The half helmet market is huge. There are all kinds of half helmets available in the market. Finding the perfect half helmet can be a fairly difficult task. For this reason, we’ve put together a list of the 5 best motorcycle half helmets on the market. If you’re in a hurry, you can check out our top pick, which is the LS2 Rebellion helmet.
Best Motorcycle Half Face Helmets in 2024
- Our Top Pick: LS2 Rebellion Motorcycle Half Helmet
- Runner-up: ILM Motorcycle Half Helmet
- Best Value: VCOROS Motorcycle Half Helmet
- Best German Style Half Helmet: AHR German Style Motorcycle Half Helmet
- Best Budget: Vega Warrior Motorcycle Half Helmet
1. Our Top Pick: LS2 Rebellion Motorcycle half helmet
Our Top Pick
The LS2 Rebellion is a motorcycle half helmet with a stylish shell made of our high performance, lightweight Kinetic Polymer Alloy (KPA). This helmet offers flow-through, ported ventilation to keep you cool on the hottest of days. The short peak and Twin Shield System drop down sunscreen will protect your eyes when the sun is in the horizon.
The LS2 Rebellion half helmet is an excellent choice at an incredibly reasonable price. The LS2 half helmet might be reasonably priced, but it offers everything you’d want from a half helmet. The LS2 helmets are known for their attractive design, and the Rebellion helmet isn’t an exception. The half helmet features a stealthy and modern design, which makes you look cooler on the motorcycle.
The half helmet is available in multiple colors, so you can choose the one that fits your style. This intermediate oval half helmet comes in two shell sizes and weighs about 2.5 lbs. The helmet is DOT approved and comes equipped with a peak visor. The peak visor is attached to the helmet using two thumbscrews and some glue.
The LS2 half helmet also features a drop-down sun visor. The sun visor is scratch-resistant and offers excellent protection against UV lights. This great helmet comes with a couple of air vents, which is fairly rare in half helmets. The helmet has two air vents, one intake vent on the front and one exhaust vent on the back of the helmet, which keeps you properly ventilated throughout the ride.
The interior liner of this half helmet is also removable and washable so that you can clean it after a sweaty ride. The interior liner is also made out of moisture-wicking fabric, absorbing all the liquid quickly. The half-face helmet also comes with a quick-release chin strap, which can easily be operated with a gloved hand.
Overall, the LS2 Rebellion is an excellent half helmet with great ventilation properties. It is a high-quality half helmet with everything from comfort to durability. The only issue with the best half shell helmet is that the peak visor is not replaceable or removable.
Pros
- Attractive stealthy design
- Drop-down sun visor
- Quick-release chin strap
- Well ventilated
- Moisture-wicking liner
Cons
- Slightly heavier than other half helmets
- The peak visor cannot be removed or replaced
2. Runner-up: ILM Motorcycle Half Helmet
Runner-up
ILM half face helmet is built with quality ABS shell and high density EPS foam, it is tested and meets the requirements of DOT safety standards. It is featured with quick release buckle and detachable sun visor, suitable for men and women. Color options are matte black, gloss black.
This half helmet is known for its unique matte black appearance that doesn’t fade away due to sunlight. The ILM Motorcycle Half Helmet comes with an outer shell made out of ABS material, which makes it incredibly lightweight and durable. The lightweight shell lets you attach several add-ons to the half helmet.
The half helmet weighs about 2.7 lbs and features a built-in internal sun visor to protect you from UV light. You can easily remove the sun visor or replace it with another one. You can also replace the visor with a tinted one for better eye protection. However, you’ll have to get the clear visor separately. The helmet also features an excellent ventilation system that will make sure you don’t sweat during hot summer rides.
What makes this DOT-approved half-face helmet stand out from the rest is its ear flaps on both sides. You can adjust the ear flaps to make the helmet more comfortable for yourself, and it is also exceptionally good for people with bigger ears. The ear flaps will make sure you don’t feel squished inside the helmet as it rests on your head. However, keep in mind that the ear flaps might also make it difficult to hear properly.
If you’re looking for a Bluetooth Integrated helmet, you can check out our list of the Top 5 Best Motorcycle Helmets with Bluetooth and GPS.
