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review

Met Xilo helmet

7
£29.99

VERDICT:

7
10
Extremely competent and competitively priced dual purpose road/trail lid
Weight: 
280g
Contact: 
www.met-helmets.com

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

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The Met Xilo helmet hails from the Italian brand's 'active' range aimed at budget conscious sports minded road and trail riders who want a lid that will perform in both contexts with nominal compromise.

Frankly, for the money I'm seriously impressed - but a comparatively shallow cradle gave the sensation of it being perched atop my head, so I'd strongly recommend trying before buying.

Build quality and detailing are very impressive. In mould construction where shell and EPS liner are formed simultaneously often seems a little rough around the edges but our gloss black/ anthracite was impeccable and surprisingly visible under street/vehicle lighting. Staying with the exterior a moment, we've a modest fifteen vents, insect netting and relatively shallow detachable peak.

Met employ a very interesting fluid flow analysis computer simulation for assessing airflow and this is represented by two different figures, based upon how much contact is made with the head and quality of ventilation. According to their data, the Xilo has a score of 68% and a middling cooling factor 5 (ten being optimum) implying it's better suited to mid winter cross meets in Derbyshire than trailblazing through Texas.

Occipital retention systems are another slightly confusing buzzword, but in this instance simply refers to the well-behaved adjuster wheel. A detachable means effortless morphing between road and mtb wardrobes, providing some protection from sun, rain, snow and mud without restricting peripheral vision.

Clipping along at a steady 17mph, ventilation was pretty efficient,and very temperate with buff worn beneath. A seashell-like whisper shouldn't stifle conversation or compromise hearing.

Prolonged descending at 35 mph hasn't given rise to frontal lobe pain, although perspiration was more pronounced when grinding up taller gradients. And I never found it interfered with rucksacks.

Verdict

Extremely competent and competitively priced dual purpose road/trail lid.

road.cc test report

Make and model: Met Xilo helmet

Size tested: n/a

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Met Xilo hails from the Italian marque's "Active" range and is designed as a dual purpose road/trail helmet.Seemingly aimed at sports level riders it straddles both genres competently.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

In-molding shell light and strong construction

Unisize fit

Reflective sticker at the rear

Anti-insect net

Removable Visor

Lockable side straps divider

Safe-T Twist 2 one hand adjustment

Washable and anti-allergic pads

Weight: 275 gr.

Head Contact Surface: 68 percent

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
7/10

Surprisingly good.

Rate the product for performance:
 
7/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
7/10
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
7/10
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
7/10
Rate the product for value:
 
7/10

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Met Xilo has been a really pleasant surprise, superbly finished and well designed for road and trail riding. However, I'm of the opinion more limited ventilation/airflow lends it best to cross and winter/early season service.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Stylish versatile and great value for money.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Shallow cradle felt less supportive-not a deal breaker but try before you buy.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.

Would you consider buying the product? Definitely as a second do-all winter lid.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes, with some minor reservations.

Overall rating: 7/10

About the tester

Age: 38  Height: 1m 81  Weight: 70 kilos

I usually ride: Rough Stuff Tourer Based around 4130 Univega mtb Frameset  My best bike is: 1955 Holdsworth Road Path and several others including cross & traditional road

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: cyclo cross, commuting, touring, fixed/singlespeed, mtb,

 

Shaun Audane is a freelance writer/product tester with over twenty-eight years riding experience, the last twelve (120,000 miles) spent putting bikes and kit through their paces for a variety of publications. Previous generations of his family worked at manufacturing's sharp end, thus Shaun can weld, has a sound understanding of frame building practice and a preference for steel or titanium framesets.
Citing Richard Ballantine and an Au pair as his earliest cycling influences, he is presently writing a cycling book with particular focus upon women, families and disabled audiences (Having been a registered care manager and coached children at Herne Hill Velodrome in earlier careers)

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