Buying guide for Best motorcycle helmets
Riding a motorcycle can be a fun and thrilling experience, but it can also be very dangerous. Riding without the right protective gear could get you seriously injured or worse, even if you’re the most responsible driver.
When it comes to motorcycle safety gear, a helmet tops the list. Choosing a high-quality motorcycle helmet that will keep you as safe as possible is very important, so you need to know what material and weight are best for your riding habits, as well as what comfort features and safety standards can help make the helmet most effective.
Types of motorcycle helmets
Full-face motorcycle helmet
A full-face motorcycle helmet has a wrap-around chin bar and flip-down shield so your entire face is covered. This type of helmet offers the most protection while you’re riding.
Open-face motorcycle helmet
An open-face motorcycle helmet covers the top, crown, and back of your head while featuring a flip-down shield that makes it look similar to a full-face helmet. It doesn’t offer the same protection as a full-face helmet, but its visibility is usually better.
Dual-sport motorcycle helmet
A dual-sport motorcycle helmet is designed for people who use both on- and off-road bikes. It combines the comfort of a street helmet with the style of an off-road helmet.
Half-shell motorcycle helmet
A half-shell motorcycle helmet covers only the top portion of your head, so there isn’t much coverage in the back of the head. It allows you to feel the wind on your face as you ride, but it offers little in the way of protection.
Modular motorcycle helmet
A modular motorcycle helmet usually has a flip-up chin bar, so you can switch between a full-face and open-face configuration by simply pressing a button. It’s the most versatile type of motorcycle helmet available.
Full-face motorcycle helmets provide the most amount of protection during a crash. Our investigation looks at these options for the maximum amount of safety.
Motorcycle helmets provide a lot of additional safety depending on the design. We weigh the pros and cons of every design and how they affect the rider.
Liners can be very important to the integrity of a motorcycle helmet in the event of a crash. When evaluating helmets, we assess each option for impact-resistant liners that maintain durability.
Helmet shells can be made from polycarbonate, carbon fiber, or fiberglass. We weigh each option's pros and cons during our research to provide top recommendations.
Comfort is something to be considerate of when buying a motorcycle helmet. We evaluate every product for weight, size, and fit.
Chin straps ensure that your helmet doesn’t move when being used. We look for straps that provide comfort and support when in use.
Many products claim to provide the maximum amount of safety. We assess each motorcycle helmet to ensure that it meets DOT standards.
Air vents can prevent a motorcycle helmet from feeling too hot when in use. During our research, we look for helmets that provide extra features that allow for more comfort.
A face shield can provide a motorcycle helmet with additional protection from rocks and other debris on the road. We look for options that provide shield durability and excellent visibility when in use.
Helmets can range anywhere from $45-$450. We vet each product to ensure that it maintains excellent quality for the price point.
What should you look for in a motorcycle helmet?
Helmet shell material
The exterior shell of a motorcycle helmet can be made from a variety of materials, including polycarbonate, carbon fiber, and fiberglass composite.
Polycarbonate tends to be the least expensive material, and it flexes on impact.
Carbon fiber is a fairly expensive but lightweight motorcycle helmet material that absorbs energy evenly on impact.
Fiberglass composite is also a fairly expensive motorcycle helmet material. It can flex, crush, and split on impact.
Liner and padding
A motorcycle helmet should have an impact-absorbing liner that provides further protection for your head. Look for a liner made of styrofoam or expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam that’s densely packed to properly deflect the impact of a hard fall. You should also choose a helmet that has some interior padding that cushions your head and ensures a snug fit.
Helmet weight
A motorcycle helmet shouldn’t be too heavy, or it may be uncomfortable to wear. However, if you choose a helmet that’s extremely lightweight and flimsy, you won’t get much in the way of protection. We advise looking for a helmet that weighs about three pounds. This helps ensure that the helmet is both comfortable and as safe as possible.
Size and fit
Most motorcycle helmets come in three sizes: small, medium, and large. It’s extremely important to get the fit right, or the helmet won’t provide the necessary protection.
A helmet should feel snug, so it’s in contact with most of your head and the sides of your face. But it shouldn’t be so tight that it puts a great deal of pressure on any one area. To get the proper fit, measure your head and consult the sizing chart for the brand that you’re considering to see which size is appropriate.
Retention system
A motorcycle helmet’s retention system is the means by which it stays in place on your head. For most models, that means its chin strap. Look for a comfortable chin strap that will keep the helmet on your head should you have an accident.
Comfort
There are a variety of features that can make a motorcycle helmet more comfortable to wear. Vents and breath deflectors can keep your head and face from getting too warm inside a full-face motorcycle helmet. An integrated sunshade can help keep the glare from affecting you as you drive, while wind reduction measures can help ensure that your ride isn’t overly noisy.
Safety standards
To ensure that you’re getting a good motorcycle helmet, it’s important to check that it meets key safety regulations. Choose a helmet that adheres to the Department of Transportation (DOT) safety standards; this will be indicated by a DOT sticker on the back.
If you’re extremely concerned about the safety of your helmet, you may wish to select a model that’s approved by the Snell Memorial Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides stricter safety guidelines than even the DOT. You’ll find a Snell sticker on the back of helmets that meet Snell standards.
Did you know?
Motorcycle helmets absorb the impact when your head hits the ground or another surface during an accident, so your neck and spine don’t suffer as much impact.
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Motorcycle helmet prices
Motorcycle helmets vary in price based on style and other features, but you can typically expect to spend between $45 and $450.
$45 to $100
Basic, lower-end motorcycle helmets generally fall in this price range.
$100 to $250
Expect to pay somewhere in this price range for a mid-level motorcycle helmet.
$250 to $450
High-end motorcycle helmets that are extremely durable tend to fall in this pricing tier.
For your safety
Don’t put away your motorcycle helmet when it’s wet. Always dry it thoroughly to avoid mold growth.
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Tips
For the safest riding, you should get a new motorcycle helmet every few years or after any accidents that you have.
Keep your helmet clean by washing it with water and mild soap. Petroleum-based cleaners can damage the helmet’s outer surface.
If your helmet’s face shield gets scratched, replace it quickly. A scratched shield can affect your ability to see where you’re going.
Store your helmet in a secure, flat area where it’s unlikely to fall and suffer damage. Keep it away from gasoline, cleaning products, and exhaust fumes as well.
FAQ
Q. How should you measure your head for a motorcycle helmet?
A. To figure out the proper size for your helmet, wrap a fabric tape measure around the widest part of your head, which is typically right over your eyebrows and just over your ears. It also helps to know what shape your head is when choosing a size.
A long, oval shape means your head is longer front-to-back than it is side-to-side.
An intermediate oval refers to a head that’s slightly longer from front to back than from side to side.
A round oval means that your front-to-back and side-to-side head measurements are the same.
Q. What features should you avoid on a motorcycle helmet?
A. Some features that are designed to make a helmet visually appealing can actually be dangerous. Stay away from helmets with spikes or protrusions that extend beyond two-tenths of an inch. You should also stay away from helmets that are extremely flimsy because they don’t offer much in the way of protection. That means you should avoid helmets that weigh less than one pound.
Q. How can you tell if a helmet fits properly?
A. A helmet’s cheek pads should touch your face but not press on it too much. Check the fit around your temples and brows to make sure there aren’t any gaps there. If you’re using a full-face helmet, the face shield should not come into contact with your nose or chin.
