If you work in the bike industry, you hear a number of reasons behind why people don't wear helmets. But we've been riding bikes and helping others get started for a long time and experienced all kinds of incredible savings from motorcycle helmets, so we always recommend them.
Some of the unforeseen incidents could be you tripping over a log on a windy day or an animal jumping out in front of you and throwing you off balance.
We've compiled a comprehensive list of the best motorcycle helmets for women to keep you safe.
What This Article Covers:
- Best Women’s Motorcycle Helmets
- Helmets Have Never Been Better
- Are Women's Motorcycle Helmets Different?
Best Women’s Motorcycle Helmets
Fox V1 TREV HELMET ECE
Design
We love the Fox V1 Trev because it’s one of the most advanced motorcycle helmets with the best-in-class performance, excellent features, safety, and comfort for everyday riders, making it one of the best motocross helmets on the market.
Safety
The V1 TREV sets a new standard as an affordable, performance-oriented helmet by combining safety, fit and feel.
The V1 is equipped with Multi-directional Contact Protection System technology, proven on the roads to reduce rotational forces on impact, and a visor that releases on impact.
Comfort
The V1 prioritizes your comfort by offering best-in-class ventilation for better comfort and moisture control. It provides a better true-to-size fit and feels thanks to six different shell and EPS sizes. For added comfort, the V1 comes with a removable and washable liner as well as cheek padding.
Fox V1 YORR HELMET ECE
Design
The design of the V1 YORR helmet is one of the most forward-thinking designs in the MX 20 series. On race day, the fox head logos and a distinctive blend of colours and iconography are guaranteed to attract plenty of attention.
The V1 is one of the best value-for-money helmets on the market and comes with a patented Magnetic Visor Release SystemTM (MVRS), designed to handle rotational forces.
Visor
This patent-pending, pro-level technology replaces the three visor screws with magnets, allowing the visor to release from the helmet in the event of an accident and stay securely in place when needed.
It’s the best motorbike helmet for hot weather. In hot riding situations, the design provides premium ventilation for increased comfort and moisture management.
Comfort
With different shell and EPS sizes for a true-to-size fit and comfortable feel, the V1 is second to none when it comes to fit. For added comfort, the V1 features a removable and washable liner and cheek padding.
It's also available in a variety of colours and graphics to complement virtually any gear set.
SHOEI VFX-WR HELMET
Design
The new SHOEI VFX-WR helmet maintains the aggressive look synonymous with the VFX series but also features new technical elements that represent a significant advance in the off-road helmet market.
Visor
The V-470 visor has been specifically designed for the VFX-WR. The standard position is the highest point of the visor used by most riders. In its normal position, the visor blends into the shape of the helmet shell and emphasizes the aggressive shell design.
Of course, as with previous models, the angle of the visor can be adjusted.
Comfort
The VFX-WR is really comfortable, as you'd expect from a premium helmet. After a few hours of getting used to it, the padding feels like it moulds to the skull.
As with most helmets of this type, we recommend wearing earplugs with the VFX-WR as there's a huge hole in the front.
At highway speeds, riding a motorcycle without a huge windshield is a bit noisy - but that's just part of wearing an off-road helmet.
O’Neal 2022 3 Series Helmet
There's nothing like a nice off-road ride through the countryside when you smell the exhaust of a two-stroke and decide to tap it to win it and catch up with the little dirt bike. ONeal’s 3 Series are some of the best helmets you can get for under $300.
Then you realize you're going too fast and your brakes aren't working, so you hit a tree and come to a stop. What happens. Put on a helmet. This one is pretty comfortable and lightweight.
Variety
O'Neal 2022 3 Series helmets are available in a variety of shapes and sizes, from XS to XXL, and in two premium colours: Black and White.
Shell
The outer shell of the helmet is made of durable polycarbonate and weighs up to 1.5 kg. The durable outer shell has a rock-solid design that can easily withstand the force of an impact.
