Nexx X.Wed3 Adventure Helmet Review: Redefining the Category
Evan Rally
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Adventure helmets. They’re supposed to be the jack-of-all-trades of the helmet world, blending the off-road prowess of a motocross helmet with the on-road comfort of a touring lid. But often, they fall short, making compromises that leave you wanting more in one area or another. After years of searching for that perfect adventure helmet, I think I’ve finally found one that truly delivers, and it’s not from the usual suspects.
The Nexx X.WED3 adventure helmet has completely changed my expectations. Forget what you think you know about adventure helmets because this one is different. Here are three key things that stood out to me immediately, and why this helmet is quickly becoming my daily rider for both on and off-road adventures:
- Peak Performance Without the Peak Problems: Adventure helmet peaks are notorious for catching wind, especially at highway speeds, turning your head into a sail. The X.Wed3’s peak? It’s like it’s not even there. Seriously. No head-wobbling, no neck strain, just smooth, stable riding, even at speed.
- Comfort That Defies Category: Adventure helmets aren’t usually known for plush, all-day comfort. They often prioritize off-road features over long-haul touring comfort. The X.Wed3 breaks this mold. It’s incredibly comfortable, snug without pressure points, and surprisingly quiet for an adventure helmet, making it a joy to wear for hours on end.
- Smart Features That Actually Make a Difference: From the emergency quick-release cheek pads to integrated action camera mounts and a truly usable drop-down sun visor, the X.Wed3 is packed with thoughtful features that enhance the riding experience, not just add to the spec sheet.
I recently put the Nexx X.WED3 through its paces on a three-day trip, clocking around eight hours of ride time. And let me tell you, this helmet impressed me. It’s sturdy, comfortable, and packed with features that make it a true standout in the adventure helmet category. Let’s dive into the details of why I’m so enthusiastic about this lid.
A premium helmet at midrange price: advanced composite or full carbon fiber shell, flexible ventilation system, integrated comms, and versatile street + off-road design that doesn't require tools to switch. Long term review here.
- Big eyeport
- Lightweight
- Anti-vibration system
- So popular it's often out of stock
If you’d rather watch this review, here’s my original video on the topic:
Built to Last, Designed for Comfort
From the moment you pick up the Nexx X.WED3, you can feel the quality. The construction is top-notch, and it meets both DOT and ECE certifications, giving you confidence in its protective capabilities. But it’s not just about safety; it’s also about comfort.
The fit is snug, as you’d want in a helmet designed for both on and off-road riding, but there are no pressure points. It just feels right on my head. Inside, you’ll find a dual-layer EPS foam liner, which is pretty standard in high-end helmets these days. However, Nexx has taken it a step further by separating these layers with rubber dampeners. This might sound like a small detail, but it makes a noticeable difference in reducing vibrations, especially at higher speeds.
Compared to my usual street helmet, a Shoei RF-SR, which I can feel shaking on the highway, the X.Wed3 feels remarkably stable. It’s not as quiet as a dedicated street helmet, but the vibration damping really helps reduce fatigue and keeps things comfortable even on long rides.
The Peak That Defies Expectations
Adventure helmet peaks. They are often the bane of highway riding. In the past, I’ve ridden in adventure helmets where the peak acts like a sail, catching the wind and whipping your head around, especially at higher speeds. It can be tiring and frankly, annoying. So, I was naturally a bit apprehensive about the peak on the X.Wed3.
But, to my surprise, this peak is different. During my rides, it felt like I wasn’t even wearing a peak at all. It doesn’t pull in the wind or create any noticeable drag. Looking closely, you can see the clever design features that contribute to this stability. There are rubber bumpers at the three connection points between the peak and the helmet. These bumpers effectively insulate you from vibrations, further enhancing the smooth and stable feel. It’s a testament to Nexx’s attention to detail and their commitment to making this helmet truly versatile for both on and off-road riding.
Emergency Quick-Release Cheek Pads: Safety and (Surprisingly) Convenience
Let’s talk about the cheek pads. Nexx has implemented an emergency quick-release system for the X.Wed3. By pulling two red tabs at the front of the helmet, and then pulling back, the entire internal padding system comes out as one piece.
Initially, I thought this was going to be a pain. Traditional helmets with individually popped-in pads are usually easier for quick removal and re-insertion. My first thought was that this system, while great for emergency situations, would be cumbersome for everyday use, like removing the pads for cleaning.
However, after using it a few times, I’ve actually come to appreciate this system. It’s different, yes, but not necessarily more difficult. There are three main connection points to pop back in, similar to traditional systems. And the added safety benefit of being able to quickly and easily remove the entire padding system in an emergency is undeniable. In a crash situation, first responders can easily locate and pull the red tabs, quickly removing the pads to safely take off the helmet without causing further injury. So, what initially seemed like a potential usability issue has turned into a feature I genuinely like, blending safety with a unique, if slightly unconventional, design.
