Shark OXO helmet review

For those who ride into Europe's big cities, 'flip-over' helmets have become somewhat ubiquitous. And indeed for the urban rider, a flip-over might just be the perfect helmet, combing the protection of a full-face helmet when you're on your way into town from the suburbs, with the cooling effects of an open-face helmet when you're inside the city limits.

Shark helmets has been producing flip-over lids since 2007. The original helmet was called the Evoline. A design upgrade earned the helmet a new name: the Evo-One. That helmet went through several iterations , not all of which were hugely successful. But with the need to upgrade to ECE 22-06, Shark decided to start afresh from a blank sheet of paper.

There's nothing particularly outstanding about the technical spec. of the new Shark OXO, as the company's new flip-over is called.

The shell is made from a material called Lexan. That's a fancy word for plastic. This is not the most sophisticated substrate for a helmet, but plastic helmets are good at absorbing the energy of an impact. Plastic, though, doesn't make for the strongest shells, when it comes to multiple impacts, for example.

The helmet comes in just two shell sizes. Now three shell sizes is the mark of a truly premium helmet, although it's still probably the case that most brands have two, including some upmarket ones like, for example, a Schuberth helmet.

The OXO comes in six different sizes; from XS to XXL. Interestingly, the helmet has six different eps sizes, which means that each helmet will fit differently. And I mention this because, in the outlying sizes, some helmet makers rely on the comfort liner to alter the internal fit.

The headliners on the OXO can be removed and washed, by the way, but don't come in different thicknesses. But the cheekpads do. In fact, in every size of helmet you get the option to fit up to five different thicknesses of cheekpad. And that's pretty impressive.

The internal facings are certainly comfortable. All the surfaces feel nice next to the skin, although we're not talking about the levels of sumptuousness of a Shoei helmet here.

To us, one of the most interesting differences between the old Evo-One helmet and the OXO is the way it fits. Frankly, the OXO's predecessor had a very idiosyncratic fit. The helmet was very wide, meaning that it revealed large open spaces above the cheekbones. It then tapered down quite aggressively to the chin, meaning that it often felt as though you were wearing a boxing head guard. The result was that the cheeks could be very tight, pinching the mouth, and making it nigh on impossible to chew gum. Or even talk! People got used to it, but there was no other helmet quite like it. We were never great fans of the fit, although the helmet's overall rounder shape did work well on those with wider heads.

Well, the OXO is very different.

[JaimeAlcaino]

Hola, te saludo desde Chile. Gracias por el video. Este casco entra en el baúl de una Vespa 300?

[OCDlafsen]

Great introduction and as always informative and fair. It's on my watch list for next helmet for especially summer and urban combined commuting. Only disapointment is no pinlock 120. That's a weird decision - even given Sharks history with pinlock on their previous Evo line.

[luddite]

I notice that there is a cut-away at the rear of the helmet that looks to be the same as on the Nolan N120. Does this mean that the Nolan brake light will also fit directly into this recess?

[Mancastle]

OXO as in beef stock cubes?
Shark OXO beef stock cube helmet?

[NakaNakaDerkaDerka]

Thankyou for actually mentioning that the visor has no steps between open and closed. My only q is is it sprung to open if not locked in down. This is how my airoh is and it’s damn annoying.

[neilcass]

Great review. Currently have an Evo one two and looking to change could you post a link to the comms unit mentioned please.

[matusknives]

I very much appreciate the very direct, no nonsense overview/review. Do you plan to do driving review?

[MariosKarampalis]

It’s actually like my Xomo BMW helmet but with a flip up mechanism

[jmaferreira]

Looks like they just gave up and teamed up with Nolan.
As soon as you mentioned Lexan, I thought of Nolan, as they’ve used this for a long time.
The two tab pinch to open mechanism also pointed towards Nolan.
The sun visor system is exactly the same as Nolan.
Take a look at the Nolan N120.1, then put it side by side with the Shark Oxo.
Looks like Shark took the easy way out and rebranded a Nolan with slight design changes. 🙄

[danjf]

Interesting video and lid. But I have to ask...what's changed?... Not so long ago you said that ML would not provide helmets that didn't have the option to offer a more custom fit with different liners. I primarily highlighted the HJC RPHA 90S carbon.

I think you've now done a few videos for less premium helmets, more cost effective options and I think that is a good thing.

[luddite]

I saw your written review on your website yesterday, so thanks for posting this review so quickly. As a current Evoline owner whose helmet will soon need replacing, I hope the fit is suitable. The visor looks to have a sealing strip along the top edge. Is it flexible or moulded as part of the main visor?

[ReadYesterdaysPapers]

PLEASE do tell at wich size the bigger outer shell starts. Why would I care about size XS or XL when I do need L? If L is the smaller shell I'm in. Given its not to heavy! so the weight would be interesting too.

Such a long and beautyful vid and two most basic Info missing :-(

[rogerthedodger]

Good video, but i find the almost zero eye contact disconcerting. I keep wanting to look behind me.

[duncanorr]

Looks like a very interesting proposition. Is it just me who thinks that this is almost identical to the Nolan equivalent though? Even down to the chin bar mechanism.

[markmundy]

As always an excellent review, but unfortunately like many I lose all interest in any helmet that comes pre-fitted for any kind of proprietary coms unit. I fully understand why so many manufacturers now do this (£££) but for me its just a big no.

[teem]

looks like SHARK is the Peugeot of helmets? Boring but known brand, reliability is good on the newer models but older ones were hit and miss. French but probably manufactured in China now. Had a sporty boy racer model in the 90s. Aggressive branding where the brand name or logo is a beastly animal. Bit of a poor man’s choice. Will be here for many more decades. Very subjective styling which is not palatable for those who have more sophisticated taste.

[Mid-Knife-Crisis]

Typically French. Absolutely bloody, pointless 😂