Best Motorcycle
Touring Helmets
2025 Guide — Modular, Full Face & Adventure
After 15+ years of touring and thousands of miles across Scotland, Europe and the USA, I've worn a lot of helmets. The right lid makes or breaks an 8-hour day in the saddle. Here's what I actually recommend.
Andy's Top 10
Shoei Neotec 3
£639
The benchmark modular touring helmet. Whisper-quiet at motorway speeds with outstanding ventilation and the most comfortable fit in the premium segment. Andy's top recommendation for multi-day touring.
Weight
1,850g
Noise
Very Quiet
Safety Certs
ECE 22.06, Sharp 5-star
Touring Comfort
Key Features
- → Integrated sun visor
- → Pinlock 120 included
- → Sena SRL3 Bluetooth ready
- → QSV-2 quick-release visor
Pros
- Exceptionally quiet
- Supreme comfort over long days
- Best modular chin-bar mechanism
Cons
- Premium price
- Heavier than full-face-only options
Shoei GT-Air 3
£549
Shoei's pinnacle touring full-face. Superb ventilation for desert heat, integrated sun visor, and Pinlock-ready. The quietest full-face in this segment.
Weight
1,490g
Noise
Very Quiet
Safety Certs
ECE 22.06, Sharp 5-star
Touring Comfort
Key Features
- → Integrated drop-down sun visor
- → Pinlock 120 EVO lens
- → Sena SRL3 ready
- → Multi-density EPS
Pros
- Excellent ventilation
- Superb noise isolation
- Wide field of vision
Cons
- Premium price
- Limited colour options
AGV Sportmodular Carbon
£799
The lightest modular touring helmet on the market. Carbon shell construction saves significant weight over long touring days. Ideal for riders who prioritise reduced fatigue.
Weight
1,350g
Noise
Quiet
Safety Certs
ECE 22.06, DOT
Touring Comfort
Key Features
- → Full carbon shell
- → Integrated sun visor
- → Pinlock ready
- → MIPS-compatible EPS
Pros
- Exceptional lightweight
- Premium carbon construction
- Outstanding ventilation
Cons
- Very expensive
- Polarising fit — try before buying
Schuberth C5
£549
German engineering at its finest. The C5 is the choice for riders who value acoustic comfort above all else. Schuberth's proprietary aerodynamics eliminate buffeting at highway speeds.
Weight
1,650g
Noise
Very Quiet
Safety Certs
ECE 22.06, Sharp 5-star
Touring Comfort
Key Features
- → Schuberth SRC-System ready
- → Micro-lock closure
- → Anti-fog Pinlock included
- → Climate control liner
Pros
- Absolutely silent at speed
- Superb aerodynamics
- Integrated Schuberth intercom-ready
Cons
- Round oval fit — not for all head shapes
- Expensive
- Limited peripheral vision
Klim Krios Pro
£699
Premium adventure helmet built for serious long-distance adventure touring. The Krios Pro combines off-road capability with touring comfort — exceptional for Route 66's varied terrain.
Weight
1,380g
Noise
Average
Safety Certs
ECE 22.06, DOT, SHARP 4-star
Touring Comfort
Key Features
- → Carbon fibre construction
- → Integrated sun visor
- → Removable ADV peak
- → MIPS liner system
Pros
- Exceptionally light for an ADV helmet
- Versatile on/off-road capability
- Outstanding ventilation
Cons
- Peak creates noise at highway speeds
- Very expensive
- Limited to US market standards primarily
BMW System 7 Carbon
£749
BMW's flagship carbon modular. Designed in partnership with Schuberth, the System 7 Carbon offers class-leading noise suppression and seamless integration with BMW's communication systems.
Weight
1,600g
Noise
Very Quiet
Safety Certs
ECE 22.06, DOT
Touring Comfort
Key Features
- → Carbon fibre shell
- → BMW ConnectedRide compatible
- → Integral sun visor
- → Anti-fog Pinlock included
Pros
- Class-leading noise suppression
- BMW integrated intercom
- Superb build quality
Cons
- Only available through BMW dealers
- Very expensive
- Fit suits BMW riders best
AGV K6 S
£299
Outstanding mid-range full-face with class-leading ventilation. Lightweight, wide visor, excellent airflow through the chin bar and top vents. Well-suited to long summer touring days.
Weight
1,240g
Noise
Quiet
Safety Certs
ECE 22.06
Touring Comfort
Key Features
- → Integrated extractors
- → Pinlock ready lens
- → Emergency Quick Release system
- → Removable/washable interior
Pros
- Very lightweight for the price
- Wide field of view
- Excellent ventilation
Cons
- No integrated sun visor
- Louder than premium models
- Narrower oval fit
Nolan N87
£199
The best-value modular helmet on the market. Nolan's N87 offers real touring convenience at a genuinely accessible price. A solid first modular for any rider.