Visor
The O’Neal visor is adjustable and allows the rider to get the most out of their riding experience by changing it before accelerating or decelerating.
The visor also serves as a sunscreen barrier and protection from harmful UV rays that can affect the rider's vision.
However, having a visor allows you to make better decisions about distance and see obstructions along the path with clear eyesight.
AGV K1
The AGV K1 is one of the best entry-level sports helmets on the market today. The K1 balances price and performance thanks to its aggressive look, good safety scores, and no-frills concept.
Ventilation and Noise
This helmet is designed with AGV's integrated ventilation system, the result of in-decades of in-depth research and development. With this technology, cool air circulates through intake vents on the front of the helmet and exhaust vents on the rear spoiler.
The triple vents on the forehead are easy to activate while riding. The K1 is relatively quiet, despite the numerous air ducts and the designated area in the pad for goggles. Considering that, you should use earplugs anyway.
Visor
If you've ever put on an AGV helmet, you probably know the large opening they provide. If not, the 190-degree horizontal view provides great peripheral vision and reduces the amount of shoulder rotation required.
The anti-scratch visor is equipped with a left tab that's particularly easy to see and activate, even while riding.
Lining
The dry-comfort lining consists of three components, all of which you can remove, wash, and reinstall as needed.
If you ever need to replace the lining, you can easily find replacements online.
SHOEI J-CRUISE II HELMET - ADAGIO TC1
Weight
Despite the absence of a chin bar and the usual ventilation systems, the Shoei Cruise II weighs 1.45 kg The full face visor, which weighs 190 g, accounts for some of the weight, but the rest reflects Shoei's efforts to make the Cruise II more than just a full-face helmet.
The extra weight is barely noticeable in practice, but it gives the helmet a reassuring "luxury" feel that some less expensive helmets don't have.
Visor
The visor has three detent positions: fully closed, fully open, and four-fifths closed, which is great for slow speeds and prevents the visor from fogging. When the visor is closed, the circular detent on the lower-left corner of the visor engages a similar peg on the cheek of the helmet.
When the visor is locked, it takes a lot of force to unhook the peg. It looks harder than it is in practice, and it quickly becomes second nature so you can use it in an emergency.
The visor can be changed with a simple lever on each side that, when fully open, releases the visor's swivel mount.
Lining
The interior lining is where the Shoei J-Cruise II really excels, and it reflects its high price tag. Snap buttons for placement and hidden tabs on the edges ensure a snug and neat fit at the neckline.
Each lining element is a blend of smooth silky fabric for high friction areas, fleece for warmth and comfort in areas exposed to airflow, and waffle fabric for increased air circulation and cooling at the top of the skull.
Bell MX-9 MIPS Strike
The Bell MX-9's appearance is reminiscent of a motocross helmet, but the forward-extended sun visor can be adjusted for better aerodynamics during long rides on the road.
Shell
The outer shell is made of lightweight polycarbonate to save weight without compromising safety. The air-permeable inner lining is made of a quick-drying synthetic material that keeps your face cool and dry even in hot weather.
Sizes
The MX-9 is available in a variety of sizes, from XS to 2XL, to accommodate a wide range of head shapes and fits. The high-gloss and matte coatings and integrated face shield are scratch-resistant.
The graphics are clear coated and provide exceptional protection from wear and tear to keep your MX-9 looking great after years of use.
Comfort
Bell offers not only exceptional helmets but also some of the best comfort and fit features of any manufacturer and this helmet is definitely in the top 10 motorcycle helmets for 2022.
You can replace and even customize all interior padding. Thanks to innovative air channels and washable, moisture-wicking material, they stay comfortable and odour-free all day long.
Safety
When properly fitted, the EPS-lined chin bar provides additional security and stability. Plus, the MX-9 features an integrated adjustable mouth opening that keeps dirt and debris out of the ventilation system, even when you're off-roading.
Riders who wear prescription glasses or sunglasses should be aware that this helmet won't work well with them.
