Nexx X.Wed3 review | MCN puts the latest adventure helmet to the test and it's got some flaws

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I tested the Nexx W.Wed2 motorcycle helmet on a trip to Spain back in 2017 and was impressed with the suite of features that the Portuguese manufacturer had packed into their flagship adventure lid.

• Related: Arai Tour-X 5 vs Nexx X.Wed3 comparison review

It’s taken seven years and a change in the way helmets are certified (from ECE 22.05 to 22.06) for the next iteration to reach the shelves, and I’ve racked up 3,200 miles over the past 4 months with the latest X.Wed3. As a versatile, multi-purpose helmet it has a lot going for it, but is not without flaws.

Is the Nexx X.Wed3 comfortable?

First off, fit is absolutely bang on. I take a medium and it slipped easily onto my noggin without any need for adjustment, so that’s a win. The interior padding is soft to the touch has a plush, cushioned feel to it, with plenty of spring in the foam to keep it snugged against your head without any undue pressure.

I like the way the cheek pads cradle my jawline, it makes the X.Wed3 feel secure on my head even before doing up the chin strap, and that sensation follows all the way around the back of the head.

I’ve spent a full day riding around the back roads and byways of Norfolk and it was barely off my head for more than then the few minutes it took to chow down on a snack or glug some fluids. There wasn’t a single moment I felt the need to remove it to give my skull a break.

Although it fits well, the X.Wed3 doesn’t have the neutral balance of, say, the Arai Tour-X 5. Where the Arai’s bulk seems to disappear once you put it on, the X.Wed3 is biased towards the front and tends to pull your chin down. Airflow under the peak can negate this at speed, but it’s certainly a consideration for extended town or off-road riding. It also weighs 200 grammes more than the T-X 5 on our scales.  

One other niggle I have with regards to comfort is the length of the chinstrap. Although it uses a traditional D-ring fastener (why manufacturers employ other methods is beyond me), it’s just far too long, as is its padded sleeve. The result is a bunching up of fabric under the chin and a tendency for the strap to twist, which, although it can be avoided with care, is all too easy to do when all you want to do is cinch it up and ride.

The strap end is secured with a magnet when fastened, however the extra length means it hangs in a loop and can be easily dislodged to flap around. This can be really annoying if you’ve just set off for a long ride and have to stop.

Is the Nexx X.Wed3 visor any good?

Being an adventure-style helmet, the X.Wed3 has a large eye port by design, and it gives uninterrupted vision both laterally and vertically. Two visors are included, a clear and dark smoke, along with a storage bag and Pinlock anti-fog insert.

I have heard of fitting problems with the insert, however I’ve transferred mine between the two shields on numerous occasions and haven’t managed to damage it with my stubby-fingered hamfistery as yet. If anything, I’ve found this easier than with other visors from other manufacturers, such as Arai or Shoei.

The visor mechanism deserves special mention, in particular the way it locks in the fully open and closed positions. Springs at either side pull its locator lugs firmly into deep detents, which in the open position prevents it from shutting unexpectedly. Very handy if you’re on a rough surface and want to maintain maximum airflow.

When closed this system increases pressure on the weather seal, effectively rendering it watertight. Despite riding regularly in near monsoon conditions and incessant truck spray on the A47 (such are the joys of a UK spring) it hasn’t sprung a leak anywhere. There’s also a central lock to ensure it stays shut. A handy tab on the left-hand side allows movement through the entire arc of operation.

Removal is intuitively easy and achieved in the fully open position. There’s a button at either side that releases the visor at its pivot, allowing you to simply lift it off. Installation, as they say, is the reverse of removal, however it’s not so straightforward with the smoked visor as the tint is so dark you can’t see the locator lug through it.

In addition to the main visor, the X.Wed3 has an internal sunshade. This is suitably dark for most conditions when used with the clear visor, and gives a generous area of coverage, almost down to the tip of my nose. It sits well forward though, and I haven’t had any incidents of with it interfering with my hooter.

I do find the operating mechanism a bit awkward, however. The lever is high up on the left-hand side, and despite having used it countless times, I still have to scrabble about to find it. To other road users it must look like I’m having a moment of bafflement over directions or something…

Nexx X.Wed3 ventilation

If there’s one thing the X.Wed3 is not short of, it’s ventilation. The frontal area has seven separate adjustable vents, and when you have them all open at once it allows a jet stream of fresh air to rush through channels in the inner EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) layer and out through quad exhaust ports at the rear. The lining has generous mesh panels to help with the flow and you can literally feel the wind in your hair.

All have two positions, open and closed, apart from the top vent which has a middle setting too. I’ve tried them out with thick winter gloves, and apart from actually finding them (they sit with a very low profile), operation is just a simple case of sliding the top cover back and forth. Access is not hampered by the peak. The chin vent also has a foam filter, and a nice addition to the included accessories kit is a blank plug that can fitted instead for dustier conditions.

