As a Triumph Bonneville proprietor and all-around fan of recent classics, most of my bike gear is low-key stuff with a heritage vibe. However as an unapologetic gear head, I additionally love trendy, tech-heavy items. So when the Portuguese helmet producer NEXX despatched me their new X.RALLY and X.TR helmets to check out, I used to be giddy.
Based 25 years in the past within the village of Amoreira da Gândara, NEXX is thought for its slick, feature-rich helmets, all of that are manufactured in Portugal. The model has dabbled in retro lids prior to now, however its present vary is usually tailor-made to journey, touring, monitor, sport, and scooter riders.
New for 2026, the NEXX X.RALLY and X.TR are the model’s flagship journey using and sport-touring helmets. Each are available carbon fiber and multi-composite shell variants, in quite a lot of graphics and stable colours. A sucker for deep finishes and tinted visors, I opted for the X.RALLY’s ‘Namib’ colorway and the X.TR’s ‘Atlantic’ model. Priced at €799.99 and €369.99 [US pricing is yet to be announced], these are the top-of-the-range variations of every helmet.
The 2 helmets share a handful of options. Each are ECE22.06- and DOT-approved, and are available sizes XXS to XXXL, with three shell sizes throughout the vary. Their EPS liners have particular chambers to advertise airflow for higher cooling, and their moisture-wicking inners are washable and detachable.
The helmets include two visors every (clear and blue or purple iridium), plus a pinlock insert that matches both visor. They’re saved in luxe Nexx-branded luggage, and their spare visors are packaged in particular visor luggage that double up as accent carry-alls.
Earlier than diving into the specifics of every mannequin, it is value noting that each helmets run true to measurement and are remarkably snug out of the field. They rating excessive in a number of areas, in truth, and whereas there may be some room for enchancment, I would not hesitate recommending both.
NEXX X.TR Atlantic
The NEXX X.TR Atlantic sports activities a surprising glassy blue paint job over its carbon fiber weave. The general form, whereas contoured, is comparatively impartial and subdued.
In accordance with NEXX, the contours aren’t only for present—each angle of the X.TR has been dialed in for optimum aerodynamic efficiency. Moreover, there is a layer of rubber between the inside and outer layers of the helmet’s EPS lining, which is claimed to cut back vibration at velocity. It sounds gimmicky, however finally the X.TR does what it says on the tin.
Buffeting at freeway speeds is just about nonexistent, which suggests much less fatigue on longer rides. There’s additionally little or no wind noise, because of a large chin curtain and a beneficiant neck roll that, though it takes up a whole lot of actual property, is smooth and comfy in opposition to your pores and skin.
The X.TR’s visor provides so much to rave about, too. There’s simply the correct amount of stiffness when opening and shutting it, and it clicks into place effortlessly when closed. NEXX has positioned the visor tab and the button that it’s good to press to open it once more useless heart, so it is easy sufficient to get to.
There is a stable seal when the visor is down, and the Pinlock insert does wonders to get rid of fogging. The sphere of view is ample, and there isn’t any tangible distortion within the curve of the blue iridium visor. NEXX’s proprietary visor lock system additionally signifies that swapping visors is a cinch; it is one of the easy and dependable techniques I’ve used.
As somebody who at all times rides with sun shades on, I usually do not have a lot use for solar visors—however the X.TR’s built-in drop-down defend does the job with minimal fuss. It is broad, sits simply above the nostril with out getting in the way in which, and the slider to function it’s conveniently positioned.
For air flow, NEXX has added a patented airflow chamber between the inside and the EPS liner, after which positioned one massive consumption vent on prime of the X.TR and one other on the chin. Each are substantial sufficient to function with gloves on, and, along with the exhaust vents that sit above and under the rear spoiler, do an admirable job of selling airflow in most climate situations.
On scorching days, the insulating options that make the X.TR quiet at velocity additionally struggle in opposition to its air flow system, turning it right into a stuffy affair. I might have cherished it if the helmet’s neck roll was detachable, or if there have been a pair extra vents alongside the highest of the helmet. On the upside, the moisture-wicking materials contained in the helmet appear to shrug off sweat.
Shifting to the strap, the NEXX X.TR shuns the standard double D-ring setup for a steel ratchet buckle. Which system is safer is debatable, however the one benefit of the buckle is that it may be launched by tugging on a small purple tag, which signifies that first responders can get it off rapidly when issues go random.
The cheek pads have their very own quick-release system, but it surely requires a few steps to function. Every cheek pad has a small purple slider on the skin of the helmet, however you first have to fold again a small part of rubber, which may be fiddly and never instantly apparent. It is no massive deal should you’re eradicating the cheek pads at residence, and there’s a small sticker on the helmet with a QR code that explains it—however would you need a first responder watching a how-to vid earlier than they attend to you?
NEXX claims a average weight of 1,625 grams (with 50 grams leeway) for the X.TR. My XL helmet tipped the scales at 1,706 grams, however that is solely after I would put in NEXX’s X-COM3 PRO comms system, accounting for the additional mass.
