Open face motorcycle helmets are making a strong comeback, especially among urban commuters and casual riders. We can certainly see why, as these scooter helmets strike the perfect balance between freedom and protection, combining comfort, airflow, and style. Whether you’re cruising through the city or heading out for a relaxed weekend ride, an open face helmet keeps things simple and enjoyable at all times.
In this guide, we’ve put together a list of our top 10 open face helmets available in the UK. This is based on the safety they deliver, comfort levels you’ll feel while riding, as well as how stylish they are. From budget-friendly picks to premium options, there’s an open face motorbike helmet here for every type of rider.
Why Would You Choose an Open Face Motorcycle Helmet?
There are a multitude of reasons why you would choose to wear an open face motorbike helmet over their full face and flip-up counterparts. For one, you can argue that you will have increased visibility while wearing a jet helmet. You will find most models with tend to have a wider field of vision than a full-face helmet, and as a result you’ll feel more aware of the road and your surroundings.
Another major benefit is that you will find airflow is much more apparent with an open face scooter helmet, mainly due to the fact that, well they’re open! Excellent ventilation is a massive bonus to those of us who ride predominantly in the summer and warmer months, as they’re better equipped to keep you cool in traffic and while commuting on a hot day.
You’ll also find that you will have a more relaxed riding experience. Most if not all open face motorcycle helmets are lighter in weight, and thus less restrictive and less cumbersome than their full face counterparts. This can definitely feel like an upgrade, especially for those of us who fear tight spaces and want to be able to feel more at ease while riding, which is extremely important!
With this said, you’ll find that riders who have a short commute and enjoy their city and town riding over long touring rides will enjoy an open face motorcycle helmet more often than not. This is especially true for those of us who prioritise comfort and their riding aesthetic over the maximum protection available from a full face helmet.
Here’s a short list of what we recommend you always check against when looking for your next open face lid:
Safety – Always check for certifications such as the new ECE 22.06 certification. A strong outer shell constructed from carbon-fibre, multi-composites and fibreglass are a great choice, especially when paired with multi-density EPS liners which delivers reliable impact absorption.
Comfort & Fit – The fit of any motorcycle helmet is the most important factor when it comes to choosing your next helmet. A helmet that is snug and fits correctly will be best suited should they be tested. Ensure the helmet has a quality interior with moisture-wicking and anti-bacterial properties, along with removable liners to keep your helmet fresh.
Ventilation – As you will most likely be wearing these helmets in the summer and during the warm weather we do occasionally experience in the UK, ventilation and airflow is paramount. Superior airflow prevents fogging of an outer visor is applicable, and most importantly ensures you remain cool while riding and therefore focused on the road ahead.
Weight – Open face helmets are generally lighter, but premium models can be exceptionally lightweight. This is due to the high-quality material used during the manufacturing process, and at times you won’t even realise you have a helmet on your head!
How to Choose The Best Open Face Motorcycle Helmet For You
Riding Style: When selecting your next open face scooter helmet you must consider your riding style. Are you a daily commuter? A hardened touring veteran? Perhaps you’re a couple who manage to get out on a weekend when the weather takes your fancy? It’s important to be realistic and ensure that the helmet you choose lends to the type of ride you look to be doing over the next few years.
Riding Priorities: You also have to ask yourself what are your priorities. Do you value maximum protection? We would argue that if you do, you should perhaps look to a full-face motorcycle helmet as they’re unrivalled in this area. However there are extremely safe options for those of us who want to wear an open face helmet, and we’d recommend looking into the materials used in the helmet, as this alongside the fit of the helmet will have the biggest influence in this department.
Style: While it’s not something we all like to admit, we do want to make sure your helmet matches the rest of your gear, and most importantly your pride and joy too. A vintage open face helmet will be the perfect match for any of us lucky enough to own a café-racer, while if you ride a sportsbike, you’ll want to look to at a race helmet to complete the look.
Fit & Comfort: As previously mentioned, fit is arguably the most important factor when it comes to helmets. We always recommend trying on the helmet before purchase, and at our Nottinghamshire store, we carry out all of the necessary tests to ensure we find the perfect helmet for you. If you choose to order online, check manufacturers sizing guides and contact us directly to give yourself the best chance of a good fit the first time round.
