Tested: The Best Motorcycle Helmets For Everyday Riding

Though motorcycles undeniably offer thrills, exhilaration, and the ability to inject some much-needed fun and adventure into your everyday routine, they don’t possess the seat-belts, crumple-zones, and other protective qualities of the automotive counterparts that they share the roads with, leaving riders to rely on their wearable protective gear for safety. And while moto jackets, gloves, pants, and all other riding gear is important, we’d argue helmets are the single most crucial piece of moto gear, as it’s hard to think of more critical areas to protect than your head and brain. With hundreds of different helmets currently on the market, however, it can be extremely difficult to narrow the multitudes of offerings down to the handful of legitimately worthwhile, high-quality lids — a fact further complicated by the expansive array of different styles and genres of motorcycle helmets that currently exist. So, in order to help ensure you’re protecting your melon with the best possible brain bucket, we’ve put together this guide to and hands-on review of the best motorcycle helmets. 

How We Tested

Since the turn of the millennium, the number of motorcycles registered for the road in America has literally doubled. In response to this uptick in popularity, an ever-increasing number of helmets have hit the market. And while this gives riders more options to pick from than ever before, it’s also made it increasingly difficult to sort through the seemingly-endless sea of available offerings in order to hone in on the segment’s few standout selections. In a bid to simplify this process and shine a light on the latest and greatest the sector has to offer, we began scouring today’s helmet market. This process began with us first making a list of the main categories and helmet types that currently comprise the segment. We then created a shortlist of what we suspected may be the best helmets from each sub-category — such as best retro or cafe helmet, best adventure or off-road helmet, and so on — by relying on areas such as shell material, weight, and design and features.

Using this areas to largely guide our search, we then generated a shortlist of what we felt very well may be the best motorcycle helmets that money can buy. From here, we managed to track down a sample of each helmet on our shortlist in order to get hands-on with each one. This would ultimately allow us to glean information that can’t normally be obtained through reading a production description, looking at photos, or examining a spec sheet. This hands-on testing process saw each helmet on our shortlist used extensively for several days, with each lid taking a turn in a rotation as part of the loadout I use for daily commuting. Additionally, each helmet was also used for several hours on weekend canyon runs. Collectively, this combination of urban, freeway, and canyon riding would help provide insight into areas such as comfort, wind noise, ventilation, and straight and over-the-shoulder aerodynamics. 

On top of being individually tested and compared and contrasted side-by-side, each helmet on our shortlist was also closely scrutinized and examined off of the bike. This not only allowed us to review the overall craftsmanship, build quality, and fit and finish of each helmet, but it also clued us into other crucial areas such as how easy it is to swap a visor, remove and wash a liner, or install or use a comm system. Once armed with the findings from our in and out-of-the-saddle testing, we were then able to narrow our initial shortlist down to a final list of what we found to be the very best motorcycle helmets from each main category. 

Biltwell Gringo SV ECE

Best Budget Pick: Dripping with vintage style, the Biltwell Gringo SV is an updated take on an ultra-popular retro-inspired lid that’s gained several key updates that collectively make an already good helmet a great one. Weighing in at a little over 3.50lbs, the Gringo SV features an injection-molded ABS shell with an intermediate oval shape and an underlying EPS structure. The helmet also boasts an injection-molded scratch-resistant face shield. Both ECE and DOT-approved, the SV-spec represents the safest Gringo helmet that Biltwell has ever made — and by a pretty huge margin. The “SV” portion of the helmet’s name is short for “Shield (and) Vented” as well — representing two of the lid’s three main updates, with the third being its increased safety standards. This already-stylish helmet is further visually-elevated by the myriad of eye-catching colors, liveries, and finishes that Biltwell offers the thing in. 

One of the few sub-$400 helmets I feel comfortable recommending, the Gringo SV offers a pretty unbeatable combination of style, protection, and value. It’s not the most feature-laden helmet out there, but pretty much everything it does, it does surprisingly well — and does so at an accessible price point. The helmet is also now produced across a trio of shell sizes — rather than its predecessor’s two sizes. While it does require the use of a tool (any flat or Phillips head driver, or probably even a coin), I actually really like the face shield swap system on this helmet. It’s simple and straight-forward, and it turns a necessarily ancillary trim piece into an aesthetic highlight. I also found the Gringo SV’s fit and finish to be surprisingly on-point, especially for its price. It isn’t quite comparable with more expensive Italian or Japanese-made brain buckets, but it’s nonetheless still pretty solid, all-things-considered.Overall, it just had a more robust feel than I expected, and I’ve handled and worn more-than-half-a-dozen Bitwell helmets over my riding career — in fact it was one of the first five helmets I ever purchased. 

One of my favorite parts of the helmet was obviously the addition of the intake system. This new setup is equipped with a fixed set of intake ports at the chin bar and another pair of open and closable intakes at the forehead — all of which flows to an exhaust slit running horizontally across the top of the back of the shell. The Gringo SV did take a little bit of time to break-in but then became immensely comfortable after a day or two of riding. Also, unlike many of the vintage-style helmets I’ve used, it wasn’t difficult to put on or remove the Gringo S. Once broken in, the interior is comfortable, plus it’s super easy to pull out the liner for washing. And, though it’s a subtle touch, I really liked the orange interior sub-liner. I’ve heard complaints about the rain seal on this helmet’s face shield, though I performed my own spray test and the thing proved to be watertight. This may admittedly change over time but I didn’t find that this was in any way an issue. What’s more, Biltwell offers this helmet with customizable cheek pads that allow the wearer to better dial-in the fit of the helmet — a feature that’s a rarity on budget-friendly models like the Gringo SV. 

