Abus XOXO birch taupe

The ABUS XOXO birch taupe is a city helmet with a skater look: clean lines, round shell, the styling of people who get around by skateboard, bike or scooter. 400 g in size M, for a head circumference of 54 to 58 cm.

Its construction is not that of a road helmet: it is an injection-moulded hard shell placed over the shock-absorbing foam, not an in-mould build. Heavier, but tougher — that is what explains the 400 g, and what takes the knocks of daily urban use.

Fit is set with a Zoom™ Slide sliding mechanism at the back of the head rather than a dial: continuous adjustment in one movement. The three-pronged push-in buckle holds firmly, and the tube padding developed by ABUS avoids two classic annoyances — pinching your skin when closing the chin strap, and pressure on the neck. Flap Divider™ strap divider with a clamp below the ears, Velcro-mounted Comfort Pads, removable and washable.

ABUS classes it as an urban, skate and BMX helmet, for adults and teenagers. Worth knowing: half head ring, no ponytail opening, no Mips, no light and no lower edge protection.