With so many options on the market, what is the best dirt bike helmet? There are a variety of factors to consider before making a purchase. Beyond the fit, you also need to think about all-around comfort and safety for your specific needs.
Do you ride for hours on end? Are you an enthusiast or a competitor? Here are some of the best motocross helmets in 2022 we have available.
What this article covers:
What to Look for When Buying a Dirt Bike Helmet
There are four essential factors to consider when you are looking for the best motocross helmet. These are the visor, ventilation, safety features, and price.
The visor and ventilation will have a massive effect on how comfortable your experience will be. The filters for dust and dirt are super important, especially if you ride on loose dirt or gravel.
Without proper ventilation, long rides can become unbearably hot and stuffy. Comfort is paramount to staying focused and can be considered one of the safety features.
Safety features are all the special things a brand includes to improve the wearer’s safety. For example extra padding, shock absorption, and removable cheek pads.
Price is, of course, very important as you need to be sure you are getting good value for your money. The best motocross helmets will have a good combination of all these factors.
Some brands focus more on certain aspects than others, so it is important to decide what is non-negotiable for you.
Best Dirt Bike Helmets
We stock a wide variety of the best dirt bike helmet brands. We have listed five of the top-rated dirt bike helmets on our website from the lowest price to the highest. They are all highly rated for safety and comfort. Any of these helmets would be a good investment.
O’Neal 3 Series
This budget-friendly helmet will keep your head safe under its polycarbonate shell. This is the best motocross helmet for novices just starting out.
The graphics are durable and made to withstand exposure to sun and dust.
Visor
The O’Neal 3 Series has a user-friendly adjustable peak. It’s very easy to find replacement parts for this helmet as it is quite popular.
Ventilation
There are multiple large air vents and exhausts to pull in cool and push out warm air. These will help to keep you cool while you ride.
The Coolmax liner is removable and machine-washable. It is moisture-wicking which will also help to keep you dry and comfortable.
Safety
O’Neal is known for using high-quality materials and exceptional craftsmanship. This helmet is lightweight at only 1350g.
Price
This is one of the best dirt bike helmets for a tight budget at $199.
Shoei VFX-WR
Made using Shoei VFX-WR's own Advanced Integrated Matrix fibre blend, this helmet is rock solid and can withstand a great deal of force from any impact. Made to last, It is reliable and safe for casual riding, off-road exploring, and competition.
This brand focused on long-term comfort and safety. This helmet still includes the moisture-wicking fabric of its predecessor, however, more soft fabric has been added. This makes removing the helmet even easier than with earlier models.
Visor
The visor and mouthpiece are more integrated into the helmet shell than ever. Shoei has made some serious upgrades since their last model. This reduces drag and bulk while improving airflow.
The goggle port is large enough for even the most oversized goggles. This means you can maximise your peripheral vision. There is even an indentation around the helmet to help keep your goggle strap in place.
Ventilation
The high-quality ventilation system ensures a comfortable ride in any weather. With proper ventilation, you never have to feel like your head is in an oven. There are several air intake points totalling 16 vents to keep the wearer cool in the heat of competition.
The fine filter in the updated mouthpiece keeps dust and tiny dirt particles out even in the worst conditions. The secondary, tough outer metal filter protects you from larger bits of stone or gravel while still maintaining excellent ventilation.
Safety
Shoei’s high safety standards mean they are so confident in their product that they offer a 7-year manufacturer’s guarantee.
The VFX-WR has a shock-absorbing liner that acts as another layer of protection in a collision. Their Motion Energy Distribution System (MEDS) offers protection against rotational force damage.
This helmet features an Emergency Quick Release System (EQRS) which allows the helmet to be removed easily in case of an accident. This feature makes giving aid in a medical emergency much easier for EMTs.
Price
This helmet costs $799. This is the best dirt bike helmet for beginners available. Shoei is a trustworthy brand and the VFX-WR is safe and dependable.
