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The third generation of HJC's IBEX helmet features an updated aerodynamic silhouette, along with four large forward-facing vents with internal channelling, named Coolpath.
The helmet is being worn by the riders of Team TotalEnergies as they near the climax of the Tour de France in Paris this Sunday.
The IBEX 3.0 Coolpath design means the forward-facing vents accelerate airflow through a deep central channel. The air is forced out through the four rear-facing vents and four exhaust ports on the lower half of the rear.
HJC claims that although the IBEX 3.0 isn’t a pure aero helmet, its aero performance in wind-tunnel tests brings 215g of drag at 45kph.
That's better than its three main (unnamed) competitors and 20g better than its closest rival, according to HJC. At 60kph, the difference is greater, with it being a claimed 30g more efficient than its nearest competitor.
Holds firm
The new helmet has an updated rear cradle and retention system. The new Selfit Pro system offers five-point horizontal adjustment and 5cm of vertical adjustment, along with a micro-adjusting dial to tune the fit.
Safety first
While most of HJC’s competitors license MIPS technology for added safety, HJC has designed its own system, called SLID: Sliding Layer Impact Distribution.
The SLID design is a web structure that anchors to the helmet. Inserted into this web are special gel pads that flow in any direction in the event of an impact.
HJC claims this reduces the amount of energy imparted to the brain as the helmet rotates, lessening the rotational impact energy on the brain.
Our large-sized test helmet weighs in at a feathery 288g and is priced at £249.99 / €259.
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