Adventure riding has been on the rise in the recent years, and therefore, a lot of people are looking for an adventure helmet. That’s why we are here with our detailed review of these helmets and we will show you the most comfortable, most versatile, the lightest and the quietest adventure helmets you can find on today’s market.
For those who don’t know what the adventure riding is, let’s start with a little bit of information about this dual-sport activity. You may be asking “What is adventure motorcycle riding?”, “Who is this for?”, “Do I need any special equipment?”… Don’t worry, we will answer all these questions!
The term “adventure riding” is a simplified phrase for a combination of motorcycle riding in both on- and off-road conditions. There are many situations where you are riding your motorcycle on the road and would like to go into the woods, desert or even water and then come back onto the road etc. That’s why motorcycle companies have invented specialized motorcycles that are very tall and have a lot of power and suspension at the same time. So you don’t have to switch your vehicle every time the terrain conditions change. Basically, adventure riding is for those motorcyclists who love some adrenaline, don’t like to stay on the road much and want to get into the terrain.
With the popularity of dual-sport and adventure motorcycle riding, logically, there is an interest in motorcycle helmets that will act as a combination of a full-face helmet and a dirt bike helmet. Adventure helmets have similar features and safety standards as full-face helmets, but provide the same level of comfort and airflow as dirt bike helmets. You can even use goggles with some of the adventure helmets for those extreme off-road conditions.
Let’s not waste any more time and jump right to the Reviews of the Best Adventure & Dual-Sport Motorcycle Helmets of 2024. In this article we will show you what are the greatest adventure helmets for both on- and off-road situations and what are their upsides and downsides.
List of the Top 10 Adventure & Dual-Sport Helmets
Best Adventure & Dual-Sport Helmet Reviews
Arai XD4 Helmet Review
So, if you have been wondering what is the absolute best and the highest rated helmet for adventure riding, then we have the answer for you! The Arai XD4 is the best overall adventure helmet out there. It has been around for many years and still undefeated. It’s not only because of its versatility for many different riding conditions but also due to the fact that it doesn’t compromise any extra features for the safety standards. We have even included the Arai XD4 helmet in our List of the Best Motorcycle Helmets of 2024. Keep in mind that in the UK and EU, the helmet is actually known as the Arai Tour-X4 and it may come with different graphics compared to the US version of the helmet.
Shell Design & Protection
The Arai XD4 is one of the very few adventure helmets that offer both the DOT and the SNELL safety rating and it provides a phenomenal protection to the rider. The whole helmet looks and feels very robust and well made. The finish of the Arai XD4 helmet is top-notch and offers a scratch-resistant coating.
The helmet comes in many different graphic designs and versions. You can choose from either a glossy and matte finish, but I would personally recommend choosing the glossy one, as it looks especially good on this helmet.
The outer shell of the Arai XD4 features an aerodynamic shape and has a removable pin-lock ready face shield with a floating peak on the top, which is unfortunately rather difficult to take off. Overall, due to the simplicity and lack of features, the Arai XD4 is pretty difficult to maintain. I would say that this is the only downside of this adventure helmet.
Ventilation & Airflow
The ventilation system is a very important part of an adventure helmet and the Arai XD4 doesn’t disappoint in this department.
The helmet has a large intake vent in the frontal chin bar, two smaller intake vents on the sides, and another two intake vents in the forehead area. It also comes with a couple of diffuser vents on the top and back of the helmet. This is a tremendous amount of air vents for a motorcycle helmet!
These air vents provide an outstanding ventilation and they are the main reason why the Arai XD4 helmet succeeds in the most extreme off-road conditions. If you are looking for an all-around good adventure helmet with very high levels of airflow, then the Arai XD4 is the best choice for you.
Interior & Comfort Level
The interior comfort liner of the Arai XD4 is removable and washable. It is made from a high quality material that has moisture-wicking properties. You can customize the shape and size of the padding to perfectly fit your head by peeling off a 5mm extra layer of padding. Keep in mind that once the padding has been removed, it is very hard to put it back into its original position.
