Not every rider needs a £600 helmet. For commuters, newer riders, or those who want a reliable spare, the LS2 FF800 Storm II sits at a price point accessible to most riders, carries ECE 22.06 certification, and includes features that were premium options a decade ago. We tested it as a daily commuter and weekend road helmet.

Safety: The Critical Question

The FF800 Storm II carries ECE 22.06 certification — the same standard carried by the Arai RX-7V Evo and Shoei RF-1400. The polycarbonate shell means it’s heavier and absorbs energy differently to composite shells, but ECE 22.06 guarantees it has passed rigorous independent testing. For everyday road use, this is adequate protection.

Features at the Price

The internal sun visor is a genuine highlight at this price point. The ventilation system — two intake vents, one exhaust — provides reasonable airflow for a budget lid. It won’t cool as aggressively as the AGV K6 S, but it keeps the interior comfortable at most road speeds.

Where It Falls Short

The polycarbonate shell adds weight — approximately 1,600g in size medium. Interior quality is functional rather than premium. Noise levels are high at motorway speeds — earplugs are strongly advisable above 60mph. No Pinlock insert is included, so the visor fogs in cold conditions.

Verdict

The LS2 FF800 Storm II proves budget helmets have improved dramatically. ECE 22.06 certification and an internal sun visor at this price is genuinely impressive. The trade-offs — weight, noise, interior quality — are real for experienced riders covering serious miles. But for new riders, commuters, and those needing reliable protection without a large outlay, it is the most credible budget full-face helmet available.

HJC has spent years delivering genuine performance at accessible price points. The RPHA 1 is the company’s most ambitious product — a carbon composite race helmet certified to both Snell M2020 and ECE 22.06 standards, designed for track day use and serious sport road riding. We tested it to find out if the spec sheet translates to real-world performance.

Shell and Safety

The RPHA 1 uses HJC’s PIM+ shell — a premium integrated matrix of carbon fibre and aramid. At approximately 1,250g in size medium, the shell rigidity is impressive. Dual Snell M2020 and ECE 22.06 certification is rare at this price point — for track day riders who require Snell homologation, the RPHA 1 immediately competes with helmets costing hundreds more.

Track Performance

At track speeds — above 150km/h — the helmet tracks cleanly with minimal lift or buffeting. Three intake vents and two exhaust ports provide strong airflow in warm conditions. The vent controls are slightly stiff but workable with gloves.

Where It Compromises

The RPHA 1’s price advantage over Arai and Shoei is reflected in the interior quality — padding is comfortable but lacks the hand-finished precision of Japanese manufacturers. No internal sun visor. Noise levels are above the Arai RX-7V Evo at equivalent speeds, though competitive for the segment.

Verdict

The HJC RPHA 1 makes a compelling case for riders who want race-spec safety credentials without paying Arai or Shoei prices. The carbon composite shell, dual certification, and aerodynamic stability are genuinely competitive. For track day riders and serious sport road riders on a budget, the RPHA 1 is the most credible alternative to the established premium brands.

Schuberth has built its reputation on acoustic engineering. The German manufacturer’s wind tunnel in Magdeburg informs every curve of the C5’s outer shell, producing a modular helmet that many experienced tourers consider the quietest production helmet available. We put that claim to the test.

The Noise Case

The C5 is extraordinarily quiet. At 120km/h it registers lower interior noise levels than virtually every competitor in independent testing. The combination of aerodynamic shell geometry, quality chin bar seal, and overall build precision creates a noise floor that makes long motorway runs genuinely less fatiguing than in any other modular we’ve tested.

Safety and Certification

The C5 carries ECE 22.06 certification in both open and closed positions. The shell is fibreglass composite. Every component fits with German precision, and the flip mechanism action is smooth and positive.

Comfort and Features

The internal sun visor deploys smoothly and offers good optical clarity. The liner is plush and comfortable for long rides. The C5 is one of the better helmets for glasses wearers — the temples are cut generously. It’s SC1 communication system ready with integrated speaker pockets.

Ventilation: The Trade-Off

Schuberth’s acoustic-first approach limits airflow. The C5 is below average for ventilation — the sealed construction that produces class-leading noise performance restricts air throughput. For summer touring in hot conditions, riders may find it warm.

Verdict

The Schuberth C5 is the choice for dedicated touring riders who value noise reduction above all else. Its acoustic performance is genuinely class-leading, the dual ECE certification is reassuring, and the build quality is excellent. For riders who know what they want — silence and refinement — the C5 delivers without compromise.