Helmets Have Never Been Better
Today's bike helmets for women are light, airy, and comfortable. You'll probably agree that you don't even realize you have them on once you’ve been wearing them for a couple of hours. In fact, the latest helmets are so well insulated that they keep you cool on hot days and warm on cold days.
Plus, they're now more stylish and fashionable. The days of you wearing a slightly improved Styrofoam cooler on your head are long gone. For all these reasons, most bikers these days would never ride the road or trail without a good helmet.
Are Women's Motorcycle Helmets Different?
Women's heads tend to be smaller than men's heads.
Many helmet manufacturers who specialize in products for women offer them in significantly smaller sizes to accommodate this. It's also important to consider how much hair you have, as this will contribute to your overall head circumference.
If you've got long, thick hair, you'll need a larger helmet. However, if you cut it short, your helmet may suddenly seem too big. These are all things you should think about.
The same goes for the hairstyle you wear while cycling. A low ponytail usually sits comfortably under the adjustable back section, while some helmets have a lower than usual retention system so you can pull a higher ponytail through the gap.
Braids that can be threaded through the straps below your ears may be more comfortable if your hair is short to medium length. If you've got short hair and tend to pinch it in the helmet, a bike cap can provide a soft protective barrier.
Overall, it's important to measure your head circumference accurately and take into account other factors like extra caps and ponytails when measuring.
Differences and Features
Once you've found a helmet that fits your head, you need to decide which model you want. The best motorcycle helmets for beginners usually offer a more universal fit and washable and replaceable interior padding. If you look at the models with additional features, you'll find that they've got a full-fledged retention mechanism, such as adjustable straps that wrap around your head.
Straps and buckles are also used to keep the helmets in place. For protection, they're adjusted so that the helmet fits snugly on your head and sits low over your forehead. You can opt for firmer or softer straps, as well as different types of adjustments and buckles.
When you're off-roading, a visor on your helmet can be useful to shade your face and deflect objects. Some visors are removable and/or adjustable for a perfect fit.
If you wear or plan to get cycling glasses, you should put them on with your helmet to check how they fit. Usually, there are no problems, but the temples or helmet straps may need to be adjusted to fit.
There are helmets designed for various cycling activities, such as road riding, mountain biking, commuting, dirt jumping, and downhill. This means that they've features that are suitable for each style of riding.
A commuter helmet might've got a visor or reflective elements, a racing helmet might've got a more aerodynamic shape, flashier graphics, and be extremely lightweight, and a jumping helmet might've extra head coverage. However, there's no reason why you can't wear whatever helmet you want for whatever riding style you want. So don't limit yourself to one particular type.
How Often Should My Helmet Be Replaced?
A helmet should be replaced every three to five years, or sooner if you fall. Never put on a helmet that's a crack or where the foam has been dented by a fall.
The moment your helmet is exposed to air and sunlight, it begins to deteriorate. You should avoid leaving it in the blazing sun or in the car in the summer, both of which can accelerate its deterioration.
How Can I Find Out What Size Helmet I Need?
Wrap a cloth measuring tape around your head, parallel to the ground, just above your ears. Helmet sizes are usually given in centimetres with a range (e.g. size small = 55-56cm). If you plan to ride with a beanie in the winter or a cycling cap in the summer, make sure the helmet fits comfortably with it and not too loosely without it.
If you're upgrading or replacing your current favourite helmet with MIPS, keep in mind that the extra layer of protection means more material. If you add MIPS to your current helmet, you may need to go up a size.
What Should I Look for in Padding?
The padding in a helmet has two purposes. First, they provide comfort and prevent the helmet from rubbing against your head. They also absorb sweat and prevent it from getting into your eyes.
Look for padding that's antibacterial properties to help control odour. Padding that can be removed and washed by hand or on the gentle cycle is also a useful feature. Removable padding also allows you to replace it when it wears out. If you add MIPS, it may be necessary to go up a size
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