The Arai Defiant-X has become a clear favorite since it debuted late in 2019. Based on tracker-inspired helmet from Arai’s archives, this helmet blends classic style with modern Arai tech.
It features all the great things that make an Arai and Arai—fastidious made-in-Japan build quality, a Kevlar-reinforced hand-laid fiberglass shell (offered in 4 sizes), impeccable paint, and thoroughly thought out safety features. Available in a range of great solid colors (Deep Matte Gray shown here), the Defiant-X is built for an intermediate-oval head shape—which means it’ll fit the widest range of riders. (For long-oval noggins, check out the and for round-oval folks, check the ).
There are a few design details that Arai bakes into all its helmets, and they're all present here.
Round exterior head shape. Known as the R75 concept, Arai very consciously refrains from contours in the outer shell of its helmets that violate the 75-degree -radius rule. Why? Because hard edges could catch on pavement when the helmet is sliding down the road at highway speeds. A round exteriour shpe
Kevlar reinforcement. Ever seen a helmet that's been laid down at speed? Pavement makes for a hell of a belt sander. Arai anticipates this and incorporates an internal belt of abrasion-resistant Kevlar inside the fiberglass shell of every helmet it makes to provide added impact/puncture and resistance to being sawed through by passing asphalt.
Exterior shield pods. Following with Arai's focus on keeping a round-as-possible exterior shape, and with prioritizing energy absorption over all else, Arai's telltale exterior shield pods exist to elimiate the need to carve into the spherical integrity of the helmet. This design both allows for more EPS liner between the wearer and the road, and allows for the helmet to better glance off passing objects.
Shell integrity. Notice that all Arai helmets forgo the classic vents drilled directly through the "forehead" of the helmet. Instead, Arai builds intake ports directly into its face shields.
All Snell all the time. Also see, no drop-down sun visors, ever. Because this would violate the Snell safety standards that Arai is so dedicated to (having a void between the shell and EPS liner to house a sun visor is an automatic disqualification for the Snell standard.)
Custom fit. Last but certainly not least, Arai is the only company offering multiple interior-fit shapes to better address the infinite variety of riders’ head shapes and sizes.
Tech Features:
- SFL shell construction
- Multi density EPS
- Free Flow System (FFS) ventilation creates airflow under the helmet to reduce wind noise and turbulence while increasing hot air exhaust
- Dual intake front vents, side exhausts and one-piece rear exhaust
- Three position chin vent
- Neck vent exhaust
- VAS-V Max Vision face shield with included Pinlock insert lens
- Removable, anti-microbial liner
- Removable, washable cheek pads with 5mm peel-away layer for a perfect fit
- Pockets for speakers
- Facial Contour System (FCS) offers a snug fit by using a foam spring support in the cheek pad that compresses and rebounds without excessive pressure
- Non-removable chin curtain
- Double D-ring strap
- DOT and Snell M2015 certified