Featherlight Feel: A Blessing on Long Rides
Weight is a critical factor, especially for adventure helmets that are often worn for long days, both on and off the road. The Nexx X.WED3 is impressively light, tipping the scales at just 3.7 pounds. To put that into perspective, it’s lighter than the Arai XD5, which is a significantly more expensive helmet.
What’s even more surprising is how light the X.Wed3 feels. It feels lighter to me than my Shoei RF-SR, which is supposed to be around the same weight on paper. I haven’t put them on a scale side-by-side to verify, but subjectively, the Nexx feels incredibly light and well-balanced.
This lightweight design is a huge benefit, especially when touring and riding off-road. When you’re standing on the pegs, navigating challenging terrain, or just putting in long hours on the highway, a lighter helmet makes a world of difference. It reduces strain on your neck and shoulders, minimizing fatigue and allowing you to stay fresher for longer. For a helmet in this price range, the lightweight feel is a significant bonus. Riding is tiring enough as it is, especially off-road, and a heavy helmet just adds to that fatigue. The X.Wed3’s lightweight construction helps keep you comfortable and focused, mile after mile.
If weight is a key factor for you, you might also want to check out our roundup of the lightest full-face helmets for more lightweight options across categories.
Classic Adventure Styling with a Gigantic Visor
Style is subjective, but in my opinion, the Nexx X.WED3 nails the classic adventure helmet aesthetic. It looks the part, with clean lines and a purposeful design. But beyond aesthetics, there’s a functional aspect that I absolutely love: the massive visor.
The visor on this helmet is HUGE. This is a major reason why I’m considering switching from my Shoei RF-SR to the X.Wed3 for on-road riding. One of the things I appreciate about my RF-SR is its large visor, but the X.Wed3 takes it to another level. The peripheral vision is incredible; you can see everything.
Despite its size, the visor is easy to operate. It pops open and closes smoothly and locks down securely. It takes a bit of force to initially pop it open—you need to flex it from the corner—but once it’s open, it stays put. I actually find myself riding with the visor slightly open quite often, especially in hot weather, for increased airflow.
Integrated Sun Visor: Finally, One I Actually Like
Speaking of hot weather, the Nexx X.WED3 comes with an integrated drop-down sun visor, actuated by a lever on the top of the helmet. Now, I’m generally not a fan of sun visors in helmets. In many helmets, they feel like an afterthought, poorly designed and executed. However, the sun visor on the X.Wed3 is a pleasant surprise.
It’s incredibly easy to move up and down. The top-mounted control lever is perfectly positioned and intuitive to use, even with gloves on. Many helmets have sun visor controls that are either too finicky or located in awkward positions, often down at the bottom edge of the helmet. The X.Wed3’s control is perfectly placed and requires just the right amount of effort to actuate. It took me a short while to get completely accustomed to its location while riding, but now it’s second nature.
What I particularly appreciate about the sun visor itself is its tint. It’s not too dark, which means I can actually use it even on cloudy days. I can ride with the main visor up and the sun visor down, providing just the right amount of shade without making things too dark. Operation is smooth and easy, and crucially, there’s no distortion. The sun visor comes down fully, covering my entire field of vision, and there’s no annoying lip or distortion at the bottom edge. This is a common problem with cheaper helmets—sun visors often have a distorted lower edge that makes them unusable. With the X.Wed3, I can comfortably ride with the sun visor down without any visual impairment. In hot weather, riding with the main visor open and the sun visor down provides excellent airflow and sun protection, a combination I find myself using frequently.
Ventilation That Keeps You Cool
Ventilation is paramount, especially for adventure riding, and the Nexx X.WED3 excels in this area. It boasts a comprehensive ventilation system designed to keep you cool and comfortable in a variety of conditions.
The chin vent is massive, providing a substantial amount of airflow. It’s easily adjustable and effectively directs air upwards across the visor, helping to prevent fogging and keep your face cool. If fogging is something you frequently battle, you might also find our motorcycle helmet fogging prevention guide useful for tips that work across various helmets.
A thoughtful detail is the inclusion of a sponge mesh behind the chin vent. This mesh acts as a filter, preventing dust and debris from entering the helmet through the vent, a crucial feature for off-road riding.
On top of the helmet, you’ll find three large, adjustable vents. These vents can be opened and closed individually, allowing you to fine-tune the airflow depending on your needs and the riding conditions. Across the brow, there are three more vents—one on each side and one in the center—further enhancing ventilation. In total, the X.Wed3 has a remarkable amount of ventilation, making it well-suited for hot weather riding and strenuous off-road adventures.
