The VX PRO 4 comes after a long hiatus from the previous VX PRO 3. They’ve seriously listened to all the issues pointed out by their customers and taken care of almost everything in the latest model. What’s more, this extensive redesign conforms with SNELL and DOT ratings.
What Would You Love?
The design includes many improvements in the ridge lines, as well as the way the chin bar has been molded. It now has more of a rounded design which breaks out in case of an impact rather than breaking in and affecting your jaw. This is in direct contrast with the straightened design found in other helmets.
The helmet profile is subtle with reduced protrusions and crease lines, but a proper ridge to attach the goggle with a strap at the back of the helmet. Additional poly urethane supports on the eye port which interface with your goggle straps and keep them in place.
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The Top Features to Look Out For
A lot of additions and redesigns exist in this upgrade in the form of features, which we will see next.
Shell
The shell is constructed of a proprietary technology termed as Complex Laminate Construction or cLc. It consists of three layers with the outer and inner being super laminate and a special composite fiber ‘mat’ material sandwiched in between. The base is fiberglass which is pretty much standard these days, but you can think of different and more expensive compounds used by Arai in the construction of this material. The added fiber ‘mat’ adds to the strength and rigidity of the inner and outer layers and result in better management of impacts.
At 3 lbs. 7 oz., for the medium, this is heavier than the VX PRO 3, but the extra weight is justified for by the special laminate construction for additional safety.
The shape of this helmet is intermediate oval, which is the standard shape of a skull in a human, with some exceptions. Still, Arai has considered this fact and added some more room at the temple area for the occasional oddball and provided 5 sizes to choose from.
Visors
The peak is now wider by an amount of 5 mm and longer by about 14 mm. The designers have taken care to darken the underside of the peak to avoid reflective rays from reaching your eyes from underneath.
As compared to the VX PRO 3, the peak on this lid has more cut-aways than you’d bargain for. But this is actually a design by intention. It allows for more uninterrupted airflow and reduced lift when you are mixing it up in the mud and dirt at blazing fast speeds.
It’s mounted on the helmet with poly urethane bolts and a set screw to adjust the peak position. Since it is plastic, the peak shears right off in case of a header in the dirt.
Also, the eye port feels a little smaller than the Arai VX Pro 3, but it should be enough to fit your goggles.
We have worked closely with RevZilla, Amazon and 2Wheel over the years to provide our testers with products to review. They are all great partners and unique in their own ways, so make sure to check out their prices. Please don’t forget we may get a commission if you buy from them.
Ventilation
Three chin vents which are now in the form of protrusions lie on the chin guard. These allow for an increased amount of air flow than its predecessor which had the vents integrated into the shell.
The chimney vents are right under the peak with toggle buttons which have been specifically designed to be found with gloved hands.
The exhaust ventilation is now passive instead of the toggle vents that can be found on the previous VX-PRO 3. The people at Arai have added an extra vent in the center to make the total exhaust vents 6 in number. They lie beneath a translucent housing that is attached to the shell with a screw and can be removed quite easily.
The winglet exhausts feature a notch on each side which enhance the venturi effect, as opposed to the integrated vents in the previous model.
The EPS has 10 mm vent holes drilled at various points, effective in blowing a lot of air on your scalp and hair (if there’s any left).
Padding and Lining
The lining here is from Dry-Cool, rigorously tested form MotoGP. Both the cheek pads and the comfort liner are removable and washable. The neck roll can be removed as well. It was not possible in the previous version because of the peculiar vent construction. The Dry-Cool liner has specially inserted microscopic water cells which accelerate the heat and humidity transfer from your skin and scalp to the airflow between itself and the EPS.
The cheek pads and comfort liner fit very snug with multi-density foam. The emergency cheek pad removal system is by far the simplest version of itself in the VX PRO 4. Each cheek pad has a small yellow pull tag that the emergency medic needs to pull. And the pad comes right off. Very effective to remove without twisting your head when you are knocked out.
We have worked closely with RevZilla, Amazon and 2Wheel over the years to provide our testers with products to review. They are all great partners and unique in their own ways, so make sure to check out their prices. Please don’t forget we may get a commission if you buy from them.
Customer Reviews
All the reviews of the customers who bought this thing leaned towards appraising it as perfect. Some fitting issues aside, not a single complaint has been registered till now.
That’s how good they are at Arai.
Bottom Line
Considering that this is a premium helmet from Arai, you’d expect nothing less in terms of comfort and safety which actually shows in the construction of this lid.
Verdict? Three words. Worth. Every. Penny.