White and red has been the colour of rally raid helmets for as long as there have been desert crossings, and the X.RALLY Austral White Red brings that tradition to Nexx's carbon adventure helmet for 2027. It is the most classic of the three Austral versions: clean white at the front, red at the back, carbon in between. What makes it worth a closer look is the protective hardware underneath, from the X-Foam bumpers to the Double-D strap, which we put first on this page. Seven sizes, XS to XXXL.

About the Austral White Red colourway

The Austral artwork centres on a big X drawn across the back of the shell, with dotted patterns, pinstripes over the crown and the small slogan Explore your limits. Here the X and the rear spoiler tips are a bright signal red, the chin bar and the peak strip are white, and red accents return low on the chin. The upper shell shows its carbon weave under a clear coat. The photographs suggest a shiny surface, but Nexx gives no official matt or gloss specification. A white chin guard is the most visible part of the helmet to other traffic, especially in dull weather, and it is also the part that will show mud and insect marks first. A damp microfibre cloth and plain water deal with both; avoid solvents on the printed graphic. Red pigments are generally the first to soften in strong UV, so keep the helmet in its bag when parked for long periods.

Protection built into the rim and chin

Most adventure helmets rely on EPS alone. On the X.RALLY, Nexx adds X-Foam, an expanded polypropylene foam, as crash bumpers along the lower edge of the shell and around the chin. EPP is elastic: it compresses on contact and returns to shape, which is useful in the low-speed tip-overs that are part of off-road riding. Behind the shell is an anti-vibration EPS liner. The outer shell itself is X-PRO Carbon, produced in three outer sizes (XXS–S, M–L, XL–XXXL) so that the shell volume follows the head size more closely than a two-shell range would.

Inside the ECE 22-06 test

The X.RALLY is certified to ECE 22-06 and additionally to DOT FMVSS 218, CCC GB811:2022 and NBR7471:2015. Since January 2024 only 22-06 helmets may be sold new in Europe. The regulation tests far more impact sites than its predecessor, at more than one velocity, introduces oblique impacts on an abrasive anvil to evaluate rotational acceleration, and assesses brain-injury criteria. Accessories delivered with the helmet, the peak included, are tested fitted. It is a demanding standard, and the certification applies to the helmet as delivered.

The strap and the magnetic catch

Retention is by a Double-D ring made from Pearaluman, an aluminium-magnesium alloy, which is the closure most off-road riders prefer for its simplicity and fine adjustment. An X-LOCK magnet catches the strap end so it stays put at speed. Removable chin-strap covers can be washed separately, which on a dusty trip is more welcome than it sounds.

Peakless for the road

Remove the peak, fit the supplied road covers over the mounting points and the X.RALLY becomes a road full-face. This On-Road set-up is the one to choose for motorway transfers: less lift, less buffeting and a calmer helmet at speed. With the peak back on, you choose between the Recoil visor for dual-sport riding and goggles for proper off-road sections. All conversions are tool-free, and changing the peak does not disturb the visor seal because the two mountings are separate.

Seeing and being seen

The panoramic eye port is wide enough to take goggles and gives a broad field of view with the visor on. In the box you get a clear Recoil visor, already fitted with a Pinlock 200 XLT MaxVision anti-fog lens, and a photochromic shield that tints itself in bright light. Moulded night reflectors in the shell add visibility after dark, and a white chin guard helps in grey daylight. One point to plan around: there is no internal sun visor, so on very bright days the photochromic shield is your sun protection.

Air, fabric and long days

Nine intakes and six exhausts, the Air Cumbs crown chamber and a closable winter chin vent handle ventilation; independent reviews disagree on how strong it is, from modest in a measured test to very airy on the road. The liner is X.MART DRY, anti-sweat and anti-allergic, with 3D-formed cheek and crown pads that come out for washing, plus a chin wind stopper. Cheek pads leave space for a hydration tube. Reviewers found the fit true to size for an intermediate oval head.

What it weighs

Nexx quotes approx. 1,350 g ± 50 g depending on size, while an independent test weighed a size M at 1,553 g. On a peaked helmet the number matters less than the lever: the peak sits forward and high in the airflow, and a lighter shell reduces the effort of every head movement over a long day.

X.RALLY next to the X.WED3

Honest limitations

Expect wind noise. The peak, the goggle-sized aperture and the fifteen vents all disturb the airflow, and independent testing rated the noise level as average; we do not quote an invented decibel number. The road set-up without peak is quieter, and earplugs remain a good idea at motorway speeds. No sun visor, no goggles in the box, and no SHARP or ADAC test result for this model. White shows dirt quickly, and printed graphics cannot be repaired invisibly.

Accessories and parts

Speaker recesses and a mounting area prepare the shell for universal intercom units, none supplied. Nexx lists top and chin camera mounts in the box for Austral. Visors, Pinlock lenses, peaks and pads are available as X.RALLY spare parts.

In the box

• 1x helmet (X-PRO Carbon, three shell sizes)
• 1x Pinlock 200 XLT MaxVision anti-fog lens (fitted)
• 1x clear visor + 1x photochromic shield
• 1x peak + peak extensor + extra screws
• POV camera mounts (top / chin)
• Wind deflector, road covers, visor-mechanism covers, visor bag, winter filter

Specification

• Helmet type — Adventure / enduro (on/off-road, full-face with peak)
• Certification — ECE 22-06 (UN) · DOT (FMVSS 218) · CCC (GB811:2022) · NBR7471:2015
• Shell — X-PRO Carbon — 3 shell sizes (XXS–S | M–L | XL–XXXL)
• Weight — approx. 1,350 g ± 50 g (varies by size)
• Retention — Pearaluman aluminium-magnesium Double-D ring + X-LOCK magnetic catch
• Visor — Recoil Visor System, tool-free — clear + photochromic shield included, Pinlock 200 XLT MaxVision fitted
• Protection — X-Foam EPP crash bumpers (head + chin); anti-vibration EPS
• Ventilation — 9 intakes / 6 exhausts, aero-thermal, winter chin vent, Air Cumbs chamber
• Modes — Dual-Sport · Off-Road (goggle) · On-Road (peakless)
• Comms & camera — Universal intercom ready; POV kit (top / chin mounts)

• 1x helmet (X-PRO Carbon, three shell sizes)
• 1x Pinlock 200 XLT MaxVision anti-fog lens (fitted)
• 1x clear visor + 1x photochromic shield
• 1x peak + peak extensor + extra screws
• POV camera mounts (top / chin)
• Wind deflector, road covers, visor-mechanism covers, visor bag, winter filter