Who is the best full-face helmet? The answer is not that simple
Which is the best full-face helmet? The answer is not that simple, there are many well-known helmet manufacturers, all of them approaching head protection in their own unique way to minimize the impact on the brain in a crash.
What is a suitable sports helmet? Generally speaking, a good helmet for the trail is a full-face (full-face) helmet with a double D-ring seal and that meets (or exceeds) all safety guidelines. So you have to be fully certified for all of these, as well as the regulations governing specific helmet certifications. But with the helmets we know of that will easily pass any technical inspection in the U.S., here are some of what we consider to be good choices in sports full-face helmets, presented in alphabetical order.
6D ATS-1R $695.00
6D is an American brand dedicated to the invention of new helmets, better known in the Zorbike and bicycle worlds, and the ATS-1R is 6D’s latest street helmet offering, replacing the ATS-1. What makes the ATS-1R, and 6D in general, different from most other helmets is the use of what 6D calls “omnidirectional suspension.”
This is really a completely different way of thinking about the construction of a helmet. As 6D puts it:
6D’s revolutionary patented Omni-Directional Suspension (ODS) technology represents a fully active in-helmet suspension and kinetic energy management system. Designed to decouple the helmet’s outer shell from the internal EPS liner, the system effectively mitigates the energy transferred to the rider’s head and brain in the event of any accident or impact. The ODS system consists of 2 EPS liners separated by a series of elastomeric isolation dampers that allow the system to shear and displace in 3 dimensions upon impact.
The all-around suspension features cater to a wider range of energy needs, including low, medium and high-speed impacts of both angular and linear acceleration, compared to other competing helmets and. The ATS-1R, 6D makes the helmet significantly lighter than its predecessor while also adjusting the mid-oval head profile to better fit more riders.
Arai Corsair-X $764.95 – $881.95
The flagship helmet in the Arai line, the Corsair-X is the same as every Arai top-of-the-line helmet you see, and all Arai full-face helmets are built to the same safety standards. That means certifications like DOT and Snell are just the starting point. Every Arai incorporates the R75 shape, which, as Arai explains, means the helmet’s shell has a continuous bend radius of at least 75mm. It also means better dispersal of kinetic energy and minimizes the potential for “the helmet to get hung up on rough surfaces or obstacles, which could introduce unwanted rotational forces.” From a most basic construction perspective, an Arai helmet has an EPS liner with a polycarbonate shell.
All Arai models can be fine-tuned by simply peeling back the inner liner, and Arai prides itself on the fact that every helmet it makes is handcrafted by skilled technicians who undergo years, if not decades, of training. With the Corsair-X in particular, ventilation is everywhere, compared to other Arai models. Two channels run along the top of the helmet, with a third intake in the middle. Forehead and chin vents, as well as internal channels running along the inner liner, direct airflow to the wearer’s head.
Valentino Rossi is a big name in motorcycle
The Pista GP R is equipped with a dual-plane rear spoiler to help reduce turbulence behind the rider’s head. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation software was used together with wind tunnel testing for aerodynamic purposes to not only slice the cleanest hole in the air, but also improve aerodynamics by 4% over the Pista GP, keeping the rider’s head stable even when turning their head at high speeds. In the event of a crash, the spoiler breaks off easily. With a 190º horizontal field of view and 85º vertical field of view, the eyeport has a very large field of view, and the 5mm thick lens is one of the thickest available.
Other detail treatments on the Pista GP R include metal top vents, scooped and elongated chin vents to help draw in more air, a revised airflow system within the chin vent to spread air over more of the face, a revised recessed visor closure system for smoother operation and to help prevent accidental opening in the event of a crash, and the Pista GP R also comes with an integrated hydration system, which AGV says is a world first.
AGV Corsa R $799.95
The AGV Corsa R is like its Pista’s fraternal twin, with a shell made from a carbon fiber, Kevlar, and fiberglass composite, making it slightly less expensive. Also gone is the Biplano rear spoiler seen on the Pista GP R, replaced by a more sensible, but slightly longer rear spoiler. The Corsa R doesn’t get the scooped chin that its MotoGP brother has, nor does it get a water drainage system, but otherwise the Corsa is identical to the Pista. In fact, AGV says the Corsa R is slightly lighter than the Pista GP R because the latter has a water drainage system.
Bell Race Star Flex $412.19 – $799.95
Bell is one of the most recognizable names in head protection, a name you may have known since your childhood on motorcycles. With the Bell Race Star Flex, you have a top-of-the-line sports helmet. The liner used in the Flexx is a three-layer impact liner designed to manage energy in three potential impact scenarios: low speed, medium speed, and high speed. The Virus CoolJade liner and Magnefusion cheek pads ensure excellent comfort and optimal fit, and the RaceView directional cap with the Class 1 optics of Bell’s Panovision mask gives you a perfect view of the finish line.