As the best budget pick on this list. It didn’t come as a shock when I find a few gripes with Biltwell’s Gringo Because it’s modeled after vintage helmets, its aerodynamics simply aren’t the best, and it definitely lacks stability at higher speeds. Interestingly, because of how it’s shaped, it actually didn’t catch very much wind when I turned my head and looked over my shoulder when changing lanes or exiting on the freeway. With that said, its overall aerodynamics no doubt leave something to be desired. Next, I found that the tabs to open and close the intake ports at the forehead felt cheap and plasticky, and not particular sturdy. Additionally, while I appreciate the addition of the ventilation system, it also leaves something to be desired — though I imagine Biltwell will improve on this with the inevitable next-generation Gringo SV. Back to my gripes; at higher speeds, the face shield tends to snap shut on its own, plus it can’t be fitted with a Pinlock insert. The thumb tab system to lock down the face shield iis just awkward from an ergonomics perspective, and is made all the harder to use when wearing gloves — which I pretty much always am anytime I’m riding. Lastly, while not necessarily a gripe, it’s worth noting that the Gringo SV’s sizing is a little small. In fact, you may even want to consider ordering a full size up. 

Verdict: The Biltwell Gringo SV is an affordable retro-style brain bucket that offers a winning combination of old-school looks, modern-day safety standards and protection, solid build quality, and great bang-for-your-buck. Anyone looking for a vintage look at an accessible price should very much consider the Gringo SV (or “Shield (and) Vented”). 

Ruroc Atlas 4.0 Carbon

Best All-Around Helmet: The Ruroc Atlas 4.0 Carbon is a cutting-edge helmet that sports a sleek, modern, and aggressive shell that conceals a host of innovative and noteworthy features. Designed in the UK and made in China, the Atlas 4.0 Carbon is constructed around a (you guessed it) carbon fiber shell that combines design traits from knight’s helmets, skulls, and fighter pilot helmets. Underneath is a liner that incorporates RHEON into the head-liner. Developed by NASA, RHEON is a reactive polymer that can remain soft and pliable under normal conditions, but then suddenly harden impact impact — not unlike D30 armor. The infusion of this NASA-developed tech hugely ups the fourth-gen Atlas’ protection. Offering a 215° horizontal and 100° vertical field of vision, the Atlas 4.0 Carbon’s face shield is crafted from an anti-scratch-dipped optical-grade ballistic polycarbonate, plus it’s Pinlock-ready.

I was honestly really unsure of what to expect when first getting my hands on this helmet, as I’d seen videos and read articles hyping up the Atlas 4.0, and also seen scathing reviews of the thing. After spending a significant amount of time wearing it while riding, I can confidently say that Ruroc’s Atlas 4.0 is far more than just a cool shell design. It’s legitimately a terrific helmet on pretty much every level. Sure, it has a few minor flaws here and there, but they’re all massively outweighed by everything else it has going for it — and there’s a lot. It’s also abundantly clear that this helmet benefits from an enormous amount of feedback from buyer’s of the first three generations of the Atlas. Consisting of a single hand-adjustable, quarter-turn fastener on both sides of the face shield where it meets the helmet, the Atlas 4.0 Carbon’s visor system was fairly effortless to use, yet still felt immensely secure and left the shield devoid of any rattle, even when cracked open at high speeds. Though it sometimes took a little extra push or nudge to get the face shield to fully seat down over the seal, the helmet’s visor’s gasket system worked wonderfully, keeping all water out and offering some truly fantastic sound protection, being easily the quietest helmet out of every model I tested. The padding pressed into my face a decent amount when I first put this helmet on, but it only took a few days of riding for the pads to break-in and conform to my face — after which time the helmet was incredibly comfortable on pretty much every level. Sure, it isn’t the lightest helmet by any means, though achieving the super stringent ECE22.06 standard is wildly difficult and requires quite a bit of raw materials and a beefy EPS liner, so it’s hard to fault Ruroc for the heft of the thing. Though it does takes some getting used to, the FIDLOCK ultimately makes this the first helmet I’ve ever used where I can easily secure the chin-strap while wearing gloves.

Offered in a ton of colors, including varies hues of exposed carbon fiber, a slew of gloss and matte solid color options, and a handful of patterns and designs, including numerous officially-licensed helmets done in collaboration with Star Wars, Marvel, and DC. While I’m partial to the exposed carbon models, I nonetheless hugely appreciate the massive variety the fourth Atlas Carbon is offered in. Additionally, the lid is also offered with a wide range of visor color options, ranging from tinted to colored choices. I was also a massive fan of the Atlas 4.0 Carbon’s available Shock audio system. Thanks to sound and tuning that comes courtesy of Harman Kardon, the Shockwave delivers stellar audio quality, and is ridiculously easy to install thanks to pre-embedded 1/8th” input jackets on either side of the interior, a depression slot for the microphone on the interior of the chin bar, and a small panel that can be removed in order to insert the main system and control module — leaving the helmet devoid of any protruding comm systems, antennas, or control buttons. And, while it’s admittedly subjective, I just love the appearance of this helmet, especially in the exposed carbon variants. Ruroc currently offers the Atlas 4.0 across three different models/trim levels; the $350 fiberglass-shelled Atlas 4.0 Street; the $475 carbon-shelled RHEON-equipped Atlas 4.0 Carbon; the and $650 carbon-shelled, aero-upgraded Atlas 4.0 Track. I tested the mid-range Atlas 4.0 Carbon. For a small added fee, Ruroc also offers something of an insurance policy for new buyers where they can get 50% off on another new helmet if their first one is damaged or destroyed in a crash — another fantastic touch in my opinion, as this affords a pretty great deal of peace of mind, especially when investing in a premium helmet at this price point. 

