The Best Modular (Flip-Up) Helmets of 2023

Key Specs

• Price: $270 - $300

• Head Shape: Intermediate oval

• Weight: 4 lbs (1,814 g)

• Safety: DOT and ECE 22.05

• Sizing: XS to 3XL

Our Review

See the complete Scorpion EXO-AT950 review.

Ideal For

• Riders that want a strong value proposition and aren't concerned about having "the latest and greatest"

• Riders that will spend as much time on-road as off-road

Highlights

• This helmet is easy to call the best modular, adventure helmet available for the money. I realize that flies in the face of what I wrote at the outset of this article… but it’s true!

• It can be worn without the visor installed to make room for goggles while doing serious off-road work or remove the sun peak for when you’re doing sport riding. You get a lot of versatility from this safety hat.

Downsides

• May be replaced by the AT960 in late-2023 or early-2024

• Fairly heavy for a dual-sport modular helmet

• Nosier than more premium options

• No integrated intercom or speakers for a bluetooth intercom

Key Specs

• Price: $289.99

• Head Shape: Intermediate oval

• Weight: 3.89 lbs (1,764 g)

  Safety: DOT and ECE 22.05

• Sizing: XS to 3XL

Ideal For

• Riders that want an affordable helmet that also includes a MIPS system onboard.

• All riders, although the helmet is more oriented to touring and standard riding styles

Highlights

• Multidirectional Impact Protection System (MIPS) helps mitigate or outright prevent rotational force injuries to your head

• Aramid and fiberglass shell, a mid-range level construction, at a budget price

• Up to 5mm in liner padding adjustment, a feature usually found in the high end

Downsides

• Only one top vent, even if it is fairly effective

• Chin bar can sit very close for those with protruding or wide chins

• No integrated intercom or speakers for a bluetooth intercom

Key Specs

• Price: $399.95

• Head Shape: Intermediate oval

• Weight: 3.89 lbs (1,764 g)

• Safety: DOT

• Sizing: XS to 3XL

Our Review

See the complete Bell SRT Modular review.

Ideal For

• Riders that want a fiberglass composite helmet without breaking the bank

• In-city riding and some light touring

Highlights

• Fiberglass composite shell gives the SRT good resilience and protection

• Uncluttered design makes it easy to find all the controls you need

• Internal sun visor included

• Easy-release visor mechanism makes changing out shields a breeze

Downsides

• Heavy for a midrange helmet

• Not PinLock ready

• Only 2 shell sizes

• Ventilation is lacking

Key Specs

• Price: $409.95

• Head Shape: Intermediate oval

• Weight: 3.96 lbs (1,796 g)

• Safety: DOT and ECE 22.05

• Sizing: XS to 3XL

Our Review

See the complete Nolan N100-5 review.

Ideal For

• Riders that absolutely must have the best bang for the buck, and value features and comfort as well as safety

• All types of riding, but is aimed more towards the standard and sport tourer styles

Highlights

• High quality materials used in construction, with a durable polycarbonate shell and thick EPS foam and liner

• PinLock lens included in the box for anti-fog use

• Good ventilation

• Quiet and comfortable due to its shape and excellent fitment

Downsides

• Only 2 shell sizes

• Only compatible with Nolan's own comms units

• Must have the chinbar up to put the helmet on

Key Specs

• Price: $379.98

• Head Shape: intermediate oval

• Weight: 3.96 lbs (1,769 g)

• Safety: DOT and ECE 22.05

• Sizing: XS to 3XL

Our Review

See the complete LS2 Valiant II review.

Ideal For

• Riders that want a modular that can be used as an open face, due to the unique chin bar design

• All riders, with LS2 stating it's meant for the "open road."

Highlights

• Unique 180 chin bar rotates all the way to the back of the helmet for open face riding when you want. It is fully homologated in both setups.

• PinLock visor with inserts included in the box

• Large integrated sun visor with ergonomic, easy to use slider mechanism

Downsides

• Fits a size smaller than the LS2 size chart states

• Not easy to add a bluetooth intercom system

• Can feel a little chin heavy with the chin bar down and locked

  
  

Key Specs

• Price: $459.99

• Head Shape: intermediate oval

• Weight: 3.61 lbs (1,637 g)

• Safety: DOT and ECE 22.05

• Sizing: XS to 3XL

Our Review

See the complete HJC RPHA 90S Carbon review

Ideal For

• Riders that want excellent value for the price

• Sport touring and standard style riders

Highlights

• High-end quality at a mid-range price due to the sharing of many components from the top-tier RPHA 11 Pro modular

• PinLock visor with inserts included in the box

• Drop down sun visor included

• Very quiet due to its aerodynamic shape

Downsides

• Fits a smaller than sizing would suggest

• Ready for HJC's proprietary intercom, some modification needed to use other systems

  
  

Key Specs

• Price: $769.00

• Head Shape: Intermediate oval

• Weight: 3.99 lbs (1,810 g)

• Safety: DOT and ECE 22.06

• Sizing: XS to 3XL

Ideal For

• Riders that want a serious, no-frills helmet that is well engineered and made of superior materials

• All riders of any style, though Schuberth suggests that the helmet is best for touring

Highlights

• Direct Fiber Processing fiberglass shell with an innovative multi-sectional EPS foam impact layer underneath

• Superb visibility thanks to an extra-wide viewport

• Intuitive flip-up system that is easy to use with gloves on

• Integrated drop down sun visor

Downsides

• Quite heavy for the price

• Modifications needed to work with intercoms other than the Schuberth SC2

  
  

Key Specs

• Price: $799.99

• Head Shape: Intermediate oval

• Weight: 4.12 lbs (1,450 g)

• Safety: DOT and ECE 22.06

• Sizing: XS to 3XL

Our Review

See the complete Shoei Neotec 2 review

Ideal For

• Riders that want one of the best modular helmets on the market

• Standard and touring styles of riding, although realistically it can do everything but pure sport style

Highlights

• Excellent build quality and materials, as one would expect when each helmet is handmade in Japan

• Very comfortable due to Shoei's excellent fitment that is bang on correct to the sizing chart

• Intercom ready with cutouts and areas prepared for the most common systems such as SENA and Cardo

Downsides

• Matte finish scratches easily

• Strap can be uncomfortable for some due to being a micro-ratchet

• The heaviest modular helmet on this list

  
  

Key Specs

• Price: $859.95

• Head Shape: Intermediate oval

• Weight: 2.85 lbs (1,295 g)

• Safety: DOT and ECE 22.05

• Sizing: XS to 3XL

Ideal For

• Riders looking for a lightweight modular that also provides excellent protection

• All riders, although ADV insists that this helmet is for sport touring and multi-day trips

Highlights

• The lightest modular helmet in the high end market, with three shell sizes available

• Very quiet, as it uses the same aerodynamics as the AGV Pista GP RR Carbon to slice the air instead of push it aside

• PinLock visor and lens included in the box

• Extremely comfortable with excellent padding and materials used

Downsides

• Chin strap is set far back and the padding can move around, leading to chafing

• Chin bar requires a good amount of force to close and lock

• Sun visor is set quite far back in the helmet, can touch larger noses