6 Best Dual Sport Helmets

When looking at the best Dual Sport helmets available to suit the type of riding you do, there are a few factors to consider.

If you’ve ever worn a motocross-style helmet and goggles for any distance on the road, you’ve realized that Moto/off-road helmets aren’t designed for high-speed road use.

You’ll get a neck workout if you ride for too long due to the peak (or visor), and there is the extra noise that comes through due to the large eye port and extra ventilation needed for off-road use.

Enter the Dual Sport and Adventure helmets, designed specifically for use both off and on-road.

The obvious addition to the purely off-road helmet is the face shield, something that is essential on the road but can be too hot and claustrophobic on tight lower-speed trail riding.

Traditionally a Dual Sport or Adventure helmet is not going to be as well ventilated as an MX style helmet, they are going to have a little more weight, and they are not going to be as comfortable on the street as a purely street bike helmet.

So you are giving up a little of the creature comforts on either side to achieve a compromise of a helmet you can use for both.

Quick Summary

Pushed for time? Here’s a quick look at the Top 6 Best Dual Sport Helmets being reviewed here:

1. Bell MX-9 Adventure Helmet with MIPS – Top Pick
2. Arai XD4 Dual Sport Helmet – Best Of The Best
3. Fly Trekker Dual Sport Helmet – Best Bang For Buck
4. Klim Krios Karbon Adventure Helmet – Best Lightweight ADV helmet
5. Shoei Hornet X2 Dual Sport helmet
6. Scorpion EXO-AT950 Dual Sport Modular Helmet

Prices range from $150 to $650, so we have the best budget helmet through to the best of the best.

How To Choose The Best Dual Sport Helmet For You

One of the first things to ask yourself is: how much of your riding is on road, and how much off-road?

A good dual sport helmet is designed to do both, but there are features to look for when selecting a dual sport helmet that will be more suited to one than the other.

Top 3 Things To Consider:

1. Impact Protection:

Obviously, the first requirement of any motorcycle helmet is to protect your brain – you only get one. The good news is that with the latest technological advances in safety and design, you get a lot of the features of the top-of-the-line helmets filtering down to the entry-level helmets at around the $200 mark.

A good example of this is the Bell MIPS technology in the MX-9. (At No. 1 in this review)

2. Ventilation:

Something that is very important in off-road riding with slower speeds and more physical exertion. Generally the more vents the better for dual sport helmets, and closable.

Having said that, if you live in a warmer climate, and most of our riding is off-road you will probably never close them. I never have.

3. Weight:

The lighter weight helmet is something that is desirable for off-road use. For some riders this is a top priority, others not so much. The Klim Krios Karbon (at No. 4 in this review) is the lightest dual sport helmet available today.

You have to take into account though, what sacrifices in safety have been made to achieve the weight saving?

Other Desirable Features To Look For:

Padding on the inside of the chin guard
Cut-outs in the lining to accommodate a Bluetooth communication system
Vents that can be opened and closed
Large eye port for good off-road visibility and to fit goggles
Good sound insulation at highway speeds
Built-in tinted drop-down sun shield
Emergency Cheek Pad Release System

Here are what I consider the 6 Best Dual Sport Helmets, compiled from my experience of over 30 years of racing and riding dirt bikes of all types.

1. Bell MX-9 Adventure Helmet with MIPS

Bell has been making top quality motorcycle helmets for decades. They introduced the first full-face helmet back in 1966.

I’ve owned Bell helmets since the early ’80s with the Bell Moto 3. (Recently re-released – refer Bell Moto 3 Helmet review for more on this classic retro).

The MX-9 Adventure is Bell’s first foray into dual sport helmets and is designed for riders that spend an equal amount of time on the road as they do in the dirt. It’s a 50/50 dual sport helmet that draws technology from both their street and off-road lines.

The MX-9 now comes with the revolutionary MIPS. MIPS is an innovative Multi-Directional Impact Protection System that is designed to allow small amounts of shell movement in rotational and angular impacts and reduce the sudden stopping motion of the brain within the skull.

In other words, it’s basically a low-friction membrane between the helmet liner and the helmet foam that allows for a controlled amount of rotation, which helps disperse some of the energy that would otherwise be directed into your head. More about it in the video below.

MIPS is a truly revolutionary step forward in technological advances in helmets.

The newly designed MX-9 comes with other new features like the polycarbonate shell which replaces the old composite materials.

