Motorcycle Half Helmets

Half helmets that meet Department of Transportation (DOT) safety standards can be a great option for those that prefer the style of the novelty helmets, but are concerned with meeting legal requirements and protecting their head in the case of an accident. These helmets typically sit just above the ear and fasten below the neck with a chin strap. If you love the wind in your face feeling of riding without a helmet, you get that with the half helmet. The trade off is that they offer no protection for your face or the lower part of the back of your head.

Motorcycle Half Helmet - Style

These helmets are often what you think of when you think of a cruiser or Harley rider. The minimalist style of this helmet is appealing to a lot of riders. These are the smallest of all DOT approved Helmets. There are a lot of variations in this category. The most common is the traditional beanie or skull cap design. Though you will also see German helmets reminiscent of a German Soldier. The newest and most trendy is a ball cap design. Though, these styles are very popular, many riders wind up buying multiple helmets searching for the one that make them look like a mushroom. DOT standards require a foam liner that is at least 3/4" thick. Because of this, these helmets stick out away from the head and can look awkward, like a mushroom. Designers attempt to combat this by altering the shape of the helmet or making the trim piece around the bottom of the helmet as thing as possible to reduce the profile of the helmet. If you are searching for that low profile look, you should check out the Micro DOT Blister, which is our top pick for a low profile helmet.

Comfort

Generally speaking, most riders find this helmets very comfortable. The minimalist design makes them some of the lightest DOT approved helmets on the market. This reduced weight can help reduce head bobble and neck fatigue on longer rides. When it comes to comfort, ensuring a proper fit is critical. Any helmet should fit very snug, but not so tight it is uncomfortable. Also, remember when you are shopping for a helmet, that helmets do break in and form somewhat to your head. To ensure a proper fit, you also want to find a helmet that matches your head shape. Your head probably falls into one of three categories. It is either round, intermediate oval or oblong. Finding a helmet that matches your head shape is very important to how happy you will be with a half helmet. An ill fitting helmet or one that does not match your head shape can cause the helmet to feel like it is lifting off of your head at highway speed.

The final consideration in the comfort of a half helmet is wind noise. The chin strap on this style of helmet does pass directly in front of your ears. So, at speed that can create quite a bit of noise. The loud noise for prolong periods of time can even damage your hearing. Ensuring the helmet is securely fastened or choosing a helmet with padded straps or ear pads can hep with this issue.

For finding the best fit and hence most comfortable half helmet, Click Here. You will be able to sort helmets on the left hand side by head shape. Look for more reviews of the available Half Helmets to come!

Features

The features available on this minimalist helmet may surprise you. In the past, Half helmets were as bare bones as it gets. The available features have improved quite a bit in recent years.

The first and most common feature found is a detachable visor. This visor is usually snapped to the front of the helmet and can help block the suns glare. I have found that visors can contribute to helmet lift, so there is a trade off. I mentioned previously that there are options for padded chin straps and even ear pads. These features can greatly improve the comfort of the helmet, but they can detract from the desired style of the helmet.

Many half helmets now offer drop down sun shields. The sun shields store inside of the helmet shell and are usually operated by a lever or button on the side of the helmet. They can help block the sun and provide some level of eye protection. I say some level of eye protection because they are not flush with your face so wind and debris can some in under them, which can be a safety concern. Half helmets that offer this feature will also be a bit bulkier because they must be thicker to accommodate the storage of the shield itself.

Next are vents. I love vents! Vents are usually on the front of the helmet and can provide some much needed airflow on a hot ride. They can be closed for cold weather or rides in the rain. Many people feel they are unnecessary on a helmet of this size and for that reason, you see them less and less in the half helmet market. If you are searching for a half helmet with all the features, I would recommend taking a look at the Pit Boss. With a drop down visor, speaker pockets and a neck curtain, it is one of the most feature loaded half helmets on the market.

Safety

The DOT certification is the bare minimum of safety standards. All helmets after 2013 must display the DOT certification on the back of the helmet to comply with state laws, where such laws exist. The helmet must have 3/4" of protective foam, a hard outer shell and a chin strap attached with solid rivets. There are a lot of helmets in this category that meet this criteria. Obviously, because of the helmet design, there is no protection for the lower portion of your skull or your face. Have you ever watched a motorcycle race and seen a rider in a half helmet? Of course not! Their focus is on safety in the event of an accident. If safety is your primary concern, this probably isn't the style of helmet for you. For many riders, it is worth the trade off. That is a decision that you have to make on your own.

Check Out Our Pick For The Best Low Profile Half Helmet