Helmet Solar X

Solar X by Icaro 2000 is a helmet that has long been a favourite with paraglider, hang glider and microlight pilots all over the world, for its lightness, style and certified safety. But technology is constantly developing, and so we have completely redesigned Solar X with new features to offer even higher levels of performance, protection and comfort. We have recalibrated its internal ventilation, added an inner cap in the high-tech fabric Coolmax, and optimized sizes with two new outer shells. Characteristics that remain unchanged are the Italian design, the appealing style and colours, and the quality of a helmet made exclusively in Italy. We are proud to present Solar X!

Helmet configurator with ear defenders, prices, options, availability and buy now

Helmet configurator with electronic headsets, prices, options, availability and buy now

New colours for 2024

Colours

Technical data (index)

• Italian Design
• Two outer shell sizes
• Inner polystyrene shell
• Sizes
• Rotary size regulator
• Interchangeable internal padding
• Visors
• Visor fixing system
• Airflow inside the helmet
• Shell edge trim
• Steel wire sidepieces
• Micrometric chin strap
• Ear defenders or electronic headsets
• How to try on a helmet with headset
• About colours
• E.N. 966 certification
• Weights
• Manual
• Italian-made quality
• What our customers say
• How the Solar X shell is made

Italian Design

Solar X has a uniquely stylish appearance, the result of design by Ignazio Bernardi in collaboration with Italy’s most prestigious helmet development company.
A new helmet starts from the desired technical characteristics, and it is given form by means of artisanal processes. In fact the first prototype is sculpted from wood and plaster, and it is then scanned and codified into a 3D file. This in turn is used for computer simulations on which colours and detail design can be perfected, and it provides the data necessary for the CNC machines that will cut the dies for the outer shell and the polystyrene inner shell.
Similar processes are used for all the other helmet components, such as ear covers, visor and so forth.
Once everything is ready, the helmet can be assembled, checked for quality, tested and packaged. The finished product is a fine example of Italian design and technological prowess.

Two outer shell sizes, made of strong polycarbonate

For Solar X we have introduced two outer shells, a larger version for sizes 60 and 61, and a smaller version for sizes 54-55, 56-57 and 58-59.
The principal reason for this change was to increase safety by means of a higher thickness for the inner polystyrene shell.
The smaller outer shell is 222 mm in width, the larger version is 236 mm in width. A minimal difference, just 14 mm.
But this was essential for passing the stringent impact tests required for EN 966 certification.

We have retained the 3mm-thick polycarbonate outer shell, which is both exceptionally light and very strong.

Inner polystyrene shell

We have increased the thickness of the inner polystyrene shell, in order to further enhance the safety and protection offered by Solar X.
Vents on the helmet’s exterior guarantee interior air flow, with two channels between the outer shell and the polystyrene inner shell optimizing comfort and temperature in flight.

Sizes

The size of a helmet is specified by the comfort padding’s inner circumference.
The size number therefore corresponds to the head circumference in centimetres, which you can determine using a soft measuring tape.
Please note that as there are two versions of the outer shell, one for the larger and the other for the smaller sizes, it is important to choose the correct version.
If you are in doubt whether to opt for the larger helmet with size 60, or the smaller helmet with size 59, we recommend choosing the larger version. The larger helmet can be adjusted using the rotary size regulator described below even if it initially feels too large. On the other hand, there is no way of adjusting the smaller size 59 helmet if it feels too tight.

Rotary size regulator

The new rotary size regulator can be used to modify not only the helmet’s internal circumference, but also its position with respect to the back of the neck.
It is simple to adjust and the operation can be performed directly by the pilot.
Comfort is ensured by padding on the size regulator’s inner surface.

Interchangeable internal padding

We have introduced a cap in the high-technology fabric Coolmax, which increases comfort by wicking perspiration away from the head and enabling it to evaporate rapidly, keeping you cool and dry.
Every Solar X helmet has a label that guarantees the use of this famous new textile, which is also soft to touch and so makes the helmet even more comfortable.

4 caps are available:

for the larger helmet, marked with a label:

• L = size 60 - 61

• M = size 58 - 59
• S = size 56 - 57
• XS = size 54 - 55

Visors

The visor is an optional accessory.
It is made of polycarbonate with anti-scratch and anti-fog treatment.

2 types are available:

• Short, transparent and tinted brown
• Long, transparent, tinted brown and mirror

Visor fixing system

In order to further increase safety for paraglider pilots, we have introduced a new visor fastening system. It was essential to ensure that the aluminium disc does not project from the outer shell by more than 5 mm, ensuring that the paraglider lines cannot get caught on the helmet.
This modification was also mandatory for EN 966 certification.
There is an O-ring inside the aluminium disc which provides the friction necessary to adjust visor position continuously and smoothly.
When the visor is lifted completely, it is entirely outside the field of vision.

