# Best adventure and dual sport helmets for road and dirt Source: https://lidandvisor.com/best/best-adventure-motorcycle-helmets Publisher: Lid & Visor. Picks are chosen from what each Amazon listing states, not from hands-on tests. Method: https://lidandvisor.com/how-we-pick An adventure helmet has to do two jobs. On the highway it should behave like a touring full face, with a sealed shield and a peak that does not catch the wind. On a dirt road it should open up for airflow and take goggles. The picks below all use a peak, but they differ a lot in shell material, weight and how the face opening works. Two are modular, so the chin bar flips up at a fuel stop. One is a carbon shell with no weight figure on the listing. Bell and Scorpion sit near the bottom of the price range, while Arai, Shoei and Schuberth sit near the top. This guide compares each helmet on the facts its Amazon listing states: the safety standard it meets, what the shell is made of, the weight if given, the sizes, and the shield and visor setup. Where a listing is silent, the table says Not stated. Fit still matters more than any spec, so check the brand size chart and head shape before you buy. ## Picks ### 1. Shoei Hornet X2 Adventure Motorcycle Helmet Certification: DOT FMVSS 218, Snell M2020D; Shell material: AIM+ multi-fiber composite; Weight: 3.99 lbs (size M); Sizes: Not stated; Pinlock/Visor: CNS-2 shield system, V-460 peak visor A full face dual sport helmet with an AIM+ multi-fiber shell and a stated weight of 3.99 lbs in medium. It suits riders who want a Snell-rated helmet that runs on pavement and dirt roads. What the listing offers: - The listing states both DOT FMVSS 218 and Snell M2020D, the widest certification list in this group. - A stated 3.99 lbs in size medium gives a real number to compare against the heavier modular picks. - Upper, rear and neck vents plus a large lower intake and defroster are listed for airflow off-road. Limits to know: - The listing does not say whether the shield is Pinlock ready, so check before planning an anti-fog insert. - The size range is not stated on this listing, so confirm your size on the Shoei chart first. ### 2. ScorpionEXO AT960 Modular Adventure Street Motorcycle Helmet with Bluetooth Ready Speaker Pockets DOT ECE Approved Solid (Matte Black - X-Large) Certification: DOT, ECE 22.06; Shell material: Polycarbonate; Weight: 1858 g / 4.09 lbs (size M); Sizes: Listing is size X-Large; Pinlock/Visor: Everclear fog-free shield, removable peak A polycarbonate modular adventure helmet with a removable peak, Everclear shield and 50 mm speaker pockets. It suits budget-minded riders who want a flip-up ADV helmet with DOT and ECE 22.06. What the listing offers: - DOT and ECE 22.06 are both listed at roughly a third of the price of the Schuberth modular. - The peak visor removes for highway touring, and block off plates are included for that setup. - The listing gives 50 mm speaker pocket size and a 5 year warranty. Limits to know: - A stated 4.09 lbs in medium is heavier than the Shoei Hornet X2 in the same size. - The polycarbonate shell is the basic material in this group, compared with composite and carbon picks. ### 3. Arai XD-5 Mojave Sage Helmet Large Certification: DOT FMVSS 218; Shell material: Shell with Super Fiber forehead belt; Weight: Not stated; Sizes: Not stated (listing is Large); Pinlock/Visor: VAS-A shield and side pods Arai's adventure helmet with the intermediate oval interior shape, a VAS-A face shield and three configurations. It fits riders with a neutral head shape who want to switch between peak, shield and goggle setups. What the listing offers: - The listing states three distinct configurations, so one helmet can be set up for pavement or trail days. - Arai lists its intermediate oval interior fit shape, which helps riders match the helmet to head shape. - The forehead area of the shell is reinforced by a Super Fiber Belt, according to the listing. Limits to know: - No weight is given on the listing, which makes it hard to compare against the Shoei or Schuberth. - Only DOT FMVSS 218 is listed here; the listing does not mention Snell or ECE ratings. ### 4. Schuberth E2 Modular Adventure Motorcycle Helmet (Gloss White - X-Large) Certification: DOT FMVSS 218; Shell material: DFP fiberglass reinforced with basalt; Weight: Approx. 4.3-4.4 lbs (XS-L), 4.7 lbs (XL-3XL); Sizes: XS-3XL (listing is X-Large); Pinlock/Visor: Adjustable, removable peak A flip-up adventure helmet with a fiberglass and basalt shell, a removable peak and prewiring for the Schuberth SC2 intercom. It suits long-distance riders who want a modular with a peak. What the listing offers: - The chin bar flips up, which suits riders who stop often for fuel, photos or border checks. - Prewired for the SC2 communication unit, so adding an intercom does not mean routing your own wires. - The listing states a 5 year manufacturer warranty and customizable pad thickness for sides, back and cheeks. Limits to know: - At a stated 4.7 lbs in XL to 3XL, it is the heaviest helmet here in larger sizes. - The listing does not say if the shield is Pinlock ready or whether a sun visor is fitted. ### 5. BELL MX-9 Adventure MIPS Helmet, Matte Black, Medium Certification: DOT FMVSS 218, ECE 22.06; Shell material: Not stated; Weight: Not stated; Sizes: 3 shell sizes (listing is Medium); Pinlock/Visor: Not stated The lowest priced pick here, with a MIPS slip-plane liner, three shell sizes and speaker pockets. It suits new adventure riders who want DOT and ECE 22.06 marks on a tight budget. What the listing offers: - At about $250, it is the cheapest way into an ECE 22.06 and DOT certified adventure helmet in this guide. - The listing describes a MIPS slip-plane layer meant to address rotational forces in certain impacts. - Three shell sizes and integrated speaker pockets for a Bluetooth unit are listed. Limits to know: - Shell material and weight are not stated, so comparing it with the composite picks is guesswork. - The listing does not describe the shield, Pinlock readiness or the peak. ### 6. KLIM Krios Pro Adventure Motorcycle Helmet ECE/DOT Size XL - Matte Black Certification: ECE/DOT (per title); Shell material: Full carbon fiber, hand laid; Weight: Not stated; Sizes: Listing is size XL; Pinlock/Visor: Not stated An adventure helmet with a hand laid full carbon fiber shell and Koroyd liner structures. It suits riders who want a carbon ADV lid with both ECE and DOT marks and do not mind a thin listing. What the listing offers: - The only full carbon fiber shell in this guide, with resin distribution tuned for weight, per the listing. - The title lists both ECE and DOT, which matters if you ride or travel outside the US. - Koroyd structures sit in the liner, the listing says, alongside the carbon shell. Limits to know: - The listing gives no weight, so you cannot check the carbon saving against the Shoei or Bell. - Shield, Pinlock and peak details are missing from the listing; check the KLIM product page. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.