When you’re out riding it’s important to be wearing the best dirt bike helmet you can afford. It’s the helmet that protects your head, brain, face, and neck from injury if you happen to get into a crash.
When it’s your safety at stake, it’s worth it to do the research to find the right gear. That’s why we put together this list of the best dirt bike helmets you can find online.
There are a few things to consider when you’re shopping for the right helmet. Not only should be able to withstand impact, it should be aerodynamic and comfortable to wear.
With so many options to choose from, this helpful guide will make it easier for you to find the helmet. This way you’ll be the most prepared for whatever happens when you’re riding off-road.
Don’t forget to scroll towards the end of this post for a helpful buying guide and FAQ after our recommendations. Otherwise, let’s jump right into it!
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The Best Dirt Bike Helmets in 2023
Here’s a quick look at our top picks for the best dirt bike helmet:
- O’Neal Off-Road 2Series Helmet – This is our recommendation as the best dirt bike helmet overall. It offers great protection, it’s comfortable to wear, and O’Neal is a reputable brand in the dirt bike market. Well-ventilated and equipped with practical features, this is a great choice as a dirt bike helmet.
- Fox Racing V1 Matte Helmet – This is a great choice from Fox, another reputable dirt bike brand. It comes with practical features, including a magnetic visor release system for increased safety when you’re out riding. It also has a unique, matte black look, ideal if you’re looking for something cool.
- AHR H-VEN20 Motocross Helmet – If you’re looking for the best cheap dirt bike helmet, this would be our recommendation. Despite the lower price, it still offers plenty of safety and protection as well as ample ventilation for those warm summer days.
Now that you have a better idea of our top recommendations, let’s take a further look at each of these dirt-bike helmets.
O’Neal Off-Road 2Series Helmet (Best Dirt Bike Helmet Overall)
The O’Neal Off-Road 2Series Helmet is our top recommendation as the best dirt bike helmet overall. This is a lightweight helmet with an ABS shell that both looks cool and will protect your head in case of an impact.
The O’Neal Off-Road 2Series Helmet comes with a number of practical features for dirt bike riding. For starters, it has a lightweight, ABS shell that offers ample protection for your head and face.
On the inside is a removable and washable padded liner. Not only does this make the helmet more comfortable to wear, it helps to wick sweat keeping you cool and ventilated.
Speaking of ventilation, the helmet comes with multiple air vents. This keeps wind flowing through the helmet, keeping your cool and preventing sweat from building up.
Other features worth mentioning include the rubber roost guard, height adjustable visor, and double-d ring release chin strap. Each of these features make the helmet easier and more practical to use when you’re out riding.
Overall, the O’Neal Off-Road 2Series Helmet is inexpensive and our top recommendation as the best dirt bike helmet for most riders. This is a great choice if you’re looking for something affordable that will protect your head and face while you’re riding.
Fox Racing V1 Matte Helmet
Up next we would recommend the Fox Racing V1 Matte Helmet as another great choice if you’re in the market for a new dirt bike helmet. This is another helmet that comes loaded with practical features designed to enhance your riding experience.
To help protect your head, this model comes with an injection molded polycarbonate and ABS shell construction. This is designed to disperse energy in the event of a crash or impact.
Another interesting safety feature is the magnetic visor release system. This means the visor releases in the event of a crash or impact and doesn’t get in the way or cause any injury if you happen to get thrown from the bike.
On the inside is a removable and washable liner as well as cheek pads. These help to provide a better fit while wicking away sweat to keep you cool and dry.
Also helping with ventilation are the 9 intake and 4 exhaust vents. These help to provide a steady air flow for ample ventilation while preventing you from sweating too much or overheating.
The unique, matte-black design of the helmet should also be mentioned. It looks cool and has a unique appearance compared to some of our other recommendations.
Overall, the Fox Racing V1 Matte Helmet is a great choice if you’re looking for something safe and comfortable to wear. It’s well-ventilated, making it ideal for summer and warm weather riding.
AHR H-VEN20 Motocross Helmet (Best Cheap Dirt Bike Helmet)
Look no further than the AHR H-VEN20 Motocross Helmet if you’re on the hunt for the best cheap dirt bike helmet. Despite the price, this one still offers ample protection while being comfortable to wear.
Speaking of protection, the helmet is designed with a lightweight ABS shell. It meets all of the DOT safety standards, so you can relax knowing it’s going to protect your head when you’re out riding.
As for comfort, the helmet comes with a breathable and comfortable liner. It also has a removable and washable ear pad. Both of these improve comfort and help to wick away any excess sweat and moisture.
For ventilation, there is a built-in ventilation system with intake vents and exhaust ports.These further help to keep you cool and dry while you’re riding, especially in warm weather and humid conditions.
The chin strap features a d-ring mechanism, which keeps everything in place when you’re riding. There’s also a small roost guard to prevent rocks and other small debris from flying into your face.
