Road Tested: The NEXX X.RALLY and X.TR Helmets

As a Triumph Bonneville owner and all-around fan of modern classics, most of my motorcycle gear is low-key stuff with a heritage vibe. But as an unapologetic gear head, I also love modern, tech-heavy pieces. So when the Portuguese helmet manufacturer NEXX sent me their new X.RALLY and X.TR helmets to try out, I was giddy.

Founded 25 years ago in the village of Amoreira da Gândara, NEXX is known for its slick, feature-rich helmets, all of which are manufactured in Portugal. The brand has dabbled in retro lids in the past, but its current range is mostly tailored to adventure, touring, track, sport, and scooter riders.

New for 2026, the NEXX X.RALLY and X.TR are the brand's flagship adventure riding and sport-touring helmets. Both come in carbon fiber and multi-composite shell variants, in a variety of graphics and solid colors. A sucker for deep finishes and tinted visors, I opted for the X.RALLY's 'Namib' colorway and the X.TR's 'Atlantic' version. Priced at €799.99 and €369.99 [US pricing is yet to be announced], those are the top-of-the-range versions of each helmet.

The two helmets share a handful of features. Both are ECE22.06- and DOT-approved, and come in sizes XXS to XXXL, with three shell sizes across the range. Their EPS liners have special chambers to promote airflow for better cooling, and their moisture-wicking inners are washable and removable.

The helmets come with two visors each (clear and blue or red iridium), plus a pinlock insert that fits either visor. They're stored in luxe Nexx-branded bags, and their spare visors are packaged in special visor bags that double up as accessory carry-alls.

Before diving into the specifics of each model, it's worth noting that both helmets run true to size and are remarkably comfortable out of the box. They score high in several areas, in fact, and while there is some room for improvement, I wouldn't hesitate recommending either.

The NEXX X.TR Atlantic sports a stunning glassy blue paint job over its carbon fiber weave. The overall shape, while contoured, is relatively neutral and subdued.

According to NEXX, the contours aren't just for show—every angle of the X.TR has been dialed in for optimal aerodynamic performance. Additionally, there's a layer of rubber between the inner and outer layers of the helmet's EPS lining, which is said to reduce vibration at speed. It sounds gimmicky, but ultimately the X.TR does what it says on the tin.

Buffeting at highway speeds is virtually nonexistent, which means less fatigue on longer rides. There's also very little wind noise, thanks to a sizable chin curtain and a generous neck roll that, although it takes up a lot of real estate, is soft and comfortable against your skin.

The X.TR's visor offers a lot to rave about, too. There's just the right amount of stiffness when opening and closing it, and it clicks into place effortlessly when closed. NEXX has placed the visor tab and the button that you need to press to open it again dead center, so it's easy enough to get to.

There's a solid seal when the visor is down, and the Pinlock insert does wonders to eliminate fogging. The field of view is ample, and there's no tangible distortion in the curve of the blue iridium visor. NEXX's proprietary visor lock system also means that swapping visors is a cinch; it's one of the most straightforward and reliable systems I've used.

As someone who always rides with sunglasses on, I typically don't have much use for sun visors—but the X.TR's built-in drop-down shield does the job with minimum fuss. It's broad, sits just above the nose without getting in the way, and the slider to operate it is conveniently placed.

For ventilation, NEXX has added a patented airflow chamber between the inner and the EPS liner, and then placed one big intake vent on top of the X.TR and another at the chin. Both are substantial enough to operate with gloves on, and, together with the exhaust vents that sit above and below the rear spoiler, do an admirable job of promoting airflow in most weather conditions.

On hot days, the insulating features that make the X.TR quiet at speed also fight against its ventilation system, turning it into a stuffy affair. I would have loved it if the helmet's neck roll was removable, or if there were a couple more vents along the top of the helmet. On the upside, the moisture-wicking fabrics inside the helmet seem to shrug off sweat.

Moving to the strap, the NEXX X.TR shuns the typical double D-ring setup for a metal ratchet buckle. Which system is safer is debatable, but the one advantage of the buckle is that it can be released by tugging on a small red tag, which means that first responders can get it off quickly when things go random.

The cheek pads have their own quick-release system, but it requires a couple of steps to operate. Each cheek pad has a small red slider on the outside of the helmet, but you first need to fold back a small section of rubber, which can be fiddly and not immediately obvious. It's no big deal if you're removing the cheek pads at home, and there is a small sticker on the helmet with a QR code that explains it—but would you want a first responder watching a how-to vid before they attend to you?

NEXX claims a moderate weight of 1,625 grams (with 50 grams leeway) for the X.TR. My XL helmet tipped the scales at 1,706 grams, but that's only after I'd installed NEXX's X-COM3 PRO comms system, accounting for the extra mass.

