The 5 Best Full-Face Motorcycle Helmets

Why We Picked It:

The Shoei GT-Air II is one of those expensive full-face helmets that is totally worth it. The helmet has plenty of features, and it’s an exceptionally well-made lid. The helmet is one of the best all-around helmets on the market.

The GT-Air II features an aerodynamic shell that has what Shoei calls an Advanced Integrated Matrix shell. It’s a special fiberglass blend. Inside the shell is a multi-piece EPS liner. The shell is slightly raised at the front to keep the EPS liner intact and still allow for a sun visor.

Additionally, the helmet features a series of vents for airflow, breath guard, chin curtain, an eyeglass compatible interior, removable and washable interior, and a Pinlock face shield.

Why We Picked It:

Released in Q2 2021, the EXO-R1 Air Carbon takes the same design as the EXO-R1 and replaces the fiberglass and aramid weave with full 3K carbon fiber weave construction. This is the same grade carbon fiber specification that is used in aircraft manufacturing, so it is extremely strong, yet flexible enough to dissipate some impact force all on its own.

The helmet combines that with a very quiet shell shape that literally cuts the air more than ramming into it, and one of the largest visors you can get on the market today. The ventilation system, while simple, is extremely effective, and the AirFit inflatable cheek pad system ensures you have a tight but comfortable fit, on every ride.

The R1 Air Carbon carries DOT and ECE 22.05 certifications.

Why We Picked It:

AGV went all out in the design of the K6, seeking to create the ultimate sports-touring helmet. AGV already has a well-earned reputation for safe helmets, but the K6 steps it up with a 5 density EPS liner, covered by a shell made from Carbon and Aramid fibers. The result is a 5-star SHARP rating, no easy feat.

The design goals for this lid were lofty and appear to all have been achieved. The airflow is good and this is a very very quiet helmet. It is extremely light, coming in just under 3 lbs. To make this weight there are some compromises, most notably there is no internal sun visor.

The liner material is beautiful, soft, and with the substantial neck roll and once on it is a great fit for most heads. Thankfully AGV provides deep speaker cutouts making it simple to add in a comms system.

The K6 is the premium street helmet from AGV and offers amazing value at just under $500, and is E.C.E and DOT rating.

Why We Picked It:

Sometimes when a rider is helmet shopping, they may not have the available finances to afford a $500+ helmet. This doesn’t mean, however, that they should be left with a substandard helmet or one that skips out on important rider protection. Enter, then, the ICON Airflight MIPS Stealth, released in the latter half of 2020.

The most important bit of that name is MIPS or “Multi-Directional Impact Protection System.” This is a special piece inside the construction of the helmet, between the EPS foam and the liner, that allows the helmet to absorb an impact and begin rotating to dissipate energy before the liner starts to move with the shell. It only covers a few millimeters, and the time between shell and liner rotation is measured in milliseconds, but it is enough to allow the brain to slowly accelerate to the speed of the shell, instead of bashing against the inside of your skull during a tumble.

The helmet itself is made of advanced injection molded polycarbonate and is backed by multi-density, multi-layer EPS foam, the MIPS system, and then comfortable, thick padding. Ventilation is through multiple oversized intake ports and a massive chin port and is exhausted via multiple exit ports. The helmet meets or exceeds DOT, ECE 22.05, and other world standards as part of ICON’s push for their “All World Standard.”

Why We Picked It:

“Why is a $170 helmet on this list?” we hear you asking, so let me explain my reasoning and you will soon be nodding your head in agreement.

The most important point about this helmet is its certifications. Not only is it DOT/ECE 22.05 rated, it is the least expensive helmet you can buy on the market today that holds a full SNELL M2020 certification. This comes from the helmet being the distilled excellence of the HJC RPHA series, including the FIM racing-certified RPHA 1N, and as most trackdays and track schools around North America require a Snell Labs certified helmet, this lid qualifies at under $200.

The other part about the distillation from its much more expensive brethren is that the i10 is a surprisingly quiet helmet. It uses the same basic aerodynamic shape as the RPHA series, and even borrows the center-lock design for the visor. Multi-layer and multi-density EPS foam protects you from impacts, and the liner, using HJC’s SuperCool material, wicks away moisture, is fully removable so you can wash it after a hard day at the track.

Lastly, you really cannot get much better bang for your buck in the intermediate & long-intermediate shape category. Distilled racing helmet design, superb quality, all the features you need without any excess, and a SNELL M2020 certification. All for under $200.