You may already be familiar with full-face helmets and 3/4 open-face helmets. They are both viral types of motorcycle safety helmets, but they both lack the low weight and compactness of half-face helmets. That’s right if you are looking for the lightest and smallest possible head protection out there, then you have no other choice than to wear a half-shell helmet. They have a low-profile shape and usually weigh only half of what a full-face helmet weighs.
Half helmets leave 50% of your head open, so you can enjoy the wind and sunshine during a ride. Logically, this type of helmet is only suitable for lower speeds and certain types of bikes. Also, your ears will be left unprotected from incoming noise, so they are not good for Bluetooth communication or listening to music on the go.
In this review, I am going to show you the 10 best motorcycle half helmets that you can buy in 2021. Most of these helmets are pretty affordable, as they only cost about $200 or less. They all come with DOT certification, so you don’t have to worry about safety. So, let’s not waste any more time and take a good look a them!
List of the Top 10 Motorcycle Half Helmets
If you have been wondering, “What is the absolute best half-face motorcycle helmet out there?” then you will get an answer! I have decided to create a comparison chart of the top-rated half helmets that not only look very good, but that also provide high levels of comfort and head protection. These helmets will make you look stylish on your Harley or cruiser, as well as on any other motorcycle. They provide excellent airflow and they are also very compact, so you can put them into any kind of small bag or backpack. So, if you are looking for a cool half helmet with no mushroom look, then keep reading!
1. Bell Pit Boss Half Helmet Review
There is only one half-face helmet that is both cheap and super-good at the same time and it is called Pit Boss. At a price of slightly above $100, you will only pay a fraction of what premium helmets usually cost. Also, you will get a ton of features and the thinnest form factor possible. Bell is famous for manufacturing modern and good-looking motorcycle helmets that are not as expensive as helmets of some other brands, but their quality is excellent.
Shell Design & Protection
The Bell Pit Boss half helmet has a low-profile aerodynamic shell and it is DOT approved for safety. There are three different materials used in the shell: kevlar, carbon, and fiberglass. The helmet comes in two shell sizes (MD and LG) and it is available in many colors and finishes. You can choose from matte black and gloss black colors, or even some interesting graphic designs. The helmet is pretty light as it only weighs around 2.4 lbs (1,1 kg). Yes, there are even lighter helmets in this category but they are also much more expensive. The Bell Pit Boss helmet has an intermediate oval shape and it comes with 5 year warranty, which is phenomenal at this price point.
Face Shield & Visor
As with most half-face helmets, the Bell Pit Boss helmet comes with a removable peak visor that is attached to the helmet with a couple of aluminum screws. It is very small, yet it can provide some sun protection if needed. What is much more interesting about the helmet is the fact that it comes with a built-in drop-down sunvisor that you can simply pull out of the helmet. It offers 100% UVA and UVB protection against sun rays, which means that you don’t have to use any type of sunglasses with this helmet.
Interior & Comfort
The Bell Pit Boss helmet is very comfortable to wear. Thanks to its Speed Dial adjustable fit system, you can fine-tune the internal size of the helmet, so it can fit exactly as you want it to fit. This feature, which you will usually find on a bicycle helmet, can be operated by turning around a wheel, which then increases or reduces the circumference of the interior. The comfort liner is very soft and it feels nice to the touch. It is moisture-wicking and has antibacterial properties. There is a removable neck curtain that can be used in colder weather. Another great feature of the helmet is speaker pockets, which will make it possible to use a Bluetooth communication device with this helmet.
The Verdict:
As you can see, I wasn’t exaggerating. The Bell Pit Boss half helmet comes with so many features that it can put some of the higher-tier helmets to shame. What I like the most are the easy-to-use internal sunvisor and the extremely practical adjustable fit system. It is one of the most comfortable motorcycle helmets on the market, and you don’t even have to pay that much money for it. So, if you want to own a good all-around half-face helmet and you would like to save some bucks as well, then look no further and check it out! The only slight disadvantage is its lower head protection when you compare it to some other motorcycle helmets.
