Depending on who you speak to, Arai is either the gold standard or holy grail of lids. Ultimately, however, a brand's name means nothing unless it meets the latest safety standards. For everyday helmets, we look to the latest ECE certification to ensure they meet the latest safety standards, but when it comes to racing, both on and off-road, we look to the FIM.
Well, there's a new FIM standard in town, and if you want to race in 2026, you'll have to get a lid that's been added to the FIM's FRHP-he02 approved helmet list—only then can you compete in competition wearing said helmet. Arai's new MX-V EVO FIM Racing #2 has just been added to the FIM’s FRHP-he02 approved list.
The latest lid from Arai satisfies all performance requirements for the FRHPhe-03 standard, which will be mandatory for racing off-road in 2026, and it's the first off-road model from the brand to meet the updated FIM standards. The MX-V EVO FIM Racing #2 still follows Arai's "glancing off" philosophy, which refers to the egg-like shape of the outer shell that's designed to glance the ground instead of digging in. Although in the case of the MX-V EVO FIM Racing #2, there are a lot of protruding parts that could dig into the dirt, such as the visor, but that's unavoidable.
The Japanese manufacturer's latest lid uses the company’s Peripherally-Belted Complex Laminate Construction (PB-cLc2) shell, which keeps the weight down but keeps the helmet strong. Compared to the previous iteration, this model has a revised peak and airflow, refined ventilation channels, and that's about it. Arai maintains that its design approach helped it meet the new FIM standards without the need for big changes, but don't let that fool you into thinking the new standards are easy to pass because this lid joins a select group of helmets that've passed.
Joining the Arai MX-V EVO FIM Racing #2 the the FIM’s FRHP-he02 approved helmet list are the LS2 MX703 X-Force Pro, Acerbis Airstrike FIM Racing #2, Airoh Aviator 3 EVO, Shark Aeron GP Racing #2, Alpinestars Supertech S-M10 Solid, and the Alpinestars Supertech S-M10. Aria's RX-7V FIM Racing #2 helmet also meets the latest FIM standards for those who want an Arai for short-circuit racing.
