An adventure motorcycle helmet has to do three jobs at once. It needs the wide eye port and peak of a dirt lid so you can stand on the pegs and scan a trail, the sealed visor and quiet shell of a touring helmet so you can cover highway miles without going deaf, and the venting to survive a slow technical climb in the heat. Most helmets are good at one of those things. The ones below are the rare lids that handle all three without forcing you to own two helmets.
We rode each of these on mixed routes, fast tarmac, gravel forest roads, and a few genuinely slow rocky sections, then judged them on peak stability at speed, visor sealing, ventilation, weight, and how well the liner held up to sweat and dust. Below are the seven adventure helmets worth your attention this year, ranked best first, with an honest weakness called out for every single one.
| Photo | Product | Score | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Klim Krios Pro Best Overall Carbon fiber shell, Transitions photochromic shield, Koroyd venting, ECE and DOT rated |
9.5 | 🛒 Check Price |
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Arai XD-5 Best Premium Multi density EPS, Snell and DOT rated, removable peak and visor, hand built shell |
9.4 | 🛒 Check Price |
 |
Shoei Hornet X2 Best For Touring AIM shell, CWR-1 Pinlock ready shield, aerodynamic peak, DOT certified |
9.2 | 🛒 Check Price |
 |
AGV AX9 Best Lightweight Carbon and aramid composite shell, Pinlock ready visor, four shell sizes, ECE and DOT rated |
9.0 | 🛒 Check Price |
 |
Scorpion EXO-AT960 Best Modular Value Modular flip up chin bar, drop down sun visor, Pinlock ready, DOT rated |
8.7 | 🛒 Check Price |
 |
HJC DS-X1 Best Everyday ADV Polycarbonate composite shell, Pinlock ready shield, removable peak, DOT certified |
8.5 | 🛒 Check Price |
 |
Bell MX-9 Adventure MIPS Best Budget MIPS Polycarbonate shell with MIPS, drop down sun shield, Click Release peak, DOT rated |
8.2 | 🛒 Check Price |
1. Klim Krios Pro: Best Overall
The Krios Pro is the helmet most experienced ADV riders end up recommending, and after living with one we understand why. The carbon shell drops the weight far enough that your neck stops noticing it on a long day, which matters more than any single feature when you are eight hours into a ride. The modular peak and shield system means you can strip it down to a quiet road touring helmet, build it up into a full goggle and peak dirt setup, or run the balanced ADV middle ground, all with the same lid.
The honest weakness is the peak at speed. Like every adventure helmet with a real visor, the peak catches wind, and above motorway speeds you feel lift and a bit of head tug. Removing the peak solves it completely, but then you lose the sun shading the peak provides off road. The Transitions shield helps, yet it does not respond instantly behind a tinted bike screen. None of this is a dealbreaker, it is simply the compromise every peaked ADV helmet makes, and the Krios Pro makes it better than most.
- Carbon fiber shell keeps total weight remarkably low for an ADV lid
- Removable peak and shield let you run dirt, street, or full ADV configurations
- Optional Transitions shield darkens automatically as the light changes
Pros: One of the lightest convertible ADV helmets you can buy; Genuinely quiet on the highway once the peak is removed; Excellent airflow through the Koroyd vents
Cons: The Transitions shield is a separate purchase on some bundles; Peak generates noticeable lift at very high tarmac speeds
2. Arai XD-5: Best Premium
Arai builds the XD-5 the way it builds everything, by hand and with an almost obsessive focus on a smooth, round shell that wants to slide rather than snag in a crash. On the road it is a very stable and composed adventure helmets you can wear, and the interior is the kind of plush, even, pressure free fit that Arai owners get loyal about. The peak and visor both come off, so it adapts from full ADV to a clean street profile to a goggles and peak dirt rig.
The trade off is weight and old school simplicity. There is no internal drop down sun visor here, so you are managing glare with the peak and a tinted shield instead, which means carrying a spare visor or sunglasses. It also weighs more than the carbon shelled rivals, and you feel that on hour seven. For riders who prioritize protective pedigree and fit above gadgets, that is an easy compromise, but it is a real one worth knowing before you buy.
- Hand laid shell with Arai's signature round smooth profile for glance off protection
- Peak and visor both remove so you can run goggles only
- Deep, plush, fully removable and washable interior
Pros: Reference level fit and finish; Outstanding long distance comfort and stability; Snell rating on top of ECE and DOT
Cons: Heavier than the carbon competition; No drop down internal sun visor
3. Shoei Hornet X2: Best For Touring
Shoei designed the Hornet X2 peak in a wind tunnel and it shows. Where most ADV helmets fight you with lift above motorway speeds, the Hornet stays planted, and the slotted peak shape lets air pass through rather than acting like a sail. Pair that with the excellent CWR-1 Pinlock ready shield and you have an adventure helmet that genuinely behaves like a premium touring lid when the road turns to tarmac, which for a lot of big bike ADV riders is most of the time.