Leatt Moto 9.5
This brand has a reputation for making top-quality safety gear. The Moto 9.5 helmet is advertised as one of the lightest on the market weighing only 1195g.
With moisture-wicking technology in the liner, you can see that Leatt cares about comfort as well as safety.
Visor
Similarly to many dirt bike helmets, the visor breaks away in an impact to prevent the helmet from catching on anything in an accident. If you fall, your visor may catch on something like a branch and snap your head back causing serious damage to your neck.
Ventilation
During a long ride, you can sweat a lot and it can become stuffy and damp inside your helmet. The Moto 9.5 has multiple large air vents with filters to allow for maximum comfortable airflow.
There are vents along the chin bar and under the visor to pull cool air in across the face. The exhausts are on the back just above the neck to force the stale air out.
Safety
Leatt’s industry-leading impact dispersion system can minimise brain acceleration by up to 30%. This can dramatically reduce the likelihood of a concussion or serious head trauma.
The Moto 9.5 is comprised of four layers of high-density foam covered in a carbon matrix shell. The foam cushions the impact in the event of a collision.
When someone is in an accident, it can be dangerous to remove a helmet as you can further injure the neck and spine, but EMTs have to be able to reach your face and neck to perform vital checks.
The emergency release cheek pads are a small but important feature put in place to make it easier to get the helmet off safely.
Price
The Leatt Moto 9.5 is an excellent midrange helmet. At $899 this helmet is perfect for both beginners and advanced riders. You can rest assured knowing you are paying for the best motocross helmet in 2022.
Fox V3 RS Riet
For the Fox V3 RS Riet version, Fox has really focused on improving the fit and weight of this helmet. There is now more space around the forehead and chin.
Carbon fibre D-rings are one of the many things Fox has done to keep this helmet’s weight as low as possible.
The helmet is lined with an X-Static Comfort Line with moisture-wicking and antimicrobial properties. This liner helps to keep you cool and dry for longer.
Visor
The Magnetic Visor Release System (MVRS) hybrid connection with shear-away screws keeps the visor stable but still allows it to pop off easily on impact.
Ventilation
Bad airflow can have a severe impact on your comfort during your ride. On long trips, poor ventilation can ruin your enjoyment. Fox definitely kept that in mind when designing the V3 RS.
There are a few very large vents along the chin bar and under the visor which let fresh air flow freely across your face as well as into the helmet itself between your head and the shell. Then there are three exhausts in the back to create a draft and pull out the hot air.
Safety
The V3 RS includes the Multi-directional Impact Protection System (MIPS). This system allows for slippage between the head and the helmet shell. This prevents the head from coming to a sudden stop which reduces the chance of concussions and head trauma.
There are shock-absorbing Expanded Polypropylene (EPP) points along the chin, forehead, and neck. These points will be the first line of defence for your face and head in a collision.
This helmet has interchangeable cheek pads for the perfect fit. They make use of emergency release technology in case of an accident. They are also covered with a super soft anti-microbial fabric.
Price
At $899, this is a fantastic mid-range helmet that will work for anyone. Whether you are just finding your feet or you’re a seasoned pro, the Fox V3 RS is a great choice.
6D ATR-2
6D ATR-2 focuses solely on helmets for dirt biking and their aim is to create the safest dirt bike helmet possible. They are constantly innovating with their “rotational energy management”.
6D has developed new technologies for their helmets. Most accidents have angular momentum as well as linear because bodies often rotate in the air. 6D decided to design something to compensate for that.
Their ODS technology was developed with the support of the National Football League. They worked together to create new systems to make helmets safer for a variety of different sports.
Visor
The unique visor shape protects your face from wind as well as rocks and airborne particles. The visor is fully adjustable and comes with replacement screws. The goggle port is large enough to fit any brand of goggles comfortably.
Ventilation
The 6D ATR-2 has many air vents allowing air to flow freely inside the helmet, keeping you comfortable. The brow vents allow air to flow freely onto your face and into the shell itself to keep the whole helmet cool. There are also chin and gill vents as well as several exhausts at the back.
