Photography by Jason Spafford
Venturing full-time into off-road realms on a KTM 500 and swapping my modular helmet for the Klim Krios Pro felt natural. In my sixth year of long-distance adventure riding, I put the Krios Pro through its paces, charting dirt trails across Baja and the American West.
Crafted from a resilient handlaid carbon-fiber shell, it offers featherlight comfort and balanced riding, and its energy-absorbing materials establish a benchmark for impact resilience. Ventilation-wise, it held its own in temperatures surpassing 90°F, with chin and forehead vents affording personalized airflow.
Sporting four ride modes—street, adventure, dirt, and trail—the helmet suits various preferences and can accommodate goggles without the face shield. Its Pinlock-ready, anti-scratch shield maintains clarity, while the Transitions photochromic lens swiftly adjusts to bright light. However, there’s a slight delay in changing from sunlight to darkness (e.g., in a tunnel), and it’s a tad dark for nighttime riding.
Thanks to a nifty magnetic design, the Fidlock strap closure system facilitates easy fastening, even with gloves, but achieving a snug fit under the chin can be tricky, often leaving a small gap between the strap and my lower jaw.
Aerodynamically bolstered by its liner system, the Krios Pro offers a quiet ride, an asset on prolonged journeys, and the visor and spoiler enhance stability and comfort. Its antimicrobial, sweat-wicking liner keeps things fresh in sweltering or strenuous conditions such as those we experienced in Death Valley. With a quick release, a tool-free shield, and visor changes, maintenance is also a breeze, attesting to the helmet’s practicality honed through real-world revisions.
Aesthetically, it’s pleasing. The Krios Pro is offered in diversified designs, from vibrant and bold to understated classics; there’s a style to suit many tastes. Next time, I’d choose a more eye-catching colorway like Jason’s in charger peyote over mine in matte black. Black helmets tend to feel warmer in hot weather, are less visible among traffic users, and fail to pop in photos or videos.
The helmet’s sizing ensures a snug fit for most, but I faced a personal challenge: two ridges inside caused pressure on my forehead due to my specific head shape, leaving red marks. Fortunately, a creative fix involving a spoon and golf ball, gently compressing the polystyrene a few millimeters, made a noticeable difference, rendering the helmet comfortable for extended rides.
Having traversed 6,500 miles across North America, the Krios Pro has proven a steadfast companion, seamlessly integrating with our Cardo Packtalk Edge (or SENA) for connectivity. While its premium pricing may deter budget-conscious riders, its blend of performance, comfort, and safety features solidifies its status as a top-of-mind choice for adventure enthusiasts. As we ride on, the Krios Pro has earned its mantle as the best and lightest lid I’ve worn on dirt and slab.
$750 | klim.com
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Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in Overland Journal’s Gear 2025 Issue.
