TRACK TESTED
Vemar VSREV Helmet
Author: Text by K3 Chris Onwiler/Lance Lau; Photos by Kendrick Kirk, DviantImage.com
American pride, Italian style
 Italians have style. They also have a reputation for wanting to sell you protection. Italian-made Vemar helmets offer both in one comfortable, safe and sexy package. The highly patriotic red white and blue VSREV full-face lid tested here and featured in this month’s cover shot is Vemar’s race-spec model in a lineup that includes off-road and touring lids, as well as the ultra high-end VSRC carbon fiber helmet.
Bearing both the ECE 22-05 and DOT ratings, the VSREV is a well-engineered and safe helmet. Its aerodynamic shape resists lifting and incorporates a very effective ventilation system that flows a ton of air when open yet blocks the wind effectively when shut. We tested the VSREV in changeable Florida winter weather at Jennings GP racetrack and found that it performed well in conditions ranging from warm and sunny to windy, cold and rainy. Each VSREV is supplied with a pair of 2.2 mil thick anti fog and scratch resistant face shields, one clear and one in dark tint. These performed well and showed no signs of fogging.  Vemar uses two outer shell sizes for the VSREV line to offer a range of fitment from XS to XL. The XL that we tested was exactly the size you’d expect an XL to be, similar to the Japanese helmet brands. Unlike some other Italian helmets we’ve tested, the Vemar has been specifically engineered to leave enough room for your ears to fit comfortably. Its removable, washable, sweat-wicking liner has been treated to resist odor, fungus and bacteria.
A number of things stood out for us when testing the VSREV. First, the removable wind deflector under the chin is made from the same material as the inner liner and does not grind at your throat or remove skin from your nose when pulling the helmet on or off. Normally, we instantly remove this piece and throw it away but with the Vemar lid, we kept the deflector installed and really liked it. Next, the “Defroster duct” that distributes air across the inside of the visor at speed offers some actual  nose room, which is a welcome change compared to some brands that rub against your schnozz. Finally, this helmet is light! A medium VSREV helmet weighs only 1470 grams or 3.2 pounds. Chalk this up to the carbon fiber “aramidic” fiberglass blend used to create the Vemar’s outer shell.
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