Pros
- Lightweight helmet
- Built-in replaceable and removable sun visor
- Excellent ventilation
- Skin-friendly earflaps
- It comes with tinted visors
Cons
- have to get clear visor separately
- earflaps can affect hearing
3. Best Value: VCOROS Motorcycle half helmet
Best Value
The newly designed Rebel Warrior motorcycle half helmet is the ideal choice for motorbike riders looking for a more comfortable and stylish ride with its technology-loaded design, lightweight half face coverage, and cool comfortable fit.
When it comes to attractive-looking motorcycle half helmets, the VCOROS Motorcycle half helmet is one of the best. The helmet is available in a huge variety of colors and cool designs that will make you stand out in a crowd.
The half helmet is DOT-approved and comes with a high-quality ABS outer shell construction. The ABS shell makes the helmet much lighter and more durable. The helmet comes with a huge warranty of 3 years. The warranty makes the helmet an overall good investment.
The helmet can be worn both by male and female motorcycle riders. You can also remove and replace the integrated sun-visor. The helmet is also equipped with dual density eps liner that also has moisture-wicking properties.
The half helmet’s design lets the cool air flow through ventilation to keep the rider cool. However, you’ll have to keep in mind that the ear flaps of this helmet can easily trap the air, which can make the ride noisy. The helmet itself weighs about 2.4 lbs.
Pros
- Available in a variety of colors and designs
- Lots of sizes available
- ABS construction
- Dual-density eps liner
Cons
- Loud
- Mushroom head look
4. Best German Style Half Helmet: AHR German Style Motorcycle Half Helmet
Best German Style
AHR RUN-C retro German style half face motorcycle helmet, upgraded ABS shell and EPS liner ensure your safety while riding. Lightweight ABS shell with a thick, high density and fully vented EPS liner, brings you a better protection and comfort.
If you want to try something unique, you should check out the AHR German Style Motorcycle half helmet. This half helmet features decent head protection and makes you feel like those old-school riders.
The half helmet’s shell is made out of high-quality ABS material and a high-density buffer layer. So, the helmet offers great durability at a very lightweight. The helmet also weighs just about 1lbs, making it one of the lighter helmets on the list. The helmet doesn’t come with a drop-down visor and is slightly different than most half-face helmets. However, you can also wear goggles with the half helmet if you want.
This comfortable half helmet comes with a D-ring chin strap which protects your chin from any type of injury while also keeping the half helmet in place. The helmet is highly versatile as you can wear it while riding scooters, motorcycles, Harleys, or anything else.
While the helmet may look robust from the outside, it has decent cushioning on the inside and can rest on your head comfortably. The helmet is DOT-approved and features earflaps that make sure your ears don’t feel squished or too tight. The earflaps are skin-friendly, so you won’t have to worry about irritation.
If you’re only looking for a German style motorcycle helmet, you can check out our list of the Best German Motorcycle Helmets.
Pros
- Equipped with a high-density buffer layer
- Can ride while wearing glasses
- D-ring chin strap
- Skin-friendly earflaps
- High-quality outer shell
Cons
- Mushroom head look
- No air vents
5. Best Budget: Vega Warrior Motorcycle Half Helmet
Best Budget
The Rebel Warrior skull cap helmet features a NEW size-adjustment dial system for the perfect custom fit for your head, an advanced moisture wicking liner, channeled EPS for increased cooling & safety, and padded quick-release strap.
If you’re short on budget, but want a high-quality helmet that features the properties of a full-face helmet, then the Vega Warrior Half Size helmet is the best option for you. Vega helmets are trusted all over the world because of their safety.
The Vega half helmet is available in a lot of sizes, and you can also manually adjust the size using the helmet’s knob. The size is so adjustable that you can pass the helmet on to someone else, and it will fit them comfortably just the same.
You also have a lot of colors and textures to choose from, so you can get the one that you find the most attractive. Other than that, the inner lining of the helmet is incredibly soft. The half helmet can easily rest on your head comfortably due to the soft lining. The inner lining also has incredible shock absorption and moisture-wicking properties.
The Vega half helmet also features a drop-down sun shield. You can easily replace the sun visor with a tinted visor for better eye protection. If you want, you can also remove the sun-shield completely, so motorcycle riders can wear glasses comfortably. The quick-release chin strap is also there to keep the helmet on your head.
Pros
- Removable and washable lining
- Huge size and color range
- Adjustable size
- Drop-down sun visor
- Attractive texture choices
Cons
- Thick cheek pads
- Chinstrap can be uncomfortable
What Are Half Shell Helmets?