The X-COM3 PRO is a proprietary Bluetooth communications system, made for NEXX by Sena. It comes as a pre-wired plug-and-play kit for several NEXX helmets, including the X.TR. Installing it is relatively straightforward, but only once you've wrapped your head around a couple of things that aren't immediately clear from the manual. What should have taken me a half hour at most kept me busy for over an hour instead. That's partly because I didn't realize that the system's microphone and twin antennas had to be tucked into the liner at the helmet's brow, not at the chin, and partly because I couldn't figure out how to replace the cheek pads once I was done (once I did, I kicked myself over how obvious it was).

Credit is due for how cohesively the X-COM3 PRO integrates with the X.TR. Every component has its place—like the control panel, which you install by simply removing a small cover on the left-hand side of the helmet and clicking the module into place. It's a neat setup—the only drawback being that you need to have your helmet close to an outlet to charge it via its USB-C cable.

The system itself is okay. The button layout is clever and easy to navigate, once you know which short and long clicks trigger which operations. The X-COM3 PRO boasts a pair of Harman Kardon speakers that sound good until you hit highway speeds, where they prove to be marginally too soft.

I didn't test the mesh intercom system, but I did test the unit's phone call performance; I could hear the caller clearly, but they complained about the clarity of my voice. I have to assume that that's down to NEXX's bizarre mic placement.

The X.TR packs one more nifty feature—a discreet attachment point on the right-hand side that accommodates a plastic mounting plate (included with the helmet) for an action cam. It might not be useful for all riders, but it's nice to have, nonetheless. And it proves that NEXX is adamant about packing as many highlights into their helmets as they can.

The NEXX X.RALLY Namib has a bolder, more sculpted design than the X.TR, well-suited to an adventure riding lid. It's wrapped in a deep wine red hue with shaded sections that amplify its curves, with a matching paint job on its peak. The finish is dynamic; dark and brooding in the shade and vibrant in sunlight.

The X.RALLY demands a premium price, but it's stacked with substance to back it up. For starters, it's ridiculously versatile. You can run it in full ADV mode with the peak and visor, in street mode with just the visor, or in enduro mode with just the peak.

But the real magic is how easy it is to configure. Like the X.TR, the X.RALLY has an easy-to-use visor attachment mechanism for quick changes. Once again, there's a wide field of view, zero distortion, and a positive actuation when opening and closing it.

Similarly, the peak, which attaches to separate points, takes no time to remove (without the use of tools). This setup would have been a boon at a recent press ride, where we were riding on the road one day and off-road the next.

NEXX includes a ton of accessories in the box to tailor the helmet to any scenario. Neat little plugs fill the peak's threaded mounting holes when it's off, and blank-off plates cover the visor hinges and add grip when you're running goggles. The peak can be set at three different angles, and there's a removable extender that can be set at three positions.

When the peak extender is off, small filler pieces cover up the mounting spots that are left exposed. The honeycomb panel at the chin bar can be left fully open for maximum airflow, or you can bolt on a small operable vent. There's a removable chin curtain, two different air filters for the chin area, and action camera mounts for the chin, side, and top.

I've taken to running the NEXX X.RALLY with the visor, but without the peak, chin vent, or chin curtain... but only because it's currently summer in Cape Town. Where the X.TR could use a touch more airflow, the X.RALLY's ventilation is ample. Three vents sit on top of the helmet, joined by three smaller brow vents, the aforementioned chin vent, and an exhaust vent at the base.

The top vents are big and easy to reach, but the brow vents are a little harder to locate on the fly. The X.RALLY moves air like it's an open face helmet, but there is a caveat—it's noticeably louder than the X.TR. (Earplugs are recommended.)

It's also tangibly lighter than its sport-touring counterpart. NEXX quotes a weight of 1,350 grams (within 50 grams), although my scale read closer to 1,600 grams for my XL unit. Regardless, it's a featherweight. And it performs well at highway speeds with no noticeable buffeting—with or without its peak in place.

Some of the X.RALLY's features are a bit more niche. The bottom edge of the helmet is lined with a special foam bumper, designed to absorb shock against a neck brace in case of an off. Small elastic loops on the cheek pads offer a way to secure the tube and mouthpiece of a hydration pack.

The X.RALLY relies on traditional safety systems. The main strap uses an aluminum-magnesium alloy double D-ring buckle, with a magnet to secure the end of the strap. And the cheek pad emergency removal system is more universal, with two obvious red loops for first responders to yank on.

The X.RALLY isn't set up for NEXX's in-house comms system, but it does have a nifty feature that enables the fitment of most aftermarket comms units. A small rubber plug on the left-hand side can be removed to reveal the perfect spot to attach a clip-on comms module bracket, like those used by Cardo.

Am I gushing? Yes. But that's because the NEXX X.RALLY is that good.

Sure, I have a proclivity for adventure-oriented helmets, mostly because I like how spacious they are inside. If you prefer a more insulated brain bucket with a sleeker look, the X.TR is your ticket. In the meantime, I'll keep riding in the X.RALLY while the rest of my helmets gather dust.

NEXX Helmets | Images by Wes Reyneke