robust and easy floor that’s higher at glancing off impacts. “At Arai, we consider extra efficiency may be present in avoiding, somewhat than making an attempt to handle, influence vitality,” defined Arai reps.

Whereas the shell’s elements are hand laid, the attention port and vents are laser-cut.

What has been below steady growth over time are the supplies used to construct the helmets. This newest shell’s Peripherally Belted Complicated Laminate Building (PB-cLc2) is made up of greater than 25 particular person items and certain by Arai’s newest proprietary Z-Compound resin, which we’re advised is each stronger and cheaper than what was beforehand used. Throughout the forehead, which is historically the weakest level in a helmet, Arai has developed its personal Superfabric (inside its Method One program, initially) to bolster the helmet’s building.

What units the Contour-X other than most of Arai’s lineup is the marginally wider backside opening. By including a 5 mm flare on the backside, Arai has managed to make the helmet extraordinarily simple to don and doff. I by no means had a lot of a problem with this when utilizing different Arai helmets, however apparently it was a sticking level for some. With the brand new design, it’s spectacular how a lot simpler they’ve managed to make it with a delicate change. This makes fast hops round city, operating out and in of outlets, and so on. that a lot simpler.

The EPS liner contained in the helmet makes use of the identical one-piece multi-density building that we’ve got seen for a while now. Arai makes use of various densities of EPS at particular factors within the helmet to make sure every space is tuned to ship optimum influence absorption. 

When the tab is up, the emblem vents are closed.

Entrance and middle is the brand new “3-D Arai Emblem vent” which may be opened and closed with a sliding tab on the prime. Out again, the Contour-X options a big aerodynamic spoiler which, like the entire vents on the skin of an Arai helmet, are designed to interrupt away upon influence. The brand new chinbar vent and small higher vents do a surprisingly good job at flowing air and are simple to make use of with gloved palms at velocity.

Slip inside

Arai’s fame for the utmost consolation doesn’t falter with the Contour-X. In actual fact, the Contour-X might be the most comfy bike helmet I’ve ever worn. Along with the 5 mm wider opening making the helmet simple to slide out and in of, the brand new odor-resistant brushed nylon liner itself is extraordinarily tender with simply the correct amount of assist to make sure a secure match. This may also be tailor-made by Arai’s multi-layered Facial Contour System (FCS) which permits foam to be eliminated for that Goldilocks match.

Regardless of what’s happening exterior the helmet, inside is an effective place to be. Six entrance dealing with vents permit air to make its manner by fastidiously routed ducting to supply wonderful air flow and cooling whereas three static and one adjustable port within the rear deal with the exhaust. For the times when cooling shouldn’t be a priority, the helmet shuts up tight and comes with a Pinlock 120 insert to quell fogging. There’s additionally a small-ish chin curtain completely affixed to the Contour’s chin bar.

The liner is product of a combination of Phoenix down and unicorn mane, or not less than it feels prefer it.

Additional accentuating the helmet’s usefulness for touring and on a regular basis use, Arai has included recessed areas for bluetooth communications programs in addition to a gap within the neck roll to stow the wires. 

Braving the weather

I’ve been using in a ton of rain recently, virtually solely with the Contour-X. Whereas I believe it’s a given {that a} helmet shouldn’t leak, the Contour-X holds up simply high-quality to the torrential downpours we’ve been experiencing out west recently. Snapping the included Pinlock 120 insert into the VAS Max imaginative and prescient defend was additionally a useful contact within the inclement climate. Between rainstorms, the vents have proved themselves to be simple to function and adept on the activity.

As examined (outfitted with the Professional Protect), the medium Contour-X weighs in at 3 lbs 9.5 ounces (1629g). For reference, that’s 4.1 ounces lighter than my medium Corsair-X.

With a Cardo Edge put in in addition to the elective Professional Shade and Pinlock, the Contour-X has confirmed to tick each field I may ask for in a helmet throughout our uncommon climate shifts right here in California. I’d be grabbing it every time I left the home anyway due to the consolation, however these additional options have highlighted simply how versatile this setup is. 

As of now, Arai will provide 5 strong colours of the Contour-X beginning at $740 with two normal graphics beginning at $890. Availability is TBD for the time being, however we count on it shouldn’t be lengthy earlier than the brand new lid hits retailers. 

FAQ

What head form is the Arai Contour-X?

The Arai Contour-X accommodates a medium-oval head form just like the Regent-X and Corsair-X.

Are Arai helmets good?

We’d contemplate Arai to be one of many foremost helmet producers on this planet. With a product line spanning from two wheels to 4, Arai has developed a legacy for premium handcrafted helmets for greater than seven many years. 

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