AGV has been producing race-winning helmets since 1947, and the K6 S brings MotoGP-derived technology to the road-going sport rider. At approximately 1,200g in size medium, it’s one of the lightest full-face helmets available — the carbon-composite shell gives it a stiffness-to-weight ratio that punches above its cost.

Shell and Weight

The K6 S uses a carbon fibre and aramid composite shell. The shell carries ECE 22.06 certification and the reduced weight is immediately noticeable on the bike, particularly on long rides where neck fatigue becomes a factor.

Ventilation

The K6 S runs cool — four intake vents and three exhaust ports create genuine through-flow at speed, keeping the interior comfortable even on warm track days. The vents are large and well-positioned, though controls require deliberate effort with gloves on.

Noise and Visor

The trade-off for aggressive ventilation is noise — the K6 S is louder than the Shoei RF-1400 or Arai RX-7V Evo at motorway speeds. For track days this is acceptable; for long motorway touring, earplugs are strongly advisable. The panoramic visor offers excellent optical clarity — one of the best at this price point.

Verdict

The AGV K6 S delivers genuine lightweight performance at a price point below Arai and Shoei’s top offerings. Its weight advantage is real, the ventilation is excellent for sport use, and the visor is a genuine highlight. If sport and track riding is your priority and you want a light, well-ventilated lid, the K6 S deserves a serious look.

Modular helmets have always carried a reputation as compromise products — convenient but noisier, less safe, and less refined than a proper full-face lid. The Shoei Neotec 3 is the helmet that systematically dismantles every one of those assumptions. After extensive touring miles across motorways, mountain passes, and urban commuting, it’s the most accomplished modular helmet we’ve ever tested.

The Flip Mechanism

The Neotec 3’s chin bar flips cleanly with a single gloved hand — a smooth, satisfying action that locks positively at both open and closed positions. Crucially, the helmet is ECE 22.06 certified with the chin bar in both positions, meaning it meets the most demanding safety standard regardless of whether you’re riding with it open or closed.

Noise: The Standout Achievement

The Neotec 3 is genuinely quieter than most full-face helmets, let alone other modulars. Shoei’s wind tunnel work and the quality of the chin bar seal combine to produce a noise floor that rivals the Arai RX-7V Evo at motorway speeds. On a long touring day this is transformative — arriving without the cognitive fatigue that comes from hours of wind noise is a genuine quality-of-life improvement.

Comfort and Interior

The 3D Max-Dry System II liner wicks moisture aggressively and stays fresh across multi-day touring. The internal sun visor drops cleanly with a left-side slider and provides excellent optical clarity — no distortion at the edges, quick to deploy and retract with gloves on. The Pinlock Max Vision 120 insert is included.

Verdict

The Shoei Neotec 3 is the modular helmet for riders who won’t accept the usual compromises. Its noise performance alone justifies serious consideration — and when you add the ECE 22.06 dual certification, internal sun visor, and Shoei’s exceptional build quality, it becomes the clear benchmark for premium touring modulars. The price is high and the weight is noticeable, but for dedicated touring riders there is nothing better.

The Arai RX-7V Evo is the Japanese manufacturer’s flagship race helmet — and one of the most technically accomplished full-face helmets ever made. Hand-laminated, meticulously engineered, and carrying the FIA 8860-2010 homologation that makes it legal for professional motorsport, it’s the helmet that serious track day riders and racers reach for when only the best will do. We tested it on road and track to find out what separates it from the rest.

Shell Construction

The RX-7V Evo is built with Arai’s PB-cLc shell — a hand-laminated multi-composite of super fibre, glass, and organic fibre layers saturated in high-grade resin. Each shell is laminated by hand at Arai’s factory in Saitama, Japan, then polished to a smooth, continuous curve. The R75 shape philosophy — no flat surfaces anywhere on the outer shell — is Arai’s approach to glancing-off impacts: rather than absorbing energy in one spot, the shell deflects and disperses it across a wider area.

The result is a shell that weighs approximately 1,490g in size medium — not the lightest in its class, but heavier shells carry more composite material, which translates to more energy absorption capacity. It carries DOT, ECE 22.06, Snell M2020, and FIA 8860-2010 homologation — the most demanding set of certifications any road-legal helmet can hold.