The X-COM3 PRO is a proprietary Bluetooth communications system, made for NEXX by Sena. It comes as a pre-wired plug-and-play package for a number of NEXX helmets, together with the X.TR. Putting in it’s comparatively easy, however solely as soon as you’ve got wrapped your head round a few issues that are not instantly clear from the handbook. What ought to have taken me a half hour at most stored me busy for over an hour as an alternative. That is partly as a result of I did not notice that the system’s microphone and twin antennas needed to be tucked into the liner on the helmet’s forehead, not on the chin, and partly as a result of I could not determine learn how to exchange the cheek pads as soon as I used to be executed (as soon as I did, I kicked myself over how apparent it was).
Credit score is due for a way cohesively the X-COM3 PRO integrates with the X.TR. Each part has its place—just like the management panel, which you put in by merely eradicating a small cowl on the left-hand aspect of the helmet and clicking the module into place. It is a neat setup—the one downside being that it’s good to have your helmet near an outlet to cost it through its USB-C cable.
The system itself is okay. The button format is intelligent and straightforward to navigate, as soon as which quick and lengthy clicks set off which operations. The X-COM3 PRO boasts a pair of Harman Kardon audio system that sound good till you hit freeway speeds, the place they show to be marginally too smooth.
I did not check the mesh intercom system, however I did check the unit’s telephone name efficiency; I may hear the caller clearly, however they complained concerning the readability of my voice. I’ve to imagine that that is right down to NEXX’s weird mic placement.
The X.TR packs yet one more nifty function—a discreet attachment level on the right-hand aspect that accommodates a plastic mounting plate (included with the helmet) for an motion cam. It may not be helpful for all riders, but it surely’s good to have, nonetheless. And it proves that NEXX is adamant about packing as many highlights into their helmets as they will.
NEXX X.RALLY Namib
The NEXX X.RALLY Namib has a bolder, extra sculpted design than the X.TR, well-suited to an journey using lid. It is wrapped in a deep wine purple hue with shaded sections that amplify its curves, with an identical paint job on its peak. The end is dynamic; darkish and brooding within the shade and vibrant in daylight.
The X.RALLY calls for a premium worth, but it surely’s stacked with substance to again it up. For starters, it is ridiculously versatile. You’ll be able to run it in full ADV mode with the height and visor, in road mode with simply the visor, or in enduro mode with simply the height.
However the actual magic is how straightforward it’s to configure. Just like the X.TR, the X.RALLY has an easy-to-use visor attachment mechanism for fast adjustments. As soon as once more, there is a extensive discipline of view, zero distortion, and a constructive actuation when opening and shutting it.
Equally, the height, which attaches to separate factors, takes no time to take away (with out the usage of instruments). This setup would have been a boon at a current press trip, the place we had been using on the street someday and off-road the following.
NEXX features a ton of equipment within the field to tailor the helmet to any state of affairs. Neat little plugs fill the height’s threaded mounting holes when it is off, and blank-off plates cowl the visor hinges and add grip whenever you’re operating goggles. The height may be set at three completely different angles, and there is a detachable extender that may be set at three positions.
When the height extender is off, small filler items cowl up the mounting spots which are left uncovered. The honeycomb panel on the chin bar may be left totally open for max airflow, or you possibly can bolt on a small operable vent. There is a detachable chin curtain, two completely different air filters for the chin space, and motion digital camera mounts for the chin, aspect, and prime.
I’ve taken to operating the NEXX X.RALLY with the visor, however with out the height, chin vent, or chin curtain… however solely as a result of it is at the moment summer time in Cape City. The place the X.TR may use a contact extra airflow, the X.RALLY’s air flow is ample. Three vents sit on prime of the helmet, joined by three smaller forehead vents, the aforementioned chin vent, and an exhaust vent on the base.
The highest vents are massive and straightforward to achieve, however the forehead vents are a bit tougher to find on the fly. The X.RALLY strikes air prefer it’s an open face helmet, however there’s a caveat—it is noticeably louder than the X.TR. (Earplugs are advisable.)
It is also tangibly lighter than its sport-touring counterpart. NEXX quotes a weight of 1,350 grams (inside 50 grams), though my scale learn nearer to 1,600 grams for my XL unit. Regardless, it is a featherweight. And it performs effectively at freeway speeds with no noticeable buffeting—with or with out its peak in place.
A number of the X.RALLY’s options are a bit extra area of interest. The underside fringe of the helmet is lined with a particular foam bumper, designed to soak up shock in opposition to a neck brace in case of an off. Small elastic loops on the cheek pads supply a strategy to safe the tube and mouthpiece of a hydration pack.
The X.RALLY depends on conventional security techniques. The primary strap makes use of an aluminum-magnesium alloy double D-ring buckle, with a magnet to safe the top of the strap. And the cheek pad emergency removing system is extra common, with two apparent purple loops for first responders to yank on.
The X.RALLY is not arrange for NEXX’s in-house comms system, but it surely does have a nifty function that permits the fitment of most aftermarket comms items. A small rubber plug on the left-hand aspect may be eliminated to disclose the right spot to connect a clip-on comms module bracket, like these utilized by Cardo.
Am I gushing? Sure. However that is as a result of the NEXX X.RALLY is that good.
Positive, I’ve a proclivity for adventure-oriented helmets, largely as a result of I like how spacious they’re inside. If you happen to desire a extra insulated mind bucket with a sleeker look, the X.TR is your ticket. Within the meantime, I am going to preserve using within the X.RALLY whereas the remainder of my helmets collect mud.
NEXX Helmets | Photos by Wes Reyneke
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