Nexx X.G100 Review
Looks can often be deceiving – just take Panda Bears for example. Sure, they look cute and cuddly ,but they’re still willing to eat you, as well as bamboo. That seems a bit dramatic, but the Nexx X.G100 lives something of a similar life – sans eating people. At first glance, it might seem like another retro-inspired helmet that has put more effort into its styling than keeping a rider safe – but that couldn’t be further from the truth.
Out of the box, you’re met with a tasteful, vintage look. A gorgeous white finish with smart graphics on the chin-bar, a classic peak and snap-on Lexan shield – the Nexx X.G100 Bolt hits all of the markers. Aesthetically, Nexx has opted for an understated charm to the whole package. If we didn’t know any better, this could have easily been a lid rocked by older gents back in their days. We have no problem with a product wearing its inspiration on its sleeve, as long as it is doing it correctly – and there don’t seem to be any foibles here.
The outer shell is constructed out of Nexx’s X-Matrix shell, a composite blend of fiberglass, 3D organic fibers, aramid fibers and carbon reinforcement. When first donning the X.G100, you might be a bit surprised with the race-like fit and finish on the interior. Padding is snug, and far more in line with a modern sport-oriented helmet.
Despite that fitment, your peripheral and overall view is still unobstructed for the most part, so no need to worry about a limited range of vision with the X.G100. On that note, our particular model weighs about 2 lbs 17 ounces, so it’s certainly on the lighter side in comparison to many helmets on the market.
I’m a fan of simplicity, and the X.G100 is the epitome of that design choice. Your face-shield, which is available in several different options, snaps in with two old-school snaps on each side. Functional, painfully simple, and most importantly, easy to use with a gloved hand.
The same goes for the peak, which is a fine addition and does a decent job of shading your vision. That is actually one of my favorite features of the X.G100, the peak gives it an overall vibe that is tough to match – without coming off as cheesy. Additionally, everything is held together by the tried-and-true “Double D” ring buckle.
The interior utilizes a soft, anti-sweat, anti-allergenic fabric. Even after a full day of riding, I don’t experience any chafing or discomfort. But the biggest success the X.G100 has over the helmets that inspired it, is that it doesn’t box my ears, even though I happen to wear glasses. Those are things to note when dropping coin on a new helmet, but Nexx also thought of the long-haul; the interior is removable and washable, meaning that you’ll be able to keep your helmet in better condition until it’s time to retire it. Another big plus regarding the interior is the attention to detail and leather treatment that the X.G100 Bolt gets throughout. Those embellishments tie the whole package together and help elevate it above the competition.
Venting is kept to a minimum though a large, always-open-vertical vent is present in the chin-bar, that seems to suffice all of your needs when out on the road and even in some slow moving traffic. On that note, fogging isn’t a huge concern either. The only time I did notice some fogging of the face-shield was when temperatures were high and I was stationary. But to combat this and get some increased ventilation, you could easily leave the face-shield at home and opt for some shades – that’s if it’s a warm day.
It’s key to remember that Nexx produces all of their helmets in their Portugal based manufacturing facilities, and that they’re ECE, DOT and NBR-7471:2001 compliant pieces of headgear. So no need to worry if it will stand up to the test; much preliminary testing ensures safety.
Helmets can reflect the type of rider you are and this particular lid is no different. It’s timeless, well-designed and capable of far more than a trip around to the local restaurant. If you are in the market for something to set personal records at the track in, this helmet might not be for you, but for everything else under the sun, it checks the boxes without breaking the bank.
Nexx X.G100 Bolt Quick Facts
- Sizes: S-XL
- Claimed weight: 1200 grams (+/- 50 grams)
- Certifications: DOT; ECE/22-05; NBR-7471:2001
- Graphics: Bolt; Bad Loser; Devon; Muddy Hog; Purist
- Price: Around $350
- Nexx NorthAmerica
Nexx X.G100 Bolt Photo Gallery