Helmet Features: Not all open face helmets are created equal. They can come with a wide variety of specifications, and there will be a helmet that falls in line with you’re needs. For example an integrated sun visor helps battle sun glare on a sunny day. Most major helmet manufacturers now allow for Bluetooth intercoms to be installed, but some still don’t. Be sure to ask yourself if there’s anything from your current helmet or if there’s anything you really fancy from your future rides. I personally love being able to communicate on the go safely with my Bluetooth intercom.
Top 10 Open Face Helmets Available In The UK
Making a definitive list isn’t the easiest thing to do, especially as there is such a wide range of open face motorcycle helmets available in the UK. We’ve broken down our picks into a few categories. This includes the safest designs to the most stylish retro and vintage looks. We’ve also chose helmets to suit all riders budgets, including budget-friendly choices alongside premium models packed with premium features. So in no particular order:
Stylish Open Face Motorcycle Helmets
Style-focused helmets are perfect for retro bikes, cruisers or riders who want their gear to match their personality. They lean heavily into aesthetics, and with a timeless design you’re sure to fit right in.
Shoei’s J.O2 combines premium build quality with understated style. Its advanced composite shell, integrated visor system and classic design make it a safe and massively comfortable option for everyday riding.
2. Bell Custom 500 Helmet
While we don’t sell Bell helmets at BDLA Motorbikes, it’s hard to look past the Bell Custom 500 helmet. A true classic that has helped define the open face category. With its low-profile fit and retro vibes, it’s perfect for riders who love timeless style.
Blending retro looks with modern helmet safety, the LS2 Bob II open face helmet offers character and practicality in one package. It’s a popular choice among riders who want standout design without losing peace of mind.
Best Entry Level Open Face Motorcycle Helmets
Entry level open helmets are ideal for new riders or as a second helmet for short trips during the summer. They are a great starting point with your journey, however if you have budget spare of plan to ride for long periods of time, you may wish to look at a more premium option in the future.
As the name suggests, The LS2 OF616 Airflow II is perfect for summer riding and riding cool. We personally see it as the star of the show if you don’t want to break the bank. The lightweight Airflow II is a strong choice for commuters and casual riders who want value without compromise.
Lightweight and compact, the HJC i40N open face helmet has been built for urban environments. Its reinforced shell and comfort-driven design deliver confidence to riders in busy traffic, while keeping you as comfortable as possible.
For riders who love a retro look, but need to keep costs down, the MT Le Mans 2 open face helmet delivers in spades. Stylish, lightweight and comfortable, it’s an excellent entry point into the world of open face helmets.
Sleek Italian styling meets urban practicality with the Caberg Riviera v4 X open face helmet. With a panoramic visor, excellent ventilation and a sharp design. The Riviera v4 X is ideal for riders who demand function without compromising their flair.
Best Premium Open Face Motorcycle Helmets
Premium open face helmets are worth the investment if you’re on the road often. As the old saying goes, you only get one head! Their advanced comfort, materials, and tech make a big difference on longer rides.
The Shoei J-Cruise 3 motorcycle helmet is one of the most advanced open face helmets available in the UK. The J-Cruise 3 offers long-distance comfort, superb aerodynamics and built-in intercom compatibility. A great choice for riders who tour or commute daily and want the best of the best.
An advanced Fibreglass composite outer shell delivers optimal comfort and safety with the HJC F31. ECE 22.06 certified and designed for modern commuters, the HJC helmet provides excellent protection with the added convenience of an integrated sun visor and efficient airflow.
For those of us who want to stand out, the modern and versatile Airoh J110 open face helmet is the choice for you. The J110 balances safety, comfort and design effortlessly. With a removable chin bar and sleek finish, it’s an ideal premium choice for riders who want a helmet that does it all.
Open face helmets combine freedom, comfort and style in a way full-face helmets simply can’t match. Whether you’re looking for a retro-inspired classic or a high-tech safety-first option, there’s an open face motorcycle helmet out there to suit your riding needs.