Fit: The Round Oval Question

Arai helmets are built around a round oval head shape — rounder than most competitors’ intermediate oval templates. This is critical to get right before purchase. If your head is intermediate or long oval, an Arai will feel tight at the temples and loose at the front and back. If you’re a round oval wearer, it will fit like nothing else. Trying before buying is non-negotiable.

The interior is finished with Arai’s Eco-Pure liner — antibacterial, moisture-wicking, and removable for washing. The cheek pads use a tear-off system for easy trackside removal if required by medical staff. Every detail reflects the racing environment this helmet was designed for.

Ventilation

The RX-7V Evo is well-ventilated but not exceptional — two forehead vents, a peak exhaust, and two rear extractors do their job at speed. The continuous outer shell curve and smooth surface prioritise aerodynamic performance over maximising vent openings, so airflow is good rather than outstanding. In warm conditions on track it stays comfortable, but riders expecting the same cooling as a Klim Krios Pro will be disappointed.

Noise Levels

For a performance-oriented helmet, the RX-7V Evo is impressively quiet. The continuous shell geometry, good visor seal, and quality cheek pad fitment combine to create a low noise floor. At 70mph on road it’s one of the quieter full-face helmets available — better than the Bell Race Star Flex DLX and comparable to the Shoei RF-1400. On track at higher speeds, earplugs remain advisable for sustained use.

Visor System

The VAS-V visor is one of the best in the industry. It offers a very wide field of view, near-optical-quality optics, and a ratcheting mechanism that holds any position securely. The visor change mechanism is tool-free, smooth, and takes seconds. Arai’s Pinlock 120 insert is included and fits perfectly. The only limitation is the lack of a photochromic option — you’ll need to carry a spare dark visor if conditions change.

Verdict

The Arai RX-7V Evo is the helmet that sets the standard everything else is measured against. The hand-laminated PB-cLc shell, FIA homologation, exceptional noise performance, and superb visor system make it the choice for riders who prioritise craftsmanship and safety above all else. The premium price, round oval fit, and absence of a photochromic visor are the only meaningful drawbacks. If your head shape fits and your budget stretches, there is no better full-face road helmet available today.

The Bell Race Star Flex DLX is one of the most technologically advanced full-face helmets on the market. It sits at the premium end of the Bell lineup and targets sport and track riders who want serious protection without sacrificing aerodynamics or ventilation. After extensive on-road testing, here’s our honest assessment.

First Impressions

Out of the box, the Race Star Flex DLX feels immediately purposeful. The shell is constructed from a carbon fibre and fibreglass composite, making it noticeably lighter than most helmets in this category. At around 1,400g (size medium), it’s competitive with the best in class. The fit is firm and precise — this is a helmet built for riders who take their safety seriously.

The Flex Technology

The headline feature is Bell’s Flex Impact Liner system — a layer of Koroyd material integrated between the outer shell and EPS liner. Koroyd is a co-polymer thermal-welded structure that crushes progressively on impact, absorbing more energy across a wider range of impact speeds than traditional EPS alone. It’s a meaningful safety upgrade over standard construction, not just a marketing term.

The helmet also carries ECE 22.06 certification, which is currently the most rigorous consumer helmet standard available. Bell have done the work to earn it.

Ventilation

The Race Star Flex DLX runs cool. Four intake vents across the chin bar and crown, paired with two exhaust vents at the rear, create a genuine airflow channel through the helmet. At motorway speeds this is one of the most comfortable helmets we’ve tested in warm conditions. The vents are large and easy to operate with gloves on.

Noise Levels

This is where the Race Star gives some ground. Optimised for airflow, it’s not the quietest helmet on the road. At 70mph it sits in the moderate range — noticeably louder than a touring-oriented helmet like the Shoei Neotec, but on par with most sport lids. Earplugs are recommended for longer runs.

Comfort and Fit

The liner is plush and moisture-wicking, and the helmet runs true to Bell sizing (intermediate oval head shape). The Transitions Photochromic shield is a standout inclusion — it adjusts automatically from clear to dark in sunlight, eliminating the need to carry a spare visor. The shield change mechanism is tool-free and takes seconds.

Verdict

The Bell Race Star Flex DLX is a genuinely premium helmet that earns its price tag through meaningful safety innovation, excellent ventilation, and a top-tier shield system. It’s best suited to sport and track riders who prioritise protection and airflow. If noise is a primary concern or you ride mostly in cold, wet conditions, a touring-oriented helmet will serve you better. But for warm-weather sport riding, this is one of the best options available.