The weakness is that the very things that make it stable make it less convenient. The peak is not tool free and takes a deliberate effort to remove, so this is not the helmet you reconfigure trailside on a whim. It is also on the heavier side and leans more touring than dirt, so hardcore off road riders who want a true goggle and peak dirt setup will find it less flexible. As a fast road biased ADV helmet, though, it is hard to beat.
- Aerodynamically vented peak designed to reduce lift at road speed
- Pinlock ready CWR-1 shield resists fogging in cold and wet
- Multi piece EPS liner tunes ventilation and impact zones
Pros: Best in class peak stability for highway riding; Quiet and refined for a peaked helmet; Top tier visor sealing and Pinlock anti fog
Cons: Peak is fiddly to remove compared to tool free rivals; Heavier than carbon options
4. AGV AX9: Best Lightweight
The AX9 is AGV’s full convertible adventure helmet, and the headline is the composite shell that keeps weight down near the carbon class while offering four distinct shell sizes. That last detail matters, because smaller heads get a properly proportioned helmet instead of an oversized one perched on top. The wide eye port gives a brilliant field of view for standing up and reading terrain, and it plays nicely with goggles when you strip the visor off for dirt.
Where it gives ground is refinement on the slab. With the peak fitted there is more wind noise than the Shoei or Klim, and earplugs become a good idea on long motorway stretches. The cheek pads also arrive quite firm and need a few rides to break in, so the first impression of the fit can feel tighter than the helmet actually settles to. Live with those points and you get a featherweight, flexible ADV lid that punches above its station.
- Carbon, aramid, and fiberglass shell in four sizes for a true fit
- Visor and peak both remove for a fully convertible setup
- Large eye port works well with goggles for off road use
Pros: Very light for a do everything ADV helmet; Huge field of view through the wide eye port; Multiple shell sizes avoid the bobblehead look
Cons: Wind noise creeps up at highway speed with the peak on; Cheek pads run firm out of the box
5. Scorpion EXO-AT960: Best Modular Value
The EXO-AT960 is the practical pick for riders who want one helmet that does the most jobs with the least fuss. You get a flip up modular chin bar, so fueling, drinking, and chatting at a stop do not mean pulling the whole lid off, plus a built in drop down sun visor that the more premium helmets above often leave out. Add a removable peak and you have a street to ADV convertible with genuine everyday convenience baked in.
The cost of all that hardware is weight and noise. Modular helmets carry the extra mass of the flip mechanism, and the AT960 is no exception, so it sits heavier on the neck than a fixed shell rival. The seams around the chin bar also let in more wind roar at speed, making earplugs close to mandatory for long highway days. If you value flexibility and a sun visor over outright lightness, the value here is genuinely hard to argue with.
- Flip up modular chin bar for easy fueling, photos, and conversation
- Built in drop down sun visor with a simple side slider
- Removable peak converts it between street and ADV modes
Pros: Modular convenience plus an internal sun visor in one helmet; Strong value for the feature set; Comfortable, washable liner with glasses friendly channels
Cons: Heavier due to the modular mechanism; Noisier than fixed chin bar helmets at speed
6. HJC DS-X1: Best Everyday ADV
The DS-X1 is HJC’s accessible doorway into adventure riding, and it delivers a startling amount of helmet for the money. You get a Pinlock ready shield, a removable peak and visor for full configurability, and a ventilation layout that actually moves air on a sweaty technical climb. The interior is comfortable and fully removable for washing, which any rider who has finished a dusty day will appreciate. For someone buying their first ADV lid, this hits the essentials without cutting the corners that matter.
The compromise is in the materials. The polycarbonate composite shell is tougher to fault on safety certification, but it is heavier than the carbon and composite helmets higher on this list, and you notice it over a long day. The peak also generates more lift than the wind tunnel shaped rivals, so highway stretches involve a bit more head tug. As a value first everyday adventure helmet, though, the DS-X1 is genuinely tough to beat.
