Italian Motorcycle Helmet Brands: AGV, Nolan, Airoh, Suomy, Caberg

The Italian motorcycle helmet brands riders meet most often are AGV, Nolan, Airoh, Suomy and Caberg. AGV is the best known, and it is Italian. AGVSPORT says the name pairs the initials of founder Gino Amisano with Valenza, his hometown.

Pick the helmet type first. Our guide to all types of motorcycle helmets covers full-face, modular, open-face and the rest. Then choose the brand. Some links below are affiliate links, and we may earn a commission if you buy through them.

Five Italian brands side by side

Brand	Founded	Founder	Base	Known for
AGV	1947 (AGV); RevZilla says 1948	Gino Amisano	Valenza	MotoGP and race helmets, K-series street range
Nolan	1972	Lander Nocchi	Brembate di Sopra, Bergamo	Modular helmets, N-Com system, X-Lite and Grex sub-brands
Airoh	1986 (own brand from 1997)	Antonio Locatelli	Bergamo	Off-road and adventure helmets, in-house wind tunnel
Suomy	1997	Umberto Monti, with brothers Valter and Maurizio	n/a	Race-focused helmets
Caberg	1974	n/a	Bergamo	Flip-up and open-face helmets

One caution. The sources describe where each brand comes from. They do not say where every individual model is built. If “made in Italy” matters to you, check the label or the maker’s page for the exact helmet.

AGVSPORT’s list comes from Michael Parrotte, who says he spent 25 years with AGV, including as vice president of AGV Helmets North America. That makes him knowledgeable about AGV and not a neutral judge of it.

AGV, the Italian name most riders mean

RevZilla calls AGV a premium Italian brand and lists Giacomo Agostini, Barry Sheene, Kenny Roberts, Johnny Cecotto, Angel Nieto, Marco Lucchinelli and Valentino Rossi among the racers who wore its helmets. It adds that AGV merged with Dainese in 2007. AGVSPORT says Rossi won nine world titles between 1996 and 2021.

AGVSPORT also credits the company with several firsts:

• The AGV Model 160 of 1954, which it calls the first fiberglass full-face helmet.
• The 2017 Sportmodular, described as the first 100% carbon fiber modular helmet.
• The Pista GP RR, described as the first FIM-approved helmet.
• The K6 of 2020, with a five-density EPS liner.

On ownership, AGVSPORT reports that Dainese, which owns AGV, was sold in 2025 for €1 to its creditors amid about €300 million of debt. The same piece says the company expects day-to-day operations, staff, suppliers and customer service to carry on as normal.

Two videos are worth a few minutes. The Motoworld Philippines clip, titled “AGV K Series Helmets”, walks through the safety, performance and everyday-riding features of the K range.

Video: AGV K Series Helmets 🏍️🔥 | Safety, Performance & Everyday Riding Features Explained (Motoworld Philippines Official)

AMA Warehouse’s video is a review of the AGV K7, pitched in its title as a sport-touring and daily-riding helmet.

Video: AGV K7 Helmet Review 2026 | Best Sport Touring & Daily Riding Helmet? (AMA Warehouse)

AGV K1 Soleluna

This is a graphic version of the K1. The maker’s description says the shell and spoiler were refined after wind-tunnel work on the Corsa R and Pista GP R. The rear spoiler has a passive vent for hot air, and the center intake above the visor is borrowed from the MotoGP-developed Pista GP R. Shop the AGV K1 Soleluna 2017 Helmet. Graphics change from year to year, so check what is still in stock.

AGV K3 SV

The K3 SV takes cues from AGV’s Pista GP and Corsa helmets and from the original K3. It has a small integrated rear spoiler and a short chin bar shaped to cut drag at speed. Speaker pocket cut-outs ease pressure on the ears when you fit Bluetooth speakers. RevZilla lists the K3 SV as having a different shell composition from the standard K3. Shop the AGV K3 SV Helmet.

AGV K1 Dreamtime

The Dreamtime uses the same K1 design as the Soleluna, with the wind-tunnel shell, spoiler vent and Pista GP R-style intake. Only the graphic differs. Shop the AGV K1 Dreamtime Helmet. Cycle Gear’s current AGV catalog lists the K1 and K1 S families, so newer graphics are available.

AGV Pista GP RR Futuro Forgiato

This is the track-day pick. The description lists a forged carbon shell, AGV’s Integrated Ventilation System with five front metal vents and two rear extractors, and four shell sizes across seven helmet sizes. It also has a Visor Lock System and a liner developed with MotoGP riders. It meets FIM racing homologation. AGV’s US homepage shows Pista GP RR versions in mono white, glossy and matt carbon, marked E2206 DOT. It also promotes the Pista GP R3 as the next racing helmet. Shop the AGV Pista GP RR Futuro Forgiato Helmet. AGVSPORT adds that the Pista GP RR has a 360° Adaptive Fit system. For more track options, see our race helmet roundup.

AGV K6

The K6 is AGV’s one-helmet answer for sport and touring. The description lists a carbon and aramid fiber shell, four shell sizes and moisture-wicking liners. AGVSPORT picks the lighter K6 S as its best sport-touring Italian helmet. The author gives its weight as 2.95 lb in size small, measured on his own scales. Shop the AGV K6 Helmet. Cycle Gear lists 11 K6 and 28 K6 S products, and 13 K7 products.