Overall, the comfort level of the Arai XD4 adventure helmet is very good and the extra customizing feature is a great bonus that should definitely be mentioned. It also has cutouts for Bluetooth speakers and it is relatively quiet.
The only small downside is, that when you compare the lining to some other helmets in this category such as Shoei Hornet X2, it feels a little stiff at first and can cause a pressure on your face or forehead. After some time, this will probably go away, but you should definitely know about it.
Arai XD4 Helmet
️Pros: Aerodynamic Stability, Additional Vents on face shield, Removable and Washable Interior, FCS Cheek Pads with 5mm custom-fit feature, Design and Paint
Cons: Difficult to maintain
Shoei Hornet X2 ADV Helmet Review
Shoei Hornet X2 ADV Helmet takes a very close 2nd place on our list of the best adventure helmets. In fact, it can still be considered the best helmet for those who prioritize comfort, as I would say that it is the most comfortable adventure helmet compared to others. Shoei is known for offering the highest level of comfort in their motorcycle helmets and the Hornet X2 helmet only proves it.
Shell Design & Protection
The Shoei Hornet X2 ADV helmet scores very high in the levels of safety and crash protection. It offers the DOT and SNELL safety standards, so there is no need to worry in a case of an accident. Compared to the previous version of the helmet, the discontinued Shoei Hornet DS (that would probably still make it to the list by the way) it has an improved aerodynamic v-460 visor and better airflow. Also, the Hornet DS didn’t have the SNELL rating.
It is available in 4 different shell sizes with multiple colors and graphic designs. You can also choose from both glossy and matte finish. So there is a very high chance that you will find a size that will fit you well and a color that you will really like.
The Hornet X2’s CNS-2 Face Shield offers an extra wide field of view and comes with the pinlock-ready fog-resistant system, which will negate most of the fogging issues. The helmet is specifically designed to fit goggles, as it has a lot of space in the eye port area and a bulged lines on the back of the shell. Also, the shield can be easily removed thanks to the quarter-turn screws release system, so you can quickly switch between on-road and off-road configuration.
Ventilation & Airflow
The airflow of the Shoei Hornet X2 is very good for dual-sport riding, mostly thanks to the v-460 visor mentioned before. It helps to push air into the upper intake vents and cool down your head. The engineers of Shoei have optimized the ventilation and aerodynamics of the Hornet X2 helmet in the wind tunnel under various speed and weather conditions.
The helmet has 4 intake vents in the front and 7 exhaust vents in the back. These air vents are a huge upgrade when you compare the helmet to the previous version (Shoei Hornet DS). All these new scientifically tested airflow technologies make the Hornet X2 helmet a great choice for any dual-sport adventure rider.
Interior & Comfort Level
The Shoei Hornet X2’s interior liner is called 3D Max Dry System II. As you can already tell from the name, it is designed to drive any kind of moisture and sweat away from your face and keep it dry for as long as possible. The interior lining is fully removable and washable, so you can take it off whenever you need to wash or replace it. The helmet also has a pair of removable 3D cheek pads that have cutouts for Bluetooth speakers. On top of that, is is also one of the quietest dual-sport helmets on the market.
The materials used in the lining and cheek pads are of the highest quality you will find in any motorcycle helmet and once you will put the helmet on your head, you will actually forget that you are wearing it. Unfortunately, after few hours of riding, you will start feeling the weight of the helmet. The Shoei Hornet X2 is definitely not the lightest or the most compact adventure helmet and this is the only bad thing I can say about it.
Shoei Hornet X2 Helmet
️Pros: Enhanced impact absorption, Wider and taller field of vision, Goggles optional facility, Comfort Fit
Cons: A little heavy
Scorpion EXO-AT950 Helmet Review
The Scorpion EXO-AT950 is a flip-up adventure helmet that is suitable for most situations in dual-sport riding. Due to its low price and a wide range of features, the Scorpion EXO-AT950 is definitely the best modular adventure helmet out there. Let’s take a better look at this multi-purpose motorcycle helmet.
