The open face motorcycle helmet market is huge. These helmets are available in all shapes, colors, and sizes. Finding the perfect open face helmet can be difficult. For this reason, we’ve put together the Top 5 best open face motorcycle helmets according to us. If you’re in a hurry, you should check our top pick, the Shoei J Cruise II Helmet.
Best Open Face Motorcycle Helmets in 2024
- Our Top Pick: Shoei J Cruise II Open Face Helmet
- Runner-up: Bell Custom 500 Open Face Helmet
- Best Value: LS2 Helmets Verso Open Face Helmet
- Best Budget: Daytona Helmets 3/4 Open Face Helmet
- Best Lightweight: LS2 Helmets Open Face Spitfire Helmet
1. Our Top Pick: Shoei J Cruise II Open Face Helmet
Our Top Pick
The RF-SR is equipped with a fully removable, washable, adjustable, and replaceable interior system that’s been enhanced for a comfortable fit and maximum helmet stabilization during high-speed riding.
The Shoei J Cruise II is the best open-faced helmet out there in 2022. The helmet is an improved and upgraded version of the Shoei J Cruise and offers everything you’d want from an Open face helmet.
The helmet’s shell is constructed out of fiberglass shell, using the Advanced Integrated Matrix technique. The fiberglass shell of the open face helmet is both durable and lightweight. The helmet features an excellent advanced channeling ventilation system due to its three vents.
The airflow of the helmet is great. All the air passes through the helmet to keep the rider dry and cool on hot summer days. The helmet’s aerodynamic shell allows you to clear the wind quickly without making the rider feel all the drag.
Another thing about the Shoei J Cruise II is that it comes with an excellent pinlock ready face shield covered in the scratch-resistant coating. However, keep in mind that you’ll have to buy the pinlock lens from the market separately.
The open face motorcycle helmet also features speaker pockets where you can install any Bluetooth Headset. The helmet is quite expensive and loud, but it has all the features any rider would need.
Also Check: Top 5 Best Motorcycle Helmets with Bluetooth
Pros
- Lots of features
- Lightweight shell
- Excellent ventilation system
- A good field of view
- Comfortable and durable
Cons
- Loud wind noise
- It doesn’t come with pinlock ready face shield
2. Runner-up: Bell Custom 500 Open Face Helmet
Runner-up
The Qualifier gives you reliable full-face protection with the sturdy chin bar and loads of padding for a super-secure and comfortable fit. On top of the lightweight and aerodynamic design, it comes with a highly adjustable visor for airflow on your terms.
The Bell Custom 500 Open Face Helmet is another excellent open face motorcycle helmet designed retro-style. This low profile helmet doesn’t feature a face shield or an inner sun visor, but you can buy a retro bubble shield and use that instead.
Bell Custom 500 Open Face Helmet features a lightweight shell made out of fiberglass composite. The helmet offers no air vents, so the only ventilation you’ll get will be through the open face. The helmet is also quite loud.
This DOT-approved open face helmet is available in a variety of colors and shell sizes. The helmet also features a fake leather interior, and the linings aren’t removable, so you’ll have to wash the entire helmet. Other than that, the helmet features a D-ring closure chinstrap which keeps the helmet securely in place.
In terms of features, you’ll find the Bell Custom 500 Open Face Helmet helmet quite lacking, but the focus of this helmet isn’t on safety in the first place. The helmet is designed for the many motorcycle riders who’re looking for a retro-styled helmet that looks great and can do anything you’d want from an open face helmet with the help of some extra add-ons.
Also Check: Best German Motorcycle Helmets
Pros
- Comfortable
- Looks great
- Highly comfortable
- Very lightweight
- padded chin strap
Cons
- Larger than regular open-face helmets
- No face shield
3. Best Value: LS2 Helmets Verso Open Face Helmet
Best Value
The Verso features LS2’s twin shield system with an exclusive, rotary dial switch for the sunshield that makes it easy to drop down or close, even with a gloved hand. The shield features exterior vortex generators and internal air diffusers.
If you’re looking for an affordable Open face helmet that offers decent protection and is highly comfortable, then you should choose the LS2 Helmets Verso Open Face Helmet.
This lightweight helmet’s shell is made out of kinetic polymer alloy paired with EPS liner. The helmet is also DOT approved and offers a great number of features for its reasonable price tag.
The LS2 Helmets Verso Open Face Helmet is a highly comfortable helmet with a fog-resistant optically correct face shield. The helmet also features an air diffuser that ensures no fog inside the helmet while also keeping up the good ventilation.
The helmet comes with a built-in retractable sun visor, but it has been known to cause some issues as it can retract by itself whenever you lift the face shield. It also has a quick-release chin strap and features awesome visibility while also being fairly lightweight for its price tag.
Also Check: Best Full Face Motorcycle Helmets
Pros
- Lightweight helmet
- Very comfortable
- Good ventilation
- Features drop-down sun visor
- Great value
Cons
- Loud helmet
- Sun visor has retracting issues
- Size charts run slightly shorter
4. Best Budget: Daytona Helmets 3/4 Open Face Helmet
Best Budget
This helmet provides superior impact protection with nylon strap retention & quick-release system. Moisture-wicking inner liner fabric help keep your head cool and comfortable for warm weather riding.
The Daytona Helmets 3/4 Open Face Helmet is an excellent budget option. This low-profile helmet is extremely comfortable due to its custom-formed interior. The interior of this helmet can easily absorb all the sweat from the rider’s head to keep them dry and cool in any weather.
The helmet doesn’t come with a face shield or an internal sun visor, but you can use a bubble face shield with this three-quarter helmet that comes with it.
The thing that makes this helmet unique is the fact that it is the smallest DOT-approved helmet on the open-face market. You also have a choice to select the helmet of your choice from several colors and sizes.
