A Guide To The Best Full-Face Motorcycle Helmets

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Full-face helmets are your best bet when you want full protection on your bike since this is the only style of helmet that fully protects the skull and part of the neck. Although other styles of helmets, such as half helmets and open face helmets, offer advantages like airflow and better visibility, nothing beats the traditional full-face helmets when you’re the type of person who wants the safest head gear possible.

This is especially true if you enjoy riding at high speeds and you’re on your motorcycle for long periods of time. This helmet style not only gives you full protection, but it also allows you to ride in total comfort, since you don’t have to deal with the cold wind hitting your face constantly. It also protects your face from flying debris, bugs, hail, dirt, dust, and more.

If you’re interested in finding out more about motorcycle safety, then sit back and read on to learn about the different benefits this helmet style has to offer, how it can keep you safe, and which helmets earned top marks.

Comparison Chart

ProductWeightVisorsCostRating
1Storm Motorcycle Helmet
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4lbs1$
MMG Full Face Helmet
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1lb2$
Typhoon Modular Helmet
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3lbs2$
Bell Qualifier DLX MIPS
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4.8lbs1$$$
Dual Sport Helmet
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5.1lbs3$

1Storm Motorcycle Bike Full Face Helmet


Our Rating: (5/5)

This model by 1Storm features a mirrored visor that provides ultimate protection from the sun and shields your face from bugs, dirt, dust, and flying debris. The lightweight design is one of the helmet’s biggest selling points.

Weighing in at just four pounds, this is one of the lightest full-face helmets on the market, yet it still offers better than average protection compared to heavier, competing models. The three level ventilation system gives you total control over airflow, thanks to its highly adjustable design.

Pros

  • Three level top ventilation system
  • UV protected finish
  • Mirrored visor
  • Lightweight design
  • Aerodynamic design
  • Inner liner is removable and washable

Cons

  • Does not come with a clear face shield
  • Bulky design

MMG Full Face Motorcycle Helmet


Our Rating: (4.5/5)

This Intimidating looking helmet features a matte black finish and comes equipped with a couple of visors, one designed for day use and the other designed for nighttime riding. Both visors are equipped with anti-fog and anti-scratch coatings, for improved visibility on the road.

Other top features include a quick release visor mechanism, removable and washable cheek pads, and EPS impact absorption inner liner. It comes in sizes ranging from small to extra-large.

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Aerodynamic
  • Washable liner
  • DOT approved
  • Two visors

Cons

  • Not Snell certified

Conclusion

This is a budget-friendly, lightweight helmet that comes with two visors already installed. Learning how to select the right visor for your motorcycle helmet will depend on light conditions.

As an example, you’ll choose the smoky visor for bright sunlight, and the clear visor for low light conditions or night riding. For the price, this model is a great buy. While it’s not as flashy as some higher-priced models, it offers the same level of protection and offers a more aerodynamic design.

Typhoon Modular Motorcycle Helmet


Our Rating: (4.5/5)

This modular helmet by Typhoon comes with a one-button flip-up system that instantly converts it to an open-face helmet. It also features two visors, a smoky visor for daytime riding and a clear visor for riding at night.

The top of the line ventilation system ensures rider comfort during hot weather conditions, offering maximum airflow. Other features include a sweat absorbing inner liner that has EPS impact absorption that is removable and washable, and a lightweight durable shell. This model is available in five size options.

Pros

  • Retractable visor
  • EPS impact absorption liner
  • Lightweight
  • Top of the line ventilation system
  • Five size options

Cons

  • High wind noise
  • Visor does not come with anti-fog coating

Conclusion

Lightweight, aerodynamic, and equipped with two visor options, this full-face helmet offers ultimate protection in the event of an accident. However, it should be noted that the visors do not come equipped with anti-fog coatings, so the visors can potentially fog up in certain weather conditions. Overall, this model is a solid performer and offers the type of protection every rider needs.

Bell Qualifier DLX MIPS Full-Face Motorcycle Helmet


Our Rating: (4.5/5)

This DOT approved helmet by Bell ticks a lot of boxes. Some features include advanced air ventilation technology, MIPS – multi-directional impact system, an integrated communication port, and the tough polycarbonate composite shell. It also comes with a steep price tag, which makes it a poor choice for the rider on a tight budget.

But considering the type of protection it offers, most riders will find that it’s worth every penny. This model comes with a photochromic visor that’s activated by UV. This means you won’t have to swap out the visor based on light conditions. The visor will turn clear in low light conditions and change to a smoky visor in bright light.

Pros

  • Photochromic visor
  • Multi-directional impact system
  • Polycarbonate composite shell
  • Five-year warranty
  • DOT approved

Cons

  • Not anti-fog or anti-scratch coating on the visor
  • The Price

Conclusion

This lightweight, full-face helmet offers the latest in helmet technology and comes complete with a single photochromic visor, which changes color based on light conditions.