Pros: Great Visibility, Sun Protection, Removable Neck Curtain, Adjustable Fit System, Efficient Speaker Pockets, Extremely Affordable
Cons: Safety Concern
2. Sena Cavalry Bluetooth Half Helmet Review
The Sena Cavalry is a half helmet that is somewhat different than all other helmets on our list. It is the only helmet that comes with an integrated Bluetooth device that is mounted directly onto the helmet. It uses the Sena’s 10R unit, which is one of the best-selling motorcycle Bluetooth headsets of all time. On top of that, it is also a great all-around motorcycle helmet that offers many extra features at a relatively affordable price ($300).
Shell Design & Protection
The shell of the Sena Cavalry half helmet has a typical shape that most other helmets in this category have. It has a clean, low-profile design, and it also offers DOT certification. On the left side of the helmet, you will find the main module of the Bluetooth device with control buttons. All cables and mics are hidden in the internal EPS liner of the helmet, and therefore the device is installation-free and good to go out of the box. The exterior of the helmet is made from a premium fiberglass composite material that is both lightweight and durable. The helmet weighs only 2.3 lbs, it has an intermediate oval shape, and it is available in 2 shell sizes.
Face Shield & Visor
Unfortunately, the Sena Cavalry Bluetooth half helmet doesn’t come with any sort of eye protection. There is no face shield or internal sunvisor built into the helmet. It does have a removable peak visor, which is a big plus as it can block some sun and, more importantly, it can reduce the wind noise coming into the helmet.
Interior & Comfort
The interior comfort liner of the Sena Cavalry helmet is fully removable and washable, and it is of a pretty high quality compared to some other half helmets. When you remove the internal liner, you will find an inner EPS padding that doesn’t have any cut-out channels for improved ventilation. Even without the cutouts, the helmet is well-ventilated, and you won’t have any sweating issues while wearing it. Arguably the most interesting feature of this helmet is its noise-reduction system. It consists of two types of attachable earpiece inserts that can be inserted into the gaps on the sides of the helmet and that will cover your ears. This will allow you to use the Bluetooth device at higher speeds. These accessories are included when you buy the helmet.
Without a doubt, the Sena Cavalry is an extraordinary motorcycle helmet. It is equipped with a high-end Bluetooth headset that is very slim and looks sleek. The intercom system is easy to use, has a long range and it can connect up to 4 riders. The helmet comes with many extras out of the box, and it remains super light even with all of the accessories attached to it. I recommend taking a look at this helmet, as it is the only good half helmet with integrated Bluetooth available on today’s market. The only thing I don’t like is the lack of an internal sunvisor.
Pros: Aerodynamic design, Extremely light, Very comfortable, Integrated Bluetooth, A lot of accessories included, Good value
Cons: No drop-down sun visor, Comes only in black
3. LS2 Rebellion Half Helmet Review
LS2 is a motorcycle helmet manufacturer that is renowned for making decent helmets that come at unbeatable prices. This statement is true when we talk about the Rebellion half-helmet. It costs only about $120, so it is one of the least expensive helmets on our list, yet it delivers in almost all departments.
Shell Design & Protection
To be honest, what I like the most about LS2 helmets is their design. I don’t know why, but I like every single one of the helmets made by this brand. They look so modern and attractive in their specific way. The Rebellion half helmet has a stealthy look and it is available in multiple colors, finishes, graphics, etc. And let me tell you, the finish is top-notch! The helmet weighs around 2.5 lbs and it comes in 2 shell sizes. It has an intermediate oval shape, so it won’t fit that well for round heads. It is DOT certified and therefore it will provide good enough protection in most situations.
Face Shield & Visor
The LS2 Rebellion helmet is equipped with a peak visor that is attached to the shell by two thumb screws and a little bit of glue. The peak is removable and replaceable in case you crash it, but the helmet is not supposed to be used without it. The LS2 Rebellion half helmet comes with a built-in drop-down sunvisor that can be manually pulled down from the upper part of the eye port area. The visor is interchangeable, and you can choose from multiple different tints and color options. It has a scratch-resistant coating, and it also offers UV protection, so your eyes will be safe while wearing this helmet in sunny weather.
