BUYING GUIDE: FULL-FACE HELMETS

Full-face helmets are the safest, quietest and most widely used helmets. What makes them so special? We found out.

THE ANATOMY OF A FULL-FACE HELMET

Full-face helmets are pretty simple pieces of kit, but the devil is in the detail. Do you want yours to have an internal sun visor or removable liner, for example? Or would you like it to be as light as possible? All of these are possible, but to have everything in one helmet might just push the price up a bit.

SHADES OR SUN VISOR

Some helmets have internal sun visors that can be used whether the main visor is in the up or down position, while others feature an external sun visor or a tinted lens that you can attach to the visor. As a cheap alternative, grab a pair of shades before you hit the road.

CLEAR VISION

Having a Pinlock lens or a similar anti-fogging system on your visor makes a huge difference. Keeping the visor mist-free will make riding easier, safer and more fun.

TWO EYES GOOD, FOUR EYES BETTER

If you wear glasses when you ride, make sure that they fit well under the helmet. You’ll soon regret buying a helmet that constantly pushes your glasses up or down as you’re riding along. It’s also worth checking that the internal sun visor doesn’t catch your specs (if the helmet has one, of course).

FEEL THE WIND IN YOUR HAIR

Good ventilation is essential to keep your head cool in the summer and the visor mist-free in the winter. Vents are usually located in the chin, top of the helmet and at the back.

HEAVY HEAD?

Weight matters. When you’re trying a helmet on, move your head around to see if it feels heavy and if there’s more stress on your neck muscles than you’re happy with.

MATERIALISTIC? TOO RIGHT!

The outer shell of the helmet can be made from various different materials, with the main difference being weight and strength. Polycarbonate, fibreglass and carbon fibre are all popular options, with the latter being the lightest, strongest and therefore the most expensive.

FRESH AS A DAISY

Most new helmets have a removable and washable lining, but it’s best to check before buying. Keeping the lining clean will not only make the helmet less pongy, but also extend its lifespan.