Fox have introduced the new XC-orientated Striker, its first follow-up to the Flux which it launched several years ago.

The Flux was a great helmet with styling cues taken from the motocross world which found it many fans, but when we reviewed it we found it just a little heavy and warm for faster XC jaunts.

The Striker then takes several steps to make it more XC and race friendly. Still with the same 22 vents but more aggressively sculptured to better channel cooling air over your noggin. There’s the same dramatically dropped rear section, which Fox say gives the wearer more protection than other XC race helmets, and here there are all-new ‘structural honeycomb venting inserts’ to further assist in keeping your head cool.

It’s also claimed to be lighter than the Flux, but the press release doesn’t state the actual weight, so we’ll just take their word for it, for now… It looks good, and with a price of £90 puts it square in competition with offerings such as Giro’s Athlon.

Three sizes will be available, XS/S, S/M, L/XL, and you’ll be able to choose from the following colours; White/Black/Red, Black/Charcoal, Black/White, Silver or Black.

Availability is expected in February/March 2011. More at www.foxmtb.com