Choosing a motorcycle helmet can feel more confusing than it should. Half, 3/4, full-face: they all look different, but what actually matters is how you ride. A full-face helmet protects the most, no question. But if you mostly ride around town on a scooter or a retro bike, an open-face helmet might fit your life better. Here's how the three types compare, so you can pick the one that suits your riding.
The right choice depends on how and where you ride. Use the table below for a quick comparison, then read on for the detail.
| Half helmet | 3/4 (open-face) | Full-face | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Covers | Top of the head | Top, sides and back of the head | Entire head, including chin and face |
| Face and chin protection | None | None | Full |
| Overall protection | Lowest | Moderate | Highest |
| Airflow | Maximum | Very good | Good (varies with vents) |
| Weight | Lightest | Light | Heaviest |
| Visibility and hearing | Best | Very good | More limited |
| Best for | Short, low-speed city rides | City, scooter, cruiser, casual riding | Highway, touring, sport riding |
Half helmets
A half helmet (often called a "brain bucket" or half shell) sits on the top of your head and leaves your ears, face and the lower back of your head exposed. Most don't include a visor, so you'll want eye protection such as goggles or sunglasses.
Pros
- The lightest and smallest option
- The most airflow, which helps in hot weather
- The best awareness of traffic sounds and surroundings
- Usually the most affordable
Cons
- The least protection of the three styles
- Nothing covering your face, jaw or ears
- More wind noise at speed
Helmet retailers regularly point to research showing that riders in half-coverage helmets were more than twice as likely to suffer head injuries as riders in full-face helmets. That doesn't make a half helmet pointless, since a helmet is far better than no helmet, but it does mean you should be honest with yourself about your riding speed and conditions.
Best for: short, low-speed rides around town, scooters and e-bikes, and riders who put comfort and style first.
3/4 (open-face) helmets
A 3/4 helmet, also called a jet helmet or open-face helmet, covers the top, sides and back of your head, including the base of the skull and your ears. It leaves the face open, with no chin bar.
Pros
- More coverage than a half helmet
- Lighter and less enclosed than a full-face
- Feels open and less claustrophobic
- Easy to talk, drink or take a quick breath of air
- Pairs well with goggles or a visor
Cons
- No chin bar, so your face and jaw are exposed
- Less protection than a full-face, particularly in front impacts
- Less protection from cold, rain and bugs
Best for: city commuting, scooters, cruisers and café racers, and relaxed riding at moderate speeds.
Full-face helmets
A full-face helmet covers your entire head, with a solid chin bar and a visor or face shield. It's widely accepted as the most protective style. Studies commonly cited by helmet makers suggest that roughly a third of crash impacts land on the chin-bar area, which is exactly the part open-face helmets leave uncovered.
Pros
- The highest level of protection
- Shields your face from wind, rain, debris and insects
- Quieter at highway speeds
- Better cold-weather protection
Cons
- The heaviest style
- Can feel hot and enclosed in summer
- More restricted hearing and peripheral vision
Best for: highway riding, long-distance touring, sport bikes and anyone who rides fast or in all weather.
What about modular, off-road and dual-sport helmets?
Some guides list six or more helmet types. The other three you'll see are:
- Modular (flip-up): a hybrid with a hinged chin bar that opens like a 3/4 helmet and closes like a full-face. Convenient for touring, though the hinge adds weight and some designs offer slightly less structural integrity than a single-piece shell.
- Off-road (motocross): a full-face-style helmet with an extended visor and large chin bar, built for dirt riding and maximum airflow, usually worn with goggles.
- Dual-sport: a blend of street and off-road styling for riders who do both.
How to choose: match the helmet to your ride
Daily city commute or scooter ride at lower speeds. A 3/4 helmet is a strong choice. It gives meaningful coverage without the heat and weight of a full-face. A half helmet is workable for the shortest, slowest trips.
Cruiser or café racer around town. A 3/4 or half helmet suits the look and the pace of the ride. Many riders go for retro styling here.
Highway, touring or sport riding. Go full-face. At higher speeds, the extra protection and reduced wind noise matter most.
Hot climate. A half or 3/4 helmet breathes best, but never trade away too much protection for comfort. Look for vents and a removable, washable liner.