While the price may be steep, for a full-face helmet, it offers top of the line breathability, comfort, and must-have safety features. If you’re looking for a way to keep your helmet safe from theft when you stop to grab a bite to eat or head out for a night on the town, click here to read my article on helmet locks.

Dual Sport Helmet Motorcycle Full Face Helmet


Our Rating: (4.5/5)

This model is a big seller for Dual Sport, thanks to the eight vents strategically placed throughout the helmet’s design for ultimate airflow. The helmet also comes equipped with three different visors:

  • Clear
  • Tinted
  • Smoky

Now, you can choose the perfect visor based on light and weather conditions. The helmet’s aerodynamic design significantly minimizes wind resistance force, for improved stability at high speeds.

The interior is heavily padded for improved comfort. Fortunately, the liner is removable and washable, so you can prevent bacteria growth and keep your helmet smelling fresh. The helmet’s shell is made out of tough EPS and ABS materials for full protection upon impact.

Pros

  • Eight-vent ventilation system
  • Three visors
  • Removable, washable liner
  • Aerodynamic design
  • Shell is made out of ABS and EPS materials
  • Quick-release buckle
  • DOT approved

Cons

  • Weighs in at 5.1 pounds
  • Runs a size small

Full-Face Helmets Buyer’s Guide

Some riders will avoid wearing a full-face helmet at all costs. But why? These helmets tend to offer a very snug fit, can potentially fog up if the visor doesn’t feature anti-fog protection, and they can be incredibly hot to wear if you’re riding in high temperatures.

But over the years, helmet manufacturers have taken a new approach to full-face designs, incorporating ventilation systems, better impact absorption padding that also features moisture-wicking capabilities, and more. While some low-priced models can be uncomfortable to wear and can even hinder visibility, many of the leading helmets on the market allow you to wear a full-face helmet in total comfort, while enjoying top of the line protection in the event of a crash, not to mention these helmets can also protect you from the elements, flying debris, dirt, bugs, and more.

If you’ve been riding a bike for years, then you’re probably already aware that these helmets are statistically much safer compared to other styles on the market. Generally speaking, they can significantly reduce your risk of death or serious injury by thirty-seven percent. Aside from being much safer, they also come equipped with certain features that make them the top choice for cross country riders.

Factors to Consider Before to Hit That Buy Now Button

Will a full-face helmet work for you? Below, you’ll find many benefits linked to full-face helmet use, how these helmets can provide ultimate protection on the road, and important facts regarding rider safety.

To learn more about bike safety during travel, read my article on how to secure your helmet to your motorcycle with a holder.

Full Protection

Obviously, the biggest benefit this style of helmet offers is the fact that it fully protects the crown and back of your head as well as the face. It also comes with a chin bar that remains securely in place when it comes into contact with a hard surface.

Motorcyclists who wear full-face helmets are also less prone to facial injuries and fractures since the helmet provides the ultimate amount of coverage. Also, according to one study, riders who don’t wear helmets that protect their faces are more at risk of brain and head injuries even if they wear a half helmet, 3/4 helmet, or open face helmet.

Statistics show that riders who suffer facial injuries are 3.5 times more likely to suffer a brain injury. As an example, when you hit your jaw hard on impact; it can vibrate throughout the face and even reach the brain. Because half helmets do not protect the chin area, they cannot effectively help to prevent this type of injury.

Protective Lining

On the road, head protection is not enough. The inside of the helmet should have a removable and washable liner as well as comfortable cheek pads. The pads are made out of impact-absorbing material that can significantly reduce the severity of a head and/or facial injury.

The interior lining also promotes user comfort during hot sweltering days.

Full-face helmets can be uncomfortable to wear in high temperatures, causing the rider to sweat excessively. While this is definitely uncomfortable, it can also be dangerous, since the sweat can get in the rider’s eyes and impact their vision. Fortunately, many of the best full face motorcycle helmets come equipped with liners that are made out of moisture-wicking material, which is designed to pull sweat away from the skin, keeping the rider cool and dry.

Comfort

If you don’t like the constant feeling of the wind in your face, which some riders don’t, then this type of helmet is an excellent choice. It’s also a better option for riders who wear glasses. This type of helmet fits snug on the face to prevent the head from bouncing around. The tighter fit also ensures that the helmet will remain on, even in an accident.

Reduced Wind Noise

If you’re a rider that finds high wind noise disorienting and distracting, then a full-face helmet is a better option. If you have trouble focusing on the road in high wind conditions, then this helmet can provide full protection. Most models will come equipped with a type of wind noise reduction technology that blocks the wind from entering the interior of the helmet.