Overall, if you’re looking for a cheap dirt bike helmet, the AHR H-VEN20 Motocross Helmet is a suitable choice. It’s comfortable, well-ventilated, and comes with the basic features you need to keep you safe when you’re riding
HJC CS-MX 2 Helmet
HJC is a well known brand when it comes to quality motorcycle helmets. That’s why it’s easy for us to recommend the HJC CS-MX 2 Helmet as a great choice if you’re looking for a reliable and durable dirt bike helmet.
This helmet is designed with an advanced polycarbonate composite shell. It’s lightweight while offering plenty of protection in case of a crash or impact.
When it comes to ventilation, this one is hard to beat. It features an advanced channeling ventilation system, with both front to back airflow that flushes heat and humidity up and out.
On the inside is a nylex interior. It’s both removable and washable for a better fit and improved comfort.
To help with maximum visibility, the helmet is equipped with a large eye port. This makes it easier to use with a wider range of dirt bike goggles. There’s even a non-slip goggle strap eyeport trim, which helps to keep the goggles in place while you’re riding.
Overall, all of these features make the HJC CS-MX 2 Helmet another great choice as one of the best dirt bike helmets. You’ll definitely want to check it out if you’re looking for something comfortable with lots of ventilation and great features for riding with.
Best Dirt Bike Helmet Buying Guide
With so many different options to choose from when it comes to motocross helmets, it can be difficult to know what you’re looking for. We put together this helpful buying guide to make it easier for you to choose the right model for the job.
Features to Look For
Dirt bike helmets come with a number of different components that need to be considered. Not every helmet is designed with the same features and qualities.
In this section, we’ll take a further look at the pictures of a dirt bike helmet you need to consider. This will make it easier to choose the right one.
Outer Shell
The outer shell is the outer portion of the helmet. It’s a good idea to find one that’s designed using lightweight materials while offering ample protection.
Polycarbonate as well as ABS are the two best materials when it comes to helmet design. These are lightweight while still offering ample protection for your head in case of an impact.
Both of these materials also dispersed energy when they come in contact with something else. This is another helpful feature that protects your head and neck if you’re ever involved in a crash or accident.
Inner Liner
On the inside of most helmets is an inner liner. This liner is usually made with an absorbing foam material and is another feature designed to protect your head.
After the outer shell, it’s the inner liner that continues to absorb energy from an impact. This is a buffer that protects your skull from harder impacts and helps to keep you safe.
All of the best motocross helmets come with a thick inner liner. Look at the photos and check out reviews to see if anybody has any comments about the liner.
Additional Padding
There is usually plenty of additional padding inside a dirt bike helmet. This padding helps to provide a comfortable fit while keeping your head from rattling around.
The padding also wicks away and absorbs sweat, which is a great feature to have on warmer or humid days. It’s important that the padding contours to your cheeks and provides a snug fit with the helmet against your face.
Look for removable and washable padding. This makes it easier to keep the inside of the helmet clean and smelling fresh.
Ventilation
Another feature that helps keep you cool and dry on warmer days is ventilation. When you’re wearing a dirt bike helmet, it’s important that you have adequate airflow.
Otherwise, it becomes possible to overheat or get sweaty and warm while you’re riding. This can be uncomfortable and distracting, which is why ventilation is important.
Look for a helmet that comes with exhaust and intake vents at the front, top, and back of the exterior shell. This allows for wind to blow through while you’re riding, preventing you from overheating and keeping the air circulating for better comfort.
Space for Goggles
Along with a dirt bike helmet, you’ll also be wearing a pair of goggles while you’re riding. Look for options that have plenty of space in the eyeport to accommodate any size goggles that you’re wearing.
If you’re shopping for goggles, check out our post on the best dirt bike goggles. Here you’ll find our top recommendations and some good choices for riding with.
Chin Guard
The chin guard is the area of your helmet that covers the chin and mouth. This protects your face from roost, such as small pebbles and stones thrown up if someone is riding in front of you.
It also protects your face from impact of branches and other debris typically found on trails or off-road. You’ll definitely want a chin guard to protect your face from this debris as well as in case of an accident or impact.
Straps
Chin straps are located at the bottom of your helmet and are used to keep it securely on your head. Without straps, it will likely fall off when you’re riding in rough conditions.
Look for straps that are adjustable with a solid locking mechanism. Some of the best dirt bike helmets also come with emergency release straps, that make it easy to remove in an emergency.
How to Choose the Right Dirt Bike Helmet
Dirt bike helmets are designed differently than standard motorcycle helmets. Check out our post on the best motorcycle helmets if you’re looking for one of them.
These come with different features and other factors to consider when it comes to choosing the right dirt bike helmet. Those of you with experience may already know what your preferences are and what to look for.