When choosing, remember to prioritise safety and comfort first, with style as the finishing touch. The right helmet doesn’t just look good, it ensure you ride safely and confidently on every ride.
Your motorcycle helmet is the single most important choice you will ever have to make when it comes to your safety gear, so you’ll want to make sure it really counts! With such a wide range of brands, styles and choice out there, we’re here to help you along the way. With so many brands, models, certifications and other considerations, we at BDLA Motorbikes are here to break down these vast options to ensure you’re comfortable while riding. Whether you’re a track day enthusiast after maximum performance, or weekend warrior after maximum comfort while taking to your favourite touring route, we’ve got you covered.
We’ve compiled this list as we hear the same question repeatedly. Is “insert helmet brand” any good? We get it, sometimes you might see the price tag and wonder whether you truly are benefitting from the larger price tag, or whether you’re just simply paying for the badge. You also hear it from the other side, when you see a helmet at a price that seems to be too good to be true, is it? Well, we always recommend that you stick to one of the helmet brands below, as this will ensure you’re never going to be disappointed.
We’ve also included a few brands we don’t stock in-store. We still value the brands and the motorbike helmets they make. We can’t in good conscience not include them, as some of us ourselves have ridden using these helmets ourselves and they have significant global reputations. And hopefully, we may even stock those brands going forward, so keep an eye out!
What Makes a Great Helmet Brand?
There are multiple factors that go into your motorbike helmet. They are designed to keep you safe first and foremost, but they can do so while looking good. Every helmet in our top picks below take these into account. This includes:
Safety Certification
All helmets need to have an independent approval to be legal to ride on the road. In the case of the UK, this is the ECE certification. This has recently changed over from 22.05 to 22.06, and the 22.06 certification is an improvement on the original 22.05. If you’re big on safety, don’t compromise and ensure that the helmet does carry the 22.06 approval.
That’s not the only certification however, track enthusiasts will want to ensure the helmet has the British centric ACU Gold approval. Without this, you won’t be allowed on track in your lid. Sharp ratings have been around for sometime, and they’re currently undergoing a shake up as they believe their testing can and should be improved. Once this has been updated (we believe within the next 12 months or so) you’ll want the highest level attributed to your helmet. A 5-Star rated helmet typically offers more protection than those with a lower rating, even those that achieve a 4 star rating.
We always recommend that you pick up a helmet with an ECE 22.06 certification, as this allows you to take to any road in the UK, as well as the vast majority throughout Europe and other countries worldwide.
Shell Construction
In our expert opinion, this is arguably the most important factor when it comes to your helmet. With polycarbonates, fibreglass and carbon fibre helmet shells on the market, which is your best bet? Well, simply put polycarbonates (you may see thermos-resin, ABS or something similar) are great at what they do, but it’s where helmet safety starts. Your other shells are both lighter and safer. Fibreglass is a great first upgrade, and for those who want the best of the best, multi-composite and carbon fibre shells are simply the only option.
Fit & Comfort
With that said, you want to make sure the helmet fits well and is comfortable to wear. We always offer our expert fitting when in store, and we have size guides on our website for all of our helmets when you’re browsing on the go. We do find however that certain brands will fit differently to one another. That’s not to say that you won’t fit in a certain brand, you might just simply be another size than what you would normally expect. When you’re looking at the best of the best however, there are options to replace cheek pads and other internals to create a bespoke fit for you. Don’t compromise on your fit, as the better this is, not only does it help the helmet do its job should it be needed, it creates a more enjoyable riding experience.
Value For Money
We would all love to have the ability to have the price tag not be a factor in our choice, however we find it always be. As such, there are certain brands that excel at certain price points. Certain brands, and some of our personal favourites don’t manufacture helmets under certain conditions, and as such their ‘entry level’ option is at a price point above what some brands will have as their flagship. As such, you should take this into consideration, as not all brands are equal for all riders.
With that said, let’s get into our list!