Shell Design & Protection
The outer shell of the Scorpion EXO-AT950 helmet is made from an advanced LG polycarbonate that is lightweight and offers a great protection at the same time. Inside the shell, you will find a Dual-density EPS liner. This inner padding will absorb most of the potential damage during a crash and protect your head from injuries. The helmet is DOT certified, comes in 3 shell sizes, many different colors and you will get a 5-year warranty. There is no SNELL certification though, so keep than in mind.
The Scorpion EXO-AT950 adventure helmet comes with an EverClear anti-fog face shield that has an anti-scratch coating on it and it will also protect you from UV rays. There is an internal SpeedView drop-down sun visor that has an anti-fog coating on both sides. With all this anti-fogging technology, that Scorpion is famous for, there is no need to use an additional pin-lock with this helmet.
Ventilation & Airflow
The airflow of the Scorpion EXO-AT950 helmet is pretty good. In fact, in this price range, you won’t find many dual-sport helmets that will provide such a good airflow as the Scorpion EXO-AT950.
The helmet features an aero-tuned ventilation system that will push the air from the frontal intake vents to the inner EPS of the helmet and then to the exhaust vents on the back. This will ensure that the top of your head will stay dry and cool in warm weather.
There is also a large chin vent in the front of the helmet that will provide enough airflow for your mouth and it will also prevent any fogging issues on the face shield.
Interior & Comfort Level
The interior liner of the Scorpion EXO-AT950 dual-sport helmet is called KwikWick II and it has moisture-wicking and antimicrobial properties. It is fully removable and washable. You will also be able to use any kind of glasses thanks to the Kwikfit cheek-pad technology.
For those who would also like to use a Bluetooth headset in their adventure helmet, the Scorpion EXO-AT950 has dedicated speaker pockets, ensuring you will have a lot of space for installing your Bluetooth device.
Scorpion EXO-AT950 Helmet
️Pros: Advanced LG polycarbonate shell, Advanced multi-layer EPS, Drop-down internal sun-visor
Cons: Noise issues
Klim Krios Pro Helmet Review
The Klim Krios Pro is an innovative adventure helmet that could easily make it to the 1st place of our list, but there are some missed opportunities. Without a doubt, the Krios Pro is the lightest adventure helmet on our list, as it only weights about 3 lbs (1,3 kg), which is about 25% lighter than most other adventure helmets. So I you are looking for a helmet that is considerably lighter than other helmets, the Krios Pro is definitely the one you should buy.
Shell Design & Protection
The undoubtedly light shell of the Krios Pro adventure helmet is achieved thanks to the special structure of the carbon fiber lining that Klim has used while constructing the helmet. The weave of the carbon fiber is much wider and softer than the one we are used to. It almost looks like the threads are melted into each other. It not only provides an extreme lightness to the shell, but it looks fantastic too. Apart from the outer shell material, there is one more part that makes this helmet lighter than the competition. Inside, you will find a perforated material called “Koroyd”, which is a material usually used in road bike helmets due to its lightness and ventilation properties.
The Klim Krios Pro helmet is DOT and ECE certified. The company has also claimed the material inside the shell of the helmet is supposed to be safer than the material you will find in normal motorcycle helmets.
The technology used in the face shield is called Transitions Photochromic lens. This feature allows the shield to adapt the darkness automatically to different light conditions. Because of that, there is no need for an additional tinted visor. You can easily adjust and remove the visor thanks to the quarter turn release mechanism that is another great feature of this carbon fiber motorcycle helmet.
Ventilation & Airflow
Ventilation is another attribute where the Klim Krios Pro helmet really shines! In fact, thanks to the outstanding airflow and low weight, it is the ideal helmet for the most extreme off-road adventure riding conditions in warm climate.
You will find one large air vent in the front of the chin bar. It will allow cool air enter the eye port area and help with the fogging of the visor. There are multiple smaller intake and exhaust air vents on the top of the helmet.
The Koroyd technology used in the inner part of the shell will help to cool you down and dry out the sweat off your face and scalp. Also, the low weight will help your neck fatigue on long rides.
Interior & Comfort Level
The inner lining with cheek pads can be completely removed for washing. The fabric is soft and comfortable, it also has moisture-wicking and antimicrobial properties. As mentioned before, the lightness of the Klim Krios Pro helmet also helps with the comfort.
