Iridium Pink is the Subsonic colourway that is built around light. The shell is a calm matt black, while the spoiler blades shift between magenta, violet and gold depending on the angle, the same oil-on-water effect you see on a mirrored visor. Nexx photographs it with exactly such a visor fitted, in a pink-to-gold iridium. Before anything else, one practical point: Nexx does not state the tint of the fitted visor or of the second visor in the box for this version, so if that mirrored front is what sold you, please ask us before ordering and we will confirm the carton contents.

The iridium look, explained

Iridium is not a paint colour but an interference coating: microscopically thin layers that reflect some wavelengths and let others pass. That is why the spoiler on this helmet never looks quite the same twice, reading pink in shade, gold in low sun and almost purple under street lighting. Against the flat black of the shell, the effect is concentrated in two places only, the rear blades and the visor, so the helmet looks dressed up without looking busy. The nexx lettering on the side is printed tone on tone and almost disappears.

Living with a matt black shell

Nexx lists this colourway as Iridium Pink MT, and the MT matters for ownership. The black base will not show the hairline scratches that gloss paint picks up from a tank bag strap or a careless cloth, and its appearance does not change much from one light source to the next. It does collect fingerprints and road dust more visibly than gloss, and it should never be waxed or polished, which would leave shiny spots for good. A wet microfibre, mild soapy water and patience are all it needs. The iridescent parts deserve the same gentle handling: abrasive cleaners dull the coating.

Three layers between you and the glare

Vision is the area where this helmet is most complete. Layer one is the outer visor on X-SWIFT, Nexx's tool-free quick-release, which swaps in under eight seconds. Layer two is the Pinlock 70 MaxVision anti-fog insert supplied in the box, so the visor stays clear on cold mornings and in rain. Layer three is the drop-down sun shield inside the shell, filtering 99 percent of UV radiation and operated by an external button that is easy to find with gloved fingers. A second visor completes the set. With all of that, you are prepared for night, tunnel and low sun without changing anything at the roadside.

What we can and cannot confirm about the visor

The included accessories on the Nexx page for this colourway are a second visor, a nose guard, a wind deflector, side action-camera mounts and the Pinlock 70 lens. The page does not name a tint for either visor. Nexx also sells clear, smoke, iridium, yellow HD and pink HD visors separately for the Y.100R. We would rather tell you that plainly than promise a mirrored visor in the carton. Keep in mind that in many countries a tinted or mirrored visor is only permitted in daylight, and that a clear visor should travel with you for riding after dark.

Weight on the neck over a long day

Nexx specifies 1,575 g, plus or minus 50 g, varying with size. One independent reviewer put a size M on the scale and saw 1,617 g, within the tolerance band. Over a full day that weight is carried at the end of a lever, the neck, and every turn of the head multiplies it a little. The Y.100R handles this through shape rather than through exotic material: its aerodynamic profile and rear spoiler keep the helmet from being pushed and lifted by the wind, which is what actually tires the neck on fast roads.

Two shells, an intermediate head shape

The Polyfusion thermoplastic shell is made in two outer sizes, XS to M and L to XXL, with six helmet sizes from 53 to 64 cm head circumference. Two shells for six sizes is a coarser split than three would be: the smallest size in each shell carries thicker padding. The head form suits an intermediate-to-round oval, and the reviewer described the fit on their own head as excellent, which is one data point rather than a guarantee. If you are between sizes, measure the widest point of the head above the eyebrows and choose the snugger fit; liners settle with use.

Interior, buckle and emergency release

The lining is X-Mart Dry fabric, anti-allergic and anti-bacterial, with 3D-formed pads that come out completely for washing, including the thick neck roll and the chin-strap covers. Fastening is a micrometric ratchet buckle with seven steps. The cheek pads are designed so that first responders can pull them out before the helmet is removed, which makes taking it off an injured rider easier and gentler. Comfort scored 3 out of 5 in the independent test, the lowest of its marks, so expect a firm rather than plush feel in the first weeks.

Airflow, spoiler and the noise score

There are two intakes and two exhausts, supported by a double EPS liner with an internal air chamber that carries warm, humid air to the rear. The twin-blade spoiler at the back, refined in the wind tunnel, reduces turbulence at speed. In the same independent test both ventilation and noise scored 4 out of 5. We do not add a decibel figure because none of ours exists; anti-noise cheek pads, a removable neck roll and a chin wind stopper are the parts doing the quieting.

Approvals and independent ratings

The helmet carries ECE 22-06, the European standard compulsory for new helmets since January 2024, which adds rotational-impact testing at an angle, more impact locations and stricter visor checks over the previous version. DOT FMVSS 218, CCC GB811:2022 and NBR7471:2015 are listed as well. No SHARP rating exists for the Y.100R; be careful with search results, because the five-star Nexx Y100 is a separate model.

Communication, cameras and spare parts

Speaker pockets and a mounting point are ready for the Nexx X-COM3 and X-COM3 PRO, both Bluetooth 5 and sold separately. Side mounts for an action camera are supplied. Nexx lists visors, Pinlock lenses and the complete lining for the Y.100R as spare parts, which means a scratched visor or a tired liner does not end the life of the helmet.

In the box

• Nexx Y.100R in Subsonic Black Iridium Pink, Polyfusion shell
• Pinlock 70 MaxVision anti-fog insert
• Second visor, tint not stated by Nexx
• Breath deflector (nose guard)
• Chin curtain / wind deflector
• Action-camera mounts for the sides

Specification

• Helmet type — full-face for road and sport riding
• Certification — ECE 22-06 (UN) · DOT (FMVSS 218) · CCC (GB811:2022) · NBR7471:2015
• Shell — Polyfusion lightweight thermoplastic in 2 shell sizes (XS–M / L–XXL)
• Weight — about 1,575 g ± 50 g depending on size
• Retention — micrometric ratchet
• Visor — X-SWIFT quick change without tools, under 8 s; Pinlock 70 MaxVision included
• Sun visor — internal, drop-down, 99 % UV filter, external button usable with gloves
• Aerodynamics — double-blade rear spoiler, shell optimised in the wind tunnel
• Comms and camera — ready for X-COM3 / X-COM3 PRO (Bluetooth 5); side camera mounts
• Ventilation — 2 intakes and 2 exhausts

• 1x helmet (Polyfusion, two shell sizes)
• 1x Pinlock 70 MaxVision anti-fog lens
• 1x second visor
• 1x nose guard (breath deflector)
• 1x wind deflector / chin curtain
• Side action-camera mounts