Icon Airframe Pro Halo Carbon
ICON AIRFRAME PRO HALO CARBON
IGNITION
EVALUATION
Light and tight
Don Canet
Perhaps once perceived as the brand geared for street-fighters and stunters, Portland, Oregon-based riding apparel manufacturer Icon has steadily broadened its product offerings and image. While Icon apparel lines focus on sportbikes, cruisers, and the fast-growing retro and ADV segments, its head is also in the helmet arena with an evolving line of street helmets. The latest is the all-new Airframe Pro.
The Airframe Pro family is primarily comprised of fiberglass compositeshell models in a variety of n solid and graphic options with prices ranging from $375 to $440. The flagship models, however, are a pair of $600 carbonfiber versions, the solid black Ghost Carbon and the Halo Carbon tested here. Aside from the material used in the handcrafted shell, all Airframe Pros share a common feature set. Four unique shell sizes are used across an eight-size range spanning 2XS to 3XL. The fivepiece moisture-wicking Hydradry liner is removable, and Icon offers Looser Fit and Tighter Fit liner sets ($45) allowing the possibility of 27 tailored fitment combinations within each shell size. I found my normal size medium to be a bit tight in the cheek pads, which was easily addressed here.
The quick-release face shield system lives up to its Rapid-Release name: It was a snap to swap the shield for one of the many tinted offerings. The Carbon models include a Dark Smoke TracShield with posts for tear offs. The shield seals tight with no whistling leaks detected at speed.
A signature feature of the AFP is what Icon calls a Sculpted Neckroll. The carved-out area is designed to reduce jacket/suit interference when in a fulltuck riding position.
Cooler heads prevail, with a total of nine intake vents feeding air through channels molded into the EPS liner that route to five exhaust vents at the rear of the shell. The adjustable brow and chin vents do a good job of sealing out the chill when closed.
Having worn the Airframe Pro on the track and the street I am impressed with the strides Icon has made in quality, fit, and function. While there are more expensive helmets to be had, you do get what you pay for, and the Airframe Pro delivers the goods in its price range.
ICON AIRFRAME PRO HALO CARBON
rideicon.com PRICE: $600
UPS + Proprietary carbon weave looks boss + Five-piece Hydradry interior allows custom fitment + Clear optics face shield
DOWNS - Light-color liner shows grime overtime - Now your bike needs CF bodywork
