EDITORS NOTE: This test on the CKX Titan Air Flow Carbon Helmet was first published in the November 2024 issue of Snow Goer in our Cold Tested department. In that regular department, we put aftermarket gear, parts and accessories to the test and share the results. Enjoy. To see more tests like this on a timely basis, subscribe to Snow Goer here.
The Quebec-based CKX brand has been making huge strides in the helmet market in recent years, bringing more fresh approaches and innovative technology to a rapidly evolving segment than virtually any other brand. The days of thinking of a helmet as just a hardened skull cover are long over!
Last winter, we spent a season with one of CKX’s latest creations: The Titan Air Flow Carbon Helmet. It exemplified a lot of the brand’s fresh thinking.
In one sense, the Titan Air Flow is a unique combination of features found on the three primary styles of helmet: full-face, modular and MX.
Like a full-face, the Titan fully encases the rider’s cranium and seals up nicely, allowing for a comfortable and relatively quiet ride.
Similar to an MX helmet, it features goggles that cover the eyes. In this case, it’s 210 Degree Backcountry branded goggles that hang from a RapidClip strap (similar to a Quick Strap), meaning they’re always attached to the helmet. They can be easily fastened in place in front of the wearer’s eyes or pulled loose from the side and left to dangle.
Once the goggles are off to the side, the wearer can also flip-open part of the helmet’s chin bar utilizing the hinged and removeable muzzle. That allows for easy trailside conversations, snacking or a smoke break, much like a modular helmet.
It all adds up to a rather ingenious and adaptable package that exceeds ECE 22.60 and DOT safety standards.
Furthering the concept that this is a full-featured, fully capable helmet, it comes in the box with two breath guards (one neoprene, the other formed rubber), two chin curtains (one long, the other short), vent plugs and even a mount and security cable for a GoPro camera. We half expected to find a juggler and a mime in the box, too!
With all of these features, how did it function? Quite well. We had several different riders try it out over the course of the season, and reviews were very complimentary about the helmet’s sound level, sealing, light weight and peripheral vision.
“It’s got a really good field-of-view with those goggles,” one test rider noted. “In fact, compared to other goggle setups, it’s the best view I believe I’ve ever had.” Having goggles instead of a traditional face shield also allowed riders to more easily change out their lens color, another tester noted, though he wished for the increasingly popular magnetic lens style for truly rapid trailside alterations.
The drop-down chin bar was very popular with our test team, though some worried about the durability of its plastic parts. That said, we didn’t experience any long-term problems, though it did ice up a couple of times.
The helmet had all sorts of venting but it could be sealed up tightly on cold days. When first introduced, CKX warned riders that this helmet was truly aimed at mountain or crossover riders who work up a sweat when riding. They directed trail runners toward the original (non-Air Flow) Titan or Titan Electric models. But our test team saw no reason for anybody to avoid this comfortable and surprising warm helmet.
The helmet’s sizing was notable. Our XL version was monstrous. It was by far the largest XL helmet any of our testers had ever worn, further proof that you should always try on a helmet before you buy it.
– Staff Report
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