When taking risks and swinging for the fences, you sometimes get things wrong, and such is the case with the Ruroc Atlas 4.0 Carbon — though fortunately most of these issues are pretty minor, and are more importantly hugely outweighed by the helmet’s many positive traits, innovative features, and unique appearance. Though I can almost always see the nose cover or bottom of a full face helmet’s eye port, the portion of the shell that protrudes up around the nose is a lot more visible than I’d like it to be. While not a huge deal, I found it to be a little annoying — though I’ll also readily admit that this one detail plays a partial role in the Atlas 4.0 being able to achieve its unique, stylish look. It’s also worth mentioning that when riding bikes with centrally-placed instrumentation, the protruding nose completely obstructed my ability to view the motorcycle’s gauges. I also really didn’t like how the control panel and buttons for the helmet’s comm system is located at the very back of the helmet, making it ridiculously awkward to reach for and use. I do appreciate how well the comm is integrated into the helmet both physically and aesthetically, but I wish it was planted somewhere more accessible, like on the bottom-facing portion of the side neck-roll.  

Verdict: If you’ve got a bit more money to spend, Ruroc’s Atlas 4.0 Carbon offers a massive step up from $300 helmet models, with its unique and aggressive appearance, an available Harman Kardon-tuned comm,  NASA-developed RHEON tech, FIDLOCK strap, world-class protection, and slew of available colors, designs, and finishes. 

Arai Classic-V

Best Open Face: Epitomizing the concept of combining old-school looks with modern protection, the Arai Classic-V is an authentic-looking open-face helmet that takes a premium approach to the 3/4 segment. Made in Japan by hand, the Classic-V features a one-piece, multi-density EPS liner covered by a shell made from Arai’s Peripherally Belted Complex Laminate Construction — or “PB-cLc,” the same material used to produced the shells on Arai’s high-end full-face helmets. Tipping the scales at only 2.625lbs, the helmet also boasts a shell that sports a continuous-curve R75 shell shape to help reduce impact forces. 

Based on my personal aesthetic taste and the type of bikes I tend to ride, I do not, and have never owned an open-face helmet in my entire riding career. As such, I admittedly don’t have quite the same level of experience with this style of lid as I do with full-face models, though I’ve worn enough helmets over my years of riding to have a decent barometer for motorcycle helmets in general. Because of my personal, preferences, I didn’t expect to like this helmet very much, but it quickly had me wanting to add a 3/4 lid to my collection. In typical Arai fashion, the Classic-V’s build quality and craftsmanship is fantastic, and continues to play a major part in why Arai remains a world-leader in the helmet game. In addition to some advanced, high-quality materials, this helmet also benefits from being immensely comfortable, with a plush interior liner. The helmet’s super-svelte 2.625-pound weight also no doubt plays a role in its incredible levels of comfort. 

Despite being an open-faced model, the helmet features intake and exhaust ports at the forehead to channel air over the wearer’s head and prevent sweating and heat buildup. The trio of snaps across the front of the helmet add some old-school flair and undeniable style points, plus I presume they allow the helmet to be optioned with a visor. I also think Arai made some stellar decisions when it came to the paint choices the Classic-V is offered in, plus I really appreciate how the brand opted to use an all-black retro version of its logo, furthering its period-correct look. In fact, even from fairly close up, the Classic-V can pass for an actual vintage 3/4 lid. The contrasting khaki-colored trim stitching is also a great touch. The helmet didn’t perform phenomenally in terms of aerodynamics or stability, though I don’t think it was really designed for high-speed or high-performance riding, so it’s hard to call out the Classic-V for its aerodynamics. 

Though I really was blown away by the time I spent wearing the Classic-V, I did ultimately uncover a few minor complaints. First off, I was really surprised by how significantly the helmet dampened my hearing. I thought it would be the opposite with it being an open-faced model, but this simply wasn’t the case. Fortunately, this isn’t a problem as I actually didn’t mind it drowning out the sound of the engine, but it was exceedingly difficult to hear anyone speak when wearing it. Second, I wish the visor strap extended a little further up onto the back of the helmet as I had a little bit of trouble lacing my more modern set of riding goggles and their wider strap through the thing. Next, we have to talk about the Classic-V’s price. While somewhat justifiable considering the materials and build quality, a nearly-$500 MSRP still feels a bit steep. Lastly, while I really can’t fault Arai for this, I still feel the need to call out the lack of protection that the Classic-V offers compared to full-face helmets. Again, not in any way Arai’s fault and completely due simply to the style of helmet that it is, but worth touching on either way. 