Airflow inside the helmet

Solar X was developed from a previous Icaro skiing helmet.
Skiing is a sport that requires a lot of energy, and so efficient ventilation inside the helmet is essential. That's why we introduced ventilation slots that could be adjusted using the thumbswitch at the front of the helmet, a feature that was both stylish and innovative.
But hang gliding and paragliding are sports in which the use of energy is not so high, and that can potentially take pilots to heights at which the air temperature is very low.
So in the new Solar X we have eliminated the thumbswitch, while retaining slots that ensure satisfactory ventilation.

Shell edge trim

In this helmet, for the first time we haven't used the usual rubber edge trim.
We have devised a method of stitching a strip of fabric all the way around the outer edge.
The result is unique and very attractive.

Steel wire sidepieces

The stainless steel wire sidepieces are plastic-coated
We are the only helmet manufacturer offering this unique design feature.

Micrometric chin strap

The chin strap provides fine adjustment with millimetric precision.

Ear defenders or electronic headsets

The Solar X helmet is certified only when ear defenders or an electronic headset are correctly fitted.
We use the best ear defenders on the market and we mount them perfectly onto the helmet.
When mounting the ear defenders or headset, we add a reinforcement inside the outer shell. But we recommend flipping up the ear cups with care. The high leverage that can be produced by pulling up the ear cups with excessive force can cause damage to the outer shell.

The advantages of wearing a headset fixed to the helmet

• the ear cups can be flipped upwards quickly and easily
  
  
• this ensures perfect hearing when you are on the ground
  
  
• in the air you can ventilate your ears whenever you like
  
  

How to try on a helmet with headset

When you are trying on a helmet whose shell has an opening in correspondence with the ears, because they are designed to be used with headsets (whether for noise reduction or radio communications), it is essential to fasten the chinstrap correctly and position the headphone cups (swing them down into the closed position) over the ears.
In fact, if these helmets are worn without headphones, a large portion of the contact surface, which contributes considerably to the helmet’s stability on the head, is missing.
So if you try on the helmet with the headphone cups in the open position, the helmet will feel unstable.

In addition, the headphones are part of the certification, and so a helmet of this type worn without headphones can be considered as not certified.

About colours

One of the advantages of using polycarbonate for the outer shell is the fact that it offers great freedom in the graphic design and colours used for its surface finish.
But this flexibility also means that it is difficult to maintain an identical colour in successive production runs.
So the finished helmets may show slight chromatic variations.
Of course, once we have defined the desired hue, we do everything possible to ensure that it remains the same, as far as possible, from batch to batch.

E.N. 966 certification

Important !

Ear defenders, or alternatively electronic headsets fixed to the helmet, are mandatory for EN 966 certification.
Solar X can be considered as certified only when ear defenders or electronic headsets are correctly fitted.

The Solar X 2 helmet was tested by the Italian laboratory Newton, an organisation authorized by Italy’s Ministry of Transport.

All our helmets are designed especially for free flight and micro light pilots, in accordance with the European standard EN 966.

Our helmets were designed and built specifically to be as light as possible. They optimize safety for hang glider, paraglider and micro-light pilots, as described on this page.

View the certificate issued by CSI and the complete EN 966 test report.

For more information about the E.N. 966 test please read our page About safety

Weights

• Helmet with large outer shell: 517 grams
• Helmet with small outer shell: currently 548 grams, a lighter version is coming soon


• Short visor mounted on the helmet: 101 grams
• Long visor mounted on the helmet: 135 grams


• Ear defenders purely for attenuating engine noise:  from 230 to 320 grams
• Electronic headsets with cable:   from 390 to 420 grams

Manual

View the new Solar X 2.0 Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual for the Solar X 2.0

Italian-made quality

All our helmets are created by Italian designers, made in Italy using Italian materials and technology, assembled at our workshop in Laveno by trained Italian personnel, and certified by an Italian company.
It would be cheaper to outsource production overseas. We prefer to do everything ourselves, here in Italy, for a reason: quality, which means safety and user satisfaction. Our quality is not just a slogan: it is demonstrated by tangible results. Our hang gliders and helmets are used by leading pilots who have conquered an impressive list of world championship victories.
And you can see quality in action. You are welcome to visit our workshop and watch our team working on the helmets.

What our customers say

For privacy reasons, we never publish the name of the customer who sent us the comment.

"I live in the USA. I have flown with my Icaro Solar X for years and love it."

"I have recently bought a helmet Solar X on Internet. I am very satisfied by the design, the comfort and the color."

How the Solar X shell is made

Texts by Henry Neuteboom
[email protected]