COLD TESTED

“ Sure , it ’ s light , but am I going to be able to get fresh oxygen while wearing this thing ?!” That sarcastic question from one test jockey actually reflected one of the many endearing features of the FXR Clutch X Pro Carbon Helmet we evaluated last winter .

The Clutch X Pro Carbon is one of those funky , new-style helmets on the market that , at a glance , looks like a motocross helmet – with a prominent chin bar , broad opening and an overhead peak / sun visor .

However , the helmet seals up very tightly with a substantial dual-lens heated shield like a high-quality fullface helmet . That was only the start of the way the helmet sealed up , however .

The Clutch X package also includes FXR ’ s “ Winter Kit ,” which consists of a well-fitting internal breath box plus a substantial expanded chin curtain system that seals the bottom of the helmet all the way around the wearer ’ s neck , utilizing a fleece-like material that attaches with Velcro and into tabs .

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Having that chin sealer in place made taking the helmet on and off a bit more cumbersome but it definitely kept cold air at bay .

Despite our first tester ’ s flippant comment about being hermetically sealed within the helmet , the Clutch X could also move a lot of air when the venting system was in use . Intake ports in the chin and forehead and multiple exhaust ports in the rear allowed for easy temperature modulation .

That said , the helmet could be sealed up rather tightly on cold days without worry of fogging , thanks to the breath box and the heated shield .

“ When flipping the shield down , I did have to give it one extra push down to get it to fully seal tight ,” one tester noted . “ It wasn ’ t a big deal , I just had to remember to push it until it virtually

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Clutch X Pro Carbon Helmet – $ 569.99 FXR Winnipeg , Manitoba FXRRacing . com

ADAPTABLE : With its tight sealing system plus its extensive venting , the Clutch X Pro Carbon was adjustable to all weather conditions we encountered .

FIT : Like other FXR helmets we ’ ve utilized over the years , sizing was neutral everywhere except in the forehead , which was tight on some of us with cro-magnon skulls . Try one on before buying .

FEATURES : From the heated shield to the winter kit , the soft moisture-wicking interior to the quick-release buckle and vented peak , designers thought of everything .

snapped in place .”

The shape of that shield was one of the helmet ’ s other unique features . Rather than following the curve of the helmet and bowing out away from the rider , it curves at a flatter angle and stays closer to the wearer ’ s face than most face shields . This is enabled by an indent in the bottom of the shield that lets it seal to the chin bar but then stay closer to the face .

FXR officials said this alteration allows for clearer vision with less distortion . Frankly , that ’ s a characteristic our test riders weren ’ t able to prove or disprove . “ The sightlines are certainly very good wearing this lid , but I ’ ve never really thought the shields on other quality , high-end helmets I ’ ve tested were very distorting ,” one tester said , and another agreed .

A third notable feature about this particular helmet was its light weight , thanks to extensive use of carbon fiber . In size XL , our Clutch X Pro Carbon demo unit weighed just 3 pounds and 3 ounces with everything ( the Winter Kit , heated shield and power cord ) installed .

The Carbon option , though , is pricey : At $ 569.99 , it ’ s $ 150 more than the otherwise quite similar Clutch X Pro Helmet that utilizes a combination of carbon fiber , Kevlar and fiberglass in its shell construction .

- Staff Report

48 / JANUARY 2025 / SNOWGOER . COM