Our Top 10 Motorcycle Helmet Brands in 2025
10 – CABERG HELMETS
Established in 1974 in Bergamo, Italy, Caberg boasts a rich heritage in the world of motorcycle helmets. They’ve carved a strong reputation for offering a compelling combination of Italian design flair and robust safety features for riders. Caberg has always prioritised innovation alongside safety, being the second brand worldwide to offer a flip up helmet, and the first Italian company to do so. Caberg helmets utilise high-quality materials to create strong, impact-resistant shells. Multi-density EPS liners are a staple, offering additional protection in the event of a crash. Beyond safety, Caberg understands the importance of a comfortable ride. Many Caberg motorcycle helmets incorporate advanced ventilation systems for optimal airflow and feature removable, washable inner liners for long-lasting comfort.
What truly sets Caberg apart is their commitment to Italian design. Their helmets are known for their sleek and stylish aesthetics, catering to riders who value both safety and looking good on the road. Their diverse range of helmets encompasses full face, flip front and open face styles, ensuring there’s a Caberg helmet to suit every riding preference and budget.
Our personal picks for Caberg would be the Duke X & Duke Evo. For the full range, simply click on this link to Caberg or visit us in store.
9 – SHARK HELMETS
30 years of innovation and podiums, Shark motorcycle helmets are a guarantee of durability and reliability. Committed to competition and innovation since its creation, Shark design helmets that are always above standard and which guarantee the highest levels of safety and performance. The adventure of our French brand began in 1989 in Marseille when the Teston brothers, as passionate motorcycle riders, decided to create the “SHARK” helmet brand.
Made by racers, for racers. Since its creation, Shark has accompanied and protected the greatest riders within international motorsport. On a regular basis, they closely collaborate with the top riders in pursuit of an objective: listening to their feedback and their expertise to develop new helmets, new aerodynamic solutions and continuously extend the technological limitations of their helmet models.
We don’t currently stock Shark, it’s still a standout in the industry and well worth considering.
8 – AIROH HELMETS
Airoh Helmets (founded 1997 by Antonio Locatelli) hails from Italy and brings a passion for high-tech safety to the motorcycle world. They’re renowned for using innovative materials like High Performance Composite (HPC) shells for a lightweight, protective foundation. Multi-density EPS liners further enhance impact absorption. But safety isn’t their only focus. Airoh also prioritises aerodynamic design to minimise drag and incorporates advanced ventilation systems for cool, comfortable rides
They are particularly famous for their off-road offering. Their partnership with Cairoli demonstrates their expertise within the motocross world, however in recent years they’ve ventured into the road market and now make fantastic helmets for all riders.
Funky designs can be found on their entry level Conner helmet, while the Matryx helmet will satisfy even the most demanding touring rider. The most popular adventure helmet we have in store however is the Commander 2. Building on its success on the original Commander, Airoh have pooled their off-road experience with their new road range to develop a superb dual sport helmet.
For the full range, simply click on this link to Airoh or visit us in store.
7 – ALPINESTARS HELMETS
The story of Alpinestars began in 1963 with Sante Mazzarolo, a craftsman from the Italian Alps. Initially focused on ski boots, Sante’s passion for motorsports, particularly motocross, led him to develop innovative protective gear. His first creation – a revolutionary motocross boot – offered unprecedented protection and launched Alpinestars to the forefront of the safety market as a world leading manufacturer. The company’s focus soon expanded to road racing, solidifying their position as a comprehensive provider for motorcyclists. Over the years, Alpinestars has become synonymous with cutting-edge technology, pioneering features like airbag integration. Their dedication to research and development has earned them the trust of champions across all disciplines, from motocross legends and auto racing heroes to modern MotoGP stars and top drivers in the World Rally Championship.
Today, Alpinestars transcends the racetrack, catering to casual riders and enthusiasts with stylish and protective gear, with helmets, clothing, gloves & boots in their vast range. From their innovative beginnings to their global presence, Alpinestars remains a leader, driven by a commitment to safety, performance and the pure thrill of the ride.
The Alpinestars Supertech R10 helmet is the very helmet worn across all levels of Motorsport. Constructed with Carbon-Fibre, the super lightweight shell doesn’t just turn heads, it keeps you incredibly safe.
