For greater than seven a long time the Arai household has been producing premium handcrafted helmets in Japan. The Arai patriarch has been in a position to relaxation relaxed figuring out that they’ve, to the most effective of their potential, developed the most secure helmets doable for his or her clients. While there have been loads of modifications over time when it comes to 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 Arai Contour-X is designed to suit into the line-up slightly below the Corsair-X as a sporty, touring or on a regular basis lid that options unparalleled consolation and plenty of different helpful options.
Aesthetics | 9/10 | Protection | 9/10 | Comfort | 10/10 |
Value | 8.5/10 | Weight | 8/10 | Innovation | 8.5/10 |
Quality | 9/10 | Options | 8.5/10 | Weather | 9.5/10 |
Desirability | 9/10 | Editor Score: 89% |
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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 elements of the world, the Quantic – because it’s known as within the EU – has been round since mid-2021.
Keeping the dangerous power out
As talked about earlier than, the Arai shell form has modified little over time. There have been loads of firms creating new methods to mitigate rotational power transfers to the rider’s head, however Arai strongly believes its R75 shell form gives a powerful and clean floor that’s higher at glancing off impacts. “At Arai, we believe more performance can be found in avoiding, rather than attempting to manage, impact energy,” defined Arai reps.
What has been below steady growth over time are the supplies used to construct the helmets. This newest shell’s Peripherally Belted Complex Laminate Construction (PB-cLc2) is made up of greater than 25 particular person items and sure by Arai’s newest proprietary Z-Compound resin, which we’re instructed is each stronger and cheaper than what was beforehand used. Across the forehead, which is historically the weakest level in a helmet, Arai has developed its personal Superfabric (inside its Formula One program, initially) to bolster the helmet’s development.
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 straightforward to don and doff. I by no means had a lot of a difficulty 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, working out and in of retailers, and so forth. that a lot simpler.
The EPS liner contained in the helmet makes use of the identical one-piece multi-density development that we now have 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.
Front and heart is the brand new “3-D Arai Logo vent” which might be opened and closed with a sliding tab on the high. Out again, the Contour-X options a big aerodynamic spoiler which, like all the vents on the surface of an Arai helmet, are designed to interrupt away upon influence. The new chinbar vent and small higher vents do a surprisingly good job at flowing air and are straightforward to make use of with gloved arms at velocity.
Slip inside
Arai’s repute for the utmost consolation doesn’t falter with the Contour-X. In truth, the Contour-X might be the most comfy bike helmet I’ve ever worn. In addition to the 5 mm wider opening making the helmet straightforward to slide out and in of, the brand new odor-resistant brushed nylon liner itself is extraordinarily smooth with simply the correct quantity 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.
Despite what’s happening exterior the helmet, inside is an effective place to be. Six entrance dealing with vents permit air to make its means by fastidiously routed ducting to supply glorious air flow and cooling whereas three static and one adjustable port within the rear deal with the exhaust. For the times when cooling isn’t 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.
Further accentuating the helmet’s usefulness for touring and on a regular basis use, Arai has included recessed areas for bluetooth communications techniques 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 completely with the Contour-X. While I believe it’s a given {that a} helmet shouldn’t leak, the Contour-X holds up simply superb 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 straightforward to function and adept on the job.
With a Cardo Edge put in in addition to the non-obligatory Pro Shade and Pinlock, the Contour-X has confirmed to tick each field I might 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 further options have highlighted simply how versatile this setup is.
As of now, Arai will supply 5 stable colours of the Contour-X beginning at $740 with two customary graphics beginning at $890. Availability is TBD for the time being, however we anticipate 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 the earth. With a product line spanning from two wheels to 4, Arai has developed a legacy for premium handcrafted helmets for greater than seven a long time.
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