Best Motocross Helmets in 2023 (Reviews and Comparison)

What I Like

Klim does not possess a reputation for flashy designs or high profile sponsorship. What they do offer in the F4 is an ultra-lightweight, cutting edge motocross helmet that offers significantly more protection for the price point. 

The fit is easy to customize, and many riders find that they actually need a size down from what they would normally select because these helmets run large. Best of all, the K4 has exceptional ventilation even for a motocross helmet, and it stays cool even on hot desert rides.

What I Don’t Like

If you are looking for a helmet that makes a fashion statement, this isn’t it. K4s ship with a matte black finish and no graphics. The superior ventilation also comes at the price of a much noisier ride, too. We recommend hearing protection for riders regardless of helmet anyway, but you will definitely want something to dampen the noise of the K4.

What I Like

Motocross freedom-seekers love Alpinestars helmets for their comfort, quiet and ventilation. This all carbon fiber helmet has some of the most comfortable and customizable interior liner pads available, and the chin strap is extra wide for a superior fit. 

Are you a big fan of graphics and designs? Alpinestars has a truly dizzying variety available. Combined with a breakaway visor and excellent ventilation, it’s easy to understand why riders who wear Alpinestars rarely go back to anything else.

What I Don’t Like

Some riders who wear this helmet have complained the front vents clog easily on muddy rides, making them less ideal for riding in rainy conditions or through wet environments. Additionally, this helmet is not SNELL or SHARP tested, which is surprising  given its price point.

What I Like

This is the helmet that many motocross professionals choose for competition gear, and it’s no wonder considering how much engineering has gone into this carbon-fiber upgrade to the Moto 9. The Flex has all the safety features of its predecessor like an internal airbag and magnetic mounted cheek pads, but with significantly less weight. 

The flexible nature of the helmet external shell and internal structure reduces rotational forces on impact, keeping riders safer in a crash. The Moto 9 Flex also has an anti-microbial silver-weave comfort liner, exceptional ventilation, and an interchangeable visor. Best of all, riders who want to make a fashion statement have plenty of options for customization.

What I Don’t Like

First and foremost, this is not a budget motocross helmet. The Moto 9 Flex provides superior safety, comfort and ventilation. No matter what, you are going to pay more for the level of quality and safety this helmet provides. 

Additionally, if you aren’t an intermediate oval fit, you may need to pay extra for a custom fit helmet direct from the factory. Those with other head shapes find this helmet to be uncomfortable even after customizing the internal pads for a better fit.

What I Like

The ATR-2 currently holds the title as the final word in motocross helmet safety. There is no other helmet like it because 6D literally invented the technology it uses themselves. This helmet has superior crash safety for concussive impacts, lateral force impacts and low energy transfer impacts that have potential to cause traumatic brain injuries. 

6D puts rider safety first, and every aspect of the ATR-2 has been custom-built to improve crash safety. The unique tri-layer shell, intermediate and liner layers all work together to dissipate the energy of impacts in any direction for as long as possible. For riders, that means a safe, lightweight, breathable helmet that offers top of the line protection when riding.

What I Don’t Like

Despite the significant engineering that went into designing the ATR-2, it seems they didn’t do much to deal with the road noise problem. For the price (which is significantly higher than other helmets in its class), this helmet is much louder than I would have anticipated. Hearing protection is definitely recommended

What I Like

The first name in Motocross Racing for decades, Fox Racing builds affordable helmets that offer superior performance and protection. The MVRS V3 is their product tier between the introductory model V2 and the high end V4. What do you get with the V3 that’s different from the V2? The carbon fiber and Kevlar composite construction reduce the weight, and additional vents offer improved ventilation. 

Moreover, the Dri-Lex liner helps keep you cool and dry on long off-road rides, and the interchangeable cheek pads provide a custom fit for almost any head shape. The MVRS V3 is a professional motocross riders’ helmet built for the amateur motocross rider’s budget.

What I Don’t Like

Cutting costs often means the design of certain helmets leave something to be desired. Fox Racing doesn’t compromise on safety or comfort, but they definitely took noise dampening off the table with the V3. It’s not the loudest motocross helmet ever, but it doesn’t do much to cut down on engine and road noise while you’re riding.