With the success of the Supertech, we’re sure we’ll see more helmets added to their range in the coming years. They may over time climb the list too, but we find it hard with such a small range to put them above some of the counterparts on this list. For the full range, simply click on this link to Alpinestars or visit us in store.
6 – NOLAN HELMETS
Nolan motorcycle helmets are an Italian company which was founded in 1972. In that year Lander Nocchi, a businessman operating in the motorbike and car accessory sector, set up production of motorbike helmets which were injection moulded in polycarbonate, an innovative plastic material developed by General Electric under the trade name of LEXAN™*. This material, which had already been used for the moulding of protective helmets for astronauts on the “Apollo” missions, is still considered the finest thermoplastic material in use to produce helmets. This was the birth of the first helmet to carry the Nolan brand name (an acronym of the founder’s name). Nolan is currently the only company in the sector producing all their helmets in Italy through a fully integrated production process, from the receiving of the raw materials to the final assembly of the helmet.
The Nolan company have manufactured both Nolan & X-Lite helmets for many years, with a recent change to remove X-Lite from their range, and replace these helmets with the Nolan-X.
We recently pulled away from Nolan as they’re currently changing their UK distributor, but we will certainly do our best to get them back into stock once the logistics of their new ownership structure settles.
5 – AGV HELMETS
Since 1947, AGV has been a symbol of safety and innovation in the world of motorcycle helmets. With unmatched experience and an uncompromising passion, they’ve redefined the way riders experience the road and the track. Every AGV helmet embodies their overall mission: to deliver protection, aerodynamics, and comfort with a design that stands out. Whether you’re looking for a full-face helmet for maximum control in the turns, an open-face helmet to feel the wind on your face, or a modular helmet for ultimate versatility, AGV will be with you every step of the way. Choosing an AGV helmet means trusting decades of experience, exceptional attention to detail, and quality proven by the world’s top riders.
AGV was also worn by Valentino Rossi, who in our humble opinion is the greatest rider of all time. A unique helmet shape draws most of us in, as they do make one of the best-looking helmets in the world. Their range also is incredibly vibrant and colourful. You’ll most certainly be seen while wearing an AGV.
The AGV K1-S is a great starting point, while the AGV K6-S is an excellent choice for more experienced riders. For the full range, simply click on this link to AGV or visit us in store.
4 – LS2 HELMETS
LS2 Helmets is a relatively young company in the motorcycle helmet industry, established in Barcelona in 1999. Despite its recent origins compared to some competitors, LS2 has carved a significant niche for itself in the global market. Their core focus lies in delivering high-quality helmets packed with innovative features, all at an accessible price point. The company was established by a group of industry veterans who saw a gap in the market for helmets that offered high safety standards and advanced features without breaking the bank. They believe that every rider, regardless of budget, deserved access to a helmet that prioritises their safety and riding experience.
LS2’s commitment to affordability doesn’t compromise on quality or safety, though. The company uses advanced materials and technologies in their helmets. They work closely with reputable manufacturers and adhere to stringent safety certifications to ensure their helmets meet or exceed international safety standards like ECE and DOT certifications. This combination of innovation, value and safety has propelled LS2 to become a leading helmet brand in the game.
Recently they won the MCN award for the best helmet under £200, with the incredible LS2 FF811 Vector II helmet. We also believe they make the best flip-over helmet (a full 180° rotation) in the world in the LS2 FF901 Advant X helmet. With one of the biggest ranges of helmets in the world, you won’t go far wrong with an LS2 helmet.
For the full range, simply click on this link to LS2 or visit us in store.
3 – HJC HELMETS
Taking the first podium spot, and the favourite brand of the owner of our business are HJC helmets. Since 1971, HJC has specialized in manufacturing motorcycle helmets exclusively. The combination of this extensive specialized manufacturing experience, innovative ideas, and reasonable pricing resulted in HJC’s success all over the world. In the modern era of helmet manufacturing, HJC is proud to say that their helmets are constantly tested in both laboratories testing as well as in “real” life circumstances for quality assurance.