Cold or wet climate. Full-face or modular helmets handle weather far better.
Whatever you choose, check your local helmet laws. Rules about helmet type and certification vary by country and state.
Check the certification before you buy
A helmet's safety rating matters more than its style. Look for a certification label, such as DOT (United States) or ECE 22.06 (Europe and many other countries), inside or on the helmet. Some riders also look for Snell or SHARP ratings. Be cautious about novelty helmets that don't state a standard, and always read the product description and labels carefully. Buying a certified helmet in a style that fits how you ride is better than buying the most protective style and not wearing it.
Getting the fit right
A helmet only protects you if it fits properly.
- Measure your head. Wrap a soft tape measure around your head about an inch above your eyebrows and ears, at the widest point.
- Check the size chart for the specific helmet. For example, our built-in-goggles open-face model uses M (57-58 cm), L (59-60 cm), XL (61-62 cm) and 2XL (63-64 cm).
- Snug, not painful. The helmet should feel firm all around, and your cheeks should move slightly when you move the helmet.
- Test the strap. The chin strap should be tight enough that you can fit only a finger or two under it.
- Shake test. With the strap fastened, try to roll the helmet forward and sideways. It shouldn't shift easily or slide over your eyes.
Our open-face picks for city and scooter riding
We don't currently stock full-face helmets, so our range focuses on open-face styles for city, scooter and café racer riding. If you ride at highway speeds or tour long distances, we'd recommend choosing a full-face helmet from a specialist maker. If your riding is mostly urban and relaxed, these are worth a look.
- Retro Half Helmet – Matte ABS Shell, Unisex, Cement/White/Black (from $39.99): minimalist half helmet with a clean matte shell, in sizes M to XXL. A simple, affordable choice for short city hops.
- Women's Printed Half Helmet – Lightweight, ABS, All-Season (from $44.99): a lightweight half helmet in printed designs for riders who want more than plain black. Great for scooter and city bike riders.
- Retro Open-Face Half Helmet – Lightweight, Universal Fit (from $59.99): vintage café racer styling with a lightweight build, in a wide range of colour options.
- Open-Face Motorcycle Helmet – Built-in Goggles, ABS Shell (from $74.28): includes retractable built-in goggles, so you don't need to buy separate eye protection. Available in 11 designs.
- Retro Open-Face Motorcycle Helmet – ABS Shell, Removable Liner (from $89.99): open-face style with a removable liner, sizes M to 2XL.
- Retro 3/4 Open-Face Motorcycle Helmet – ABS Shell, Café Racer Style (from $139.52): our fullest-coverage option, with more coverage over the sides and back of the head than a half helmet.
Frequently asked questions
What is the safest type of motorcycle helmet?
A full-face helmet is generally considered the safest style because it protects the whole head, including the chin and face. Among open-face styles, a 3/4 helmet covers more than a half helmet.
Is a 3/4 helmet safer than a half helmet?
In terms of coverage, yes. A 3/4 helmet protects the sides and back of the head, including the ears and base of the skull, which a half helmet leaves exposed. Neither protects the face or jaw.
Are half helmets legal?
It depends on where you live. Many places require helmets to meet a certification standard such as DOT or ECE, and some restrict certain styles. Check your local regulations before buying.
Which helmet is best for scooters and city riding?
For most urban riders at moderate speeds, a 3/4 helmet is a good balance of coverage, weight and airflow. Lower-speed riders sometimes choose a half helmet for its lighter weight.
Do I need goggles with an open-face helmet?
Most half and 3/4 helmets don't include a visor, so you'll need eye protection. A helmet with built-in retractable goggles is a convenient option.
How do I know what helmet size I need?
Measure your head circumference about an inch above your eyebrows, then compare it with the size chart for the specific helmet, because sizing varies between models.
The bottom line
There's no single best motorcycle helmet, only the best one for how you ride. Full-face gives the most protection, a 3/4 helmet balances coverage with comfort, and a half helmet is the lightest and most minimal choice. Pick the most protective style that you'll actually wear on every ride, make sure it's certified and fits well, and add eye protection if it doesn't include a visor.