In the neck area, the helmet has a Fid-Lock system that is considered safer and easier to use than the traditional double d-rings mechanism. It will let you release the chin strap under any circumstances, even with muddy gloves on.
Where the helmet doesn’t do well, is the noise reduction. Due to the carbon fiber material used in the shell, you will hear all kinds of wind noise hitting the surface of the helmet and it will resonate through the whole body of the helmet. Also, the visor and peak of the helmet feels flimsy and shaky in higher speeds. Therefore, I would not recommend to use the Klim Krios Pro for long distance touring or highway commuting.
Klim Krios Pro Helmet
️Pros: Extremely Light, Transitions Photochromic lens, Koroyd technology, Very good airflow, Dries very fast, Super-cool design
Cons: Flimsy Face Shield & Visor, Noisy, Expensive
Bell MX-9 Adventure Helmet Review
The Bell MX-9 Adventure helmet is a modified version of the original Bell MX-9, which is one of the best off-road helmets. With this new MX-9 Adventure version, you will get the same amounts of airflow and the ability to use it as a street helmet. The Bell MX-9 Adventure helmet is in my opinion “the best bang for the buck” as there is no other adventure or dual-sport helmet that offers so many features for the price below $200.
Shell Design & Protection
The outer shell of the Bell MX-9 Adventure helmet is made from a lightweight polycarbonate material and it is DOT and ECE certified. Bell has added their MIPS technology into this helmet, making it one of the safest helmets on the market. Considering the low price point, I can already say that this is a great achievement and a big reason why you should consider buying this helmet.
The MX-9 Adventure helmet is pretty light compared to some of the heavier adventure helmets. It weighs only about 3.2 pounds (1,450 grams), comes in 3 shell sizes, multiple graphic designs and you will get a five-year warranty with it. The design of the helmet is phenomenal and it looks even better with a dark shield on it. If you remove the peak, you will get a fighter jet helmet look, which looks extremely cool as well.
The aerodynamics are a big letdown, though. The peak catches a lot of wind at higher speeds, causing a lot of vibration and noise, but you can always remove it. The Bell MX-9 is designed to work with many different types of goggles. I would say that this helmet is much more suitable for off-road situations than for street riding.
Ventilation & Airflow
The ventilation of the Bell MX-9 Adventure is another reason why we strongly recommend checking it out. It has a large air vent on the front of the chin bar and 2 additional jaw vents on the sides. On the top of the helmet, you will find 2 intake vents and 2 exhaust vents. All of these vents work really well and flow a high amount of air into the helmet, ensuring that you won’t face any overheating issues during warm weather.
The only small downside about the top vents is the fact that there is no option to close them, which can cause some trouble in rainy weather. Other than that, the ventilation is phenomenal for such a highly affordable helmet.
Interior & Comfort Level
As most of the other adventure helmets, the Bell MX-9 also has a moisture-wicking and antibacterial interior comfort liner with 2 dedicated cheek-pads. It can be fully removed for washing or replacement. Unfortunately, the liner doesn’t offer any compatibility with most types of Bluetooth devices, as there are no cutouts for speakers. If you are a fan of glasses, this helmet is also not the best choice for you, there are no cutouts for glasses either.
Apart from that, the quality of the materials used in the comfort lining is very good and it won’t disappoint you. As mentioned before, you should keep in mind that it is a budget helmet and oriented more towards off-road riding, so you should expect some noise issues.
Bell MX-9 Adventure Helmet
️Pros: Cool design, ECE & DOT certified, Equipped with MIPS technology, 5-year warranty, Good value for money
Cons: Bad aerodynamics, Noisy, Not suitable for highway riding
O’Neal Sierra 2 Helmet Review
Another great bang for the buck on our list of the best adventure helmets is the O’Neal Sierra 2. After the huge success of the first Sierra helmet, O’Neal introduced the second edition. It comes with all the necessary features that you expect from a proper adventure helmet. The price of this lid is around $150 and you will be pleasantly surprised how many different features you will get from such an affordable helmet.
