Adventure riding is unlike any other type of motorcycle riding. You encounter all types of terrain from pavement to mud, and that means you need gear that’s up for the challenge. Adventure motorcycle helmets are designed specifically for this. And you need to get a good one.
Adventure motorcycle helmets blend the best of on-road helmets with the best of off-road helmets. Here’s a look at the best of the best.
1. Arai XD-5 Helmet
Of all of the adventure motorcycle helmets out there, this is the one that I would buy. This helmet from Arai is the kind of helmet that’s going to be at or near the top of lists like this one for years to come. It’s just a damn good helmet all around and happens to be killer for on-road and off-road riding. It is kind of expensive, though.
Here are the details for the helmet:
- Comfort headliner, with peel away temple pads to refine fit
- Fully removable and replaceable and washable interior
- Dry-Cool technology keeps you comfortable
- Facial Contour Support cheek pad design
- Improved shell shape for better aerodynamic stability
- Exhaust ports added to the top diffuser vents
- Chin vent with more intake ports
- Larger sculpted side cowl vents improve ventilation
- Snell M2020 approved
Check it out at Amazon
Check it out at Revzilla
2. Scorpion EXO-AT950 Helmet
If you like the Arai shown above but don’t want to spend the money, may I suggest the Scorpion EXO-AT950 Helmet? It’s a good all-around helmet that sells for less than half of what the Arai lid does.
Here are the details of the helmet:
- Advanced polycarbonate shell that comes in three sizes
- Dual Density multi-layer EPS
- Intake vents on top and exhaust vents
- Dual-position mouth vent
- Ellip-Tec Ratchet System uses an elliptical motion
- EverClear Face Shield optically-clear shield that has fog-free technology, anti-scratch hardened coating, 100% UV-A & UV-B protection
- Wide eye port for greater peripheral vision
- EverClear SpeedView drop-down sun visor
- KwikWick II anti-microbial helmet liner that’s moisture-wicking and removable and washable
- Flip-up chin bar allows the chin bar to be raised or lowered with either hand.
- Communication system speaker pockets
- Removable block-off plates are included for use when the visor is not on the helmet
- Folding metal visor hardware
- DOT approval and ECE 22.06
- five-year warranty
Check it out at Amazon
Check it out at Revzilla
3. Bell MX-9 Adventure MIPS Helmet
Want an adventure helmet that has it all for a very good price? The Bell MX-9 is a helmet with legendary performance on-road and off. The helmet has everything that an adventure rider would want from a helmet.
Here are the helmet’s details:
- Multi-Directional Impact Protection System (MIPS)
- Lightweight polycarbonate shell that comes in three sizes
- Integrated face shield
- Top-quality ventilation system for cooling and comfort
- Moisture-wicking, removable and washable comfort liner
- EPS-lined chin bar
- Adjustable mouth vent
- Padded chin strap
- D-ring chin strap closure
- Five-year warranty
- DOT and ECE-certified
Check it out at Amazon
Check it out at Revzilla
Check it out at CycleGear
4. Sedici Duale Parlare Helmet
Looking for a helmet that provides a Bluetooth comm system out of the box? The Sedici Duale Parlare Helmet is exactly what you’re looking for. The helmet is sleek and ready for anything.
Here are the helmet’s details:
- Multi-Fiber Matrix Composite fiberglass shell
- DWO 7 Pro: Integrated Sena DWO-7 Pro Mesh communication system
- Removable, washable multi-density cheek pads are moisture-wicking
- Removable chin skirt helps minimize wind noise
- Reflective inserts at the bottom of neck roll and cheek pads
- Meets or exceeds DOT and ECE-22.06 standards
Check it out at Revzilla
5. Shoei Hornet X2 Helmet
The Shoei Hornet X2 Helmet is a lid that is built around the idea of not making your compromise on the street or the trail. The X2 is a genuine dual-sport with a bit of a sleeker look than many other designated dual-sport helmets out there.
Here are the helmet’s details:
- Advanced Integrated Matrix Plus Multi Fiber shell construction
- Four shell sizes ensure a perfect fit
- Multi-density EPS liner
- EPS liner designed to provide varying densities of foam in key areas
- CNS-2 face shield system offers a distortion-free view
- Ribs on the top ridge of the shield improve rigidity
- The unique base-plate system offers quick and efficient shield removal
- Thicker and durable face shield gasket
- Enhanced shield-locking system
- Pinlock insert included
- 3D Max-Dry System II Interior is designed to fit comfortably while maintaining a firm hold for high-speed riding
- Max-Dry System II liner material is moisture-wicking and removable
- Removable ear pads
- Emergency Quick-Release System
- Several air intakes and exhaust ports
- Quarter-turn screws allow for easy, tool-free removal of the visor
- Includes removable breath guard and chin curtain
- Snell 2015 and DOT approved
Check it out at Amazon
Check it out at Revzilla
Check it out at CycleGear
There are other motorcycle helmets out there, but these five best should be all you need others simply aren’t as good.
