A brain bucket with a low price tag used to equal poor quality or haphazard protection. Not today. The $120 to $200 price range is the meat of the helmet selections available, and for good reason. Their quality and appearance now rival competitors' products that cost twice the price. The latest from Moose is a perfect example. Not only is the XCR affordable at $139.95, but after we put in several rides with the helmet, we became convinced it is an ideal topper to the Moose XCR line. Built with a composite shell and an energy-absorbing, high-density EPS liner, it meets or exceeds both DOT and Snell M2000 standards.
It fit nicely. The eyeport was big enough to allow full-sized goggles to seal well, and it didn't rotate forward in rough terrain as some similarly priced units we've donned lately have. Its venting doesn't create a wind tunnel around your head, but it still managed to keep our melon from baking on hot days. Nothing like comfortable-yet-firm padding that hugs your head to make life easier. And it doesn't rip off your ears when putting on or removing the helmet, either. A removable and washable liner is almost a requirement these days regardless of price, but getting it in and out can sometimes be a patience test. This one was more drama than it should have beenours had a line of glue on the forehead region. It was getting the liner back in that took more time than normal and was our biggest issue with this lid. Other than a small chin opening, that's all the shortcomings to have shown up so far. Available in XS-XXL in six colors to match your gear or bike.