Lava Carbon Red takes the X.TR, Nexx's carbon sport-touring helmet, and tints its exposed weave a deep, glowing red. It is a colourway for riders who want something distinctive without a busy graphic, on a helmet that is designed around long days: a drop-down sun visor that is wider than most, a fitted Pinlock, a ratchet strap you can use in winter gloves and a liner that comes out in seconds. Sizes XS to XXXL, approved to ECE 22-06.

About the Lava Carbon Red finish

There is no printed artwork on Lava. The colour comes from the carbon itself, which is shown across the entire shell under a red tint: oxblood in the shade, a brighter molten red where the sun catches the weave pattern. The rear spoiler, the vents and the lower trim are black, the Nexx logo is a fine white line. In the studio shot the helmet wears a mirrored visor in red and gold tones, which completes the look. The surface reflections in the photographs point to a gloss clear coat, but Nexx does not specify matt or gloss. Day to day, a lacquered carbon shell wipes clean easily and fine swirls can be polished out; a deep scratch reaches the fibres and remains visible. Like any dark colour it warms up faster in direct sun than a white helmet.

Kit for a full day in the saddle

The X.TR is equipped for touring rather than for the track. Its internal sun visor is described by Nexx as ultra-wide, covering more of the field of view than the narrow drop-down shades of many full-face helmets, which is useful on westbound evening runs. The visor itself has a recessed cavity and arrives with a Pinlock 200 XLT MaxVision anti-fog lens already fitted. A metal micrometric ratchet buckle closes the strap with one hand, gloves on. A wind deflector and breath guard are supplied for cold mornings.

The visors Nexx lists for Lava

According to the Nexx product page for this colourway, the box contains the clear visor and a second visor named Atlantic Iridium Blue. That is the same second visor Nexx lists for the X.TR Atlantic, while the product photo of Lava shows a red-gold mirror. We follow the manufacturer's list, but if you are buying Lava specifically for the red mirror, contact us before ordering and we will check the box. Mirrored and tinted visors are for daylight only; ride the clear one at dusk and at night. A photochromic visor is an optional extra.

Interior and how it comes apart

The X-Mart Dry liner wicks moisture and is removable. Nexx's F.R.S. (patent pending) is both an emergency and a cleaning system: a pull tab lets first responders draw out the cheek pads so the helmet slides off more gently, and you use the same feature to take the pads out for washing. Reviewers describe the helmet as comfortable from the first ride, true to size, with an intermediate oval head shape.

Less vibration on long runs

Inside the shell Nexx uses an Anti-Vibration EPS: an inner EPS layer is separated from the outer one by rubber elements. The idea is to filter the buzzing that reaches your head from the bike and the airflow, which builds into fatigue over hundreds of kilometres. The shell is X-PRO Carbon in three outer sizes (XXS–S, M–L, XL–XXXL), and the helmet holds ECE 22-06, DOT FMVSS 218, CCC GB811:2022 and NBR7471:2015.

What ECE 22-06 means here

ECE 22-06 has been the only standard for new road helmets sold in Europe since 2024. It strikes the helmet at many more locations than the old 22-05 and at different speeds, adds oblique impacts on a rough anvil to measure rotational acceleration, and checks the sun visor and other fitted parts. It is a meaningful step up from the older regulation. The additional DOT, CCC and Brazilian NBR approvals are relevant if you take the helmet on a trip to North America, China or South America, where local rules may ask for their own certification label.

Wind noise

A specially shaped neck roll closes the opening around your collar, an aerodynamic spoiler steadies the shell, and the X-Block N'Seal mechanism, with its visor lock button, keeps the shield pressed against the seal. Independent reviews range from minimal wind noise to average. Noise always depends on your bike, screen and riding position, so we do not publish a decibel value; earplugs remain good practice above town speeds.

Ventilation in practice

Two intakes and two exhausts feed the Mid Airflow Chamber (patent pending), which routes air between shell and liner across the head, with the Air Cumbs crown channel above. One independent measurement rated the airflow highly; another reviewer noted the well-insulated interior gets warm in hot weather. A quiet touring helmet usually trades a little airflow for calm, and the X.TR is no exception.

Weight

Nexx states approx. 1,625 g ± 50 g depending on size, and an independent weighing of size M landed near that. That is a normal figure for a carbon sport-tourer with a sun visor, not a lightweight. Behind a fairing screen you will notice it less than on an upright naked bike. The three shell sizes help here too: smaller heads get a smaller outer shell rather than extra padding inside a large one.

Who should look elsewhere

If you ride gravel or need goggle compatibility, the X.TR is the wrong choice: there is no peak and the eye port is designed for the visor only. A glasses groove is not listed, so try it with your frames. Riders who prioritise the lowest possible weight will find lighter helmets. No SHARP or ADAC test exists for this model.

Communication, camera and spares

The shell is prepared for Nexx X.COM3 and X.COM3 PRO intercoms, and a side mount for an action camera is supplied. Reflective night elements are built into the shell. Visors, Pinlock inserts and liner parts are available as X.TR 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 second (Atlantic Iridium Blue) visor
• Side action-camera mount; wind deflector / breath guard

Specification

• Helmet type — Sport-touring full-face (road)
• 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. 1,625 g ± 50 g (varies by size)
• Retention — Metal micrometric ratchet buckle
• Visor — X-Block N'Seal + Recoil System; clear + second Atlantic Iridium Blue visor incl.; Pinlock 200 XLT MaxVision fitted; ultra-wide internal sun visor; photochromic optional
• Protection — Anti-Vibration EPS (rubber-decoupled inner EPS); Mid Airflow Chamber
• Aero & noise — Aerodynamic rear spoiler; anti-noise neck roll
• Ventilation — Air Dynamic 2 intakes / 2 exhausts; Mid Airflow Chamber; Air Cumbs; X-Mart Dry liner
• Comms & camera — X-COM3 ready (Mesh 3.0 / New Wave); side action-camera mount; F.R.S cheek pads; night reflectors

• 1x helmet (X-PRO Carbon, three shell sizes)
• 1x Pinlock 200 XLT MaxVision anti-fog lens (fitted)
• 1x clear visor + 1x second (Atlantic Iridium Blue) visor
• Side action-camera mount; wind deflector / breath guard