The Daytona Helmets 3/4 Open Face Helmet fits very well and doesn’t make you look like a mushroom head in the case of most three-quarter helmets. It is also quite durable and lightweight. Overall, it is one of the best open-face lids out there for city riders available at a reasonable price.
If you want something closer to a half helmet for cruising around the city, then you should check out our list of some of the best cruiser motorcycle helmets.
Pros
- Looks good
- Comfortable and durable
- Custom-formed interior
- Comes with a bubble visor
Cons
- Noisy
- No sun visor
5. Best Lightweight: LS2 Helmets Open Face Spitfire Helmet
Best Lightweight
The LS2 Helmets Open Face Spitfire Helmet is a modern take on the classic bobber style 3/4 open face helmet. Features Built-in two-position sun shield, and Full removable and washable hypoallergenic padding is 3D laser cut for comfort.
The LS2 Helmets Open Face Spitfire Helmet is another great option on our list. It has some good features available at a reasonable price, and the helmet is also both DOT and ECE-approved.
The open face helmet features a thermoplastic shell that makes the helmet extremely lightweight at 2.65 lbs. The helmet doesn’t feature any face shield, but it does come with a sun shield that can protect you from harmful UV rays.
The sun visor makes it difficult to ride in the night, but if you’re someone who prefers long rides during the day, then this helmet is ideal for you. Motorcycle riders are going to love the ventilation it offers. It features a vent right behind the integrated sun visor, which will be closed when you pull the drop-down visor up.
The LS2 Helmets Open Face Spitfire Helmet also features removable and washable liners, along with speaker pockets. This open-face lid takes some time for the cheek pads to fit in, so don’t worry if the helmet feels a bit tight at the start.
Also Check: Top 10 Best Motorcycle Helmets For Hot Weather
Pros
- Highly comfortable
- Lightweight
- Good for rides during the day
- Speaker pockets
Cons
- No clear shield
- Vents will be closed if you pull back the sun visor
Quick Open Face Helmet Buying Tips
You should keep in mind a few things before buying an open face motorcycle helmet. The following tips will help you make a better decision about your purchase. You can also check out our detailed buying guide for more tips like these.
Safety Standard: An open face helmet should have the required safety certifications for it to be road legal. If you’re in the US, your helmet should be DOT approved. On the other hand, you’ll need an ECE-approved helmet for riding a motorcycle in the UK.
Inner linings: If you’re going to wear your helmet every day, it’s important that you make sure the inner liner of your helmet is removable and washable.
Retention System: Open face helmets are very lightweight, so there should be a good enough retention system to keep the helmet secure on your head while you’re riding on your scooter or motorcycle.
Built-in Sun visor: Some helmets feature an internal sun visor, which works with your clear visor to provide clean vision to the rider in any lighting condition.
Shell material: It is also important to check what type of material is used to construct the helmet’s shell. Most of the high-quality helmets have a composite or carbon fiber shell. Helmets made out of polycarbonate shells are also quite durable but are slightly heavier than carbon fiber helmets.
Pre-Cautions About Open Face Helmets
Open face helmets are not as safe and secure as full face helmets and modular helmets. These helmets are also not suitable for high-speed riding. Keep in mind that an open face helmet won’t be able to protect you as securely as a full face helmet would in case of an accident or collision.
You can avoid most fatal injuries, but an open face helmet is not guaranteed to protect you from other damage, even if the helmet has all the required safety certifications. Other than that, an open face helmet is quite comfortable and breathable. It is ideal for claustrophobic people or finds full face or modular motorcycle helmets restricting.
Conclusion
An open-face helmet doesn’t offer as much protection as a full face helmet, and it doesn’t have an adjustable chin bar like a modular motorcycle helmet. But these helmets are still highly comfortable and ideal for long rides. In the above list, you can find all kinds of open face helmets, but if you’re looking for a premium open face helmet, then you should go for our Top Pick, the Shoei J Cruise II.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are open face helmets unsafe?
Open face helmets are mostly unsafe compared to the other types of helmets out there. Despite being not as safe, these helmets can still save your life in case of an accident.
Is open helmet safe?
Open face helmets aren’t known for being very safe, but they do offer some protection against fatal injuries which could take your life if you weren’t wearing a helmet at all.
How much safer are full face helmets?
Full-face helmets are the safest helmets out there. They provide protection of about every part of your head. The protection a full-face helmet provides also depends on the said helmet’s outer shell material.
Do open face helmets work?
Open Face helmets with the required safety certifications are legal in the US and the UK. If your helmet has the required safety certification, then the helmet is safe to wear on the road. That said, open-face helmets offer great comfort, but they provide less safety compared to the other types of helmets.
Are open face helmets hot?
Open face helmets are usually much cooler than any other type of helmet. The air can directly hit your face and keep your sweat dry, and your head cools if you’re wearing an open-face helmet. Some of the best open face helmets also feature air vents for better ventilation.
Is a full face helmet better than an open-face helmet?
A full-face helmet offers better safety and protection at the cost of comfort, while open-face helmets are the most comfortable, but they offer less safety. It depends on what you are going to use the helmet for. If you’re going to ride at high speed, a full-face helmet would be better. Otherwise, an open-face helmet is ideal for traffic-packed cities since it offers a greater field of view.
Are open face helmets good for harsh weather?
Open face helmets offer better airflow. You can wear it in any weather condition. Open face helmets are also great for rainy situations since the helmet won’t be getting fogged due to the better airflow of an open-face helmet.
Are open face helmets dangerous?
Open face helmets can be dangerous since they don’t offer any protection to your face. If you get in any frontal accident, then you’ll suffer serious damage. An open-face helmet protects other parts of your head and can even save your life.
