We were impressed when we tested the Ruroc EOX helmet last year. It felt good on the head, and the Ace Cafe graphics earned rave reviews wherever we rode. The new 2.0 is not a complete redo. The carbon fiber/Kevlar/nylon/fiberglass shell is unchanged, the Fidlock chin strap returns, and the $349 optional Cardo-based Shockwave Mesh communications system can still be easily added. The upgrade includes additional impact protection technology from Rheon, the Twiceme smart medical ID system, a redesigned Merino wool comfort liner, and an additional set of thicker cheek pads. The Ruroc EOX 2.0 also comes with a Pinlock 200 and a dark-smoke tinted faceshield to go with the standard clear shield. The base price has increased by $76 to $575, reflecting the addition of the Pinlock 200 ($39 value) and the extra faceshield ($65).

New Merino Wool Liner

When I put on the Ruroc EOX 2.0 helmet for the first time, it was apparent that the comfort liner is new, for two reasons: the Merino wool is plush, and it changes the fit. The EOX I tested ran small, so even though I’m a Medium, the Large fit perfectly. This time, the Large was too big, even with the thicker cheek pads installed. I exchanged it for a Medium, added the included thicker cheek pads, and the excellent fit I had with the original EOX returned. The new interior is more comfortable, making it a clear improvement, and the move to standard sizing is a good one.

Rheon Impact Protection Upgrade

Rheon is a strain-rate-sensitive polymer. Under normal riding conditions, it remains soft and flexible. We use Rheon body armor in jackets and have been quite impressed by its pliability.

However, when subjected to impact forces, it stiffens rapidly. This absorbs and dissipates linear and rotational impact energy.

Rheon is not mixed into or embedded within the EPS liner. Instead, it is integrated into the skull area of the comfort liner. A thin layer of Rheon material is built into the crown area of this headliner. It’s a secondary system that adds no significant bulk and does not alter the helmet’s fit or ventilation.

The EPS foam liner is the primary energy-absorbing structure. The Rheon liner manages a wider range of real-world crash scenarios than traditional foam can alone.

Ruroc and Rheon Labs describe the integration as placing Rheon directly into the headliner so that it works in collaboration with the existing EPS architecture.

Twiceme Medical ID System

The EOX 2.0 includes a passive near-field communication (NFC) chip embedded under the Twiceme logo on the right side of the rear spoiler. The chip uses the same NFC standard found in contactless payment systems. It is zero maintenance, requiring no battery, no charging, and no ongoing power source. The system adds no measurable weight or aerodynamic effect once installed and does not alter the helmet’s structural or protective performance.

To get started, download the free Twiceme app (iOS or Android). Create a profile and enter Medical ID information. Available fields include name, date of birth, blood type, allergies, medical conditions, current medications, emergency contacts, organ donor status, pacemaker status, and other relevant details. You select which fields to include, and there’s no pressure to enter data you want kept private.

Register the helmet in the app by holding the phone against the Twiceme logo. Then upload the Medical ID data to the chip with a second tap. It’s as easy as it sounds. Once written, the information is stored on the chip.

Data is written locally to the chip during setup. It is not continuously synced to a cloud service. The chip does not track you or share your location. Data transmission only happens when the chip is actively scanned. There is no subscription fee, and no mandatory data collection beyond what the user chooses to upload.

 In the case of an accident, any modern smartphone with NFC capability can detect and read the chip. No special app is required on the scanning phone for basic access, and the info is not password-protected. The process takes a few seconds and works whether the rider is conscious or not. Keep in mind that anyone with an NFC-equipped smartphone can walk up to your helmet, place the phone next to the Twiceme logo, and download the chip’s information.

The Twiceme app also tracks the helmet’s service life. Using the same NFC chip, it logs your first ride date and then counts down Ruroc’s recommended five-year replacement window. It also prompts a yearly user inspection of the helmet, guiding you through the process step by step.

