Motorcycle Helmet Buyer’s Guide

While price shouldn’t be the primary factor that dictates your helmet purchase, it’s rare that we are afforded the luxury of shopping unrestricted by budget.

The price of a helmet is influenced by several things, such a the materials used, technology integrated, certifications, and brand. There are some other intangibles as well; Arai helmets, for example, are all handmade and their slight premium over comparable helmets reflects that.

If you’re just getting into riding, spending $300 on a helmet is completely appropriate. $300 gets you a great helmet at a price that shouldn’t cause anxiety if you accidentally drop it.

Where the sticker can really climb is when you get into helmets designed for racing or other specialized applications. A racing helmet made of carbon fiber, while being much lighter than a traditional helmet, will have a price tag to match the exotic materials used.

A good rule of thumb to follow is to spend enough to protect your head, but not so much that you need to pull back from other gear. We’re advocates for riding ATGATT.

The first and foremost purpose of your helmet is to protect your head in the event of an accident. If there is one area that you should not compromise on, it’s safety. You want a quality helmet that will provide you the protection you need.

At a minimum, your helmet must pass local regulations. In North America, that’s the DOT – Department of Transportation. In the EU, it’s ECE – Economic Commission for Europe. Helmets that have DOT/ECE approval are safe and road legal. However, if you want to ensure your helmet provides maximum protection, you will also want to look for SNELL certification.

SNELL is a non-profit, independent organization that is more thorough and rigorous in their testing. Helmets that receive SNELL certification have proven themselves to be safe; however, SNELL certification often adds somewhat to the price of a helmet.

See also: the differences between DOT, ECE, and SNELL.

How a helmet fits is critical. A helmet that fits well not only provides maximum protection for its wearer, but also allows for a more enjoyable ride. You’ll be amazed and how long you can hit the back roads with a great-fitting helmet.

Several things influence fit:

• Size – If you’re unsure of how to determine your size, go here.
• Materials – Foam comes in many different densities, as do most materials used a helmet/helmet-liner.
• Your head – Let’s face it: we don’t all have the same head shape. Some helmets work better with certain shapes.
• Customization – Many helmets come with pads/inserts/removable sections that can greatly alter how a helmet fits.
• Weight – Riders should place more emphasis on the weight of their helmet. The lighter the helmet, the less energy it transfers upon impact. Plus, a lightweight helmet is much more enjoyable and comfortable to wear for long periods.

See also: helmet size chart

Helmets come in many shapes and sizes, categorized by their defining style or use. The most common types of helmets are:

• Full face – This type of helmet provides the most protection. As its name implies, it covers most (if not all) of your face. The visor protects your eyes while improving comfort (it protects against wind, etc.).
• Open face – This type of helmet does not have a chin guard, leaving the face exposed. However, it still protects the top, back, and sides of the head. I
• Modular – A combination between an open and full face helmet, a modular helmet allows you remove or flip up the lower section
• Off-road / motocross – These helmets typically feature sun visors, extra chin protection, and additional venting. However, many also come without a visor.
• Half – Offering the least protection compared to other helmet types, a half helmet covers the top portion of the head and leaves the rest exposed.
• Dual-sport – Also called adventure helmets, dual-sport helmets can be worn on or off-road. Most feature integrated visors; like off-road, most do not have face shields.

Each type of helmet has its strengths and weakness. Where, how, and when you ride all play a factor in determining which is ideally suited for you.