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Best Of · Open-Face

Best Open-Face Motorcycle Helmets

Open-face lids trade chin coverage for airflow, visibility and style, a trade you should make with open eyes: roughly a third of impacts involve the chin area. Within that honest limit, these are the 3/4 helmets we rate, from sealed-shield premium jets to bare-bones classics.

  1. Shoei J-Cruise II
    Shoei · Open-Face

    Shoei J-Cruise II

    8.2

    The premium open-face: a proper sealed shield, sun visor and comms integration give the J-Cruise II full-face refinement with open-face airflow and visibility.

    DOT ECE 22.05
    Price
    $549
    Weight
    1397 g
    Shell
    Multi-Ply
    Read review
  2. Bell · Open-Face

    Bell Custom 500

    7.2

    The classic three-quarter: a genuinely low-profile fiberglass shell in five sizes that nails the retro look, accepted trade-off being the minimal coverage of any open-face.

    DOT ECE 22.06
    Price
    $170
    Weight
    1000 g
    Shell
    Low-profile
    Read review

Frequently asked questions

Are open-face helmets legal?

Yes, a certified open-face (DOT or ECE) is street-legal everywhere a helmet is required. Legal is not the same as equivalent: an open-face leaves the chin and face unprotected by design.

Who should buy an open-face helmet?

Mostly low-speed urban riders, cruiser riders and anyone who simply will not wear a full-face. If that is you, a premium jet with a full wrap-around shield (like the Shoei J-Cruise II) restores most of the weather and eye protection.