A drawback to all these vents is that they can whistle when open. I found this particularly annoying in ‘sports tourer’ mode without the peak fitted. The severity is dependant on riding position and windscreen and seems to be less of a problem the more upright you are. Most people are likely to buy the X.Wed3 for adventure bikes, but it’s worth bearing in mind if you plan to use it on a sportier second bike.   

Is the Nexx X.Wed3 a noisy helmet?

Although I always ride in earplugs, the X.Wed3 is a noticeably quiet lid. Construction includes a rubber gasket between the EPS and outer shell designed to soak up any vibrations from turbulent air. It certainly seems to work, plus the peak has rubber mountings to prevent resonance in the same way. I haven’t noticed any pockets of localised wind roar at all.

This particular helmet has been fitted with an intercom, and I’ve  been told on that phone calls that, although it sounds like I’m wearing a helmet, there’s no additional noise from the bike or surrounding air. Likewise, I can hear the speakers right up to 70mph without having to resort to full volume – more like 8 out of 10.

Nexx X.Wed3 optional intercom review

My X.Wed3 has the optional X.Com3 intercom (£169.99), which fits seamlessly into prepared pockets and channels in the inner lining. Unusually, the microphone mounts above the left eye in a recess in the EPS behind the lining. As mentioned above, it works perfectly well in that location, which did come as a surprise.

The X.Com3 uses tried and tested Sena technology (similar to Shoei’s SRL system) and has proved faultless so far. It’s Bluetooth 5.1 and seems to stay charged for days. Nexx quote a talk time of 13 hours, and I haven’t as yet challenged that. I’ve also yet to test its bike to bike capabilities.

There is also a more advanced X.Com3 available for £339.98, which has Mesh technology, advanced noise control and uprated speakers.  

Does the Nexx X.Wed3 look good?

I find the overall design of the X.Wed3 a bit fussy as the hardware, such as vents, goggle strap retainer and the eye port surround, are quite prominent.

No doubt this is part of the ‘look’, just not to my personal taste. I do like the white/neon yellow ‘Keyo’ colour scheme though, which allows the carbon weave of the shell construction to show through and has a subtle satin sheen. It has a nice tactile quality too.

I’d describe the look as ‘technical’, and it actually works better as a streetfighter style lid when the peak’s removed.

Is the Nexx X.Wed3 good quality?

The X.Wed3 feels like a well made product. The shell is perfectly laid carbon fibre (for as much as I can see anyway), and all the vents and various other bits are up to a top-notch standard. Although the interior lining is soft and pliable, it’s durable enough to withstand many removals and washings, and should last for the life of the lid.

There’s also a ‘bumper’ under the chin and along the edges to guard against sternum and clavicle injuries. This is no doubt functional, but also adds to the high-end feel – although it probably increases weight too.

Interestingly, the X.Wed3 has a lightweight plastic lining between the EPS and removable interior, which seems to be primarily to house a sliding mechanism for retaining the cheek pads. I can’t think of another helmet manufacturer that does this and although it must add a good few grammes to the overall bulk, it does bolster the quality feel. That said, I can’t help feeling that it’s unnecessary.

One thing that does bother me, is the depth of EPS across the brow. It’s almost half the thickness of that in the Tour-X 5, which is no doubt a concession to accommodate the integral sun visor. Sure, it meets ECE 22.06 safety certification, but given the choice I’d rather have the additional shock absorption than convenience of a sun shade.

Is the Nexx X.Wed3 good value for money?

At £509.99 the X.Wed3 is in the upper middle price bracket for helmets, and works out good value due to its versatility and the accessory options that come with it. It can be used as dedicated off road lid with goggles by removing the visor and installing cover plates over the mechanism, or as a streetfighter/sports helmet without the peak. It doesn’t need any tools for either of these, taking just a few minutes to convert.

It also comes with a variety of action camera attachments, allowing you to mount a GoPro style device to various points should you wish to record your on and off road antics. The inclusion of a dark tint visor, and a peak extension, adds to the VFM appeal too.

All Nexx helmets come with a three year compliance warranty as standard, which can be extended to five on registration.

Nexx X.Wed3 rivals:

MCN’s Nexx X.Wed3 verdict

It seems an odd thing to say, given its performance across the board, but I have reservations about recommending the Nexx X.Wed3. My biggest issue is the weight, as just short of 2kg (on our scale) is a lot of bulk for a lid. It’s by far the heaviest helmet I own, and that includes fully loaded flip ups.

The issue is further exacerbated by the tendency for it to tip forward, putting strain on the neck at slow speeds, and when the peak gets caught by a gust of side wind it has the momentum to give you a fair old wrench, as I’ve discovered to my detriment.

I also have concerns about the thickness of the EPA across the brow, and the cavity created for the sun shade between that and the outer shell. Yes, it meets ECE 22.06 certification, but there’s a lot of flex in the shell there and for peace of mind I think I’d rather have the excess protection.

Those issues aside, The X.Wed3 is well built and does not leave you wanting for features, making it a viable adventure touring option. I’ve done a good thousand miles on sports tourers and nakeds without the peak fitted, so it does have genuine versatility if you got a couple of bikes.