1. ARAI XD

Arai XD

The XD is arguably the helmet by which all other adventure lids are judged. The XD4 version has been out for a few years now; it has great airflow (thanks to its nine vents), it’s Snell-certified and of course Arai has a great rep for making quality helmets that feel expensive.

The helmet’s best quality, though, is its fit. Of course, no helmet is a perfect fit for every rider, due to different head shapes, but the XD fits so well that many riders find it the most comfortable out of all the dual sport lids out there. Part of the reason for that fit is Arai’s peel-away pads in the lining; you can add material, or take it away, to make your helmet extra-comfy.

Another nice touch: That brim that’s distinctive to dual sport helmets is usually fixed in place, but on the XD4, it’s adjustable, to allow you to improve your visibility. AraiAmericas.com

MSRP: $640+ (depending on graphics)

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2. SHOEI HORNET DS

 Shoei Hornet DS

Does the Arai XD not fit your head’s shape? If so, your other high-end dual sport helmet option is Shoei’s Hornet, one of the original dual sport helmets when introduced in the mid-2000s. It’s less expensive than the XD, but it’s still a high-quality lid with Snell certification and an optically corrected visor for excellent visibility.

Shoei has a long-standing reputation for making quality helmets that look good and hold up. The Hornet is no exception. Some users don’t like the helmet’s brim, saying it’s not large enough to shield their eyes from the sun. The smaller brim should catch less windblast on the road, though.

The helmet comes with five-layer cheek pads, so you should be able to customize them for the perfect fit. If not, you can buy replacement pads that let you tweak the fit even further. Shoei.com

MSRP: $600+

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3. ICON VARIANT

Icon Variant

Icon has a reputation for selling great helmets at a low price. The Variant is more expensive than some of their street models, but it’s more affordable than offerings from competitors Shoei or Arai. It’s not Snell-certified, but it meets European ECE 22-05 standards along with the usual DOT standard.

While many dual sport helmets come in conservative colors, Icon sells the Variant in several wild paint schemes, as well as standard solid colors. It’s surprisingly quiet, considering how much extra bodywork is bolted to the top of the helmet (along with the dual sport brim, there’s a rear spoiler).

One of the Variant’s best points is the fog-free visor. Icon doesn’t rely on Pinlock inserts to beat condensation; their visors appear to be coated somehow. Whatever the trick is, it works. RideIcon.com

MSRP: Around $350+ (depending on graphics)

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4. AGV AX-8 DUAL EVO

AGV AX-8 Dual Evo

Helmet maker AGV is owned by Dainese, but it doesn’t have the same top-of-the-heap reputation as the parent company (paint quality is improving in recent years, though). Still, this helmet comes in cheaper than other high-end lids, it’s light (1490 grams) and it flows a lot of air, thanks to its 12 vents.

The AX-8 has a large brim, but it’s adjustable, and has a reputation for handling speed well, without catching windblast and twisting the rider’s neck. Like Icon’s Variant, the Dual EVO’s visor is fog-free, and it’s also supposed to be optically correct, with minimal distortion. If you’re style-conscious, it’s hard not to like this helmet’s aggressive lines.

The light weight is probably the Dual EVO’s biggest asset, though; most dual sport helmets, especially the cheaper ones, are much heavier, and that’s especially noticeable after a day on the trails.

One downer: The Dual Evo doesn’t have ear pockets in the lining, so if you want to integrate an intercom system, you’re going to have to do some modifications. Store.AGV.com

MSRP: Around $400

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5. AFX FX-39

AFX FX-39

The FX-39 comes in much cheaper than the other helmets listed, but seems to have many fans. With this helmet, you aren’t going to have high-end fit or finish. However, if you just want a low-priced dual sport helmet, the FX-39 has a rep for decent build quality. There are reports of paint that gets discolored, and we haven’t seen a Pinlock visor option, but that’s to be expected in this price range.

But, the price makes this helmet affordable, especially if you’re scrambling to replace your old lid after a crash, or you just want to save up dough for your road trip. There are a couple nice features, like quick-release buckle and optional flip-down external sun shield.

There are a couple other versions of this helmet being sold under other names (including the Fly Trekker); pricing may differ a little, but you also might not get the exact same fit between models either (the FX-39 runs large), so be careful when ordering. AFXHelmets.com

MSRP: About $150

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