The world of helmets has evolved a long way since the leather head wraps people once wore. We are now in a time where the helmet not only provides a layer of safety but also forms a cocoon of warmth and weather protection like never before. Selecting the motorcycle helmet right for you is like picking a pair of shoes—it’s highly subjective. There are, however, some basic key features to zone in on when making your selection.
Make sure it’s DOT-approved and preferably Snell-approved, which may seem obvious, but it’s easy to find cheap foreign-made helmets labeled DOT, and I’m not convinced they are approved and tested. The rating becomes questionable when you look at details such as the thickness and robustness of the materials and the cheaply made buckles and plastic. When in doubt, stick with a reputable, proven brand that offers product support and is readily sourced. Doing so will also be helpful when you need a part, liner, or visor replaced, an inevitable reality for a piece of gear that is used hard.
Try a bunch of helmets on to determine which brands fit you. You’ll see descriptions of head shape and size and how they relate to fit online, but using someone else’s impression of shape isn’t always accurate. Case in point: my father has a very round head shape, and I am more of an oval. We often wear the same brand and model of helmet, and it fits us both. You can use the included foam pads to help customize fit and maximize comfort. Don’t buy a helmet if it doesn’t feel good in the store. If it is uncomfortable on day one, you’ll either not wear it enough to break in, or it will never improve.
The choice should be about function more than form. I’ve known people who selected a helmet based on looks only to have it perform horribly. If you live somewhere hot and need a breathable helmet, buy a model designed for that condition. If you live in the humid south and fogging up is a major concern, get a helmet with a Pinlock visor. Start with what you need, and don’t get sidetracked by the new coyote tan model that looks the part.
Adventure (ADV) helmets have a style all their own and usually have a “beak” or visor to provide coverage from the sun, much like a hat. You’ll find an eye shield that can protect the eyes while traveling at speed, with many detents to help control fogging and airflow, plus a chin guard for added protection and safety. Typically, the manufacturer will provide the ability to easily remove those features, allowing you to ride with goggles instead of a shield, remove the visor for long days on the highway, or prevent neck strain by using a combination that works best for the environment of the day.
It is recommended that you replace your helmet every five years. The dirt and oils from use degrade the protective materials and slowly diminish performance. Since helmet technology has likely advanced since you last bought one, it’s the perfect time to upgrade. Cleaning the removable liners and keeping the oils from your body off the foams will also go a long way to preserving the life of a helmet.
When a helmet fits properly, you won’t even know it’s on. All of the models here have good support in the US, fit multiple head shapes, and weigh between 3 and 4 pounds. Purchasing a helmet with replaceable visors and liners prolongs use and maximizes your investment. Each model excels in its own niche, with various price points and features to make your riding hours more enjoyable. Hopefully, you’ll never actually need one to save your skull.
Sena Impulse
While it might not look like an ADV motorcycle helmet, after using it for a few weeks in the wet spring in Virginia, I fell in love with it. We often think we need a visor and a dirt-bike style to support adventure riding, but this helmet worked well in many different situations.
The Bluetooth sound system built into the Impulse sets the benchmark; the intercom’s clarity and quality are fantastic. While I’ve used many Sena communicators in the past, it’s surprising how much better an integrated unit performs. You can hear the bass instead of just the high-pitched tones of communications days past, and it’s an asset to be able to speak on the phone if needed.
The Impulse is highly adjustable, with a ratcheting chin strap retainer and a fold-down sunshade. The modular system worked well and was easy to manipulate with gloves, while the Pinlock system works as advertised to keep fogging to a minimum. The liner is soft and easily cleaned, and the helmet is well insulated with an overall larger size, which I suspect is to help with sound quality; the comfort level ranks high. Large buttons make sound and volume control a cinch, and you can even activate a pulsing LED red light on the rear of the Impulse for increased visibility if using the app control on your phone. Despite being one of the heaviest helmets in the test (at 3.87 pounds, second only to the Shoei Hornet X2), this is the one I’d choose to wear on a cross-country ride across the US.
$599 | sena.com
Shoei Hornet X2
Spending a week in southern Colorado on dirt and pavement gave me a good chance to test the X2. Shoei is one of the world’s premier motorcycle helmet makers, and it’s evident in the build quality. There are no sharp edges or molding marks, and it’s got all the classic traits of an ADV helmet. I didn’t find any build problems or imperfections, and couldn’t even find a loose thread.
Made in Japan, you can feel the helmet’s engineering while wearing it. The vents work as intended, the beak visor has excellent airflow, even at high speeds, and the interior is plush. The visor is optically flawless, and the noise level is so very quiet. Combine that with a proven safety track record, and it’s also one of the safest helmets on the road. I found the Hornet to be comfortable with minimal neck strain. Airflow was optimal on 100° days, and with a bit of speed, the ventilation really kicked in. Combined with a Pinlock visor, you’ll keep fogging under control. This is the heaviest helmet (3.99 pounds) in the test, but due to the weight distribution, it feels like one of the lightest. You can’t go wrong with the Hornet X2.