Weight
1,750g
Noise
Average
Safety Certs
ECE 22.06
Touring Comfort
Key Features
- → Integrated sun visor
- → Nolan N-Com ready
- → Quick-release chin bar
- → Removable/washable interior
Pros
- Excellent value
- Integrated sun visor at this price
- Good build quality
Cons
- Heavier than premium models
- More road noise
- Ventilation less effective in heat
Shark Ridill 2
£129
The best budget helmet for new tourers. French brand Shark delivers ECE-certified protection at a price that leaves budget for the rest of your kit.
Weight
1,400g
Noise
Loud
Safety Certs
ECE 22.06
Touring Comfort
Key Features
- → ECE 22.06 certified
- → Quick-release visor
- → Removable/washable liner
- → Wide panoramic visor
Pros
- Excellent price
- ECE certified
- Lightweight for the price
Cons
- Louder than mid/premium models
- No sun visor
- Ventilation could be better
Caberg Tourmax X
£219
Excellent value adventure/touring crossover. The Tourmax X offers a modular chin-bar, ADV peak, and integrated sun visor — everything a touring adventure rider needs at a sensible price.
Weight
1,900g
Noise
Average
Safety Certs
ECE 22.06
Touring Comfort
Key Features
- → Flip-front chin bar
- → Adventure peak
- → Integrated sun visor
- → Pinlock ready
Pros
- Great value adventure helmet
- Modular AND ADV peak
- Good ventilation
Cons
- Heavier than dedicated helmets
- More noise at speed with peak on
- Quality below premium brands
Comparison Matrix
| Product | Type | Price | Weight | Noise Rating | Comfort Score | Safety Cert | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Shoei Neotec 3 | Modular | £639 | 1,850g | Very Quiet | 10/10 | ECE 22.06, Sharp 5-star | Buy |
Shoei GT-Air 3 | Full Face | £549 | 1,490g | Very Quiet | 9/10 | ECE 22.06, Sharp 5-star | Buy |
AGV Sportmodular Carbon | Modular | £799 | 1,350g | Quiet | 8/10 | ECE 22.06, DOT | Buy |
Schuberth C5 | Modular | £549 | 1,650g | Very Quiet | 9/10 | ECE 22.06, Sharp 5-star | Buy |
Klim Krios Pro | Adventure | £699 | 1,380g | Average | 8/10 | ECE 22.06, DOT, SHARP 4-star | Buy |
BMW System 7 Carbon | Modular | £749 | 1,600g | Very Quiet | 9/10 | ECE 22.06, DOT | Buy |
AGV K6 S | Full Face | £299 | 1,240g | Quiet | 7/10 | ECE 22.06 | Buy |
Nolan N87 | Modular | £199 | 1,750g | Average | 7/10 | ECE 22.06 | Buy |
Shark Ridill 2 | Full Face | £129 | 1,400g | Loud | 6/10 | ECE 22.06 | Buy |
Caberg Tourmax X | Adventure | £219 | 1,900g | Average | 7/10 | ECE 22.06 | Buy |
Buying Guide
Modular vs Full Face vs Adventure
Modular helmets give you the convenience of an open-face with full-face protection — ideal for long touring days. Full-face helmets are quieter and lighter. Adventure helmets add visor protection for off-road sections but create more noise at highway speeds.
Noise Is Your Enemy
Wind noise is the #1 cause of fatigue on long touring days. Premium helmets (Schuberth, Shoei) invest heavily in aerodynamics and seal quality. Even £100 invested in a better helmet pays dividends on 8-hour days.
Weight Matters Over Distance
On a day ride, 200g doesn't matter. On day 8 of a 2-week tour, your neck will tell you differently. Carbon helmets cost more but the weight saving across 10+ days is real.
ECE 22.06 vs DOT
ECE 22.06 is the European standard — more rigorous than DOT. In the UK and Europe, stick to ECE 22.06. In the USA, DOT is the minimum legal requirement. SHARP star ratings are an independent UK test — 5-star is excellent.
Andy's View
My helmet of choice for touring is the Shoei Neotec 3. It's the most expensive option here, but nothing else comes close for day-in, day-out touring comfort. The modular mechanism is flawless, the noise isolation is exceptional, and the ventilation handles European summers without issues. If the budget isn't there, the AGV K6S is outstanding value for a full-face.
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