The Xtrem geometry rendered entirely in black and grey. No second colour anywhere, which makes it the most restrained graphic here and, for a certain kind of rider, the only one worth considering.

1350 grams, and why that is the headline

Three shell sizes and 1350 grams together mean the helmet is proportioned to your head rather than padded out to it, and light enough that the proportion is not academic.

🔵 The quoted figure is for the middle shell without accessories.

HPTT shell, three shell sizes and ECE 22.06

Shell: HPTT thermoplastic, three sizes, injection-moulded. Liner: EPS. Approval: ECE 22.06. Weight: about 1350 g.

🔵 That is the whole structural specification, and there is nothing hidden in it.

No independent safety rating — and the trap that goes with it

🔵 Stated once more, because it is the most important sentence on this page: the FF820 Rapid III has no independent safety rating, and the FF353 Rapid's 2 stars are not being applied to it.

It holds ECE 22.06 homologation, which is the legal requirement and the whole of the available evidence.

About the Xtrem black and grey graphic

A monochrome graphic is harder to execute than a coloured one because every decision comes down to value rather than hue: too little separation between the two tones and the artwork vanishes into the shell, too much and it stops being monochrome and becomes a two-tone helmet. This one works, and the result has a quality no plain helmet has — the pattern is clearly present in raking light and almost invisible in flat light, so the helmet changes as you walk around it. For a rider who wants the shell to look considered without carrying a colour, this is the answer. 🔵 The practical trade is the same as any dark finish: it hides dirt well and it is harder for a driver to resolve in poor light than a pale one. The grey elements lift it a little above solid black, but only a little. If you are choosing between this and the plain matt black, the small surcharge buys you a pattern that appears and disappears with the light and a slightly higher overall value, which helps a little in poor conditions. It does not buy any change in protection. If you want the discretion without the graphic, the plain finish is the cheaper answer to the same question.

What this helmet does not have: an internal sun visor

🔵 No drop-down shield. It is the main thing this helmet does not have, it is the main reason it is light and cheap, and it is the specification most likely to decide whether it suits you.

LS2's FF808 Stream II is the alternative with one fitted.

Chin and top intakes, channelled EPS

🔵 We rate ventilation 4 of 5 on this helmet from its construction: two intake paths, channelled EPS, rear exhausts and a breath deflector. It is a judgement from the specification LS2 publishes.

It is not a measurement, nobody has made one, and we would rather say so than present a guess as data.

Anti-fog — prepared for, not supplied

🔵 Stated once for the avoidance of doubt: no Pinlock insert is included with this helmet. The visor is prepared to take a Pinlock 70 MaxVision, which is sold separately.

The chin curtain and breath deflector are included.

Lining, closure and everyday comfort

Interior: hypoallergenic, antibacterial, fully removable and washable. Closure: ratchet buckle. Fitted: chin curtain and breath deflector.

🔵 Not fitted: internal sun visor, branded wicking fabric, magnetic wind deflector, Pinlock insert.

Where it sits in LS2's range

Nineteen finishes on one shell. The solids are the value choice; the slightly pricier graphics are the ones with the pale bases and high-contrast layouts, which is where the road advantage is.

🔵 None of them changes the specification.

Care and replacement parts

Servicing a helmet is mostly washing the parts that touch you. The lining and cheek pads come out by hand, and replacements are available in several thicknesses.

🔵 The EPS cannot be serviced, and it is the part that protects you. One impact and the helmet is done.

In the box

• LS2 FF820 Rapid III helmet — Xtrem, Black and grey (HPTT shell)
• Clear outer visor, fitted
• Chin curtain, fitted and removable
• Breath deflector, fitted and removable
• 🔵 No internal sun visor — this model does not have one
• 🔵 No Pinlock insert — the visor is prepared for a Pinlock® 70 MaxVision™, which is sold separately
• 🔵 No second visor and no intercom — both are separate purchases

Size guide

Measure twice. A centimetre either way moves you a full size on this chart, and a size too large is the most common and least recoverable buying mistake there is.

🔵 The chart below runs from 51–52 cm at 2XS to 65–66 cm at 3XL.

Specification

• Model — LS2 FF820 Rapid III
• Part number — 168201165
• Colour — Xtrem — Black and grey
• Homologation — ECE 22.06
• 🔴 Safety rating — none. SHARP has no entry for the FF820, Rapid III or Rapid 3 (brand list checked directly). The 2-star result under „FF353 Rapid" belongs to the previous-generation helmet — different shell, different standard — and is deliberately not carried over. No ADAC or Certimoov result either
• Shell — HPTT injection-moulded thermoplastic; three shell sizes (2XS–S / M–L / XL–3XL)
• Weight — approx. 1350 g (±50 g), mid-size shell without accessories
• Sizes — 2XS to 3XL (eight sizes)
• 🔴 Sun visor — none. This helmet has no drop-down internal shield — unlike LS2's FF808 Stream II, FF811 Vector II and FF817 Challenger II. It is most of the reason it weighs 1350 g
• Visor — clear outer visor, scratch-resistant, tool-free change
• 🔴 Anti-fog — prepared for Pinlock® 70 MaxVision™ — the insert is NOT included. The pins are fitted; the lens is a separate purchase
• Ventilation — chin and top intakes feeding channelled EPS, with rear exhausts — two intake paths, one more than the FF817. 🔵 Assessed from the published construction; no independent airflow measurement exists
• 🔴 Wind noise — left unrated — no independent measurement is published for this model
• Retention — ratchet buckle
• Interior — hypoallergenic, antibacterial, fully removable and washable. 🔵 No branded wicking fabric (no COOLMAX or X-Static) and no magnetic wind deflector — both appear further up LS2's range
• Included — chin curtain and breath deflector, both fitted and removable
• 🔴 FIM homologation — none — a road helmet, not eligible for FIM-sanctioned competition
• Serviceability — visors, cheek pads in several thicknesses, complete lining, chin curtain, breath deflector and vent covers all available separately
• Replacement guidance — after about five years regardless of condition, and immediately after any impact

• 1× helmet
• Carrying bag
• Reflective stickers