Klim releases X1 Alpha, which might be the most advanced adventure helmet yet
With the release of the X1 Alpha, Klim has pulled out just about every stop to design what might be the most advanced adventure helmet yet, which is just what we’d expect from the American brand.
After all, we’ve been massive fans of its Krios Pro helmet for years now, and all of us at ABR would say that it’s one of our favourite lids ever produced.
And with the new X1 Alpha, Klim promises to take everything we love about the Krios Pro and make it even better.
What’s new? Keep on reading to find out.
Serious gear
The fact is, if you are serious about your adventure motorcycling, sooner or later you are going to admit that you really would like some Klim kit in your life.
Like no other company in the sector, the US manufacturer has a unique position as the go-to choice for serious riders – if you are going to take on a round the world trip, the idea of doing that without some of their cleverly designed and intensely practical clothing and accessories is almost unthinkable.
Yes, it might be well into Stella Artois ‘reassuringly expensive’ category, but sometimes, it’s worth digging deep and invest in quality, especially when it’s something that’s going to improve your riding experience every time you get in the saddle.
Which brings us rather neatly to the all-new X1 Alpha helmet, a product that has been an incredible five years in the making, undergoing countless hours of CAD design, prototype manufacture, wind tunnel testing, and over 14,000 miles of real-world testing across the US and all the way down through Patagonia.
The Klim design team have applied an almost religious zeal to developing their new helmet, and we’d have to say that on first look they should be justifiably proud of their efforts. This is a beautifully constructed and designed helmet.
The X1 is Klim’s new flagship adventure helmet, slotting into the line-up as even more premier option to the Krios Pro. For those who are already using the Krios, this is not to say that it isn’t an excellent helmet – it’s just that the X1 Alpha is designed to be better.
The perfect fit
The X1 Alpha comes in three different shell sizes, rather than the two available for the Krios, giving more flexibility and a better fit for a variety of head sizes.
Further flexibility also comes from the fact that there is now range of cheek pads available that have a universal fit between the shell sizes, and Klim will also be releasing a shim system to fine-tune the liner and padding to your head.
The shell of the X1 is made from carbon fibre, but compared with the Krios, it uses a finer weave and is pre-impregnated with resin. Consequently, the shell itself has a smaller outer profile than the Krios and extensive wind tunnel testing has further optimised the design, whichever shell size you choose.
Internal protection is from Klim’s EPS system, the unique honeycomb-style Koroyd tubes, and a second EPS layer that also insulates the top of the helmet from overhead sun and heat.
Of course, the X1 passes the latest ECE 22.06 safety certifications, which puts it up there with the most protective motorcycle helmets ever built.
Revolutionary visor technology
Ventilation is plentiful in the X1 with two chin vents directing air to the lower face and up to the visor, and two further closable forehead vents which ensure cool air flows through the honeycomb layer and over the top of your head. At the rear there are four exhaust vents, two at the top and two at the bottom to take that hot and sweaty air away and keeping you feeling fresh and alert in the saddle.
The Klim team have also spent a lot of time on the peak and visor design, ensuring that now both can be fitted and removed easily and without tools, which makes it easy to adjust and clean both while you’re on the go.
There’s no drop-down sun visor, but the X1 can be fitted with a photochromic visor – what used to be called Reactolite Rapide back in the 80s – which means you don’t have to faff about changing visors throughout the day and also means that if you ride into a long tunnel somewhere in the Alps in bright sunlight, you are not left frantically fumbling to raise your dark visor while trying not to ride into the rear of the car in front.
The visor itself offers ‘optical Class 1 clarity’ and UV400 protection, and is designed to maintain this super clear view even when used with the Pinlock system (a Pinlock 120XLT anti-fog lens is included). There’s even infrared shielding technology in-built to protect your face from the heat of the sun.
For those with less than similarly perfect vision, you’ll be relieved to know that the liner is designed to easily accommodate your bifocals.
The visor comes with pre-set stepped opening, going from from what the American team call ‘crack setting’ – just a tiny bit open in UK parlance – right up to fully open ‘wind in your face’ setting.
On the fly adjustment
The peak has pre-set positions from high to low to adjust to incoming sunlight, and the venting is designed to stop light getting through to the visor.
Plus, it’s also easily and quickly removable, so you can quickly convert the X1 to Street Mode – or Tierra del Fuego crosswind mode as we might call it, and thanks to a seal made of the same material as they use for car doors, the visor sits snugly and is designed to channel rain away from the helmet aperture.
If you are a fan of riding with goggles, the visor can also be quickly removed and stored, with the goggle straps fitting under the edges of the peak. There’s also enough room to wear goggles with the visor flipped up as well, so you don’t have to remove it if you’re just hitting a quick green lane section of your ride.
All-day comfort
In terms of comfort, the liner is made from something called Brrr° Pro Cooling fabric, a synthetic material which wicks away moisture and keeps you cool in the hottest of conditions. There arealso goat leather panels on the lower edge and a snug fit around your neck and chin to keep out the weather.
Wide ear cups with surrounding sound deadening material allow for fitting of a comms system, as does the flat and uncluttered left side of the shell. Closure is from a conventional and reliable double D-ring system.
Is the X1 Alpha the ultimate adventure helmet?
From the infrared-blocking visor to the cleverly-designed ventilation that flows through the honeycomb-shaped Koroyd protective layer, the X1 certainly has a claim to being the most advanced adventure helmet ever made.
We haven’t tried it yet to judge whether it can lift the title of being the ultimate adventure helmet, but judging by how well the Krios Pro has performed for us, it has every reason to be a very strong contender.
With these premium features, the X1 carries a premium price: starting at €1,030, or £884.92 at the time of writing, with the price rising slightly for different colours. That’s a lot of money, but as with Klim gear, we expect it to be up there with the best and to see years of service out of it.
The X1 Alpha comes in seven different colour ways, from solid colours like the Carbon Matte Black and the almost retro silver, to bolder designs like the blue with orange detail, or as Klim calls it, Gloss Concept Petrol / Strike Orange.
Sizing goes from XS up to 3X, with Large weighing 1550 grams.
You can find out more about the X1 Alpha at Klim’s website here.