Bell Star MIPS $299.00 – $529.95
The Bell Star MIPS is very similar to the Race Star Flex, an equally capable sports helmet that comes in at a slightly lower price. This is largely due to the TriMatrix composite shell (versus carbon fiber). As the name suggests, this version features MIPS technology to reduce rotational forces that can occur during certain impacts. Other features include grooves inside the liner to accommodate glasses, a Panovision shield with Class 1 optics, and a quick-drying anti-microbial liner to ensure you stay dry and worry-free.
HJC RPHA 11 Pro $359.99 – $373.49
The RPHA 11 is HJC’s flagship sports helmet, shaped as a medium oval that’s more aerodynamic than the RPHA 10 it replaces. The composite shell features numerous vents, including two top vents, a forehead vent, and a chin vent. Lenses can be easily changed without tools, and a buckle on the front of the lens provides a secure lock when closed. A moisture-wicking anti-microbial liner keeps you cool and fresh, and quick-release cheek pads make it easier for first responders to remove the helmet. With a larger eyeport than before and an anti-fog shield for clear vision at all times, the RPHA 11 is DOT and ECE certified and available in sizes XS-2XL.
Schuberth SR2 $799.00
The Schuberth SR2 is one of the company’s strongest products, using the most advanced helmet technology from Germany. Schuberth is proud to let you know that they spent a lot of time in the wind tunnel to optimize the aerodynamic performance of the helmet. This is not only to get the best airflow with minimal turbulence, but also to make the rider as comfortable as possible. More comfort helps improve concentration, and the 2D 1-level lens has the highest optical rating.
Scorpion EXO-R1 $399.95 – $459.95
The Scorpion EXO-R1 is Scorpion’s new flagship helmet, worn by Alvaro Bautista and Fabio Quartararo. It’s a noteworthy helmet because it has many of the same features as the other helmets here, but without the hefty price tag. Scorpion’s new Ultra-TCT shell features a unique fiberglass blend that promises to provide high strength and lower weight. Combined with the aerodynamic shell, Scorpion’s Ellip-Tec shield creates a tight seal. Inside, a multi-density EPS liner features channels that funnel airflow from a giant intake vent at the top of the helmet and four exhaust vents to let air escape. The Air-Fit system in the cheek pads is a feature unique to the EXO-R1, and is basically a micro air bladder that allows the wearer to inflate the cheek pads for the best fit. As an added value, a dark smoke, pin-on shield is included with every helmet purchase.
Shark Race-R Pro $399.99 – $789.99
The Race-R Pro is a composite fiber helmet from Shark of France that, as Shark puts it, has been reverse-engineered to fit as closely to the human head as possible. Aerodynamic testing with top MotoGP and World Superbike riders has allowed the helmet to remain stable even at speeds approaching and exceeding 185 mph. Unlike the other brands here, this helmet measures 3mm at its thinnest point and 4.25mm at its thickest. It’s treated with an anti-scratch and anti-fog coating, the antimicrobial liner is removable and washable, and interchangeable cheek pads offer a personalized fit that meets ECE 22.05 and DOT standards.
Shoei X-Fourteen $564.36 – $889.99
Shoei’s flagship helmet, the X-Fourteen, is the same helmet that Marquez brothers Alex and Marc wear on their heads. As you can see from its shape, the Fourteen’s shape was heavily adjusted due to aerodynamic testing to provide optimal stability at high speeds. The same aero testing also influenced the helmet’s ventilation channels to help keep the rider’s head as cool as possible under the pressure of race riding. There are currently four shell sizes available. The shell is made of a six-layer fiberglass composite and has a dual-layer, multi-density EPS liner to provide multiple areas of protection in a crash. Like the other helmets, the X-Fourteen comes with emergency quick-release cheek pads. Speaking of cheek wicking liner, it has a patent-pending rotation assembly that provides a larger upper field of view when stowed, and optional sizes for each section of the center pad allow for a customizable fit.
Shoei RF-1200 $498.99
Shoei says the RF-1200 is an important helmet, but many riders wear the 1200 on the track, and structurally it’s very similar to the X-Fourteen above, with a longer oval shape compared to the elliptical X-Fourteen. Some of the main differences compared to the Fourteen helmet include a less track-focused aerodynamic shape, different vents, and a slightly tweaked interior liner that results in a quieter helmet. The helmet’s smaller opening and tighter-fitting comfort liner help reduce wind noise, the top and bottom of the lens help reduce flex to keep the lens in shape, and it’s also interchangeable without tools, just like the X-Fourteen.
