PRODUCT TEST: ARAI XD-4 HELMET

ARAI XD-4 HELMET, WHAT IT IS:

Arai is one of the most respected helmet brands in motorsports, and Arai helmets are a popular choice of top professional racers in Formula 1, NASCAR, MotoGP, motocross, Supercross and UTV racing. The Arai XD-4 helmet is an evolution of the XD-3, one of the first face-shield helmets designed to be worn with or without a visor or with goggles without the face shield. UTVers welcome this versatility, because driving conditions and personal preference vary so much.

Pricing starts at $609.95 for the XD-4 in white, and 19 additional color schemes are available with prices ranging up to $769.95. Arai helmets cost more than most, but they are handmade and hand-finished using the highest-quality materials.

ARAI XD-4 HELMET
The XD-4 isn’t the only face-shield helmet designed to be worn with or without the visor, but thanks to the high-flow peak, there’s no lift from the visor at high speeds in most conditions.

FEATURES:

Like all Arai helmets, the XD-4 uses a round, smooth shell shape to deflect impacts and strong, light Super Fiber shell material. The helmet also includes Arai’s emergency cheek-pad release system that allows easy helmet removal in case of injury. The XD-4 is DOT, Snell and FMVSS certified.

The XD-4 improves on the XD-3 design in numerous areas. The cheek pads and temple pads are backed by removable 5mm pads that allow you to customize the fit. Larger side-cowl vents improve ventilation and stabilize the helmet at speed. The closable chin vent flows more air. New top-vent ports offer nearly double the flow of the XD-3’s ports and have closed, low-flow and high-flow positions. The top vents and the high-flow peak also help stabilize the helmet at high speeds. Brow vents in the face shield provide airflow to the temple area.

PERFORMANCE:

The XD-4 isn’t the only helmet designed to be worn with or without the visor, but thanks to the high-flow peak, there’s no lift from the visor at high speeds in most conditions. Thanks to generous, well-designed venting and the unusual brow vents in the face shield, this helmet flows plenty of air for hot days and resists face-shield fogging extremely well in cool weather. Unlike on many helmets, all the vents are closable for cold-weather rides. If you’d rather go with goggles, they fit easily in the eye port.

Arai helmets are known for fitting very comfortably and for their exceptional finish quality, and the XD-4 definitely upholds those traditions. We didn’t need to use the customizable fit features, but head shapes vary, so it’s good to know they are there.

THE VERDICT:

Arai’s XD-4 can be worn three ways to suit any driver in any kind of terrain or weather. It offers outstanding comfort and finish quality you can enjoy every time you ride, as well as exceptional materials and safety engineering should the helmet have to do its most important job—protecting you.

CONTACT: www.araiamericas.com

RATING: ★★★★★

PRICE: $739.95

See more UTV helmets here: https://utvactionmag.com/buyers-guide-lowdown-upside-utv-helmets/

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