The Velocity Flow Vent system gives good ventilation, vital for off-road roading.

An EPS-lined chin bar and padded chin strap are other nice features.

Swapping the face shield is easy, just remove the two toolless visor screws and it pops right off. It can easily be done trailside if you wanted to switch to a different tint or use goggles. Bell offers 10 different shields in a wide range of colors and tints.

The face shield is thicker to compensate for the large eye port and fairly flat to avoid distortion in vision around the chin guard. This has meant that there is a small return at the bottom of the shield to seal against the helmet. This only becomes an issue with the shield partially raised but has made the shield more rigid. There are two part-open indent positions.

The helmet comes with a clear shield. Goggles can be used without having to remove the face shield.

The visor has two positions of adjustment by removing a top screw and is in a good neutral position which allows plenty of airflow between the visor and helmet.

But like any dual sport helmet, it can create some buffeting at high speeds. It can easily be removed for street riding if you are doing a long street ride.

The channeled moisture-wicking liner is removable for washing and keeping the helmet fresh, essential and common on most helmets now.

At 1,680 grams (3.7 pounds) it is not as light as a motocross helmet, and about 40 grams heavier than the Arai XD4, but doesn’t feel heavy when riding.

The new MX-9 reminds us that Bell is still a powerhouse in the industry, and proves that a quality dual sport helmet doesn’t always have to come with a huge price tag.
The low $200 price range makes this entry-level helmet excellent value for money.

Sizes: XS, Small, Medium, Large, X Large, XX Large, XXX Large.

Features:

MIPS Multi-Directional Impact Protection System for dramatically improved rotational impact energy displacement
Lightweight polycarbonate shell
3 shell and EPS sizes
Integrated face shield for more comfort when road riding with 2 stop positions
Velocity-flow ventilation system for cooling and comfort
Moisture-wicking, removable/washable air-channeled comfort liner
EPS-lined chin bar
Adjustable mouth vent to regulate your air-flow
Padded chin strap with D-ring closure and strap keeper
Five-year warranty
DOT and ECE certified
Weight: 1,680 grams (3.7 pounds)

Pros:

Lightweight
MIPS
Large eye port fits most goggles

Cons:

Slight distortion in vision on the lower edge of the shield
Only the chin vent is closable. All others are always open

2. Arai XD4 Dual Sport Helmet

The Arai XD4 is widely regarded as the best street/dirt crossover helmet that money can buy. It’s at the upper end of the price range, but you know you’re getting the best in terms of features, and safety.

The new Arai XD4 is best suited to the intermediate oval head shape. The new shell shape provides better aerodynamic stability at higher speeds, an important factor for the road riding section of your adventure rides.

This can be a problem with a lot of other Dual Sport helmets while road riding. They’re not so comfortable on the higher-speed road sections.

The ventilation of the XD4 is excellent. The airflow has been nearly doubled with the new top-diffuser-vent ports, the new side cowl vents, and a new chin vent that has more intake ports.

Combine this with the new brow vents at the top of the XD4 face shield and you have all the airflow you need, especially important for off-road riding at slower speeds. All vents can be opened and closed easily with gloves on.

The face shield is of good quality and props open in a couple of positions. It is relatively flat compared to a lot of helmets, which means there is less distortion of your vision.

The peak can even be adjusted up or down while you’re riding. No screws to mess around with for adjusting the position. It can be removed completely with a coin inserted into the 4 screws.

The viewport is large enough to be able to wear goggles if you choose while riding off-road. A good option to have when riding at slower speeds in some tricky terrain.

A unique feature is the ability to customize the fit with the patent-pending FCS (Facial Contour Support) cheek pad design. It uses an exclusive 5mm peel-away custom-fit layer.

All the internal lining is removable and replaceable and made of a wicking material that draws sweat away from your skin.

The weight of 1642 grams means it isn’t the lightest helmet available, but Arai would argue that it needs to be this weight to offer the safety levels that they demand. The helmet doesn’t feel heavy because the weight is well-balanced.

There are recesses at the sides internally to fit a Bluetooth communication system if you choose.

The XD4 is now debuting the Emergency Release Cheek Pad Release System. It is the very first emergency release cheek pad design, developed to allow easier access to an injured rider.

The cheek pads slide out easily via the integrated pull-tabs built into the underside of the cheek pad. This makes helmet removal much easier for trained medical personnel.

Sizes: XS, Small, Medium, Large, X Large, XX Large.