The Bell MX-9 Adventure MIPS sits in the sweet spot of the adventure helmet market — it offers dual-sport versatility, solid safety credentials, and a price point that doesn’t require the mortgage. We spent three months testing it across commuting, touring, and off-road excursions to find out if it genuinely delivers.

What Kind of Helmet Is This?

The MX-9 Adventure is a dual-sport helmet — designed primarily for road use with the ability to handle light off-road when fitted with goggles. It has a motocross-inspired peak visor, an aggressive ventilation system, and the kind of upright ergonomics that favour adventure and touring riding positions over a sport crouch.

MIPS — Multi-directional Impact Protection System — is included across all variants of the MX-9 Adventure. It’s a low-friction layer inside the helmet that allows the shell to rotate slightly relative to your head during an angled impact, reducing rotational force transmitted to the brain. At this price point, MIPS inclusion is genuinely impressive.

Shell and Safety

The shell is polycarbonate — not the fibreglass or carbon composite you’d find on more expensive adventure helmets like the Shoei Hornet ADV or Arai XD-4, but entirely adequate for road use. It carries DOT and ECE 22.06 certification, putting it well above the bare minimum. The EPS liner is multi-density, with MIPS integrated cleanly without adding noticeable bulk or weight.

Ventilation

This is where the MX-9 Adventure genuinely excels. The open motocross-inspired vent layout — three top vents, a large chin vent, and multiple exhaust ports — moves air through the helmet aggressively. On warm days or at low off-road speeds, it keeps your head noticeably cooler than most road-focused helmets. The flip side: at motorway speeds, the peak creates turbulence and the abundance of vents becomes a noise source.

Noise Levels

This is the MX-9 Adventure’s biggest weakness for road-focused riders. The peak generates turbulence and wind noise at speeds above 50mph, and the generous vent openings add to the noise floor. At motorway speeds, it’s significantly louder than a purpose-built touring helmet. Earplugs are essentially mandatory on long motorway runs. If most of your riding is urban or off-road, this won’t matter. If you spend time on fast roads, factor it in.

Visor and Peak

The anti-scratch, anti-fog treated visor has a wide field of view and seals well against the face gasket. The Transitions photochromic version is available for an upcharge and is worth considering for mixed-light riding. The peak is removable and adjustable — useful for reducing turbulence on the motorway or removing entirely for road-only days.

Fit and Interior

Bell sizes the MX-9 Adventure for an intermediate oval head shape. The liner is moisture-wicking and comfortable on longer rides, and the helmet’s lighter weight (around 1,550g) reduces neck fatigue compared to heavier adventure helmets. The chin strap uses a D-ring closure — old school, but reliable and preferred by many experienced riders.

Verdict

The Bell MX-9 Adventure MIPS punches well above its price. MIPS at this cost is rare, the ventilation is class-leading for warm-weather riding, and the build quality is solid. The trade-off is noise — if motorway touring is a significant part of your riding, you’ll want earplugs every time. For riders who split time between road and trail, or who primarily ride in town and on country roads, it’s one of the best-value adventure helmets available.

The Klim Krios Pro is a premium adventure helmet built for serious off-road and dual-sport riders who refuse to compromise on either protection or ventilation. At its price point it competes with the Shoei Hornet ADV and Arai XD-4, and in several key areas it beats them. We tested it across mountain passes, gravel tracks, and long tarmac stretches to give you the complete picture.

Who Is This Helmet For?

The Krios Pro is built for the rider who spends real time off-road — not the adventure tourist who occasionally leaves the tarmac, but the rider who treats dirt as their primary terrain. It’s lightweight, aggressively vented, and designed to work with goggles as well as its included shield. If you ride predominantly on road, there are better-value options. If you split your time or prioritise off-road, this is one of the best helmets made.

Shell and Construction

The shell is constructed from Klim’s proprietary composite — a blend of carbon fibre, aramid, and fibreglass — making it one of the lightest adventure helmets on the market at approximately 1,290g (size medium). The construction is exceptional and rivals anything from Shoei or Arai at equivalent price points. The Krios Pro carries ECE 22.06 certification, putting it at the top of the safety standard hierarchy.

