Zox Etna SVS Helmet Review
The Zox Etna SVS is a new model for 2009 and seems to take design cues from multiple types of motorcycle helmets including motocross, open face, and full-face models. The result is a very versatile helmet that can adapt to many different styles/uses depending on the owner’s preferences.
Zox describes the Etna SVS as an open face helmet with solar visor system. It features polycarbonate thermo alloy construction, top stabilizer, rear air exhaust fins, and a removable liner. The Etna is available in silver, black, matte black, titanium, and yellow.
The sizing seemed to run a little big. Normally I wear a large in most helmets and the L Zox I received proved to be a little larger than I’m use to. Be advised and double check your head measurements before deciding on a size. That being said, it fit comfortably (just a little loose) and the noise level was good.
Opening the box was a pleasant surprise. Zox includes multiple accessories with every Etna SVS. These accessories include a clear face shield, a motocross type plastic visor, and a nice helmet bag (much nicer than the bag I received with the Suomy Jet Light, a considerably more expensive helmet).
The helmet itself is very full featured. It can be configured into three distinct helmets with the included accessories. The first is the configuration that reminds me of a cross between an off road helmet and something you’d see on a storm trooper from Stars Wars. The helmet came shipped in this configuration and had the plastic visor attached with no face shield. The helmet also has a tinted eye shield that comes down via a slider on the left side of the helmet and is usable in all three configurations. The eye shield works great as a quick pair of sunglasses during dusk. I’ve tried a couple of HCI helmets in the past where the eye shield hit my nose when it was slid down. I’m happy to report to Etna eye shield had no such problems and seemed to be designed well.
Configuration 1:
The second configuration was my favorite. If you remove the plastic visor you can attach the face shield to get a ¾ helmet with face shield similar to a Nolan Flashback or a Suomy Jet Light. This configuration felt the safest and proved to be a good fit. The face shield came down to right below my chin and left about a half-inch gap of space between the shield and my nose. The proportions of the helmet seemed to fit my head well.
Configuration 2:
Lastly you can take both the face shield and plastic visor off of the helmet to get a ¾ helmet with eye shield. To someone who normally rides with a full face, this configuration felt a little vulnerable, but it wasn’t the helmet itself, just the configuration that made me nervous.
Configuration 3:
The construction and fit and finish of the Etna was good (similar to KBC or HJC) and the customer service was great (thanks Darren and Motovan.com). As with any product, everything wasn’t perfect. The main complaint I had about the helmet was a lack of instructions for removing the face shield and plastic visor. Although I figured out the process without instructions, it took much longer than it should have and I had to put a lot of pressure on the face shield specifically. US Street price for the Etna SVS is $129.99 which seems a little high (if the Etna SVS was in the $100 category it would out perform all its competition handily). This puts the Etna SVS close in price to several helmets with better name recognition and better fit/ finish. The downside to these competing helmets is they don’t offer the versatility of Etna and normally only offer one of the Etna’s three configurations.
In conclusion the Zox Etna is a great helmet for those needing a versatile helmet to adapt to the different situations they ride in. With its multiple accessories it can be configured into three distinct helmets and it provides a level of versatility currently unseen in the market. Although Zox is a relative new comer to the American market they provide a good quality product, great customer service, and outstanding protection. I wouldn’t hesitate to use the Zox Etna SVS for my primary helmet. If you’re interested in picking up a new Zox SVS then mosey on down to Motovan.com and check them out. Tell’em scooter-news sent you.
* Thanks to Darren Meehan and Motovan.com for making this review possible.
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