Optional features in the Twiceme app include Share Location, Get Back Timer, and Immobility Alert. These operate through the user’s smartphone sensors and GPS. The functions are independent of the helmet chip and must be enabled separately by the user.

Ruroc EOX 2.0 Review

The outer shell is a proprietary Quad-Matrix composite of carbon fiber, Kevlar, nylon, and fiberglass. The same shell carries over unchanged to the 2.0, and is part of a system that earns DOT and ECE 22.06 certification.

The EOX 2.0 is still semi-prewired for the Cardo-sourced Shockwave system. Installation of the unit remains straightforward. Position the speakers into existing pockets and attach the microphone to the pre-placed Velcro. The control unit and battery snap into molded receptacles on each side of the helmet. The battery covers a full day of mesh intercom use in our testing. Unfortunately, the rubbery cover for the battery’s USB-C charging port is reluctant to seat and seal the port.

Sound quality through the Harman Kardon speakers remains excellent with the new comfort liner. The system paired instantly with other Cardo mesh units, and we have a lot of them. If you use Cardo units, the four-button Ruroc layout requires a short learning period. The Bluetooth-only version is still available for riders who don’t need group mesh.

The Fidlock chin-strap system is unchanged. A metal D-ring slips over a magnetic hook. Chin strap length is adjusted by trial-and-error via a plastic buckle and stays put. After that, fastening and release are one-handed operations. There’s a steep learning curve, and it can be frustrating initially. However, once the motion is mastered, it is faster than a double D-ring, especially with gloves on. A firm tug confirms the strap is secure. Pulling the release tab drops it free with almost no effort.

The shell is well balanced. With the Shockwave unit installed, we noticed no shift in weight distribution or added drag when checking traffic over the shoulder at highway speeds. With the Mesh system fitted, the helmet weighs 3 pounds 8.6 ounces on our scale, which is lighter than an Arai Contour-X wearing a Cardo Packtalk Edge.

The aerodynamics of the Ruroc EOX 2.0 are excellent on a cruiser or motorcycle with a windshield. However, on naked bikes, multiple testers felt the helmet lifting on long freeway drones. We attribute that to the protruding chin bar spoiler catching air underneath it. Make sure the Fidlock chin-strap is snug. Fortunately, once you have it set, it’s set.

Airflow remains one of the helmet’s strong points. The two forehead vents move a noticeable amount of air across the scalp at almost any speed. A single switch between the vents opens or closes both at once and is easy to operate with gloves. Opening and closing the chin-bar vent is a hassle because the switch is inside the chin bar, behind the chin curtain.

Noise levels stay reasonable for a helmet of this shape, though head shape and riding position will always play a role.

Both a clear and a dark smoke faceshield ship with the helmet, along with a Pinlock insert. The shields are optically clear and move through three positive detents, including a useful slightly open position for low-speed riding. Shield changes require no tools. Peripheral vision is good, though you can see the edge of the eye port when looking over your shoulder to change lanes. Also, a broad range of faceshield covers are available to give the EOX 2.0 even more of a custom look.

The core EOX platform already offered solid ventilation, good balance, easy intercom integration, distinctive styling, and dual US/Euro certification. While not as flashy as the Ace Cafe graphics we had on the EOX, the Regalia graphics on our 2.0 are quietly sophisticated and garnered compliments. The Ruroc EOX 2.0 keeps the EOX fundamentals and builds on them with the new liner, Rheon layer, and Twiceme chip.

Ruroc EOX 2.0 Fast Facts

• Sizes: S – XL
• Shell: Carbon fiber, Kevlar, nylon, and fiberglass composite
• Certifications: DOT; ECE 22.06
• Optional integrated communications: Shockwave Bluetooth (+$199); Shockwave Mesh Powered by Cardo (+$349)
• Colors: 11 solids and graphics

Ruroc EOX Price: from $575 MSRP (As tested w/ Shockwave Mesh and Regalia graphic, $974)

Ruroc EOX 2.0 Helmet Review Photo Gallery