Otherwise, you may be looking for a basic element as a new dirt bike rider. In any case, here are some things to keep in mind when you’re choosing a new dirt bike helmet.
Head Size and Shape
The size and shape of your head are one of the main determining factors in finding a helmet that fits. Most will have a sizing chart on the product page to help you find the right size.
Start with measuring the circumference of your head with a flexible measuring tape. Next, compare the measurement to the helmet sizing chart to find the right size.
When you’re browsing helmets, consider comparing the sizing charts for each model. Some of them run smaller or big, so each size could be different depending on the brand.
Safety Ratings
Look for DOT and ECE safety ratings whenever you’re browsing new helmets online. These are safety rating standards that helmets need to pass in order to be considered safe.
To pass these standards, the helmet will go through a rigorous testing process. This should help give you peace of mind knowing that it will withstand a high impact crash and keep you protected.
Ventilation and Cooling
We already mentioned ventilation in the features for you to look for. However, it’s worth mentioning again because of how important it is.
The best dirt bike helmet is going to keep you cool and dry, even in warm or humid conditions. Sweating in a helmet can cause your goggles to fog up, which interferes with your vision and could be dangerous.
A lack of proper ventilation can also lead to dehydration and overheating. This can also be dangerous when you’re out riding in warm conditions.
To avoid suffering from any of these problems, look for something with an adequate ventilation system. You also want to keep an eye out for a quality, sweat absorbing liner on the inside of the helmet.
Technology
While not as common with dirt bike products, some helmets come with Bluetooth technology. Take a look at our post on the best Bluetooth motorcycle helmets to see which of these we recommend.
Although you probably won’t find a dirt bike one, it’s still a feature to look for. As a new rider, it could be distracting, though it’s nice to be able to listen to music or communicate with other riders.
Alternatively, you could invest in a motorcycle Bluetooth headset. This is also a great feature to have when you’re riding.
Maintenance
If you want your helmet to last a long time, it needs to be properly cared for. One main thing to consider is that the helmet should be replaced if you ever get into an accident or drop it more than once or twice.
Hard crashes will lower the integrity of the helmet and it will offer the same protective abilities in a subsequent crash. Dropping it regularly can also break down the outer shell which will cause it to lose its effectiveness.
It’s also a good idea to regularly clean the outside and inside of your helmet. With a removable liner, it’s easy to regularly wash the liner to prevent it from getting gross.
For the exterior, use soap and warm water along with a microfiber cloth to clean the outer shell. This will get dirt off, clear the vents out, and remove any unwanted debris.
FAQ
What helmets do pro motocross riders wear?
Pro motocross riders typically wear full-face helmets that provide maximum protection and coverage.
These helmets offer a chin bar, which protects the rider’s face and chin in case of impact.
They also feature additional safety features such as impact-absorbing liners, ventilation systems, and visors.
Some of the popular brands for motocross helmets include Fox Racing, Bell, and Arai.
Which motor helmet is best?
The best motorcycle helmet is one that provides maximum protection, comfort, and style.
The type of helmet that is best for you depends on your riding style, preferences, and needs.
Some of the popular types of motorcycle helmets include full-face helmets, modular helmets, open-face helmets, and half helmets.
When selecting a helmet, it’s important to consider factors such as safety ratings, helmet shape, ventilation, comfort, and noise level.
Is a dirt bike helmet the same as a street bike helmet?
Dirt bike helmets and street bike helmets differ in design and features.
Dirt bike helmets offer more ventilation, lightweight construction, and extended visors to protect against dirt and debris.
They also provide less coverage than street bike helmets and do not typically offer features such as chin bars or face shields.
Street bike helmets, on the other hand, provide maximum protection and coverage and come in a range of styles, including full-face, modular, and open-face helmets.
It’s important to choose a helmet that is suitable for your riding style and provides adequate protection and comfort.
Finding the Right Dirt Bike Helmet
A high-quality dirt bike helmet is an essential piece of safety equipment for any off-road rider.
When selecting the best dirt bike helmet, consider factors such as safety certifications, fit, ventilation, and weight.
A good dirt bike helmet should offer maximum protection, comfort, and style.
The dirt bike helmets we have reviewed in this post offer a range of features and benefits, including lightweight construction, advanced ventilation systems, and durable construction.
Some of the popular dirt bike helmet brands include Fox Racing, Bell, and O’Neal. It’s important to choose a helmet that fits well and provides adequate protection for your riding needs.
Investing in a high-quality dirt bike helmet is crucial for protecting your head and reducing the risk of injury while riding off-road. With the right helmet, you can ride with confidence and peace of mind, knowing that you are well protected.
So, take your time to research and choose the best helmet for your needs, and get ready to experience the thrill of off-road riding with safety and comfort. With the right dirt bike helmet, you can enjoy your rides to the fullest while keeping yourself safe and protected.
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