red-hifi-lg

Most people who know me, know I am a fan of my helmets.  Not because I think they will magically save my life, but to keep my oversized noggin protected from some other persons negligence.   Whether it’s a runaway tourist who’s never snowboarded, or the kid who didn’t use a leash and the board becomes a missle,  I love my helmet because its come in handy more than once.  Now with that being said, one of the biggest PITA’s about having a bigger noggin is finding a helmet that fits appropriately.   R.E.D. has several helmets with come in their XXL size range, which as they define sizing is 63-65cm in size. The Hi-Fi II comes in a multitude of colors and design, including black, white w/tye dye, John Boy Camo, and others. I got my hands on a Matte Brown helmet, in size XXL to give it a go.  

hifi-2hifi-3
hifi-11

First things first, the helmet shape is odd.  When you put the helmet on your head, it’s got a big look to it.  This look isn’t due to the XXL size of the helmet, but to the overall shape of the helmet.  In some ways it resembles a football helmet, and as a friend described it another way, “an oversized forehead.”   I’ll admit, the look of the helmet when you’re wearing it, can be a bit odd, but the fit of the helmet seems quite nice for the most part.  I think R.E.D. could do with a bit of adjustment on the sides of the helmet near the ears though.  Those two spots tend to be a bit more snug than the rest of  the helmet.    

R.E.D. incorporates a pretty standard set of padding within the helmet, including removable ear covers, which were new as previous generations of the helmet, people simple tore the non-removable covers out.   The ear covers are plush, thick, comfy and very warm.  They remove quite easily by simply pulling them out of snap-lock grooves.

hifi-4hifi-5

The ear cover, when engaged, adds to the snug-fit of the helmet, so you may find, you either like the ear covers, or simply hate them, and you’ll remove them.  With my oversized noggin, I can’t wear a beanie under this helmet, and quite honestly, the helmet is warm enough, so I don’t think I’d want to wear one under it.     With that being said, let’s talk about build quality shall we?   I think overall, the R.E.D. Hi-Fi II feels cheaper than the Giro helmet I rode with for most of the season.   The Hi-Fi II appears to be a one-hit helmet, meaning once you take a serious knock, you should replace the helmet.  With the price-point of $80-100 plus for the helmet, that can tend to be a bummer.  Other manufacturers such as Pro-Tec offer multi-hit helmets.  The safety foam that R.E.D. is using in the Hi-Fi II is on par with most of the other setups I’ve seen, and doesn’t feel skimpy or cheap.   My biggest complaint about this helmet, comes in the form of the chin strap.  I don’t really have an issue with the strap itself, but more so with the  ”chin guard” fabric covering part of the strap.  With other helmets I use  this piece is moveable, and in some cases can simply be removed.   R.E.D. has for some reason, sewn the piece into place, right into the strap itself.  This means you cannot adjust the piece in any way along the strap line.  Annoying?  Yes!   You can  remove the stitching in place to adjust the cloth piece where you may want it, but honestly, I think this is a design flaw which needs to be addressed.   Overall the helmet is a good helmet.  I won’t classify it as great, as there are some things I’d change or request to be changed with the helmet.   I do have to give props to R.E.D. for even putting out a design with a size XXL.   It’s quite hard to find a decent helmet in any size bigger than the subjective XL label being tossed around these days.    I’d recommend you go out and try this guy on.  If you find it fits what you want, pick it up.    Keep in mind, that on a helmet with a larger size like this (XXL) and in the case of the Hi-Fi II with it’s weird shape, goggles can tend to fit really tight, or in an akward fashion.   My A Frames are not really super comfortable with the Hi-Fi II like they are with my Giro helmet.    

Final Thoughts:

  • Comes in larger sizes!
  • Fun color choices
  • Chin guard non removable, non adjustable.. blah
  • Price Point in off season quite good!  
  • Be sure to check your Goggle fit!
  • Props to R.E.D. for larger sized helmets!