What I Like

Built for motocross riders by motocross riders, Troy Lee Designs offers the exceptional SE4 Carbon Dirt Helmet. It’s a super lightweight carbon fiber model engineered for aggressive off-road riding. Features like a replacement breakaway visor and integrated MIPS liner impact reduction system come standard, and the carbon fiber/Kevlar shell is built like a tank. 

Best of all, these high end safety features and materials come in a helmet that weighs less than three pounds. The Troy Lee SE4 Carbon Dirt Helmet almost seems too good to be true, but those who ride with one know it’s the real deal.

What I Don’t Like

There isn’t much to criticize about this helmet. The most I can say is that some users with an oval head shape had trouble finding a secure fit, or had to significantly customize their helmet to get a secure fit. 

What I Like

Arai builds top-tier professional grade helmets, and they are uncompromising in their commitment to safety and quality. They may cost more, but they offer more protection and performance than the competition, too. Additionally, the VX-PRO 4 is an excellent choice for riders who have a hard time finding the right size helmet for their head shape thanks to their 7 available shell sizes. If you haven’t had much luck finding a good fit with other brands, you should try an Arai motocross helmet. You may finally find that fit you’ve been looking for.

Where features are concerned, Arai offers the same top-of-the-line safety features found on most other helmets in its class. Cheek pads and the liner are easy to remove, wash and customize as needed. Improved aerodynamics reduce head bobbing at high speed, and ventilation is exceptional as always. All in all, the Arai VX-PRO 4 is a great value with an excellent safety record and plenty of customization options.

What I Don’t Like

About the only negative feedback I can provide for the VX-PRO 4 is that it’s noisy. Motocross helmets generally are, and I always recommend wearing ear protection when riding anyway. That being said, for a helmet at this price point it’s still pretty loud compared to similarly priced helmets.

What I Like

The AVG AX-8 EVO is an adventure helmet that can be custom ordered for motocross or ATV riders. Weighing in at 2.86 lbs., it’s one of the lightest helmets available, and the composite fiber construction provides better safety than most helmets in its class. Sizing is also easy to customize, allowing the perfect fit for any rider. With a plush, moisture-wicking liner, the AVG AX-8 EVO is a total package adventure helmet that functions well for motocross.

What I Don’t Like

One of the problems of designing a multi-purpose helmet is you can’t please everyone all the time. The best you can hope for is that most of your users are happy. That’s the case with the AVG AX-8 EVO: someone is always going to find something lacking about a multi-purpose helmet over a purpose-built model. For motocross, the AX-8 EVO has included face shields that many motocross riders avoid due to the issues with fogging and ventilation. 

Additionally, the noise dampening isn’t very good even by more generous motocross standards, and some riders even stated they could hear whistling through the ventilation system as they rode. Yikes. Always test a helmet for yourself if you can, but these are the drawbacks you should be aware of when considering an AX-8 EVO.

What I Like

A giant of the motorsport industry for decades. Shoei builds top quality helmets that are the envy of their competition. Aggressive looks, high end safety features and near infinite customization options have made them into one of the top brands for motocross riders all over the world. The VFX-EVO is the successor to their revered VFX-W that is still an established motocross icon. The primary change is the integration of their new Motion Energy Distribution System (MEDS) that reduces rotational force during impact and helps reduce the probability of severe injuries. 

In addition to its advanced safety features, the VFX-EVO also offers the greatest variety of sizing available. You are pretty much guaranteed to find the right shape and size for your head when you buy Shoei. Finally, the new VFX-EVO is one of the most comfortable helmets around. The new 3D size and shape profiles Shoei developed since the VFX-W have paid massive dividends in terms of comfort, and the plush, moisture-wicking and antimicrobial liner all make for a comfortable ride at the track or off-road.

What I Don’t Like

As great as these helmets are, be prepared to shell out some serious money to customize one at the factory. Painting and graphics do not come cheap, and you may want to consider buying a plain black or white model and having it customized post-factory. Additionally, some riders who wear neck braces complained of more limited horizontal rotation mobility due to the new helmet shape. 

I would also like to know how this helmet has been out for three years and still does not have a SHARP rating. Don’t get me wrong: this is a great helmet, but it has drawbacks that might make it less appealing to amateurs on a budget.