Shoei helmet size chart and shell sizes

Shoei size chart

The table shows Shoei's typical adult sizing. Shoei sizes in centimeters, so measure your head in centimeters around the widest point, about an inch above the eyebrows and just over the tops of the ears. Not every model is made in every size, and some ranges vary slightly by model, so check the chart on the product page for the helmet you want.

Shoei helmets are generally described as an intermediate oval shape, which suits the most common head shape in North America. If you have a long oval head, compare with Arai's size chart, as some Arai models are built longer front to back.

What shell sizes are and why they matter

The size on the label is the inside fit. The outer shell is a separate thing. A brand can make every size from one shell and use thicker EPS and padding for smaller heads, or it can make several shells so a small helmet is genuinely small. Shoei uses multiple shell sizes across its premium full face, modular and adventure helmets.

More shell sizes keep the helmet compact and light for smaller riders and avoid a bulky look. They also mean the EPS liner thickness stays closer to the designer's target in every size. When two adjacent sizes share a shell, the smaller one simply has thicker liners inside.

• Shell count varies by model, so check the specification page for the helmet you want.
• Sizes sharing a shell can feel similar in bulk but fit differently inside.
• Liner and pad sizes are matched to each helmet size, not each shell.

Shoei models and how they fit

Within the brand, most Shoei road helmets share a similar intermediate oval interior, so a rider who fits one usually fits the others in the same size. Differences come from the type of helmet. A modular like the Neotec 3 has a hinge and chin bar mechanism that can change how the cheek pads feel. An adventure helmet like the Hornet X2 has a larger eye port. The race-focused X-Fifteen is built for a tucked riding position, so it can feel different when you sit upright.

If you already own a Shoei and it fits well, the same size in another Shoei is a strong starting point. Read our comparisons for more on individual models: RF-1400 vs RF-SR, GT-Air 3 vs RF-1400 and Neotec 2 vs Neotec 3.

See the Shoei lineup explained →

Fine-tuning fit with cheek pads and center pads

Shoei sells replacement cheek pads and center pads (the crown liner) in several thicknesses for many models. Thinner cheek pads relieve jaw and cheek pressure; thicker ones take up space if the helmet moves. A thinner or thicker center pad raises or lowers the helmet on your head, which changes where the eye port sits and how the crown feels.

Shoei also offers a fitting service through certified dealers, where staff measure your head and swap pads to suit. If you have a Shoei that is close but not quite right, a pad swap is usually a better fix than changing size.

1. 1

   Wear the helmet for 20 to 30 minutes and note exactly where you feel pressure or looseness.

2. 2

   Cheek pressure only: try the next thinner cheek pads for your model.

3. 3

   Helmet sits too low over your eyes: try a thicker center pad.

4. 4

   Pressure on the crown: try a thinner center pad.

5. 5

   Pressure on the forehead or temples: this is shape, not padding, so consider another model or brand.

Note.Only use pads made for your exact model and size. Never trim the EPS liner to make room.

Does Shoei run small or large?

Shoei generally runs true to its own chart, and most riders who measure carefully end up in the size the chart suggests. Where riders get caught out is head shape. A round oval head may feel tight at the temples in a Shoei sized correctly by circumference, while a long oval head may feel pressure at the forehead.

If you are between sizes, try both if you can. Most riders settle in the smaller one, since pads compress with use. For more help, see motorcycle helmet too tight and how a motorcycle helmet should fit.

Frequently asked questions

What size Shoei for a 58 cm head? 58 cm sits at the top of Shoei's medium range on the typical chart. Try a medium first, and a large if the medium causes a pressure point after 20 to 30 minutes.

Do Shoei and Arai sizes match? Both size in centimeters with similar ranges, but the internal shapes differ by model. Use each brand's chart and try both if you can.

Can I buy different cheek pads for my Shoei? Yes, for many models Shoei sells cheek pads and center pads in several thicknesses through dealers.

Is the Shoei size chart the same for every model? The size ranges are broadly the same, but not every model is offered in every size. Always check the model's own chart.