Shell Design & Protection
The O’Neal Sierra 2 adventure helmet features an aggressive design with lots of cutouts and ventilation channels, which we usually only see on true off-road helmets. It has a removable peak visor that is secured with a couple of high-quality screws.
The outer shell is made out of a lightweight polycarbonate/ABS and the helmet is available in two different shell sizes. The weight of the helmet is around 3.5 lbs (1.6 kg). It is still relatively light, but definitely not the lightest adventure helmet out there. Thanks to its DOT and ECE certification, the O’Neal Sierra 2 offers enough protection for both street use and off-road riding.
The O’Neal Sierra 2 comes equipped with an internal drop-down sun visor and it is one of the few adventure helmets that offer this feature. You can activate it by pushing a slide button on the side of the helmet. Unfortunately, the button is very hard to use and you will have to apply a lot of pressure to activate it. The outer face shield feels solid and it offers excellent vision and pretty good seal against dust and water. There is no Pinlock anti-fog lens compatibility, which can be expected in this price range. Therefore, I wouldn’t recommend using this helmet in cold, rainy weather.
Ventilation & Airflow
The ventilation system of the O’Neal Sierra 2 adventure helmet consists of three intake vents in the front, and two exhaust vents in the back. The frontal chin vent is designed to push fresh air into the facial area of the riders head, while the top vents will allow high amounts of cool air into the channeling of the internal EPS liner.
Overall, the O’Neal Sierra 2 offers a pretty good airflow, just don’t expect it to be on the same level as a dirt bike helmet. It is by no means the best vented helmet in this category. Also, the air vents have no covers, so there is no option to close them and adjust the airflow. This is another disappointment and one of the biggest issues of this helmet.
Interior & Comfort Level
With the O’Neal Sierra 2, you will get a moisture-wicking interior liner that you can remove for washing whenever it is needed. The cheek pads, together with the crown, can be easily popped out off the helmet and the mounting mechanism doesn’t cause any pressure on the riders head.
In the neck area, the helmet is equipped with a padded chin strap that utilizes a double-d ring safety lock. The interior has a high-quality material that feels much more premium and comfortable than you would expect from a budget lid.
Another downside of this helmet is the lack of speaker cutouts. So, if you would like to install your Bluetooth headset, you will have to modify the interior. Also, the helmet isn’t very quiet at higher speeds and there are much better Bluetooth helmets on the market anyway.
O’Neal Sierra 2 Helmet
️Pros: Aggressive style, DOT & ECE certified, Integrated sun visor, Good build quality, Extremely Affordable
Cons: No Pinlock, Non-adjustable ventilation, Noisy
AGV AX9 Helmet Review
If you have been wondering, why the AGV AX9 helmet ended up so low on our list of the best adventure helmets, then I will explain it to you. This is not the first attempt of the famous Italian brand to make a premium adventure lid. In fact, they have released multiple different versions of their best selling helmet in this category, the AX8. The most popular version was the AX8 Dual Evo Carbon. It was a pretty good helmet for off-road riding, but not that great for street use. Now, with the AX9, AGV’s mission was to improve the overall practicality of the helmet and make it more suitable for adventure touring.
Shell Design & Protection
The design of the AX9 is very similar to its predecessor. It features the usual AGV genetics such as the aggressive lines and huge face shield. However, compared to the AX8, it has a more rounded shape and cleaner edges. Also, the peak visor is much bigger. Personally, I preffered the old design of the AX8 helmet, as the new peek seems oversized to me. The top peak is adjustable and you can easily remove it by unscrewing a couple of screws.
The outer shell of the AGV AX9 is constructed from a lightweight carbon-aramid-fiberglass compound, which makes the helmet extremely light (3.7 lbs). It comes in an intermediate oval shape and three different shell sizes for more fitment options. The AGV AX9 is DOT and ECE certified and there is no SNELL rating on this helmet.
One of the strongest points of the AGV AX9 is the face shield. The helmet comes equipped with a large and thick shield that feels solid and durable, but a little too stiff and hard to operate. The vision is excellent and there is absolutely no distortion like we can see on some cheaper helmets. Additionally, the AGV AX9 also offers Pinlock compatibility, which was missing on the previous model. This means you can forget about the fogging issues that the AX8 was infamous for.
