Women’s Full Face Motorcycle Helmets: Fit, Weight and Picks

There is no such thing as a helmet designed only for women. Motorcycle News asked its female riders and reached that conclusion, so the filters that matter are size range, shell size, head shape, weight and styling. Those are covered below, followed by six models MCN lists and a closer look at the Arai Corsair-X.

Sizing: where women’s heads and helmet charts differ

MCN says women tend to have slightly smaller heads than men, so a range that starts at XS or S helps. A small from one brand can have a different head circumference from a small at another, so read each maker’s own size chart. Our helmet sizing guide walks through measuring.

The sources give no single average helmet size for women. The closest is the Schuberth C5 chart MCN prints: XS (53), S (55), M (57) and L (59) share one shell, and XL (61) up to XXXL (65) share another.

Two MCN testers, Alison Silcox and Saffron Wilson, said they had to go up a size once ECE 22.06 helmets arrived. If you bought your last helmet before that standard, do not assume the same size.

MCN editor Emma Franklin suggests picking a model with the most shell sizes, naming “four shell sizes, even six” as the better end of the range. The shell is the outside shape. With only two shells, a medium can be as big outside as an extra large, which gives a small rider a bobble-head look.

Two more fit points from MCN:

• A new helmet should feel slightly too snug in the shop, because the padding settles with use.
• Brands use different internal shapes. One MCN rider finds AGV and Schuberth fit her well and Shark and HJC leave room above the crown. That is one head, so try on several brands.

JPCycles’ women’s helmet page filters by head shape: intermediate oval (924 listings), round oval (87) and long oval (44). It also lists sizes down to 2XS (7 listings) and 3XS (3 listings), against 666 listings in XS. Extra-small is easy to find; smaller is rare.

If you buy online, note that Wisconsin Harley-Davidson tells shoppers to try on helmets at a local dealer first. Its women’s helmet page says helmets cannot be returned or exchanged unless they arrive damaged.

Six helmets from MCN’s female riders, side by side

MCN groups its picks by riding style. Figures below are the ones MCN prints. The Schuberth C5 is a flip-front, so it also works open-faced; the other five are fixed full-face designs.

Helmet	MCN category	Weight (g)	Shell sizes	Warranty (years)	Standard
AGV K1 S	Sport	1,500	2	2	ECE 22.06
Shoei NXR2	Touring	1,470	4	5	n/a
Schuberth C5	Flip front	1,660 (+/- 50)	2	5	ECE 22.06
Arai Tour-X 5	Adventure	1,700	3	5	ECE 22.06
HJC V10	Retro	n/a	3	3	ECE 22.06
HJC C10	Budget	1,550 (measured by MCN)	4	3	ECE 22.06

AGV K1 S

MCN’s reviewers liked the fit, low weight, easy visor change and ventilation. They disliked the stiff vents, the lack of a visor lock and a tight fit over glasses. It has a polycarbonate shell and a double D-ring strap, and it is intercom ready. The visor is Pinlock prepared, but the insert is extra. MCN scored it 4.0 overall.

Shoei NXR2

MCN praises its ventilation and build quality, and notes the quiet ride at speed from the spoiler. The one complaint is cost. MCN gave it 5.0 overall and lists a SHARP score of 5/5. It accepts the Sena SRL-EXT Bluetooth system and takes a Pinlock insert.

Schuberth C5

MCN calls it one of the most complete helmets on sale. It is dual homologated for open or closed use, was among the first certified to ECE 22.06 and ships with the Pinlock insert fitted. It has a drop-down sun visor, a fiberglass shell reinforced with carbon fiber and prewired speakers. Complaints are a thin chin-bar release catch, a sometimes stiff sun visor and noise that some riders notice. MCN scored it 4.0. Our Schuberth C5 and Shoei Neotec II comparison covers the modular side.

Arai Tour-X 5

This adventure helmet has a removable, adjustable peak, a Pinlock and speaker cavities. MCN praises its comfort, field of view and ventilation, and says the cheek pads grab Velcro. It scored 5.0 overall.

HJC V10

The V10 has retro styling on a fibreglass shell. It is intercom ready and works with Smart HJC Bluetooth, sold separately. Pinlock is included. MCN’s testers found visor changes slow and the helmet tight to put on, and said it feels slightly budget. Ventilation scored 3.0 and the overall score was 4.0.

HJC C10

MCN’s budget pick has a polycarbonate shell, a ratchet strap and a removable, washable liner. The testers rated it quiet and well ventilated, and scored value 5.0. The visor is a little stiff, and the Pinlock is sold separately.

Arai Corsair-X, the race-shaped option

The Corsair-X is a track-style helmet, and JPCycles lists 24 Corsair-X models, the most of any Arai family on its page. Its main features:

• Impact handling. Arai’s Variable Axis System is meant to redirect energy from glancing blows, so less reaches the head and neck.
• Chin curtain. It keeps turbulent air from entering the helmet.
• Ear pocket. A 5 mm section can be peeled away to make room for a communicator speaker or other audio gear.
• Aerodynamics. Type 12 diffusers work with the Air Wing for stability at speed.
• Liner. Arai’s own liner is fully removable and is meant to resist odor, so it can be washed.
• Shield. The latch has a de-mist position and holds the shield shut, and the shield has anti-fog treatment.

