The modular helmet has evolved from a compromised convenience product to a genuine alternative to the full-face for touring riders. The best modern modulars match full-face noise performance, carry dual ECE 22.06 certification in both open and closed positions, and add practical convenience — stopping for fuel, having a conversation, eating lunch — without removing your helmet.
What to Look For
The most important specification is dual certification — ECE 22.06 in both open and closed chin bar positions. Not all modulars carry this; some are only certified in the closed position, meaning riding with the chin bar up isn’t covered by the safety standard. Always check. After certification, prioritise noise performance, flip mechanism quality, and internal sun visor clarity.
Best Premium: Shoei Neotec 3
The Neotec 3 is the benchmark premium modular. It’s quieter than most full-face helmets, carries ECE 22.06 dual certification, includes Pinlock Max Vision 120, and benefits from Shoei’s exceptional build quality throughout. The 3D Max-Dry System liner handles multi-day touring moisture effectively. The flip mechanism is the smoothest single-handed operation in the category. The price is high — but for riders spending serious miles on tour, the refinement is worth every penny.
Best for Silence: Schuberth C5
If pure noise reduction is your priority, the Schuberth C5 beats everything — including the Neotec 3. Schuberth’s Magdeburg wind tunnel produces measurably lower interior noise at motorway speeds than any competitor. The trade-off is ventilation — the sealed construction that produces class-leading quiet restricts airflow. For riders primarily on motorways in cool to temperate conditions, nothing beats it.
Best for Comms: Nolan N100-6
For riders who want integrated Bluetooth communications, the Nolan N100-6‘s N-Com integration is class-leading. Purpose-built into the helmet rather than retrofitted, it produces cleaner installation and better audio than third-party intercoms fitted to other helmets. It also carries dual ECE 22.06 certification and is made in Italy to an excellent standard. For comms-priority touring, nothing integrates as cleanly.
Modular vs Full-Face: The Honest Comparison
For road-focused touring riders, a quality modular with dual ECE 22.06 certification is a genuine alternative to a full-face — the convenience benefits are real and the safety difference is marginal at road speeds. For track use, most circuits require full-face helmets and prohibit modulars regardless of certification. If your riding includes track days, a full-face is the practical choice.