Safety
Making use of their trademarked Omni-Directional Suspension (ODS) system with “kinetic energy management”, this helmet can decrease kinetic energy transferred to the brain during an accident.
6D has detached the shell from the liner to allow the head to move more freely inside the helmet. This reduces rotational force on the neck. 27 dampeners built into the helmet work together to absorb the impact of a collision. This reduces the chance of a break or a concussion.
The goal when designing the ODS was to reduce the intensity of the trauma to allow more time for emergency medical intervention. The goggle port is reinforced to protect your face during a fall. These impact points all contribute to shock absorption for the head and neck.
If you are in an accident and the helmet shell is undamaged, 6D will rebuild the EPS liner inside the helmet. This way you don’t have to buy a whole new helmet. They will also inspect the integrity of the shell to ensure your safety.
Price
At $999, the 6D ATR-2 is the best motocross helmet for intermediate riders.
Arai VX-Pro 4
Featuring a super soft inner lining, this helmet is comfortable for long trips. Arai have used a special fabric to line this helmet. It is quick-drying and can be removed for washing. It reduces heat build-up between your head and the helmet itself. These factors keep your head and face cool and dry.
Visor
This visor is designed specifically with a dark tint to reduce glare. There are vents on the visor itself to increase airflow around your nose and mouth.
Ventilation
This helmet’s vents perform in harmony to create a vacuum which pulls fresh air in and pushes hot air out.
There are extra airflow points at the top of the head and on the lower sides of the face. There are forehead vents under the peak and it’s the peak’s shape that directs air into these vents.
Off-roading can get very dusty, but you shouldn’t have to breathe it in. All the vents in the ATR-2 have filters to prevent dust from entering the helmet.
Safety
This ingenious helmet has impact points designed to break away on impact to prevent the helmet from catching and causing more damage. The VX-Pro 4 is brimming with safety features.
The shell consists of three layers. A composite fibre layer sits between two super fibre laminate layers which create a rock-hard reinforced shell for top-of-the-line head protection.
Furthermore, the built-in Facial Contour System (FCS) has springs in the cheek pads to absorb bounces and impact while you are moving. They also make it easier to put on and take off the helmet.
Price
Arai is one of the best motocross helmet brands for advanced riders. The VX-Pro 4 is $1099.
AIROH Aviator 3
This helmet has been created with competition in mind. There are 4 shell sizes and the inner padding is made with memory foam material to ensure a custom fit specific to your head shape.
Visor
This helmet does not come with a visor. However, it can accommodate even the largest goggles so your eyes can still be 100% protected.
The peak is also extended for added sun protection. It is also fully adjustable so you can customise it to suit your face.
Ventilation
Compared to the Aviator 2.3, the 3 has vastly improved airflow and ventilation. There are 8 air intake points with dedicated rear extractors to keep you cool and comfortable. All the vents have dust filters.
The vents have been redesigned and repositioned since the previous model to optimise aerodynamics. There are front, top, rear, and side vents as well as chin vents to provide airflow to every part of your head and face.
Safety
With aerodynamics at the forefront of the design process, the Aviator 3 has been tested for drag and resistance in super high-speed environments like wind tunnels and race courses.
With a carbon fibre and kevlar shell, the Aviator 3 has excellent impact absorption. The Aviator 3 also has improved durability and stability thanks to some hardware upgrades.
This helmet features magnetic cheek pads for fast removal in an emergency. The liner is attached magnetically for quick and effortless removal.
Price
The most expensive helmet on this list, the Aviator 3 is $1299. This helmet is the best helmet for motocross competitions and professional riders.
You may be wondering, after investing so much money, can you use a dirt bike helmet for snowmobiling? The answer is yes. While snowmobiling goggles will often be tinted for sun protection, the helmet is essentially the same.
For all these dirt bike helmets and more full-face motorcycle helmets in nz, visit the Moto 1 website.
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