Long-distance comfort meets sporty styling in these sports-touring helmets | Tried and tested by MCN

Published: 05 June 2024 Updated: 05 June 2024

Riding a Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally in a sports-touring helmet

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Sports-touring motorcycle helmets, as the name suggests, are a mixture between sporty lids and comfier touring models that take the best bits from each for an aerodynamic, good-looking end result you can easily wear all day.

They take the hard-edged looks and streamlined shell shapes of more extreme sportsbike helmets – which are designed with lap times more than saddle time in mind – and add in useful features like drop-down sun visors and integrated intercoms.

Many adventure bike riders opt to tour in adventure bike helmets, but these road-biased lids are often very similar to sports-touring helmets if you remove the peak.

Riding a Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally in a sports-touring helmet

Sports-touring helmets can also include the sportier end of the flip-front helmet market, for a more extreme commitment to practicality.

Remember that just like other types of helmet, you need to be checking that the relevant safety testing standard has been met (ECE 22.06 now or 22.05 for older stock) and for added peace of mind you can check if a helmet has a Sharp score, too. Find out more about how to choose a motorcycle helmet in our ultimate buying guide.

Here are some of the best sports-touring motorbike helmets the team at MCN has tested recently:

Arai Quantic

Price: From £499.99

www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk

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Tested by Ben Clarke for 3 years, 10,000 miles

"This Arai Quantic looks on the face of it like a pretty normal helmet. The design looks good but is nothing to write home about and there's a new forehead vent combined with the Arai badge but other than that it looks quite unremarkable.

"Where things get interesting, though, is with the ECE marking on the back (said no one ever but bear with me). That's because the Quantic was the first helmet to meet the new and updated ECE 22.06 safety regulation for helmets – although Shoei weren't far behind with the NXR2.

"At 1600g (large shell size) it's not the lightest helmet out there but this isn't noticeable when you're wearing it. The new ventilation system works really well and keeps you cool even when it's roasting hot. I've used the Quantic on the road and track and it's really quiet, even at very high speeds. At £599, it's not cheap and it's £60 more than Shoei's NXR2."

Read what other MCN testers have to say in our full Arai Quantic review

Pros

Modern, low-profile design suitable for sports touring
Exceptional fit and comfort from the first wear
Features a variety of venting options for increased airflow
Quiet performance, especially in sporty riding positions
Built-in recesses for speakers and flat areas for device fitment
Effective nose and chin visors
Comes with a Pinlock anti-fog insert and silicone for visor maintenance
Hand-built in Japan with a high-quality finish

Cons

Brow vent may produce wind noise in upright positions
High price point compared to others on the list
Visor can be tricky to open with thick gloves
The shell is slightly heavier compared to older models
Arai don't add anything seen as a 'concession to safety' so no drop-down sun visor, for example

Comfort

5.0
Visor

5.0
Ventilation

5.0
Noise

5.0
Looks

4.0
Quality

5.0
Value

4.0
Overall

5.0

Weight	1600g
Construction	Peripherally Belted e-Complex Laminate
Chin strap type	Double D-ring
Intercom ready?	Yes
Drop down sun visor?	No
Pinlock?	Yes
Interior	Replaceable brushed nylon liner material
Shell sizes	XS-XL
Warranty	7 years from date of manufacture, 5 from purchase
Sharp score	N/A

Sliding chin and Arai logo brow vents
Three-way vent switch in spoiler
Emergency release system
Wide range of colours and designs

Shoei NXR2 helmet

Price: £364.99 (was £399.99)

www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk

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Tested by Gareth Evans for six months, 4,000 miles

"l think it's a great look, somehow managing to tread the fine line between subtle and stylish, with an aerodynamic twist thanks to the spoiler. But as well as the looks, it's the aeros that make this among the quietest helmets l've worn when travelling at speed. It's versatile in terms of venting too, which has been great for me because I've ridden in all manner of conditions, from frosty drizzle to 40-degree-plus heat.

"A CWR-F2 Pinlock keeps fogging at bay and once I'd learnt to use the vents properly this worked faultlessly. When you're adjusting the vents or indeed operating the visor, you get a real sense of quality in terms of the solidity of the materials and the way they all work together. Inside the shell, the removable liners snap into place with poppers that feel very strong, unlike a lot of cheaper helmets I've tested.

"There are a lot of sizing options, including five outer shell sizes and cheek pads in four thicknesses, which means it's worth getting the helmet fitted properly at a shop rather than buying blind online The strap is secured using a double D-ring and, while l've tried other systems, nothing offers the same simplicity.

"Should the worst happen, there's an Emergency Quick Release System that allows the lid to be removed. Sure, it's not a cheap lid, but if this design is too expensive, there are simpler solid colours on offer starting at a hundred quid less And to top it all off, the Shoei comes with a five-year warranty for additional peace of mind."

Some designs are still 45% off at Sportsbike Shop, making them £289.99 instead of £539.99!