Verdict: The Arai Classic-V is a simple case of “what you see is what you get,” albeit in the best way possible, because what you get is an authentic-looking vintage-inspired open-face lid with a period-correct appearance that’s brought to life using thoroughly-modern materials, and Arai’s world-class build quality. 

AGV Tourmodular

Best Modular Pick: During the Spring of 2018, AGV shook up the motorcycling world with the release of its game-changing Sportmodular model — the world’s first-ever full carbon fiber modular helmet. Over the Summer of 2022, the  Italian helmet-maker followed up its watershed lid with the new and improved Tourmodular — an outstanding modular helmet that builds on an already outstanding modular helmet. Meticulously crafted in Italy, the Tourmodular is exactly what it sounds like; a modular-style motorcycle helmet designed with a focus on touring. This ultimately means a lightweight, carbon, aramid, and fiberglass shell construction stuffed with an ultra-plush interior with padding trimmed in Ritmo fabric and a super-soft Microsense liner. 

Like every other AGV helmet I’ve ever laid hands on, the Tourmodular boasts fantastic build quality and a stellar overall fit and finish. While it’s by no means unique to the Tourmodular, I do really like the drop-down sun visor hidden in the front of the shell, and the sliding drop-down switch makes popping down or popping up the tinted visor a breeze, even with gloves on. At the bottom center of the Tourmodular’s visor is the same glove-friendly face shield locking system used on AGV’s flagship Corsa and Pista race helmet models. Also borrowed the the Italian brand’s flagship Pista/Corsa model is the Tourmodular’s face shield quick-release swap system. I personally own AGV helmets with this setup so I have a good deal of experience using them, but I remember them being incredibly easy to use even the first time I tried it — and this helmet’s system is no different. The Tourmodular’s aerodynamics were also pretty incredible, as the helmet felt stable at high speeds, and didn’t try to tear my head off when I looked over my shoulder at speed. Obviously, the aerodynamics take a massive hit when you ride with the chin-bar flipped up, though this was to be expected. 

A fantastic addition to any modular lid, the helmet’s flip up system requires that you pull down a lever, practically guaranteeing the thing won’t ever accidentally flip up. This setup is also super easy to use when wearing gloves. The flip-up chin-bar is secured using alloy anchor pins, giving it damn-near just as much structural integrity as a normal full-face helmet with a rigid chin-bar. In fact, I’d say this is probably the strongest locking chin-bar setup on the market, rivaled only by the likes of Klim and Schuberth. Looking beyond its stunning matte-finished exposed carbon shell, the Tourmodular is loaded with small but premium — and thoughtful — features and details, such as its titanium D-ring setup. The helmet can also be fitted with small insert pads that allow you to precisely adjust the exact fitment. Another trick the interior has up its sleeve is its liner, which is not only washable and removable, but it’s also reversible, with a cool side and warm side that can be taken out and flipped depending on climate and riding conditions. 

I honestly didn’t have many issues with the AGV Tourmodular. In fact, not only were both incredibly minor, but both also surround the trim pieces of the helmet’s intake ports. The piece at the top of the helmet that controls ventilation feels pretty plasticky and has some side-to-side play that I worry may become more pronounced over time. The flip-up piece on the back of the helmet also suffers from this issue, albeit to a lesser extent. Though they’re admittedly minor, I always have higher expectations on helmets that come at more premium price points — like the $660 AGV Tourmodular. These details are also disappointing considering how premium, robust, and well-crafted the rest of the helmet feels, from its carbon shell to its titanium D-ring closure. 

Verdict: The AGV Tourmodular is a premium, Italian-made take on a modular motorcycle hemet. Thanks to its premium build quality, top-shelf materials, great aerodynamics, and relatively lightweight, this AGV lid offers true all-day comfort, making it perfect for everything from daily commuting to long cross-country trips in the saddle. 

Klim Krios Pro

Best ADV Pick: It’s exceedingly rare that a company can have such a wide range of products without sacrificing on quality or performance, yet that’s exactly what Klim manages to do month after month, year after year, with a wide array of kit that no doubt represents some of the best off-road and adventure riding gear on the planet. For proof of this, look no further than the Klim Krios Pro. Weighing less than 3.5lbs, this adventure-style helmet is constructed from carbon fiber, however, instead of featuring a normal EPS liner, the Krios Pro employs a markedly more advanced Koroyd technology — a honeycomb membrane-type structure that crumples evenly and better absorbs and protects form energy upon impacts. 

It’s abundantly clear that an enormous amount of thought, time, and research went into developing the more technical aspects of this helmet. It’s ergonomics and fit are perfectly-dialed in. This, combined with the helmet’s plush interior and thick padding, and overall light weight, make for a helmet with true all-day comfort. It also helps to reduce fatigue by cutting down on wind drag and resistance — a feat accomplished by delivering some extraordinary aerodynamics, and not just for an adventure helmet. Normally with MX or ADV helmets, the chin-bar will catch an enormous amount of wind when looking over your shoulder on the freeway, but the Krios Pro felt more comparable to the race helmets I own in terms of aerodynamics more than it did the motocross lids I have. Shipping with an included Transitions visor and a Pinlock insert, the Krios Pro can also be optioned with a custom comm system from Sena known as the 10U that seamlessly integrates with the helmet.