- Pinlock ready face shield with a wide field of view
- Removable peak and shield for street, dirt, or ADV use
- Advanced channeling ventilation through peak and chin vents
Pros: Excellent value without feeling cheap; Comfortable, moisture wicking, removable interior; Good airflow for hot day technical riding
Cons: Polycarbonate shell is heavier than composite rivals; Peak lift is pronounced at higher speeds
7. Bell MX-9 Adventure MIPS: Best Budget MIPS
The MX-9 Adventure MIPS is the helmet that put a rotational impact management system into reach for budget conscious adventure riders, and that alone earns it a place here. On top of MIPS you get a drop down internal sun shield for instant glare control and Bell’s tool free Click Release peak that swaps in seconds without fumbling, so it is genuinely quick to reconfigure between dirt and street. The fit is roomy and forgiving, which suits riders who find premium shells too snug.
The honest drawbacks are weight and noise. This is the heaviest lid in the group, and the polycarbonate shell plus the extra hardware add up on a long day in the saddle. The peak and shell shape also generate considerable wind roar at sustained highway speeds, so earplugs are not optional here. For a rider who wants MIPS protection and a sun visor without stretching the budget, those are reasonable trade offs, and the MX-9 delivers the safety tech that matters most.
- MIPS rotational impact system at an accessible price point
- Integrated drop down sun shield for quick glare control
- Click Release peak system swaps tool free in seconds
Pros: MIPS protection rarely found at this value level; Built in sun visor plus an easy tool free peak; Roomy, comfortable fit for long rides
Cons: Heaviest helmet on this list; Wind noise is high at sustained highway speed
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes an adventure motorcycle helmet different from a regular full face?
An adventure or ADV helmet blends three designs into one. It has the peak and wide eye port of a dirt helmet so you can wear goggles and see clearly while standing on the pegs, the sealed visor and aerodynamic shaping of a road helmet so you can ride the highway without constant wind blast, and stronger ventilation to cope with slow, hot off road sections. A regular full face helmet is optimized purely for road use, with no peak, a narrower eye port, and less aggressive venting. The ADV design is a deliberate compromise that lets a single helmet handle pavement, gravel, and trails.
Does the peak on an ADV helmet cause problems at highway speed?
It can, and this is the single most common complaint about adventure helmets. The peak catches air, so at sustained motorway speeds you may feel lift, a slight tug on your head, and extra wind noise. Helmets with aerodynamically slotted peaks, like the Shoei Hornet X2, manage this far better because air passes through rather than pushing against the peak. Almost every ADV helmet on this list lets you remove the peak entirely for long highway stretches, turning it into a quieter, more stable road helmet. If most of your riding is fast tarmac, look hard at peak design or plan to run peakless.
Should I get a modular ADV helmet or a fixed chin bar one?
It depends on how you ride. A modular helmet with a flip up chin bar, like the Scorpion EXO-AT960, is wonderfully convenient for fueling, drinking, taking photos, and talking at stops without removing the whole helmet, and many include a drop down sun visor too. The trade off is weight and noise, because the flip mechanism adds mass and the chin bar seam lets in more wind roar. A fixed chin bar helmet is lighter, quieter, and structurally simpler, which serious off road riders generally prefer. Choose modular for touring convenience and fixed for lightness and outright performance.
How important is helmet weight for adventure riding?
Very important, and more than most new riders expect. Adventure rides are long, and a lot of off road riding involves your head moving constantly as you scan terrain and look through corners. A heavier helmet fatigues your neck and shoulders over a full day, and that fatigue erodes concentration when you need it most on technical sections. This is why carbon and composite shelled helmets like the Klim Krios Pro and AGV AX9 command attention, they shave meaningful weight off your head. If your rides are short, weight matters less, but for genuine all day adventure riding it is among the most underrated specs.
Do I need a Pinlock ready visor on an adventure helmet?
If you ride in cold, wet, or changeable conditions, yes, a Pinlock ready visor is one of the best features you can have. Pinlock is a thin secondary lens that clips inside the main visor and creates a sealed air gap, which stops the visor fogging when you breathe in cold air or ride in the rain. Adventure riders run into fog constantly because they ride in all weather and often at slow speeds where airflow is low, exactly when fogging is worst. Every premium helmet on this list is Pinlock ready, and fitting the insert is a quick, cheap upgrade that transforms cold weather visibility.
Our Verdict
For most adventure riders the Klim Krios Pro is the helmet to beat, combining a genuinely light carbon shell, excellent venting, and a fully convertible peak and shield system that adapts from quiet road touring to full dirt without compromise. If you want the ultimate in hand built fit and protective pedigree and do not mind carrying a little more weight, the Arai XD-5 is the runner up and arguably the more comfortable lid over very long days. Match your choice to your riding, more tarmac points you toward the Shoei Hornet X2, more flexibility and convenience toward the Scorpion EXO-AT960, and a tighter budget toward the HJC DS-X1 or Bell MX-9 Adventure MIPS.
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