Swiss protection maker iXS has given their lightweight Xult full face helmet an all-out DH upgrade. While they’ve gone ultralight in recent years with their Trigger FF enduro lid, the Xult DH goes back to its gravity racing roots, focusing on maximum rider head protection and some new impact dampening tech, geared towards racing faster and more technical downhill tracks…
iXS Xult DH full face helmet, lightweight downhill race protection
When it debuted back in 2015 the original Xult was billed as a crossover enduro to downhill full face helmet at a light for the times 1100g. iXS said the idea was to provide gravity-ready full face safety that could be ridden up the hill for Enduros, then down the other side like a DH helmet. In the years since, there’s been a boom in lightweight full-face helmet protection – great for everyone from aggressive all-mountain and enduro riders, up to full-bore DH racers.
But now that iXS has the ultralight 600g Trigger FF in-mold full-face (at a quite reasonable 250€) for those rides that involve pedaling up, the Xult doesn’t need to cross-over anymore. It can stick with gravity riding only, while also opening up a bit for better ventilation and shedding almost 10% of the weight off the original – not to overlook 15% off the original’s price tag!
Gravity Protection – Tech details
Engineered to protect riders & racers descending technical DH tracks, freeride trails & bikeparks, the new Xult DH gets a new lightweight Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) shell – a material composite iXS calls “an environmentally friendly alternative to carbon which requires less material”. Less is more in the helmet weight wars, and that brings the new Xult DH down over one hundred grams lighter than the original to a claimed 995g (size ML).
Inside, the new Xult DH features iXS’s X-Rail impact damping tech between the standard EPS foam and the FRP outer shell. By placing the X-Matter viscoelastic material in major impact zones at the top of the helmet and over your forehead, iXS says the helmet is able to “absorb and deflect” common impacts before they directly impact the wearer.
Beyond simply protecting the helmet from everyday use & abuse, the stiffening-on-impact X-Rail tech is said to better absorb & distribute major impacts over a greater portion of the helmet, promoting “multi-directional movement in the event of a crash”.
Inside, continuous “Integrated Vortex Ventilation” channels connected to large forward-facing vents are said to make the Xult DH quite breathable. Ergonomic & washable padding promises a comfortable stable fit, with a classic double-D chin strap for security. A silicone pad at the back keeps your goggle strap from slipping, and an adjustable peak/visor can be moved to suit your gravity stylings.
iXS Xult DH full face helmet – Pricing, availability & options
The new iXS Xult DH sells for 299€ in three color options – black, lagoon blue & red – and in three sizes (SM, ML & LXL). All helmets are internationally certified to EN1078, ASTM & CPCS standards.
The reshaped Xult DH helmet is available from international iXS distributors from today.