The multi-density EPS liner is engineered to manage both high-speed and low-speed impacts — a critical consideration for off-road riding where ground contacts are often slower but more irregular.

Ventilation

This is where the Krios Pro genuinely excels. The open-face off-road design — broad chin bar vents, large crown intakes, and generous exhaust channels — moves air more aggressively than almost any other adventure helmet available. At low speeds in warm conditions it’s noticeably cooler than competitors. The goggle-compatible design also means you can run goggles with a fully open visor for maximum airflow on demanding off-road sections.

Noise

The trade-off for exceptional ventilation is noise. Like all aggressive adventure helmets, the Krios Pro is loud at motorway speeds — the peak, open vents, and goggle port all contribute to the noise floor. On gravel tracks and technical terrain this is irrelevant. On fast roads, earplugs are non-negotiable.

Visor System and Goggle Compatibility

The included Transitions photochromic shield is a high-quality addition — it provides excellent optical clarity and auto-darkens in sunlight. The shield removal mechanism is quick and tool-free. The goggle port is generously sized and works well with most motocross goggles. The transition between goggle and shield use is as smooth as any adventure helmet we’ve tested.

Fit and Comfort

Klim sizes the Krios Pro for an intermediate oval head shape. The liner is plush and moisture-wicking, with a breathable mesh that performs well even in sustained heat. The chin strap uses a D-ring retention system. The helmet’s light weight significantly reduces neck fatigue on long technical rides — a genuine advantage over heavier competitors on sustained off-road terrain.

Verdict

The Klim Krios Pro is one of the finest adventure helmets available for riders who spend serious time off-road. Its ultra-lightweight composite shell, class-leading ventilation, and included Transitions shield justify the premium price. The trade-off is noise on fast roads — but riders who spend meaningful time off-tarmac will find that trade-off entirely acceptable. If off-road performance is your priority, this helmet belongs at the top of your shortlist.

The Shoei RF-1400 is the Japanese manufacturer’s flagship sport touring helmet, and one of the most refined full-face lids on the road today. After logging hundreds of miles across commuting, touring, and fast A-road riding, we can say with confidence: this helmet earns its price tag through genuine engineering excellence.

Build Quality and Shell Construction

The RF-1400 uses Shoei’s proprietary AIM+ shell construction — a multi-composite matrix of fibreglass, organic fibres, and high-performance resin. The result is a lightweight, rigid shell that absorbs and disperses impact energy efficiently. At approximately 1,395g in size medium, it’s among the lightest full-face helmets at this price point.

The helmet carries DOT, ECE 22.06, and SNELL M2020D certification — the full trio. If certifications matter to you, this helmet ticks every box.

Fit and Comfort

Shoei helmets are designed around an intermediate oval head shape, which suits the majority of riders. The 3D Max-Dry interior wicks moisture effectively and stays remarkably fresh even on long, warm rides. The cheek pads and crown liner are removable and washable, and the fit-out can be fine-tuned with Shoei’s optional cheek pad thickness variants.

The RF-1400 breaks in gradually — expect the first few rides to feel snug, with the liner conforming to your head shape over 15–20 hours of use. This is intentional: a helmet that fits loosely from new will only get worse.

Ventilation

Three intake vents (brow, forehead, and chin bar) feed air through channels in the EPS liner and exit through two exhaust ports at the rear. The system is effective at speed but quiet in town — opening the brow vent at motorway speeds provides noticeable cooling without excessive buffeting. All vents are operable with gloves on.

Noise and Aerodynamics

The RF-1400 is one of the quieter sport helmets available — a product of Shoei’s extensive aerodynamic development and the quality of the visor seal. At 70mph it’s noticeably quieter than average for the segment, though ear plugs remain advisable for extended motorway use. The helmet tracks well at speed with minimal buffeting, even without a windscreen.

Visor System

The CWR-F2 visor offers an excellent field of view and near-optical-clarity optics. The mechanism is tool-free and takes seconds to swap. The visor is Pinlock Max Vision ready, and a Pinlock 120 insert is included — one of the best anti-fog solutions on the market. Our only quibble: there’s no internal sun visor, which would be a welcome addition at this price.

Verdict

The Shoei RF-1400 is the benchmark full-face helmet for sport touring riders who want premium materials, exceptional fit, and class-leading noise reduction. The lack of an internal sun visor and the premium price are its only meaningful drawbacks. For riders who spend serious time in the saddle and want the best, this is the helmet.