OXFORD LIDSTASH

TESTED BY: Max Silvester

TIME: one year

PRICE: from £29.99

WEB: www.oxfordproducts.com

If you are protective of your helmet, like me, you’ll want to know about this product. I’ve always been extra careful when transporting my lid around, but stop short of lugging it about in the original box packaging it comes in. Thankfully, this helmet bag has proven just the piece of kit to give me peace of mind. For context, I’m forever taking my kit to the track in a kit bag, but can’t stand the thought of firing my helmet into the mix, loose with my leathers, visors, boots and gloves. That’s just plain wrong. With this bag, such visions aren’t necessary, because I’m able to securely package my helmet away. It’s even got pockets for spare visors and cleaning products, which make me like it even more. I’ve been using the Lidstash for just over a year now and it’s really won me over, keeping my kit in tip-top condition. Although I always put my helmet in the drawstring bag it came in, I’m a fan of the added protection and padding from the stash’s deluxe fleece interior. As mentioned, there’s also the space to slot a selection of visors in the bag too, but I’d strongly recommend wrapping a cloth or bubble wrap between them to keep them extra safe, or even having a look at Oxford’s visor stash. Taking a look at the outside of the bag, the water-resistant outer protective fabric adds to its simple but lightweight design. It comes with carry handles too that connect together with Velcro and there’s an optional shoulder strap available – making lugging this thing around child’s play. As a real-world example, I used the Lidstash to head off to Barcelona and back as my carry-on item. I could fit an iPad under my helmet at the bottom of the bag, a couple of spare visors too, with plenty of space in the external zipped pocket to fit headphones, a portable charger and cleaning kit as well as my passport and flight documents… I even used the top handles to hold on to my hoodie when I didn’t need it anymore. This has now become an essential part of my kit, almost like a mini helmet service station for race weekends or heading to a location to test bikes. I won’t be taking my helmet anywhere without this helmet bag.