Shoei manufactures high-quality street helmets and off-road helmets for many decades. This experience and confidence have put them on the next level of helmet manufacture and design. And the best example to prove this is “Shoei VFX-W Off-Road/Motocross helmet.”
Yes, we are talking about the best MX helmet offering by Shoei. This off-road helmet is considered as a standard for off-road motorcycle helmets. Thanks to all the features and to perfecting the VFX-W, top pro riders like Josh Grant, Dean Wilson, Robby Bell, and Taka Higashino ride with maximum confidence and comfort.
If you want to go deeper, you can check out our Shoei VFX-W Helmet Review to learn why many riders and motorcyclists are choosing the VFX-W off-road helmet over other off-road helmets.
Shoei VFX-W Maelstrom Helmet Review
Shell Design & Protection Level
First of all, I would like to mention that the VFX-W is Shoei’s top-of-the-line dirt bike motorcycle helmet, which is both DOT and Snell M2015 certified. That means it has gone through rigorous testing conditions for safety.
Since it is one of Shoei’s best dirt bike helmets, Shoei included the Advanced Multi-Ply Matrix AIM+ technology, which is a composition of multiple compounds such as fiberglass, organic, and other fibers. This high combination of fibers made the Shoei VFX-W more resilient and lightweight, yet rigid. Such shell design not only protects the rider from abrasions but also from heavy impacts caused in a motorcycle crash.
The good thing is, that Shoei equipped the AIM+ shell with a dual EPS liner. The EPS liner provides layered protection to the rider, which is specifically designed in an oval shape, with narrow sides to optimize adjustments.
The Shoei VFX-W shell is available in four sizes and the liner in five sizes to ensure integral adjustment and freedom to the rider while riding off-track. Furthermore, the helmet’s aerodynamic properties have been maximized through the wind tunnel and ride testing procedures.
There are other safety features available in the helmet that we will discuss below. Suffice to say, safety is definitely not compromised in this helmet. It is equipped with all the necessary safety features that you require for on- and off-track riding.
Overall, it is five out of five for safety.
Visibility
Although the visor doesn’t play a major role in off-road or dirt bike motorcycle helmets, still the visor of the Shoei VFX-W is designed to protect from the sun and the dust, water, or mud. To use the visor with the helmet, one can easily install the visor with the three plastic screws and adjust at different positions.
Shoei’s VFX-W has a large eye-port that provides an excellent field of vision. You can use oversized goggles for your off-road riding.
Noise Level
Even though we haven’t found any noise issue among Shoei VFX-W users, there were some who said that the helmet is not entirely the “Quietest.” But then they say, “Nothing is perfect.”
But I would tell you this, “Only a few helmets, such as the Shoei VFX-W is this proficient in providing excellent airflow and minimal noise.”
Ventilation System
The ventilation system in the Shoei VFX-W helmet is fantastic. Shoei already knows the importance of ventilation performance in off-road riding. So, they put everything you need in exactly the right place, including the wind-tunnel tested vent ports with the perfect size and shape to maximize airflow inside the helmet. There are a couple of front top vents, a single large chin vent, and three brow vents.
First, let’s talk about the top vents. The top intake vents allow cool air to flow inside the helmet and it is exhausted through the rear vents by the negative pressure. It maintains the airflow and ventilation for the top of the head. This is also aided by the Dual-Layer EPS liner that is specially designed to allow cool air to travel through the tunnels created in the EPS liner and to generate negative air pressure to remove the warm air through the rear vents of the helmet. A massive rear collar exhaust vent easily removes the warm air from the helmet.
The same goes for the chin vent. A single large chin vent is fully capable of providing sufficient ventilation in off-road environments. A sleek mouthpiece comes with the VFX-W off-road helmet, which prevents dust, mud, rocks, and dirt from entering the helmet. This is reinforced with an aluminum mesh screen to pull cool air in through the chin bar. And you can wash and remove this foam liner any time you want.
Interior and Comfort Level
The Shoei VFX-W off-road helmet features a 3D Max-Dry Interior System that is fully washable, removable, and adjustable material.
The 3D MAX-Dry Interior is a removable liner system that is thermo-molded to match the liner with the helmet interior. In fact, the cheek pads are available in different sizes so that the rider can get a personalized and more optimal fit while off-road riding.
Shoei understands how muddy off-road riding can be, thus it equipped cheek pads, an upper liner, and a chin strap that you can easily remove from the helmet to replace or wash.
In reviewing the interior of the helmet, we found that if the central padding is taken out, you can see that the ventilation system integrates with the internal shell. Furthermore, Shoei also included another important feature, which is the Emergency Quick Release System (EQRS) to remove the side padding in case of a fall or crash.
Overall, I can say that the interior and comfort level of the Shoei VFX-W is remarkable. The helmet won’t disappoint you in providing optimal comfort and protection while riding off-road.
This Max-Dry interior material is capable of dissipating sweat and moisture 2 times faster than other average interior material. Plus, multi-layer cheek pads and a 3D shape are available for more comfort and helmet stabilization during your ride.
Overall, I think the comfort level of the Shoei VFX-W is excellent because you will be able to customize the fit, it has faster moisture-dissipating material, and a 3D shape for stabilization.
What We Learned
Notable Features: Safety, Design
Best Suited For: Off-Road Riding
Shoei VFX-W Maelstrom Video Review
Final Verdict
| Safety | |
| Airflow | |
| Comfort | |
| Noise | |
| Value |
As with other Shoei helmets, the Shoei VFX-W’s look dates back to the mid-90s from the front view. However, when you turn the helmet, you’ll observe how the makers have brought in some “latest-edge styling” into the helmet. With the VFX-W, Shoei got rid of the Snap-On plastic vents that were known to be damaged prone, so that’s a plus point. The biggest negative point of this helmet is how hard it is to get it on your head. However, you will only face this while fitting yourself into it, once you’re able to get it on, there won’t be any problems after that.
The VFX-W is arguably the best fitting Shoei helmet, once you are able to put it on. The safety factor of this helmet is a huge plus. Shoei has incorporated the quick release system for emergencies. This allows the cheek pads to be removed while the helmet is still on. It is a smart and safety assuring feature. Ventilation is ensured by the three-piece liner designed in the helmet, as it is a route for the air to come in and keep your head cool. There aren’t any significant gains in ventilation when compared with the VFX-DT. Despite some cons, the VFX-W is arguably their best work in recent times.
Shoei VFX-W Helmet
️Pros: AIM+ Shell for incredible protection, Excellent Ventilation System, Customise fit
Cons: Noise issue
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