Interior & Comfort
The very first thing that I want to talk about and that makes this helmet extremely comfortable is its ventilation system. Not many half-face helmets have some air vents on them, but the LS2 Rebellion is an exception. It has a large intake vent in front of the shell and an additional exhaust vent in the lower back. Both of these air vents will provide sufficient ventilation during those hot summer rides. Other than that, there are two cut-away channels in the EPS liner, so the fresh air will be able to cool down the scalp of your head.
The interior comfort liner is fully removable and washable, and the fabric is hypoallergenic with moisture-wicking properties. The chin strap is equipped with a quick-release mechanism that is both reliable and easy to use, even with gloves on your hands. The helmet comes with a pair of inserts that can be snapped on the inner sides of the chin strap and that will act as speaker pockets.
The Verdict:
I am truly delighted by the features of the LS2 Rebellion helmet. It’s a good-looking half-face helmet that offers enough protection and high amounts of airflow. The LS2 Rebellion is the best-ventilated half helmet out there, and you will simply love it during the hot summer months! If it was a little bit lighter and the peak visor was removable, it would probably be the number one helmet on our list.
4. Scorpion Covert 3-in-1 Helmet Review
The Scorpion Covert is a very special motorcycle helmet. It offers modularity, and you will not only be able to use it as a half helmet but also convert it into a 3/4 helmet or a full-face helmet by attaching a face mask (muzzle). On top of that, it looks super cool, and you will attract a lot of eyes while wearing it. The helmet costs about $200, and it is a good value for money in my opinion.
Shell Design & Protection
The Scorpion Covert 3-in-1 helmet features an aggressive futuristic design that reminds me of some kind of jet pilot helmet. It has the iconic logo on the front of the shell, which all other Scorpion helmets have. The material used in the outer shell is called advanced LG polycarbonate, which you can find in most motorcycle helmets in this price category. The inner part of the shell consists of a dual-density EPS liner, which is the industry standard. The helmet is DOT-approved, and it is one of the safest helmets on the market. It weighs around 2.9 lbs as converted into a full-face helmet, and it comes in multiple shell sizes.
Face Shield & Visor
As you can see, the helmet comes with an integrated drop-down sunvisor, which is always a good-to-see feature on a half-face helmet. The Scorpion Covert helmet doesn’t have a peak visor, but I think that it doesn’t need one. The SpeedView internal sunvisor is equipped with the EverClear coating, and it is an anti-fogging technology that works great even without a pin-lock. The face mask, that comes in the box with the helmet can be attached using neodymium magnets, and you can easily remove it by pressing buttons on the sides of the helmet. The mask creates a seamless look with the face shield, and it makes a nice seal against wind and rain. The vision is pretty good even with the mask on.
Interior & Comfort
Inside the helmet, you will find the KwikWick II liner, which you can take off for washing. It is made from an antimicrobial and moisture-wicking fabric that is designed to absorb sweat and keep you dry during warm summer days. The material is very soft and comfortable, yet extremely durable. The helmet also fits great, and there are no pressure points. Ventilation is provided by multiple cutouts in the face mask and additional intake vents on the top of the shell. The Scorpion Covert is a well-vented helmet, and you will have no problems in hot weather.
The Verdict:
The Scorpion Covert is truly an outstanding motorcycle helmet. No matter what configuration you will use, it will serve you well. It is fully viable as a full-face helmet, as well as an open-face/half helmet. The ventilation is excellent and it also offers very high levels of comfort. Unfortunately, there is one small issue about the helmet. It is a little too noisy when compared to other helmets in this sub-category. Also, don’t expect it to be as safe as most full-face helmets on the market.
Pros: Dual density EPS liner, Proprietary advanced LG polycarbonate shell, Aero-tuned ventilation system, SpeedView internal tinted sun visor
Cons: Higher noise level
thanks for reading!!…