Ventilation & Airflow
AGV helmets are considered some of the best-vented motorcycle helmets on the market and the AX9 is no exception. It features an extra large intake vent in the chin bar that can be left fully open for maximum airflow in tough conditions. Thanks to the intake vents on the top of the helmet, you will have plenty of air flowing onto your scalp, keeping you cool and dry during hot summer days.
The exhaust vents in the back are designed to release the hot air out of the helmet and they will prevent overheating of your head. Unfortunately, they don’t have any covers and you will not be able to close them in rainy weather. The airflow is very good, but there is one downside to it. The helmet is quite noisy at higher speeds.
Interior & Comfort Level
As I mentioned earlier, the AGV AX9 helmet is super-light. This will help tremendously with the overall comfort and neck fatigue on long rides. The interior comfort liner is super-soft and it will almost feel like a cushion on your face. In fact, it almost feels too soft for some reason. The liner offers eyewear compatibility and you will be able to easily wear any type of glasses with this helmet.
Another improvement is the addition of speaker pockets, which the AX8 helmet didn’t have. This was the main concern for a lot of riders and I am happy to see that AGV took notes and addressed this issue. So, the AGV AX9 now gives you the possibility to install any type of a intercom device into the helmet.
Without a doubt, the AGV AX9 is a big improvement over its predecessor, but it is definitely not perfect. Its comfortable interior and phenomenal vision are let down by a comically large peak visor and high level of wind noise. Also, the built quality and finish are not as good as we are used to see on Shoei or Arai helmets.
AGV AX9 Helmet
️Pros: Lightweight shell construction, Excellent vision, Pinlock-ready, Effective ventilation, Comfortable interior
Cons: Enormous peak, Noise issues, Average build quality
Difference Between Adventure & Dual-Sport
Basically, the terms “adventure” and “dual-sport” are very similar in the world of motorcycles. Both are considered a combination of street riding and off-road riding.
Adventure riding is focused more towards the street commuting and long-distance touring, while dual-sport riding more towards off-road and motocross. Different kind of activity requires different type of motorcycle. Usually, the motorcycles that are considered the most suitable for adventure riding are bigger bikes such as Honda Africa Twin or Suzuki V-Strom. Dual-sport riding requires much smaller and lighter motorcycle such as Honda CRF-450L or Husqvarna 701 Enduro, which are basically dirt bikes with lights and turn signals.
Why Would You Need an Adventure Helmet?
If you are not sure if you actually need an adventure helmet or not, then you have come to the right place!
There are many reasons to buy an adventure helmet instead of the regular full-face motorcycle helmet. Normal helmets are usually very heavy and don’t offer enough airflow. When you are riding on an adventure bike, you will usually switch between many different kinds of terrains and weather conditions, therefore it is more practical to use a specialized helmet that can handle all of those conditions.
Full-face helmets don’t have a peak-visor so there is not enough sun protection. The airflow provided by those helmets is insufficient as they are specifically designed for high-speed commuting. Adventure riding is rather slow-paced and sometimes can be even exhausting. You will sweat a lot and your head and neck can start to hurt, therefore you need a much better airflow and lower weight of the helmet. That’s why the adventure helmets were invented. They are much more comfortable to wear in those extreme conditions and they are much more suitable for an enduro motorcycle.
Why Would You Need a Dual-Sport Helmet?
If you are doing motocross or any kind of fast-paced, short-distance off-road riding, then a dual-sport helmet is a good choice for you. There are dirt bike helmets that are specifically designed for this kind of motorcycle riding, but sometimes you just want to be able to travel on the road as well.
Dirt bikes are not road legal motorcycles as they don’t have lights and turn signals. That’s why dual-sport motorcycles exist. When you are riding a dual-sport motorcycle on the road, you can still use your usual dirt bike helmet with goggles for wind protection. However, using a dual-sport helmet with a wind screen is much more convenient and it will protect you much better against rain.
