Latest kit
Nishua NFX-3 Carbon flip helmet £251.70
Carbon flip, laminate jacket and lots more
THE CLAIM
“The NFX-3 Carbon is an independent flip-up helmet. Its field of vision has become much larger, the design looks sportier and it feels like it. Despite the folding function and sun visor, the NFX-3 is light for a flip-up helmet. Absolutely suitable for touring.”
THE REALITY
The Nishua NFX-3 Carbon is an odd-looking beast. Its visor has a lower central section for a quick glance at the clocks or a sat nav without dipping your head, which seems strange but in practice, it works really well. The aperture is huge, giving a great view and an open, airy feel. The flip mechanism is easy to operate and the drop-down sun visor is also simple and effective. The vents — chin, top and rear exhaust — are all easy to find and open and close though the chin vent directs air to the top of the visor and it made my eyes water at times. The top vent is a bit more useful though it does produce a whistle at one particular head angle.
The visor can be held open in three positions, including just cracked for airflow in warm conditions. It is also extremely easy to remove, with no tools needed. The interior is nicely plush, with suede-style material where it touches and mesh where is doesn’t but with the flip open, there is a flimsy feel to the shell — slight pressure across the open face section results in the cheek pieces flexing. But once the chin-piece is closed, it tightens up significantly. Not one to ride in with the chin-bar up — it is only homologated for closed use.
It’s not light (1676g on our scales) and the shell does feel large. It’s quieter than many flips I’ve tried though, thanks to the smooth design and only starts to get noisy if you’re in lots of turbulent air from traffic or a screen. However, the gaps either side of the chin-piece introduce a blast of air when you’re doing shoulder checks and the chin curtain, while fairly effective, also lets draughts in as it doesn’t quite close against the neck curtain.
It’s comfortable though, with no pressure points and I was happy wearing it for a few half-day stints with no worries. And at £252 and looking pretty sharp, it’s also good value for money.