HJC is only one of very few helmet companies that are equipped with its own state of the art wind tunnel testing laboratory to test for aerodynamics, ventilation, noise, and other riding variables. Furthermore, HJC has two helmet factories in two different countries: Korea and Vietnam. These factories provide strategic venues to produce high end, mid, and entry-level helmets to satisfy the demands of riders all around the world.
The current MotoGP world champion (as of the time of writing) Quartararo wears a HJC, and fans of Formula One will notice that the Red Bull Racing Team pit-crew all wear HJC helmets to keep themselves save during a race weekend.
The ever-popular I71 & I91 helmets are a great starting point for new riders, while their RPHA 71 & RPHA 12 ranges cover even the most demanding of riders. For the full range, simply click on this link to HJC or visit us in store.
2 – ARAI HELMETS
An extremely close second, Arai is a huge name in the world of motorsport and motorcycle riding in general. Arai argue 40 years ago all helmets were similar in their ability to protect the wearer. In retrospective, they openly admit that their helmets were only average at that time. Mitch Arai, however, became dissatisfied with being just average and wanted Arai to be something more. In 1976, he not only made the decision to “make Arai better”, but set his goal to “be the number one helmet in the world”.
So Arai set their sights on making better helmets. Not helmets to be sold in high quantities, or helmets just to make the most profit, but helmets that offered more protection as he, like his father, was a rider and wanted to protect himself. Having experience already in building helmets, he knew that shell strength was important in order to resist penetration of sharp objects and to maintain shape in an impact. He knew a strong, round shell would be better able to glance of an object, diverting energy and minimizing how much direct energy the helmet must deal with. This fact is something he recognised from the very beginning and is still true to this day.
This includes not manufacturing a flip helmet or adding internal visors to their helmets. This is as they believe that this will impact on the impact resistance of their helmets, and they refuse to budge on the main reason why we wear a helmet.
As such, they have arguably the safest helmets worldwide when it comes to active safety. You will also notice that their helmets haven’t changed in design all that much over the decades. This is as their ‘glance off’ technology lends itself to the rounder shape you see with Arai.
We don’t currently stock Arai helmets, but we have friends & family who wear and swear by the brand, and we’re in total agreement. They are on the horizon at BDLA motorbikes, however. They are a true leader and deserve their second place on this list.
1 – SHOEI HELMETS
The overall winner in our list is none other than the world-renowned Japanese helmet manufacturer Shoei. Their name is instantly recognised and respected for their development of some of the safest helmets in the past, present and future of motorcycling. The Japanese company assumes great pride in its reputation and continues to produce the very best helmets possible, combining technology with rider feedback, modern testing practices, advanced materials as well as 60 years of helmet building experience. From the very first Shoei helmets made back in 1959 to the thousands (maybe even millions) produced since, all Shoei motorcycle helmets are handmade in Japan in a sophisticated and time-consuming process that requires the skill and expertise of over 50 people.
The masters of passive safety, in our expert opinion they make the most comfortable helmet available. Their range caters to all riders and ensures that no matter what you plan to do on your bike, you can do so in maximum comfort and safety. All their helmets are made with their AIM and AIM+ construction, an optimal blend of Carbon Fibre, Fibreglass, Kevlar and other lightweight materials which result in a superb safety lid.
Unlike Arai, Shoei include drop down internal sun visors and flip helmets in their range. This allows Shoei to edge out Arai slightly, especially for those of us who take to the road. You will notice many police motorbike riders wearing a Shoei flip helmet, which only attests to their overall brilliance.
Our personal picks from the Shoei range is the Shoei Neotec 3 flip helmet, as well as the flagship touring GT-Air 3 full face motorbike helmet. For the full range, simply click on this link to Shoei or visit us in store.
So, to recap, you won’t go far wrong with any of the helmet brands on this list. We all have our favourites, and in time you’re sure to start to pick up on your favourite features or designs along the way. If you’re ever in doubt or would like to lean on expert advice, simply reach out to our team either online or in-store and we’ll ensure you that you find the perfect helmet for you. As we always say, if you’re happy on the bike with the fit of your helmet, you’re going to enjoy your riding that much more!
