MXA TEAM TESTED: FLY RACING F2 CARBON MIPS ZOOM HELMET

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WHAT IS IT? The Fly F2 Carbon MIPS Zoom helmet has a carbon fiber and Kevlar shell with an integrated MIPS (Multi-directional Impact Protection System). It is used by top Fly racers Trey Canard, Andrew Short, Weston Peick and Justin Brayton. This helmet is out-of-the-box-and-onto-the-racetrack-ready.

WHAT’S IT COST? $399.95.

CONTACT? www.flyracing.com or (208) 319-3079.

WHAT STANDS OUT? Here’s a list of things that stand out with the Fly Racing F2 carbon MIPS Zoom helmet.

(1) Fit. The Fly F2 Carbon helmet has a snug yet soft fit. We tested a medium, and it fit as a medium should. The soft Coolmax comfort liner held the tester’s head securely in place with no pressure points. Its quick-release washable liner and cheek pads were plush and comfortable against the skin. The liner absorbed sweat effectively. Comfort is key, and Fly hit the nail on the head.

(2) Craftsmanship. The F2 helmet utilizes aircraft-grade, woven carbon fiber and Kevlar composite construction. This strengthens the helmet and keeps it light. There are 11 intake and four exhaust vents for airflow. In cold weather these vents do flow enough cold air to cool you off a little too much. Fly Racing offers a cold-weather plug kit that corks the air vents inside the EPS liner for $16.95. The visor offers excellent adjustment up and down.

(3) Weight. The Fly F2 Carbon helmet is on the lighter side of the helmet scale, but it is not the lightest nor the heaviest, coming in at just over 3 pounds. For comparison the Zoom is 1.1 ounces lighter than what a 6D weighs. Most MXA test riders put light weight farther down on their priority list than construction, safety and quality. While most of these things are subjective, they are an integral part of every test riders’ decision-making process. Often, more foam, MIPS liners and multi-layer shells add a little weight while increasing confidence in the safety of the helmet.

(4) MIPS. MIPS stands for Multi-directional Impact Protection System. In essence, it is a smooth liner that has the ability to allow your skull to slip slightly when your helmet hits the ground at an angle. This slip reduces rotational energy, which helps your brain withstand hard hits. You don’t really notice MIPS, and unless you go looking, you can’t see it, but it’s there.

(5) Safety. There are two different foam densities in the lining of the F2 Carbon helmet. The crown uses soft-density foam because of its larger surface area, while the remainder of the shell is made of denser EPS foam. Using dual foam allows the helmet designer to provide progressive impact absorption for different levels of head-to-ground contact. The F2 carbon helmet is Snell 2015, ECE and DOT certified.

(6) Options. The F2 carbon comes in four different colorways. It is available in sizes extra small to extra- extra large.

WHAT’S THE SQUAWK? No complaints.

MXA RATING:

This is an extremely comfortable helmet that has superb ventilation, great looks and offers MIPS.