What AGV certifies to

AGVSPORT says AGV helmets are tested to DOT, ECE, SHARP and FIM standards and have no Snell certification. Cycle Gear tags 71 of its AGV listings as ECE 22.06 certified and 7 as FIM 1.0 certified. Both retailers list the range as full-face, modular (Sportmodular Carbon, Streetmodular, Tourmodular), open-face and dirt (AX-9). If you want carbon, our carbon fibre helmet list compares other makers.

Nolan, Airoh, Suomy and Caberg

Nolan

Nolan was founded in 1972 by Lander Nocchi. AGVSPORT describes its range as mid to premium carbon fiber and polycarbonate helmets built around the N-Com communication system. X-Lite and Grex are its sub-brands, the latter aimed at newer riders. The company says:

“Today, Nolan is the only European helmet manufacturer with an integrated fabrication process, ensuring total quality control at every step.”

The features AGVSPORT lists include a one-hand Dual Action chin-guard release, a Safety Visor Lock, the Microlock2 strap, an Eyewear Adaptive cheek-pad cut-out for glasses, and the Nolan Emergency Release System, which lets rescuers pull the cheek pads with the helmet still on. Casey Stoner, Ricardo Tormo and Marco Melandri are named as riders who wore Nolan. AGVSPORT picks the Nolan N87 as its best street helmet for glasses wearers.

Airoh

Airoh started making helmets for other brands in 1986 and launched its own name in 1997. Its R&D department has a wind tunnel and a test lab, and its helmets are used in circuit racing, enduro and motocross. AGVSPORT lists these systems:

• AMS², with silicone elements between two polystyrene layers to absorb twisting forces, in the Commander adventure helmet.
• ASN, a 3-D fabric layer whose two outer walls slide against each other in an impact.
• AMLS, magnets (five in the crown, three in each cheek pad) that hold the washable lining in place.
• AEFR, a red strap for medics to remove the cheek pads quickly.

AGVSPORT names the Airoh ST 501 as its best Bluetooth-ready pick. For headsets that fit any helmet, see our Bluetooth helmet speaker list.

Suomy

Umberto Monti left Yamaha in late 1995 and distributed Bell and later DIC helmets in Europe. In 1997 he founded Suomy with his brothers Valter, a motocross rider, and Maurizio, a nuclear engineer. The brand is known for a fluorescent red dot. It partnered with Ducati in 2000 and took its first world title with Troy Bayliss in 2001. Manuel Poggiali won the 250 GP title in Suomy in 2003. AGVSPORT names the TX-Pro as its best track helmet and lists 210° of peripheral vision for it.

Caberg

Caberg’s name is short for “Caschi di Bergamo”, and it began in 1974. AGVSPORT says its 2025 range meets ECE 22.06. Its milestones include:

• 1992: the 292 Unlimited, which AGVSPORT calls the first Italian flip-up helmet and the second in the world.
• 1998: the Just One, a flip-up with a single-button chin-bar release.
• 2014: the Tourmax, called the first flip-up dual-sport helmet.
• 2023: the Duke Evo flip-up, with ECE 22.06 P/J homologation. AGVSPORT picks it as the best Italian adventure helmet.
• 2024: the Drift Evo II full-face in fiberglass or carbon, with SOS Medical ID, which stores personal data and emergency contacts for rescuers.

Questions riders ask about Italian helmets

What are the best Italian helmet brands?

AGVSPORT ranks AGV, Nolan, Airoh, Suomy and Caberg in that order. RevZilla says it considers AGV among the top premium helmet brands. Treat the order with caution, since the list’s author has AGV ties.

Is AGV Italian?

Yes. AGV was founded in Valenza, Italy, in 1947 per AGV’s own site. RevZilla gives 1948, and AGVSPORT gives 1946. Dainese owns it.

Is AGV or Shoei better?

The sources do not compare them head to head, so there is no sourced winner. AGVSPORT says AGV spans more price points and materials than Shoei or Arai, which makes it easier to find one near your budget. It also repeats that AGV lacks Snell approval. Fit to your head shape and the certification you want should decide it. Our Schuberth C5 vs Shoei Neotec II comparison shows how we handle Shoei against a rival.

Who makes the best motorcycle helmet in the world?

No source names one maker. Our list of 12 trusted helmet brands goes beyond Italy.

Are there AGV helmets with Bluetooth, carbon fiber or other finishes?

Cycle Gear lists 25 AGV carbon fiber products, 29 composite and 37 polycarbonate. Black is the most common color with 83 listings, and green appears in 4. It also lists two Bluetooth accessories and one set of replacement speakers. The K3 SV has speaker cut-outs, per the maker’s description.

Are AGV helmets cheaper in Italy?

None of our sources compare prices between countries, so we cannot say. AGV’s site offers free shipping from €150 and 15 days of free returns. Retailer stock and prices shift often, and Cycle Gear shows 43 AGV products on discount with 39 in closeout at the time of the listing.