Similar to every other piece of Klim gear that I’ve ever used, the Krio Pro’s build quality is top-notch. So top-notch, in fact, that I was genuinely really surprised to learn that the thing was made in China, as you’d never know it from its fit and finish or overall craftsmanship. Not only does the Krios Pro feature an adjustable and removable MX-style peak, but its visor is also removable, allowing it to be worn with goggles. This ultimately affords numerous configuration options in order to suit a wide array of on-road, off-road, and mixed-use adventure riding. Another one of the Krio Pro’s major highlights is its ventilation. As if it wasn’t already doing enough right, the Krios Pro also boasts what’s easily some of the best ventilation out of all the helmets I tested. Just like with the Ruroc Atlas 4.0 Carbon, I love the Krio Pro’s use of a FIDLOCK buckle on its chin-strap, as the thing really is a game-changer, allowing you to quickly and easily secure the strap while wearing gloves.  

Though it’s remarkably easy to use (even when wearing thick gloves), the tab at the front of the helmet’s chin bar that’s used to open and close the front ventilation port feels cheaper than the rest of this decidedly premium brain bucket. Additionally, the ventilation port above the forehead is super effective, though can be difficult to open or close, as it’s sandwiched between the lid’s shell and visor. Opening and closing this port is even harder when the helmet’s face shield is up. These two minor areas constitute the only complaints I had with Klim’s Krios Pro the entire time I tested it. 

Verdict: At the end of the day, it’s just abundantly clear that this helmet was designed by individuals with ample real-world experience riding adventure motorcycles both on and off-road. It’s loaded with simple yet intuitive features such as the little thumb-tab on the visor that makes it ridiculously easy to open when wearing gloves, or the use of the self-coupling FIDLOCK strap. Add in its premium materials and build quality, and you’ve unequivocally  got one of the best adventure lids that money can buy. 

Hedon Heroine Racer 2.0

Best Vintage-Inspired Helmet: Hedon Helmets is a small London-based workshop that combines old-world craftsmanship and old-school style with modern materials in order to craft what are unequivocally some of the finest motorcycle helmets that money can buy. Extremely lightweight at just 2.75lbs — while being an ECE and DOT-rated, visor-equipped full-face helmet — the Hedon Heroine Racer 2.0 is a cafe-style model that features a shell made from carbon fiber and fiber glass, paired with an ultra-plush interior that’s trimmed in calfskin leather. Despite its vintage appearance, the gen-two Heroine Racer’s visor offers thoroughly modern performance, with a great seal against the elements and wind and engine noise. 

Being handcrafted in small batches, the Heroine Racer 2.0’s fit and finish is second to none. Offering an ideal blend of unmistakably retro looks and modern protection, the helmet is immensely comfortable — an area owed to its lack of weight and super plush interior. Being modeled after retro helmets, I anticipated the Heroine Racer 2.0’s aerodynamics to be seriously lacking, but it proved otherwise, even at speed on the freeway. Sure, it wasn’t the most stable at super high speeds and it did generate some drag when I looked over my shoulder, but for regular day-to-day riding, it cut through the air with no problems and put very little strain or fatigue on my neck and shoulders. 

A major part of what makes this helmet so special is its boutique-made nature. Each lid is individually crafted by hand, either on a limited edition basis, or on a completely bespoke, built-to-order one. Not only is the thing offered with a ton of options, from the paint and finish to the interior to the visor color, but the trim is even produced in four constructions/finishes. Both looking and feeling unmistakably premium, this detail alone hugely elevates this handmade helmet and adds a definite touch-shelf touch, matching the complete trim set, down to the thing’s D-ring hardware. In fact, the hardware is easily one of my favorite aspects of this entire helmet. And, while it’s obviously a matter of opinion, I’d argue that the Hedon Heroine Racer 2.0 is one of, if not the single best-looking helmet on the planet — or at least in the top three.  

Because their designers have to merge vintage visual themes with modern safety and performance, old-school-inspired helmets tend to feature their fair share of problems and issues, though, to put it simply, the Hedon Heroine Racer 2.0 is built different. My only gripes aren’t really with the helmet itself, in fact. The first one is its price. Though you can make an argument that it’s justifiable based on the boutique nature of the helmet and hand-crafted quality, it’s still an objectively exorbitant sum to spend on a helmet — especially one that isn’t a state-of-the-art track or race lid. Moving along, my only other issue is with sizing. Like the Biltwell Gringo SV, the second-gen Heroine Racer is sized pretty strangely, and you pretty much have to order a full size up from what you normally would. These gripes aside, we’re dealing with one of the best helmets ever made. 

Verdict: Arguably one of the best-looking helmets currently available, the Hedon Heroine Racer 2.0 is a stunning handcrafted retro-inspired brain bucket offering an unparalleled wealth of customizable options and what can only be described as world-class build quality. It may not come cheap, but I promise you won’t be disappointed if you pull the trigger on ordering a Hedon. 

Alpinestars Supertech R10

Best Sport Pick: For the vast majority of my riding career, Italian brand Alpinestars offered some of the finest foot-to-neck protection for riders, producing everything from boots to pants to jackets to suits to riding gloves. This left just one segment for the outfit to tackle; helmets. And after introducing its SM10 motocross helmet a few years back, Astars has now stepped into the road racing helmet segment with the debut of the Alpinestars Supertech R10 — or “SR10” for short. Born out of over a decade of intensive study, research and development, and testing, the Supertech R10 boasts a shell consisting of a 3K high-density carbon fiber outer shell layer covering a unidirectional carbon composite layer, over an underlying Aramid fiber layer, and then finally a fiberglass layer. Top-shelf through and through, the SR10 is hydration-port ready, and comes loaded with a face shield that utilizes an aluminum alloy lock and clasps. 

