The Best Adventure & Dual-Sport Helmets of 2023

Key Specs

• Price: $270 - $300

• Head Shape: intermediate oval

• Weight: 4 lbs (1,814 g)

• Safety: DOT and ECE 22.05

• Sizing: XS to 3XL

Our Review

See the complete Scorpion EXO-AT950 review.

Ideal For

• Riders that want a strong value proposition and aren't concerned about having "the latest and greatest"

• Riders that will spend as much time on-road as off-road

Highlights

• This helmet is easy to call the best modular, adventure helmet available for the money. I realize that flies in the face of what I wrote at the outset of this article… but it’s true!

• It can be worn without the visor installed to make room for goggles while doing serious off-road work or remove the sun peak for when you’re doing sport riding. You get a lot of versatility from this safety hat.

Downsides

• May be replaced by the AT960 in late-2023 or early-2024

• Fairly heavy for a dual-sport helmet

• Nosier than more premium options

• No integrated intercom or speakers for a bluetooth intercom

Key Specs

• Price: Around $225

• Head Shape: intermediate oval

• Weight: 3.74 lbs (1,696 g)

• Safety: ECE 22.05 (no DOT approval)

• Sizing: XS to XL

Our Review

See our Bell MX-9 Adventure (non-MIPS) review from 2010.

Ideal For

• Riders that want a safe and affordable helmet and see value in the MIPS integration.

• Riders that will spend as much time on-road as off-road

Highlights

• Multidirectional Impact Protection System (MIPS) helps protect your head, helping to prevent rotational forces that might cause a brain injury

• ProTint photochromatic visor will automatically adjust to brightness levels, a luxury in the sub-$400 market.

Downsides

• Can be fairly noisy

• Peak is not removable and can catch wind gusts

• No integrated intercom or speakers for a bluetooth intercom

Key Specs

• Price: $270 - $300

• Head Shape: intermediate oval

• Weight: 2.54 lbs (1,150 g)

• Safety: ECE 22.05 (no DOT approval)

• Sizing: XS to 3XL

Ideal For

• Riders that want bang for the buck, and also don't need the newest or fanciest helmet on the market

• Riders that will spend as much time on-road as off-road

Highlights

• One of the least expensive carbon fiber helmets available. It's at the level of a Klim Krios but half the price

• Very lightweight at 1,150 grams (2.54 lbs) with peak and visor installed.

Downsides

• Not DOT certified, only ECE 22.05. If you want to wear it legally in the USA, you need to live in a state that recognizes ECE-only helmets

• Expensive shipping as it is sold and shipped from Europe

• No integrated intercom or speakers for a bluetooth intercom

Key Specs

• Price: $429

• Head Shape: Intermediate oval

• Weight: 3.04 lbs (1,378 g)

• Safety: ECE 22.05 and DOT

• Sizing: XS to 3XL

Ideal For

• Riders that want a lightweight helmet that doesn't compromise on safety

• Riders that will spend as much time on-road as off-road

Highlights

• Can be customized with removable peak and visor. You can also mount the peak without the visor installed if you want to use goggles, or with the visor and without the peak for more in-city riding.

• 6K carbon fiber is some of the best helmet material that you can get in this price segment. It is very durable and flexible, and is the same material used to make aircraft wings.

Downsides

• Not ECE 22.06 certified (yet)

• Noisier than a full high-end helmet

• No integrated intercom or speakers for a bluetooth intercom

Key Specs

• Price: $499.99+

• Head Shape: Intermediate oval

• Weight: 3.25 lbs (1,474 g)

• Safety: ECE 22.05 and DOT

• Sizing: XS to 3XL

Ideal For

• Riders that want a Klim ADV helmet but cannot afford, or do not want, the Krios Pro

• Riders that will spend a lot of time off-road and off-trail

Highlights

• Uncompromising in terms of materials and safety. Klim helmets are made to withstand the elements, as well as keep you safe for a short ride or a multi-day trek.

• Aerodynamic and quiet as Klim spent the time to get the shape bang on right. This reduces wind roar and whistling from the visor edges, while also feeding cool air into the ventilation holes.

Downsides

• Chin vent is permanently open

• Visor and peak mounting and removal takes more than a few minutes to do

• No integrated intercom or speakers for a bluetooth intercom

Key Specs

• Price: $599+

• Head Shape: intermediate oval

• Weight: 3.74 lbs (1,695 g)

• Safety: ECE 22.05 and DOT

• Sizing: XS to 3XL

Our Review

See the complete Schuberth E1 Adventure review.

Ideal For

• Riders that want the best mid-range helmet on the market and aren't concerned about having "the latest and greatest"

• Riders that will spend as much time on-road as off-road

Highlights

• One of the most highly reviewed and regarded modular ADV helmets in the world. Then again, from a company that makes helmets for F1 drivers and MotoGP riders, you wouldn't expect any less.

• Includes a built in antenna for the Schuberth SRC System Pro, their comms system that was developed with, and is fully compatible with, Cardo comms.

• Has multiple versions, including the E1 Endurance and E1 Tuareg, with the primary difference being colorways as shown to the left

Downsides

• Very close to end of life and will be replaced by the E2 mid-2023

• Heavy

• Can fit closer to a round oval than intermediate oval for those with larger heads

  
  

Key Specs

• Price: $577 to $841+

• Head Shape: intermediate oval

• Weight: 3.20 lbs (1,450 g)

• Safety: ECE 22.06 and DOT

• Sizing: XS to 3XL

Ideal For

• Riders that want the absolutely latest and greatest ADV helmet

• Riders that will spend multiple days on their bikes on a long distance expedition

Highlights

• Designed for expedition use. Lightweight, aerodynamically shaped to be as quiet as possible to reduce rider fatigue and distraction. BMW themselves call it an "enduro" helmet instead of an ADV helmet.

• Includes MIPS to provide the best possible head protection

• 100% CFRP (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic) shell, over a 5-layer, multi-zone EPS foam impact structure for the ultimate in head safety

Downsides

• Very expensive for the average day rider

• Only natively compatible with BMW's own GS comms system, modification needed to use other intercoms

• Can fit closer to a round oval than intermediate oval for those with larger heads

  
  

Key Specs

• Price: $577 to $841+

• Head Shape: Intermediate oval

• Weight: 3.9 lbs (1,770 g)

• Safety: ECE 22.05 and DOT

• Sizing: XS to 3XL

Ideal For

• Riders that want the absolutely latest and greatest ADV modular without compromises in materials or functionality

• Riders that use their bikes every day, 365 days a year.

Highlights

• The best ventilated ADV helmet available. The only way to be more ventilated would be to ride with 3/4 helmet or the chinbar up and locked

• Full carbon fiber construction, with multi-layer, multi-zone EPS distributed for optimal impact absorption and dissipation

• Quiet and comfortable, aerodynamically shaped to slice through the air instead of bully it aside.

Downsides

• Very expensive for the average day rider

• Chin-heavy balance, puts mild strain on your neck after a long ride

• Liner can be fiddly and bunch up when putting the helmet on, if not reinserted properly after cleaning