Choose a helmet for your riding, your head shape and the approval required for its intended use. Start with the exact model’s current approval documents, then compare fit, comfort and practical features. A higher price, a particular shell material or a familiar size label is not enough on its own.
Helmet comparison: what to check
| Comparison point | What to check before buying |
|---|---|
| Standards and certification | Read the helmet’s approval label and the manufacturer’s current documents for the exact model and market. Do not rely on styling or a generic range description. |
| Road or off-road use | Confirm suitability for your intended use. For road riding, check the applicable road-use requirements. For practice or competition, check the venue, organiser and governing body’s current rules as well. |
| Shell construction | Compare the stated shell material, available shell sizes and the weight quoted for the size you need. Do not treat carbon, composite or thermoplastic labels as a safety ranking. |
| Ventilation | Compare intake and exhaust arrangements, whether vents can be adjusted, cleaning access and compatibility with your riding conditions. Vent count alone does not establish cooling performance. |
| Fit and sizing | Use your measured head circumference and the exact model’s size chart, then try it on. Compare head shape, cheek-pad contact, pressure points and stability with the strap secured. |
| Everyday practicality | Check goggle or visor compatibility, field of view, fastening instructions, liner care and manufacturer-approved replacement parts. |
Understanding standards and certification labels
UN ECE R22-06 is a helmet type-approval standard, not a model-by-model league table. The UK Department for Transport’s SHARP guidance states that, from January 2024, manufacturers can obtain approval for new designs only under UN ECE R22-06. This statement concerns approval of new designs; it should not be read as a blanket statement about every older helmet or every riding situation.
SHARP explains that an ECE approval label includes an E in a circle with a number identifying where approval was granted, followed by approval information. The approval sequence beginning with 06 identifies R22-06. The label also identifies the helmet type: J for jet or open-face, P for a protective chin-bar helmet and PJ for a system or modular helmet. Check the full label and documentation rather than just an exterior sticker.
Do not assume every helmet within a brand or range carries the same approval. Confirm the exact model, version and market specification. If you see other certification marks, ask what they cover and verify their relevance to your intended riding; do not assume they substitute for the approval you need.
R22-06 should not be used here to claim that one named helmet is safer than another without comparable model-specific evidence. Where an independent rating exists, check the exact tested model and the assessment details. Approval, fit and intended use are separate checks.
Road riding versus motocross and off-road use
A motocross appearance does not establish road approval, and road approval alone does not establish acceptance at a particular race. Before buying, identify whether you will ride on the road, at a practice venue, in competition or in a combination of settings.
For road use, verify the helmet’s current approval and the requirements in the country where you will ride. For off-road practice and competition, check the current helmet rules with the organiser or governing body, including any required markings. If your route includes public-road sections, check those requirements separately. Do not assume an off-road-only helmet is suitable for those sections.
Shell construction: compare the whole helmet
Product specifications may describe thermoplastic, composite, fibreglass or carbon-based shells. These descriptions help identify construction, but they do not by themselves establish relative protection. SHARP advises riders not to judge a helmet by its outer-shell material alone.
Compare the exact size’s stated weight, the manufacturer’s shell-size information, comfort and any credible model-specific test results. If a weight is quoted without a size, ask which size it represents. Prioritise a secure, comfortable fit rather than choosing on material or headline weight alone.
Ventilation and equipment compatibility
Compare the ventilation layout and controls against the conditions you ride in. Check whether your goggles fit the eye opening and sit correctly, whether your view is clear and whether any liner-care instructions suit regular use. Keep vents clear according to the manufacturer’s instructions; SHARP notes that blocked vents cannot work effectively.
Do not infer that more vents necessarily mean better cooling. Look for relevant manufacturer information or comparable testing, and check comfort with the equipment you actually wear. Use only accessories and fitting arrangements approved by the helmet manufacturer.
How to measure and choose a size
- Use a flexible tape to measure around the fullest part of your head, just above the ears and across the forehead. Keep the tape level and record the circumference in centimetres.
- Compare that measurement with the current size chart for the exact helmet model. A medium in one brand may differ from a medium in another. There is no universal centimetre-to-size chart suitable for every helmet.
- If your measurement falls between sizes, follow the manufacturer’s advice and try the relevant sizes. Do not choose a loose helmet simply because your preferred size is unavailable.
- Put the helmet on correctly and secure and adjust the chin strap following its instructions. Wear it for several minutes to check for uncomfortable pressure points.
- With the strap secured, gently rotate the helmet side to side. For a full-face helmet, your cheeks should move with the helmet while maintaining firm, comfortable cheek-pad contact. Check forward and backward movement too. It should not slip independently around your head.
- Check retention with assistance: with the strap fastened and your head tilted forward, have someone carefully attempt to roll the helmet forward from its rear lower edge. If it can roll off, it is not an acceptable fit.
- Repeat the checks with your goggles, glasses or other approved riding equipment. If you cannot achieve a secure, comfortable fit, try another model or head shape rather than relying on a different size label alone.
Before you buy or ride
Verify each product’s current approval documents, label, intended-use guidance and size chart. Ask for clarification if a listing and the manufacturer’s documentation differ. Follow the manufacturer’s fitting, inspection, care and replacement instructions, and check event rules before competition. Popularity and sales figures are not evidence of protection or suitability for an individual rider.
Sources and further reading
- SHARP: ECE R22-06 and approval labels
- SHARP: Get the right fit
- SHARP: Do not judge a helmet by its outer-shell material
- SHARP: Helmet care
Guide prepared November 2026. Always recheck current manufacturer documentation and relevant riding requirements before purchase and use.