The Italian company, Suomy, has been making top-tier helmets for years. The lids are a common sight on race grids and at podium interviews. I have noticed, though, that the brand is not as common as Shoei and Arai on the mean streets of America. I’m sure that company means to change this with the “entry level” Vandal. Obviously, when you say entry level in relationship high quality helmet companies, you should not think cheap. The Vandal (in the Italia motif reviewed here) retails for well over $400.
The Vandal is constructed of an advanced fiber weave that yields an impressively light weight. The Vandal’s 1250 gram weight places it as one of the lighter helmets on the market. For comparison, the Shoei RF-1000 weighs over 1500 grams. The combination of this light weight and the well-designed “anti-nap” interior makes the vandal one of the most comfortable helmets I have worn. In fact, when the miles stack up, the vandal never becomes – well…a pain in the neck.
I have found the ventilation to be a strong point on the Vandal as well. The front lid vents are a rotating affair, and are easily adjustable with a gloved hand. The exit vents are of a slide design with three positions. The chin vent has a standard open and closed slide function. Quality of construction and graphics are what you’d expect from one of the world’s top helmet builders. I really like the matte finish on the Vandal Italia. Shield function is solid and smooth, and removal takes the form of metal locks on each side that rotate off and on. I actually like the system’s function, though it does leave open the possibility of losing a lock, which would not be a great thing on the road.
I have two complaints with the Suomy Vandal. First is noise. This is a relatively loud helmet. I always wear ear plugs, so this is not a big deal to me. But be forewarned, this is not a quiet lid. My other minor complaint is that the interior of the shield is coated with an anti-fog agent that makes the cleaning process a little difficult. The Vandal comes in two shell sizes fitting heads from XS – 2XL. I found the sizing to be accurate. The shape seems to be similar to what Arai calls the round oval.
In the end, the Suomy Vandal is a quality helmet at a reasonable price. I have logged hundreds of miles in the Vandal, and I’m impressed. Its aerodynamics and light weight make it a good option for the sport touring crowd.