Pros

Stylish design that balances subtlety and aerodynamics with a spoiler for a quiet ride at high speeds
Excellent ventilation adaptable to various weather conditions from cold drizzle to extreme heat
High-quality construction with solid materials that enhance the operational feel of vents and visor
Available in simpler, less expensive colour options

Cons

High cost, though justified by the quality and features offered

Comfort

5.0
Visor

4.0
Ventilation

4.0
Noise

5.0
Looks

4.0
Quality

5.0
Value

5.0
Overall

5.0

Weight	1470g
Construction	Muti-composite shell
Chin strap type	Double D-ring
Intercom ready?	Yes - Shoei Sena SRL-EXT Bluetooth Communication System
Drop down sun visor?	No
Pinlock?	Yes
Interior	Moisture absorbing Quick-Dry interior for added comfort
Shell sizes	XS-XXXL
Warranty	Five years
Sharp score	5/5

Emergency quick release cheek pads
Washable cheek pads, liner and strap cover
Ventilation system

Shoei GT-Air 3

Price: £649.99

www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk

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Tried and tested by Richard Newland for 1,000 miles

"It’s always gratifying to find fault with a product, but that’s a struggle when it comes to the new Shoei GT-Air 3.

"The comfort is superb; the airflow management – both around and through the helmet – is great; the ratchet buckle works well; the visor aperture is big, and the closure, lack of wind whistle, effectiveness of the Pinlock and addition of the internal sun visor all work well in harmony; the removeable and washable lining feels great; the graphics and finishes are classy and well done – and the price tag is right where you’d expect it to be for a product at this end of the quality spectrum.

"A more positive action on the top vent, the alien imprint on my bald head after a long ride, and the slightly fiddly faff when reattaching the visor aside – I’m struggling to find fault with it."

Read our full Shoei GT-Air 3 review

Pros

Superb build quality
Integrated design features
Impressive venting
ECE 22.06 certified

Cons

Quality doesn't come cheap
It's not particularly light

Comfort

5.0
Practicality

5.0
Looks

5.0
Quality

5.0
Protection

5.0
Value

4.0
Verdict

5.0

Construction	AIM multi-composite fibre construction
Safety standard	ECE 22.06
Warranty	5 years

Emergency quick release system
Fully removable and washable interior
Anti-fog anti-scratch internal sun visor
Compact and lightweight steel micro ratchet retention system

HJC i71 Helmet

Price: £229.99

www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk

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Tried and tested by Steve Herbert-Mattick for one month and 400 miles

"The Pinlock visor isn’t the best and can fog up a bit – especially when it’s damp out and you’re stopped at the lights. Ventilation is minimal but effective, and at nearly 1800g for a medium it’s seriously heavy.

"True to its sports touring intentions it works best when you’re sitting upright – a sporty crouch, never mind a full tuck will have you staring straight at the low forehead lining. And the chin strap – especially the side with the D-rings – is annoyingly short, making removing the helmet and putting it back on at a petrol station or services with cold fingers clumsy and awkward.

"And until I ride in it on another bike or two with better screens (or none) than the Tracer, I’ve got a question mark over its quietness.

"But I’m nit-picking. The i71 is seriously impressive for £230, with comfort enough for five-hour ride and beyond, an excellent drop down sun visor and quality construction."

Read our full HJC i71 review

Pros

Has a premium feel
Interior is comfortable from the start
Great drop down sun visor
It has good venting

Cons

It feels fairly heavy
Visor can be slightly foggy
Chinstrap is on the short side

Comfort

4.0
Visor

3.0
Ventilation

3.0
Noise

3.0
Looks

5.0
Quality

4.0
Value

4.0
Verdict

4.0

Weight	1790g
Construction	Polycarbonate
Chinstrap type	Double D-ring
Intercom ready	Yes
Drop down sun visor	Yes
Pinlock	Yes
Warranty	3 years
Safety standard	ECE 22.06

HJ-V12 visor new 3-position opening options
Large vents to increase air flow
Accepts 2nd generation Smart HJC Bluetooth systems

Shark Spartan RS

Price: 284.99 (was £299.99)

www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk

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Tested by Dan Sutherland in 2023

"The RS follows on from the original Spartan, blending the looks of Shark’s track-ready £629.99 Race R Pro Carbon with distance comfort, a wider field of vision, and practicality. Features include a chin curtain, sun visor, and multiple vents. It’s genuinely a hard product to fault and I’ll be using it for many rides to come.

"This is genuinely a very hard product to fault. At 1530g, it’s not the lightest helmet I’ve tried but it doesn’t cause any fatigue, and I will happily continue to wear it long after publishing this review.

"It’s a great helmet that blends sporty road riding with distance touring and is a genuine worthwhile buy. I would avoid the iridium extras though if you want any form of sun protection."

Read our full Shark Spartan RS review

Pros

Sleek, sporty design combined with distance comfort, and minimal wind noise

Cons

Optional iridium visors have minimal impact in sunlight, heavier than some other touring lids on the market

Overall

4.0
Comfort

4.0
Visor

4.0
Ventilation

3.0
Noise

4.0
Looks

3.0
Quality

4.0
Value

4.0

Weight	1530g
Construction	Multiaxial fibre
Chin strap type	Double D ring
Intercom ready	No
Drop down sun visor	Yes
Interior	Removable and washable
Shell sizes	Two
Warranty	Five years
Safety standard	ECE 22.06
SHARP score	N/A

- Just so you know, whilst we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this page, we never allow this to influence product selections - read why you should trust us.

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By Ben Clarke

Deputy Head of Digital (Motorcycling), Ben Clarke began riding (legally) at 21-years-old when he passed his direct access one month before shipping his Yamaha XT660 R to Miami and embarking on a 13,500-mile tour of the USA and Central America. He's worked at MCN for the last six years, riding everything from super nakeds and superbikes to small-capacity electrics and scooters across several continents. In more recent years, he's worked closely with the bike kit team to bring you all the latest news and reviews about the bike-related products we all use every day.

Riding a Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally in a sports-touring helmet