There are so many highlights and noteworthy features on the Supertech 10 that it’s hard to know where to even begin. But if we have to begin somewhere, let’s start with its airflow. Ventilation not only runs over the wear’’s crown — like practically every other helmet on the market — but it also directs air onto the face before exiting on the chin bar’s exhaust port, resulting in a pocket of neutral air on and around the wearer’s face. Moving on, the fit and finish on this $1,000 helmet is pretty stellar — so much so that I was honestly somewhat stunned to learn it was made in China and not handcrafted in Italy. In fact, the premium build quality really helps to elevate this already-attractive race lid’s design, as its lines and contours are accentuated by its multiple finishes laid over its outer-most carbon shell layer. Long story short; it looks fantastic, and feels just as good. For a dedicated race and track helmet, the SR10 is not only surprisingly comfortable, but it also does a pretty great job mitigating wind noise — a major rarity for track lids as they’re typically worn with ear-plugs in. What’s more, not only does it achieve full ECE, DOT, and FIM standards, but Alpinestars went above and beyond, opting to conduct its own impact-protection testing. 

Produced across four shell sizes, the Alpinestars Supertech R10 was created with a key focus on five areas; protection; vision; weight; ventilation; and aerodynamics — and it honestly really shows. The exact helmet currently worn by numerous top-level MotoGP riders, the SR10 affords world-class levels of protection, while tipping the scales at around just 3.50lbs. Totally devoid of any and all buffeting or movement at maximum “track” speeds, the helmet’s aerodynamics are easily some of the best I’ve ever experienced, and its stability is off-the-charts thanks to an integrated set of lateral wings. Even when looking over my shoulder at high speeds, the helmet remained stable and didn’t feel like the wind wanted to rip my head off. In addition to its stabilizing winglets, the SR10 also features a rear spoiler. Though decently-pronounced, this spoiler can be removed and swapped out for a more dramatic race spoiler — and then switched back as needed. What’s probably my favorite highlight or innovation on the SR10 is what Alpinestars calls the “A-Head” system, which allows the lid’s wearer to adjust the angle at which the helmet is worn. With four adjustment points that each boast three different settings, this enables the helmet to go from a hunched-over attack view, to a more relaxed street view —thereby affording the SR10 a shocking amount of versatility, especially when combined with its changeable spoiler (and especially when compared to other dedicated track lids!). I love my AGV Corsa, though its extreme viewing angle results in me very seldom wearing it on the road, though if it had the A-Head system things would likely be very different in this regard. 

If it wasn’t clear from the trio of extensive paragraphs above, I absolutely love this helmet and savored practically every moment I got to spend using it. I know the company put a ton of time and resources into developing it, but being Astars’ first-ever road-racing helmet, I wasn’t sure how it would perform. I’m now thrilled to report that one of my all-time favorite riding gear brands has now become one of my new favorite hemet brands as well. My only real gripes are that it’s made in China, and is fairly expensive — albeit pretty justifiably priced in my opinion. Sure, it may be best-suited for use on the track, though its customizability an modularity actually make the SR10 surprisingly versatile — and fairly well-suited for road-riding duties. 

Verdict: The Alpinestars Supertech R10 is a thoroughly-state-of-the-art race and track hemet with enough practicality and adjustability to actually lend itself to street riding. It does cost a good deal, but seldom do the very best helmets on the planet come cheap — plus you get an ultra-advanced brain bucket currently worn by several top MotoGP riders. 

Motorcycle Helmets Comparison Chart

What Makes For A Good Motorcycle Helmet?

Here we explore the elements that are used to determine the overall quality of a motorcycle helmet.

Application & Riding Style: Over the years, as the different genres of motorcycles have increasingly turned into purpose-built machines made for specific riding applications, so too have motorcycle helmets. Whether you’re riding modern machinery or a vintage model, or plan on riding on or off-road (or doing some of both), your intended application should help you narrow down which category you should be shopping in. Below, we’ll also be exploring each of the eight primary helmet types/applications in more detail.

Protection: A helmet’s only real job is to protect your head, and when we talk about helmets and protection, what we’re really talking about is its ability to absorb and disperse energy and impacts. Safety ratings and standards (which we will also be exploring a little bit further down) are somewhat helpful in this realm, though it’s very worth noting that safety certifications tend to focus on the crown of the helmet and neglect the structural quality of the chin-bar — one area that hugely differs in strength and quality between low-end and high-end manufacturers.

Materials & Construction: This is unquestionably one of the biggest determining factors that go into a helmet’s overall quality. On top of the materials used in the shell (which is typically fiberglass, carbon fiber, or a composite) foam/padding, and lining, how a helmet is made also plays a massive role in its quality. The scale of production also plays a pivotal role in quality, with the market including everything from mass-produced budget items to individually-crafted, hand-made artisan offerings.

Amenities & Features: Pretty much all helmets do the same basic job, though some come equipped with more features than others. Amenities to keep an eye out for include internal drop-down visors, removable beaks (and/or “peaks” or external visors), and built-in Bluetooth communication systems (or ports/recesses designed to accommodate comm systems). There are also comm systems designed specifically to work with certain helmet models.