Other situation where these dual-sport helmets are useful is supermoto riding. Supermoto (Supermotard/Motart/SM) is a modified street legal off-road motorcycle originally invented for track racing competitions. These motorcycles are very popular among younger motorcyclists as they are very easy to control and fun to ride.
As you can see, there are many good examples when the adventure or a dual-sport helmets are very useful. They are not just a modern gimmick as many people think.
Things to Consider Before Buying an Adventure Helmet
Safety Rating & Protection
Safety rating is the most important attribute of any motorcycle helmet, not just the adventure/dual-sport helmets. Most of the helmets usually have the DOT or ECE certification as it is required by the US and European laws. Additionally, some higher-end helmets offer the SNELL rating, which is good to have if you are planning to do any kind of professional racing in the helmet. Keep in mind, that SNELL certified helmets are usually heavier and bulkier than those without the certification. It is because of a thicker layer of the EPS lining inside the shell of the helmet.
Size & Shape of the Helmet
Each adventure and dual-sport helmet is available in multiple different shell sizes. You should carefully select your motorcycle helmet and make sure the size fits you properly. It is recommended that you try it on for at least 1 hour before you definitely decide to make the purchase. There are many different helmet shapes available on the market. Some of them look more like full-face helmets, while others are more similar to off-road helmets. But, every adventure helmet has a peak on top of the shell and a removable face shield in the eye port area.
Weight of the Helmet
Weight is a very important factor of every adventure/dual-sport helmet. Generally, adventure helmets are significantly lighter than regular helmets. They are designed for prolonged riding and various conditions. Therefore, the rider can get tired and can experience head or neck fatigue. That’s why you should always choose an adventure helmet of an appropriate weight. Luckily, you will be able to find many different helmets with a lightweight carbon fiber construction weighing around 3 lbs or less.
Ventilation & Noise Levels
Most of the adventure helmets provide very good levels of ventilation and airflow. They usually have one large vent in the chin bar area and several additional vents around the cheeks and forehead area. This enormous amount of air vents is needed for extreme conditions while riding in hot climate and desert areas etc. Also, as you will usually sweat a lot when compared to street riding, a proper ventilation is a must! Unfortunately, too much airflow causes noise issues. Adventure helmets usually suffer from high amounts of wind noise and they are definitely not the quietest motorcycle helmets out there.
Modularity & Extra Features
Nowadays, there are multiple adventure helmets that offer many practical features such as integrated drop-down sun visor, transition lenses, or quick-release chin strap. All of these features can be very beneficial in various different situations. Although, some brands avoid adding such features to their helmets, as they consider them unsafe. Another awesome feature that you can find in some of the modern adventure helmets is modularity. Modular motorcycle helmets have a flip-up chin bar and they are gaining more and more popularity among the adventure riders every single year.
What is Your Budget?
Budget is also an important factor that will affect the decision while purchasing your adventure helmet. In fact, there are now many affordable adventure helmets that offer most of the features you would normally find only in the expensive helmets. A good examples of extremely affordable adventure helmets for $200-$300 or less are the Scorpion EXO-AT950 and Bell MX-9 Adventure. This means, that no matter what your budget is, you can still get exactly what you desire in an adventure helmet.
Conclusion
I really hope this review will help you decide what is the perfect adventure helmet for your needs. There are many more adventure and dual-sport helmets available on the market (such as those from HJC and AGV), but after a careful research and testing, I have decided to include only few of them. This should make it much easier for you to make the right decision.
Keep in mind, that you should always try any type of motorcycle helmet properly and if you are not 100% happy with it, just return it. This especially applies for adventure helmets, as you will be literally living inside the helmet. You will be spending thousands of hours of your time wearing it, so you must be very careful while choosing one. Whether you prefer a more street-oriented helmet or an off-road specialized one, this 2020 review of the best adventure & dual-sport helmets has included them all..
Great list, I still like my Arai XD4 but there is a serious lack of new premium ADV helmets. Wish Arai and Shoei updated their lids. They are kind of outdated by today’s standards.
Thanks a lot, absolutely agree about the Shoei Hornet. Its super comfortable, love it so far..