Smart Features and Thoughtful Details
Beyond the core features, the Nexx X.WED3 is packed with smart details and thoughtful integrations that enhance the overall riding experience. Nexx has clearly put a lot of thought into the design, addressing common issues and adding features that riders will genuinely appreciate.
One standout feature is the integrated communication system compatibility. The X.Wed3 has dedicated recesses designed to accommodate Nexx’s own Sena-branded communication unit. This system integrates seamlessly into the helmet, with pre-routed channels for wires and perfectly positioned speaker pockets. This eliminates the hassle of trying to awkwardly mount a comms unit and ensures a clean, streamlined setup.
Another clever feature is the inclusion of integrated mounts for action cameras. The helmet comes with mounts specifically designed for GoPro and other action cameras, strategically placed on the helmet shell. This is a huge convenience, as finding a good mounting location on adventure helmets, with their often-curved surfaces, can be challenging. Nexx has these mounts, eliminating the need for sticky adhesive mounts and providing secure and convenient attachment points.
And let’s not forget the Pinlock visor insert, which comes standard with the X.Wed3. I’ve been riding in heavy rain with this helmet, and the Pinlock insert has performed flawlessly, providing crystal-clear, fog-free vision. It’s a huge relief not to have to worry about fogging, especially in adverse weather conditions. The Pinlock insert is edge-to-edge, maximizing the fog-free area and ensuring a clear field of view.
Nexx has also done a great job sealing the visor, with a nice rubber bead all the way around, further enhancing weather sealing and ensuring the Pinlock insert works effectively. The result is excellent visibility, even in really bad weather, adding to the helmet’s versatility and all-weather capability.
Minor Gripes, Major Performance
No helmet is perfect, and while the Nexx X.WED3 comes incredibly close, there are a couple of minor gripes I have. These are small things, but worth mentioning for a complete picture.
First, the D-ring strap. I personally prefer D-ring closures for their safety and ease of use. They are simple, reliable, and allow for easy adjustment, even with gloves on. However, the strap on the X.Wed3 is quite thin. Because of its thinness, it has a tendency to fold over on itself and get snagged in the D-rings. I’m not sure why Nexx opted for such a thin strap. While it might make it slightly easier to pull and loosen, the snagging issue is a bit annoying. It’s a minor inconvenience, but something to be aware of.
Another minor gripe is the chin curtain. It’s designed to snap into the helmet liner at the front and on both sides. However, on my helmet, it seems to come loose at the edges. It hasn’t actually come out during my rides, which is good, but I’m a bit paranoid about potentially losing it. The chin curtain itself is very thick, which is a positive. It effectively seals out noise, wind, and water from below. I just wish it felt a bit more securely attached. It’s possible this is just a minor manufacturing variance in my particular helmet, but it’s worth noting.
As mentioned earlier, the cheek pad removal system initially felt a bit unconventional. But after getting used to it, I actually prefer it to traditional snap-in systems for its safety benefits.
Finally, noise levels. The X.Wed3 is an adventure helmet, so it’s inherently going to be louder than a dedicated street helmet. Compared to my Shoei RF-SR, which is a very quiet helmet, the Nexx is noticeably louder. However, this is to be expected with adventure helmets, which prioritize ventilation and off-road features over maximum noise isolation. Wearing earplugs or earbuds effectively reduces the noise to a comfortable level. Interestingly, I’ve noticed that closing the main visor completely does significantly reduce wind noise. Given the excellent ventilation, you don’t always need to ride with the visor open for airflow, even in warm conditions. On super hot and humid days, I’ve ridden around town with the main visor open and the sun visor down for maximum airflow, but for touring and higher speeds, closing the main visor provides a quieter and more comfortable experience.
Final Verdict: An Amazing Adventure Lid
Overall, the Nexx X.WED3 is an outstanding adventure helmet. I genuinely love this helmet. As I said at the beginning, it’s likely to become my regular helmet for both street and off-road riding. It strikes an excellent balance of features, comfort, safety, and style, all in a lightweight and versatile package. The minor gripes are just that—minor—and are easily outweighed by the helmet’s numerous strengths.
If you’re looking for a high-quality adventure helmet that can truly do it all, I highly recommend checking out the Nexx X.WED3. For more in-depth information and technical specifications, RevZilla has an excellent video review and detailed product description. They delve into the finer points of the helmet’s construction and technology. I just wanted to share my initial impressions after putting some miles on this impressive piece of gear. It’s a helmet that has genuinely exceeded my expectations and is setting a new standard for what an adventure helmet can be.
A premium helmet at midrange price: advanced composite or full carbon fiber shell, flexible ventilation system, integrated comms, and versatile street + off-road design that doesn't require tools to switch. Long term review here.
- Big eyeport
- Lightweight
- Anti-vibration system
- So popular it's often out of stock