Visor & Hardware: Elements far too often overlooked, the visor and hardware on a helmet make a pretty big difference in overall quality and user experience. You’ll want to research a helmet’s visor pivot mechanism, as some are quite robust while others are cheap and more prone to breaking. It’s also well worth researching the visor itself to determine factors such as whether or not it’s pin-lock ready, available in tined (or even photochromatic) versions, anti-fogging? comes with tear-off posts, etc.

Closure System: The vast majority of helmets on the market use a double D-ring closure system, and that’s been pretty standard for years, though in recent times more and more companies have been rolling out helmets with FIDLOCKs, ratcheting chin-straps, and other more novel closure systems. While on the subject of closure systems, it’s also worth considering if a helmet has an emergency removal system, which allows EMTs and first responders to safely remove your helmet while minimizing movement to your neck, head, and spine.

Shell Size, Shape, & Fitment: This is a big one because for a motorcycle helmet to properly do its job, it needs to properly fit its wearer. Helmets should have a snug fit, with enough room left to be able to slip a finger or two inside while wearing them. To allow for more precise fitment, manufacturers almost always produce helmets in multiple shell sizes, and while mid-tier brands will often use two or two shell sizes for all seven of their sizes (XXS, XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL), the top-shelf companies tend to produce 3, 4, or 5 shell sizes, which, while more expensive to produce, enables the helmets to offer that much tighter of a fit, and therefor offer that much better protection. And while we all have pretty much the same basic head shape, some peoples’ skulls tend to be more round or oval-shaped. As a result, most moto gear brands will cite which head shape their helmet best fits, allowing for even more precise fit on top of the size of the helmet (and shell) itself. The more high-end helmets also often come with included pieces of pads and foam to further dial in the helmet’s fitment to be perfectly shaped to your head.

Ventilation: Helmets are usually thick and well-padded, and while this makes for quality protection for your noggin, it doesn’t make for the most comfortable or breathable of situations. To help beat the heat, pretty much all helmets come with built-in ventilation in the form of intake and exhaust ports (not to mention the visor/view-port). These are typically located around the forehead (and around the mouth on full-face and modular models) and can almost always be opened or closed to control the airflow. Ventilation also helps to keep the visor from fogging, though a pin-lock insert will do an even better job at this. Ventilation is also another area where the high-end helmets offer much better performance, as well.

Fit & Finish: One major area that separates high-end lids from the budget brain buckets is fit and finish. Elite helmet brands tend to exhibit much better quality control, and their helmets not only tend to have a solid and more plush feel, but the paint tends to be markedly nicer and sport a much nicer overall finish.

Weight: Considering you wear a helmet on your head, its weight makes a tremendous difference in overall comfort, especially when worn for prolonged periods. With helmet manufacturers constantly clamoring to one-up each other, weight has become a key focal point in this space, ultimately resulting in some extremely light — yet still remarkably protective — helmets. Weight numbers should be readily available for any helmet, though this area comes down to design and materials.

Sound & Wind Noise: Different helmets possess hugely different levels of noise-control (or soundproofing). If your commute involves ample freeway time, you’re almost certainly going to want a helmet that’s nice and quiet at speed. Quite helmets also allow for greater clarity on both ends when using communication systems or Bluetooth speakers/headphones. The one area where sound shouldn’t be considered is with race and track helmets, as they typically aren’t designed to mitigate sound, as the vast majority of racers and trackway enthusiasts wear earplugs.

Comm-Compatibility & Readiness: With mobile devices becoming increasingly integral parts of our lives, a great many helmet manufacturers have begun producing models that come outfitted with ports and recesses made to accommodate specific Bluetooth communications systems. And, while you could install a Cardo or Sena comm on any motorcycle helmet, brain buckets with pre-installation cavities make for a much more streamlined experience, with the gadget sitting flush (or nearly flush) in the shell. 

Style & Aesthetics: While ultimately application should be your primary guiding factor in what your helmet looks like, there’s nothing necessarily wrong with using a quality motorcycle helmet for an application other than the intended one, such as wearing a cafe helmet on a sport or touring bike, or wearing on ADV or (DOT/ECE-certified) dual-sport helmet on the street. Just like with motorcycles themselves, it’s totally fine to factor your aesthetic tastes into your purchase.

The Main Areas To Consider When Shopping

Believe it or not, but there’s an objectively right (and wrong) way to purchase a motorcycle helmet. So, now that you know what factors you should be looking for, let’s jump into some tips to help ensure you get the best possible protection for your head.

Brand: Though this area is admittedly tied to the aforementioned construction and materials categories, it’s never a bad idea to go with one of the bigger, more trusted brands out there. Though they might use some of the same shell, padding, or liner materials, high-end helmets are often made by hand (typically in places like Japan, Italy, and Germany), and possess an overall higher level of craftsmanship and attention to detail.

Retailer: Just like with Rolex watches or Jordans, the high-end motorcycle helmet market has been flooded with knockoffs and cheap imitation brands that attempt to replicate the looks (and often the liveries) of models from the leading helmet brands. It’s hard to overstate just how low-quality these knockoffs are, but they should be avoided at all costs. One guaranteed way to know you’re buying the real thing is to make your purchase from a reputable retailer, rather than trusting Amazon, eBay, or Craigslist. Paying a little extra to buy from a reputable retailer will also save you from a massive headache if you have any issues with defects, or if you have to make returns due to fitment.