Half shell helmets are a more compact and lighter version of helmets. There are three common types of helmets in the helmet world: Full face helmets, modular helmets, and open-face helmets. A half helmet is different from all of these types since it doesn’t have a face shield or visor like an open face helmet, nor the face-bucket characteristics of a full-face helmet.
Why Do People Choose Half Shell Helmet?
Half helmets are generally worn by street bikers, cruisers, and naked-style bikers. Half helmets are also quite common in Harley Riders. I doubt you’d have seen a Harley Rider without a half helmet or their signature Ray-Bans. Half helmets lack the protection they provide, but these helmets are also the lightest and the most comfortable out of all.
What to look for in a Half helmet
Half helmets are slightly different from regular traditional helmets. These helmets offer less protection, and you have to keep certain things in mind before you make the final decision about your purchase. The following are some of the factors that you should consider. You should check out our beginner’s buying guide for more buying tips.
Shell Material:
While providing protection isn’t a defining trait of a half helmet, it should still be strong enough to protect you in case of an accident or collision. You can find most half helmets made out of high-grade plastics. However, the high-quality half helmets are made up of thermosetting polymers. These best half helmets have high strength and some elasticity, making them great for the riders.
You’ll also find some reinforcements attached to some helmets. This reinforcement is there to ensure the half helmet has that extra strength to protect your head.
Features:
You’ll find several features in half helmets. There are Bluetooth half helmets, half helmets with antimicrobial pads, speaker pockets, and many other unique features. Half helmets with unique features are handy, but they also cost more than a regular half helmet.
Weight and ventilation:
A half helmet weighs much less than any other type of helmet. But, you still have to make sure you’re comfortable with the weight of the helmet. While you generally don’t have to worry about ventilation with a half helmet. However, if you’re a heavy sweater, you’d want to have a couple of extra air vents here and there.
Comfort and style:
Make sure the helmet fits comfortably on your head shape. Half helmets also give you the comfort of eating and drinking without removing the entire helmet. Style is also an important aspect of a half helmet. You’d want a helmet that goes well with the rest of your riding gear and motorcycle instead of making you look like a mushroom head.
Safety Standards:
A half helmet should at least be DOT approved. Any half helmet without the required safety certification is not safe to wear, and you might also face legal charges if you wear such a helmet on a public road.
Conclusion:
The half helmet market is huge and filled with many different types of helmets. However, the motorcycle half helmet reviews above would help you make a perfect decision about your purchase according to your preferences.
If you’re looking for the absolute best out of all these helmets, you should go for the LS2 Rebellion Half helmet. If you’re short on budget, the Vega Warrior is an excellent choice for you. If you want an all-rounding half helmet, then you should choose the ILM Motorcycle half helmet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are half-shell helmets safe?
Half shell helmets provide much less protection than full-face helmets and open-face helmets. According to the stats, half helmets are fairly successful at providing protection against any traumatic brain injuries in case of an accident.
Are half-shell helmets legal in the UK?
To be considered legal, any half-shell helmet would have to be approved by the UK’s safety standards, i.e., SHARP or ECE first. But, the British safety standards do not test half helmets. So the answer to that is no, half helmets are not legal in the UK.
Do half helmets protect you?
Half helmets might not provide as much protection as a full-face motorcycle helmet, but they do provide a decent level of protection to the rider if the helmet is DOT-Approved.
Why do police wear half helmets?
Cops usually wear half helmets to see and hear better. They have to get a detailed overview of their environment while riding, which is why they wear half helmets.
Do half-shell helmets work?
Half shell helmet can protect your head from traumatic injuries. They don’t provide much protection compared to full-face or the other helmets, but they can still protect you from fatal injuries during an accident.
Is half or full helmet better?
It depends. A full-face helmet provides much better protection and the rider. The face shield protects the face and the chin bar protects all the way to the neck, unlike half helmets, which only protect a part of your head. In contrast, half helmets offer much more freedom of action. You can easily eat or drink without having to remove the helmet. Half helmets also offer better ventilation.
Why do bikers wear half helmets?
Bikers wear half helmets because these helmets make the riders feel the wind on their faces. The half helmets are very well ventilated and provide an excellent look. Half helmets also make it easier for the rider to eat or drink without having to remove the helmet.
