MXA TEAM TESTED: ZOX RUSH C HELMET

WHAT IS IT? Zox’s Rush C-series helmet is their top-of-the-line helmet. It has an under-$200 price tag and still meets both Snell 2010 and DOT standards.

WHAT’S IT COST? $169.99.

CONTACT? www.zoxhelmets.com or your local dealer (through MTA Distributing).

WHAT STANDS OUT? Here’s a list of things that stand out with the Zox Rush C helmet.

(1) Construction. The Zox Rush C’s shell is laid up with a fiberglass composite. There are integrated ducts to direct airflow through the helmet and rear air-extractor vents that produce a venturi effect to increase the velocity of the airflow. The chin strap is double-D ringed, and the chin bar is equipped with EPS padding for additional impact-resistance. The Zox Rush C helmet passes or exceeds both DOT and Snell 2010 standards.

(2) Inner liner. The inner liner and cheek pads are removable and machine-washable. The cheek pads are on the soft side, however, and most MXA test riders wished that the foam was a little firmer to help position the helmet more securely. We noticed some movement of the helmet over big jumps. Our solution was to use the optional thicker cheek pads to tighten the fit. On the plus side, the cheek pads and liner were very comfortable thanks to the soft material.

(3) Visor. The Zox visor is adjustable and is held on by three bolts that can either be screwed on by hand or with a flat-head screwdriver. The visor was easy to manipulate, but it only had a small range of adjustability. We would like to be able to put the visor in a higher position, as some of our faster test riders didn’t like seeing the visor when going through the whoops.

(4) Fit. For an under-$200 helmet, the fit was very comfortable. There were no pressure points, and it didn’t pull our ears off when we removed the helmet. Zox’s designers did a good job of creating a plush fit with the softly padded liner, cheek pads and well-shaped ear ports. With the addition of the padded chin strap, the MXA wrecking crew was impressed with the comfort.

(5) Ventilation. We were shocked that we could feel air flowing through this helmet. On most helmets, the venting is more cosmetic than functional, but the Zox’s rear air-extractor vents did their job. The faster we rode, the cooler our heads were.

(6) Sizing. The Zox Rush C helmet is offered in sizes XS to XL in six different color schemes.

WHAT’S THE SQUAWK? Two quibbles. (1) Every MXA test rider wanted firmer cheek-pad foam to help hold the helmet in place. (2) Some test riders wanted to be able to move the visor higher.

The Zox Rush C is a good helmet at an excellent price. The Snell 2010 certification is a big plus. At this price, it is a viable low-cost alternative?and, if Zox fixes a few minor flaws, the Rush C could compete with helmets in the next highest price range.