I have not found a verified weight, price or crash-test score for the Corsair-X in current listings, so check those on the product page before buying. The Arai Corsair-X van der Mark helmet link is an affiliate link, and we may earn a commission if you buy through it.

Weight, hair and earrings

MCN warns that a heavy helmet can strain a petite rider’s neck on long rides. Lighter materials such as carbon fibre help, and our carbon fibre helmet list covers that group. Weight is usually on the maker’s site or printed on the box.

MCN’s riders also offer practical tips:

• With cartilage piercings, pull the chin straps wide before putting the helmet on so they do not catch.
• A silk balaclava protects earrings and hair, and keeps make-up off a helmet without a washable liner.
• Saffron Wilson prefers a flip-front because constant helmet removal left her with spare earring backs in her purse.
• The Hightail Hair Snood clips to the helmet so hair stays put without braiding. MCN scored quality 5.0 and value 3.0, calling it a little pricey, and it must be fitted before riding.

On styling, MCN notes that some helmets come in pinks and purples or with flowers, butterflies and Disney characters, and some riders avoid them. Fox’s women’s range also lists pink and purple among its colors.

What a decent helmet costs

The sources give no average price for a ladies’ helmet. MCN does not print prices, and calls the Shoei NXR2 costly but worth it and the HJC C10 brilliant value.

The only US price bands come from Fox Racing’s women’s motocross page: $150 to $200, $200 to $250, and $250 and up. Fox sells its V1 as the beginner or budget option, the V2 as a step up, and the V3 RS as its top model. These are dirt helmets, so treat them as a guide to off-road pricing only. Our dirt bike helmet list is the better place for those.

MCN’s advice for tight budgets is to confirm the maker is legitimate and to check the safety rating. Price alone says little.

Safety labels worth checking

The sources do not rank these helmets by crash performance, so none can be called the best for protection. Check the labels instead:

• ECE 22.06. MCN calls it the current UK standard, with some old ECE 22.05 stock still on sale. JPCycles’ page counts 537 ECE 22.06 listings and 72 ECE 22.05.
• SHARP. This is an independent star-rating scheme run by the UK Department for Transport, and MCN suggests checking a model there.
• ACU Gold or Silver. Some UK trackday organisers insist on Gold.
• Snell and FIM. JPCycles filters by Snell M2025 (126 listings), M2020 (34) and FIM 1.0 (38). MCN advises track riders on sportsbikes to look for FIM homologation.
• MIPS. JPCycles lists 95 helmets with it. Fox says its 2022 motocross range carried MIPS and DOT certification.

Wisconsin Harley-Davidson also makes the case that a helmet stops road debris, such as a stone thrown up at 50 mph, and that a bigger head shape makes you easier to see.

Visor, strap and glasses checks

• Pinlock. Some helmets include the anti-fog insert and others only have the fittings, so add the cost if you must buy it.
• Dark visors. MCN says UK law requires 50% light transmission, so most dark visors are for non-road use.
• Sun visor. A flip-down internal visor saves stopping to put on sunglasses.
• Strap. D-ring straps are threaded by hand, and ratchet straps push-fit. It is a matter of taste.
• Glasses. Look for channels in the lining for the arms.
• Visor removal. A fiddly release can damage side pods and leave you waiting on spares.
• Vents. More vents cool the head but add wind noise, and you need to be able to work them with gloves on.

Biker Guides’ video below is a 2026 round-up of nine women’s helmet picks, useful for seeing how different models look on a rider.

Video: Top 9 Best Motorcycle Helmet For Women 2026 | Women'S Top Motorcycle Helmet Picks (Biker Guides)

Bluetooth, Harley and half-shell questions

“Intercom ready” means recesses around the ears so speakers do not press on them. From MCN’s list:

• The AGV K1 S, Shoei NXR2, Schuberth C5, Arai Tour-X 5, HJC V10 and HJC C10 are all intercom ready.
• The Schuberth C5 is prewired for speakers, and the HJC V10 pairs with Smart HJC.
• JPCycles lists Sena Outlander and Sena Outrush R helmets with Bluetooth built in, and a Cardo Venture helmet.

Wisconsin Harley-Davidson sells Harley-Davidson women’s helmets in half, open-face, full and modular styles, plus LS2, CastleX and Fulmer models. JPCycles counts 57 half helmets and 100 open-face or three-quarter helmets on its page. None of the sources names a half helmet with a visor, so confirm that on a product page.

MCN notes that open-face helmets suit cruiser and scooter riders and stay cool in town. The catch is that your face has no protection in a fall. Our open-face helmet list covers those styles.