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ADV NewsKlim Introduces the X1 Alpha Adventure Helmet

Klim Introduces the X1 Alpha Adventure Helmet

Built from the ground up and packed with features for even the longest rides.

Published on 11.15.2024

Klim has announced the X1 Alpha, an all-new ADV helmet designed specifically for the longer rides many adventure riders enjoy. Built from the ground up, this helmet focuses not only on crash safety but also on reducing fatigue by offering improvements in comfort, ventilation, and even face shield optics to keep riders aware and alert. It seems to incorporate everything we like about Klim’s previous adventure helmets and addresses some of our criticisms as well.

Klim X1 Alpha adventure motorcycle helmet
Klim X1 Alpha adventure motorcycle helmet

Like the older Krios helmet we tested, the X1 Alpha uses Klim’s Koroyd impact-absorbing material. Koroyd is a dual-walled welded material made up of straw-like structures welded together. These cores crush homogeneously when impacted, without the rebound condition found when using EPS alone. Unlike the Krios, the X1 Alpha uses both Koroyd and traditional EPS foam to optimize energy absorption for large and small impact forces, utilizing the advantages of both materials for better overall protection.

Klim X1 Alpha adventure motorcycle helmet
Klim X1 Alpha adventure motorcycle helmet

The cheek pads and crown liner are made with a Brrr Triple Chill Effect antibacterial cooling fabric. This wicks moisture, helps keep the rider cool, and reduces smell buildup over time. This is a different material than the Krios but serves the same purpose. The X1 Alpha is trimmed out with premium perforated goal leather suede, spacer mesh for breathability, and reflective material for added low-light visibility.

Klim X1 Alpha adventure motorcycle helmet

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The outermost layer of the X1 Alpha is a hand-laid 3K pre-preg carbon fiber shell, which ensures maximum protection with minimum weight. It is an intermediate oval, with the fit silhouette modeled after KLIM’s popular Krios Pro. Three shell sizes are available, with one shell dedicated to the large size. This is the most popular helmet size, and dedicating a shell to it ensures that everything is perfectly scaled with the right comfort liner thickness, Koroyd + EPS thickness, and shell dimensions.

Klim X1 Alpha adventure motorcycle helmet

While the Krios was optimized to integrate with the Sena 10U communicator, the X1 Alpha is agnostic in this area. It has ear pocket cutouts designed for any communication system, while the carbon fiber shell’s “infinity edge” enables you to easily install a Sena, Cardo, or any other communicator you choose.

Design

Klim X1 Alpha adventure motorcycle helmet
Klim X1 Alpha adventure motorcycle helmet

Klim performed extensive wind tunnel testing on the X1 Alpha to reduce noise and improve ventilation, one of our few quibbles with the Krios. Klim cranks the wind tunnel up to 75 mph to simulate highway speeds as well as riding around town or on the trails. The entire shape of the helmet, including the removable peak visor, has been optimized to keep the noise down, reducing fatigue from wind noise. Improved airflow around the helmet also reduces the strain on the neck and head.

Klim X1 Alpha adventure motorcycle helmet
Klim X1 Alpha adventure motorcycle helmet

The X1 Alpha is designed to force as much air into the helmet’s four intake ports as possible. The upper chin vents channel air to the face shield for defogging as before, but unlike the Krios, the X1 Alpha’s lower chin vents point directly to the rider’s face. Forehead vents channel air through the helmet’s straw-like Koroyd material to keep the top of the head cool, while channels in the inner EPS liner guide air out the exhaust vents in the back of the helmet. We’ll have to test one to be sure, but this design seems like it should vastly improve ventilation.

Klim X1 Alpha adventure motorcycle helmet
Klim X1 Alpha adventure motorcycle helmet
Klim X1 Alpha adventure motorcycle helmet

Like the Krios, four configuration options are available in the X1 Alpha, ADV/Dual-Sport/Off-Road/Street. The helmet is compatible with goggles, with or without the face shield installed. The peak visor and face shield are removable without tools in seconds, and self-calibrating hinges make installing the face shield even easier. When attached, the peak visor is adjustable, with three positions available at the press of a button.

Optics

Something riders can experience with helmets is a slight optical distortion when looking through a face shield. This is especially pronounced on a more angular ADV helmet than a street helmet with a constant curve. Over time, this can cause eye fatigue. 

Klim has put great effort into solving this issue with its Super HD face shield technology, using multiple thicknesses to mitigate this distortion and provide a clearer view. They have worked with Pinlock to achieve Class 1 Clarity, the highest level available, with a Pinlock 120XT anti-fog lens installed. 

Klim X1 Alpha adventure motorcycle helmet

On the fog prevention front, KLIM also engineered the face shield to sit in the “cracked position” where a small gap is maintained at the bottom of it for additional airflow. A direct-vent defogging diffuser also pushes fresh air up into the face shield when riding to maintain fog-free vision. 

Klim X1 Alpha adventure motorcycle helmet

A photochromic lens is included to automatically adjust to changing light conditions, though other face shields are available. All of them include both UV400 protection from ultraviolet rays and Klim Infrared Heat Shielding as another layer of protection against heat buildup inside the helmet.

Overall, the X1 Alpha seems to have addressed most, if not all, of our minor criticisms of the Krios. It looks like it will be a solid premium ADV helmet offering. Klim has not announced pricing for the X1 Alpha yet but says it will be available in the spring of 2025. Further information is not yet available on Klim’s website, but you can enter your email on a landing page to receive updates.

Author: Justin Hughes

Justin has been an automotive and motorcycle journalist for the past 10 years. After learning to ride on a series of Suzuki GSs, he took up touring on a Honda Silverwing and PC800 before turning his attention to off-road adventures. His racing experience is mainly with cars, although he did do a track day once on a KLR650. He has traveled with his cat, Lister, to 44 states in his “moto-glamping” camper van, Smokey Da Van, with his V-Strom 650 in tow.

Author: Justin Hughes
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Christopher Johnson
Christopher Johnson
November 15, 2024 12:22 pm

I’ve been very pleased with my Krios Pro helmet, especially the light weight. And I love the photosensitive faceshield, though the dark patches when I put the shield in the down position after being up in the sun are briefly distracting.
I’m still not convinced that the Krios chinstrap magnetic mechanism is really better than a more conventional double-D ring strap, something your review didn’t discuss.
I’m not looking forward to learning how much this new helmet will cost.

RJM
RJM
November 18, 2024 8:23 am

Personally speaking I detest the double D ring and wont buy a helmet that has one if there is any other option.

Ian B
Ian B
November 19, 2024 11:51 am

The Fidlock is a revelation, It’s a deal breaker for me.

Steve Lafon
Steve Lafon
November 20, 2024 4:36 pm

I’d agree , I still like the old style d ring better and can fasten it quicker.

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