$680 | shoei-helmets.com
Arai XD-4
Arai is another Japanese hand-built helmet manufacturer and is stride for stride with Shoei. You’ll find superlative build quality and extremely functional design elements. Arai has updated the classic XD helmets to make them more comfortable and lighter. When comparing the XD-4 to the XD-3 I rode with for five years, I noticed a significant sound decrease from the environment and better ventilation.
The Pinlock visor and easy communication attachment points make for a professional-grade helmet. Its lightweight construction is easy on the neck muscles, and when riding with it for a week in non-stop rain in the Pacific Northwest, I found that it protected me well from the elements. Fogging was a non-issue aided by vents built into the face shield.
The helmet’s head vents could be bigger to ensure more airflow on hot days, and their function is further impeded if your bike has a windshield. If you primarily ride in cold climates, it would, of course, be warmer on those cool, crisp fall days. Additionally, the face shield has the most acute curve of all the helmets reviewed, which creates two issues: a bit of distracting optical distortion (especially with side glare), and installing a Pinlock visor is harder to get right. It’s not impossible by any means, but it might take more attempts to get a good seal.
$650 | araiamericas.com
Bell MX-9 Adventure
Bell is a well-known helmet manufacturer that specializes in making affordable and safe helmets for motorsports. The MX-9 is a testament to years of helmet design and experience. By far the least expensive helmet in the group, it performed very well. With the lower price point, you lose Pinlock capability, noise reduction, and optical clarity but gain the multi-directional impact protection system (MIPS) to improve safety. A photochromatic face shield is sold separately and would likely be a good addition.
I found the increased noise on long rides fatiguing, and the visor tends to fog on humid days, requiring it to be slightly open to maintain visibility. You’ll find sharper edges and rubber trim to hide where the MX-9 was cut from the mold. It feels much more like a dirt bike helmet, and the chin bar is much further from the mouth than the others in the segment. Venting is always open on the head portion, and I would prefer more versatility. At highway speeds, the MX-9 was loud, and I experienced a lot of buffeting from the visor. On trails going 15-20 mph, the MX-9 felt much more at home. If budget is a concern, this would be a great first helmet.
$230 | bellhelmets.com
Touratech Aventuro Traveller Carbon
This modular carbon fiber helmet exudes quality. Touratech outsourced the production of the helmet to Nexx Helmets, but it’s not just a rebranded helmet; Touratech’s experience in the adventure motorcycling space clearly shows through in the Aventuro’s design and practicality.
Tested at both highway speeds and long days on the dirt, I liked how well the Aventuro ventilated, and with a Pinlock visor, it resisted fogging even on the most humid days. I installed a SENA wireless communication system that seamlessly incorporated into the helmet, and with the Aventuro’s low noise characteristics, it was easy to listen to music and talk. I like the integrated dark eye shades (no more wearing sunglasses under the shield), and the locking chin bar is easy to use; the substantial detent makes it easy to know if it’s locked while wearing gloves. The carbon option provides about a half-pound weight savings over the traditional version and is well worth the additional cost ($150).
The Aventuro is a pricey option but justifiably so, and it’s intended for use on long overland motorcycle trips. If you’ve ridden with a modular helmet before, it’s hard to go back to a traditional solid-face helmet. Being able to flip off the chin guard and fuel the bike makes the days go quicker, and border crossings get easier than when the guards can see your face. The Aventuro is also already on closeout but still available from Touratech at the time of writing.
$649 | touratech.com
Klim Krios Pro
Klim has become one of the premier motorcycle gear manufacturers for adventure riders, known for using technologically innovative designs and materials. The first thing you’ll notice when picking up the Krios Pro is how unbelievably lightweight it feels. The 3-pound weight is achieved by utilizing hand-laid carbon fiber shells and introducing Koroyd impact material (which resembles a honeycomb structure of pliable plastic) instead of the traditional expanded foams used in helmets; the Krios Pro is the first ADV-specific DOT helmet in North America to use Koroyd. The Krios Pro has Transitions photochromatic and clear plastic lenses, and lens shape and size are the best of all the helmets tested.
The downside to having a large lens and a lightweight Koroyd interior is the noise; it’s one of the loudest helmets I’ve ridden with. The shell seems a bit bigger than the other similar-sized helmets, but it’s not overly cumbersome. The ventilation is easy to adjust with gloves, and the open liner provides ample airflow, minimizing head strain from oncoming wind. With the Koroyd material, you especially feel the effect of cold air jets moving around the head. If you plan on riding in hot weather for long periods, the Krios Pro would be a good choice.
The Krios Pro’s positive attributes outweigh the fatigue induced by increased noise, and I look forward to more desert and hot weather testing with it.
$750 | klim.com
Editor’s Note: See the Klim Krios Pro field-tested review by Lisa Morris for another author’s take. This article was originally published in Overland Journal’s Gear 2025 Issue.
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