Decreased Visibility

Visibility can be lacking with a full-face design. While you’re on the road, you may be unable to see another rider or driver coming up on your blind spot, which is obviously a serious safety issue.

However, as long as you keep this blind spot in mind when you’re riding the freeway and splitting lanes, you can do so safely. While an open-faced helmet definitely offers better visibility, they can’t provide the type of protection that a full-face helmet can.

Ventilation

Aside from the impact-absorbing, moisture-wicking interior lining, some models also come equipped with extensive ventilation systems. These systems make wearing a helmet more comfortable since air can easily flow in and out of the helmet. This type of air circulation can be a lifesaver if you’re riding during the summer.

The Modular Full-Faced Helmet

This is a type of full-face helmet that lets you lift the entire front portion of the helmet up to expose your face. A modular helmet still provides full protection, but it also gives the wearer the option to fully expose their face, in the event they need a little fresh air.

What makes it different from traditional full-face helmets is that the latter only enables you to lift the visor up while a modular helmet also allows you to lift up the chin bar. Basically, you can transform your full-face helmet to an open face model instantly, without removing any parts and with usually just a push of a button.

A modular full-face helmet is your best bet if you want full protection and freedom at the same time.

A New Take on Design

The modular style helmet is specifically designed for added comfort and comes equipped with a hinge that allows you to switch it to an open face helmet. This style is a hybrid of sorts and incorporates elements of both the full-faced helmet and open-faced helmet.

However, most people mistakenly believe that modular helmets are meant to be used open-faced during a ride, but they’re not. This open-face capability should only be used to get a little fresh air between rides, without having to take your helmet off.

It’s actually not safe to ride around open-face style. As an example, you can flip up the chin bar and have a quick chat with a riding buddy at a stoplight, but once that light turns green, you’ll need to flip the chin bar back into place and turn it back into a full-faced model for ultimate protection.

What Makes the Full-Faced Helmet the Safest-All the Benefits

As I mentioned earlier, the traditional full-faced model is the only style of helmet that can provide full protection. The entire helmet is forged into a single unit, which means it doesn’t have any weak points like the modular style does, considering the hinged design.

If you want to be fully protected as you ride at high speeds, then the full-faced helmet is the only way to go. These helmets can provide a comfortable, snug fit that’s breathable, and more comfortable than models produced just a few years ago.

Many riders mistakenly believe that only a heavy helmet can provide full protection. But these days, there are many DOT approved lightweight aerodynamic full-faced helmets that can provide the same level of protection that their heavier counterparts can.

This lightweight design prevents neck strain, tension, and the type of general discomfort that comes with wearing a helmet that weighs several pounds, for hours on the road.

How They Can Save You

Many studies have repeatedly proven that wearing a full-faced helmet can significantly increase a rider’s survival rate. In fact, this style of helmet is twice as effective at preventing serious injuries to the brain.

These studies have shown that at least forty percent of riders who died in a crash were wearing half helmets or no helmet at all. While this percentage may seem low, this is due to the fact that over half of motorcycle fatalities involved serious injuries that occurred below the neck.

When you crash and your head makes contact with the ground or your bike at a high velocity, this type of sudden and severe impact can cause a traumatic brain injury and skull damage. If the head turns or hits at an angle upon impact, the risk is much higher since the brain stem and the brain rotates or twists slightly inside the skull before striking against it, which will cause bleeding and tearing.

  • Helmets that don’t provide full coverage and protect the neck area and chin, in addition to the head, or more likely to fly off upon impact, whereas the full-faced helmet’s chin bar works to keep the helmet securely in place.
  • The biggest drawback of the full-face helmet is simply the fact that they’re not as convenient to use as other styles considering you have to remove the helmet completely to talk to a riding buddy or enjoy the fresh air. But these helmets tend to excel where other styles fall short.
  • They’re generally much lighter than modular style helmets since they don’t have extra components such as hinges. This makes them a better choice for the rider in search of a lighter helmet for all-day use.
  • They’re also more aerodynamic compared to other styles. If you want to reach a higher speed on your bike, then you’ll definitely appreciate the decrease in drag that they offer.
  • While many riders argue that the type of helmet you choose should be based on your riding style, if you’re looking for the safest models on the market, full face is the only way to go.

Key Takeaway: Put safety first before anything else when it comes to choosing the safest helmet. Although many riders consider full-faced models too closed and uncomfortable, it’s the only type that can provide full protection.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to safety, there really is no comparison between an open face helmet and a full-face model. The best full face motorcycle helmets will significantly reduce your chances of a serious injury, in the event of a crash, and should come equipped with a good ventilation system, a thick, removable liner, and a snug fit that’s comfortable, yet ensures the helmet will remain in place, even in the event of a crash.