Price: Good helmets are rarely cheap and cheap helmets are rarely good, that’s just a fact. Considering your helmet is the only thing protecting your brain from concrete at freeway speeds or multi-ton vehicles, it’s extremely worthwhile to invest in a quality helmet. This doesn’t mean you have to shell out two grand, but we’d advise investing at least $400-$500 at the very least (with exceedingly few exceptions). You also don’t simply want to opt for the most expensive available helmet, as a $2K race lid might serve you well on the track, but it will be a noisy, neck-ache-inducing nightmare for day-to-day use on the street. Put simply, when shopping for a helmet, it’s always worth asking yourself, “What dollar value do you place on protecting your brain?.”

Ask Around & Do Your Homework: Before buying a helmet, it’s always wise to do some basic research. Reading articles that evaluate the helmet in question in magazines or on websites is a great way to get the opinion of an expert, and because manufacturers will almost always highlight a helmet’s selling points and forgo any negative details or aspects, reading online reviews from real customers can give you a better sense of a helmet’s overall quality, as well as some potential insights into how it holds up after extended use.

Other Crucial Info: Lastly, there are a few things every helmet owner should be aware of. First off, no matter how high-end or nice of a helmet you buy, once a motorcycle helmet has suffered a single (decent) impact, it needs to be replaced — not unlike a bulletproof plated vest that’s been shot. Even if there’s no visible damage, the helmet is likely structurally compromised internally, and will no longer afford anywhere near the same level of protection that it did prior to suffering an impact. Lastly, helmets need to be replaced roughly every five years, even if they never see an impact. After this half-decade-span, helmets start degrading and losing their ability to protect (and no, this isn’t just some myth propagated by “big helmet”).

A General Guide To Motorcycle Helmet Safety Standards Certifications

You may have noticed that there are almost always little stickers or logos on the back of motorcycle helmets denoting what safety standards and test certification (or certifications) a helmet has received. In a nutshell, these acronyms tell you where the helmet can be legally used, be it certification meeting the standards for road use, or homologation specifically for track use.

DOT: If you reside in the United States, chances are you’re familiar with DOT ratings. This is the standard set by the US Department of Transportation (hence the “DOT” acronym), and certifies that a helmet meets the minimum Federal standards required for legal use on public roads.

ECE: This safety standard is essentially the European equivalent to the DOT rating, and signifies that a helmet has met the standards set by the Economic Commission for Europe. The most recent version of this standard is ECE 22.06.

FIM: This rating pertains to use on race tracks and means that a helmet that’s wearing this label’s been homologated for racing purposes by the FIM (or Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme). This certification is required for certain racing and on-track activities.

SHARP: Supplementary to the ECE rating, this voluntary certification forgoes the traditional pass/fail methods in favor of a star-rating system. By their nature, all SHARP-certified helmets have also already met/passed ECE standards.

SNELL: Another voluntary certification held by the Snell Memorial Foundation, SNELL ratings give additional insight into a helmet’s safety. It’s also worth mentioning that there is a SNELL standard for street and urban use, as well as a SNELL standard used by some race direction.

Honorable Mentions

The Bell Broozer is a unique, modular mask-style helmet that can be worn and used in multiple configurations. Though there’s no denying its unparalleled modularity, the Broozer just doesn’t afford quite the same level of protection as other full-faced models, resulting in this affordable option receiving an honorable mention. 

Sitting at the very top of the PDX brand’s moto lid lineup, the ICON Airframe Pro Carbon is a sleek take on a carbon-construction helmet with a handcrafted shell, a five-piece modular moisture-wicking liner, and multiple shield and spoiler options. While it’s no doubt a great helmet, it simply doesn’t afford the best bang-for-your-buck compared to other $500 brain buckets, resulting in the ICON APC receiving an honorable mention slot. 

First unveiled in late 2022, the Shoei OpticSon is the first bonafide smart helmet produced by a leading, world-class helmet manufacturer. Made in Japan, the OpticSon features a built-in comm system, a Head-Up display, and an onboard action camera. Sadly, this state-of-the-art helmet is not yet offered on U.S. shores, so we were unable to include it on this list. 

Made by an elite German brand that also produces helmets for Formula 1 drivers, the Schuberth C5 Carbon is a spare-no-expense-style carbon fiber modular lid that boasts some of the best protection, materials, build quality, and technology of any helmet currently on the market. These world-class characteristics do come at a very steep price, however, which has ultimately lead us to give this German-made pick an honorable mention. 

The AGV Pista GP RR Futuro Carbonio Forgiato is an exact replica — or “carbon copy” — of the race helmet worn by a slew of today’s best MotoGP and World SBK racers. Crafted by hand in Italy around a forged carbon fiber shell, the Pista GP RR offers some of the best stability and aerodynamics of any lid on the market. While it’s objectively a stellar helmet, this model’s design hasn’t received much of an overhaul in recent years, resulting in us selecting a newer, more cutting-edge option for our best sport and track helmet pick — resulting in this AGV lid getting an honorable mention. 

The Best Motorcycle Jackets For Everyday Protection

Now that you’ve got your helmet situation all sorted, you’re likely going to need a quality riding jacket to go with it — the latest and greatest of which can be found in this curated guide to the best motorcycle jackets for everyday protection.