10 Best Open Face Motorcycle Helmets 2026 in the United States

The Bell Custom 500 is a classic open-face motorcycle helmet that offers a good balance of safety and style. It meets DOT safety standards, which means it has passed essential protection tests for road use. The helmet features a fiberglass shell and EPS liner available in five sizes, helping provide a secure and relatively low-profile fit for different head shapes. Weighing about 982 grams (roughly 2.2 pounds), it’s light enough to reduce neck strain during rides.

Because it’s an open-face design, it doesn’t provide full face coverage, so wind and noise reduction are limited compared to full-face helmets. The integrated 5-snap pattern allows you to easily add aftermarket visors or shields, which is handy since the helmet doesn’t come with a built-in face shield. Ventilation is typical for open-face helmets, so airflow is generally good for warm weather but may expose your face to the elements.

The matte black finish and retro style appeal to riders looking for a simple, timeless look. While it does not excel in noise reduction or full-face protection, this helmet suits those who prioritize comfort, style, and a lightweight feel for city or casual riding.

The Bell Custom 500 is a classic-style open-face motorcycle helmet that offers solid safety with its DOT certification meeting FMVSS 218 standards. Its fiberglass composite shell combined with a multi-density EPS liner provides good impact protection while keeping the helmet relatively lightweight at about 3 pounds. This weight makes it comfortable enough for longer rides without feeling too heavy on your head. The helmet comes in multiple shell sizes to ensure a better fit and a sleek, low-profile look, which many riders appreciate. It has five vents that help with airflow, although ventilation in open-face helmets is generally less controlled compared to full-face helmets. The integrated 5-snap pattern allows you to attach various aftermarket visors and shields, adding some versatility for sun or wind protection, but it does not come with a full face shield by default, which might be a downside if you want more coverage.

Noise reduction is average—open-face helmets naturally let in more wind and road noise than enclosed types. Style-wise, the gloss vintage white finish gives it a timeless, retro look that suits riders who prefer a classic aesthetic. The double ring closure ensures a secure fit. While it lacks some modern features like built-in sun visors or advanced ventilation controls, the Custom 500 serves as a strong option for riders seeking a lightweight, comfortable, and stylish open-face helmet with trustworthy safety certification.

The ScorpionEXO Covert X is a versatile open-face motorcycle helmet that offers solid safety with its DOT certification and a reliable double D-ring chin strap. Its lightweight polycarbonate shell combined with an EPS liner helps keep your head protected without feeling too heavy. Comfort is well thought out with a removable, washable interior that uses moisture-wicking material to keep you cool and dry, plus cold-weather ear covers that have built-in speaker pockets—great if you want to add Bluetooth communication.

Ventilation is decent for an open-face helmet, featuring subtle forehead vents to help airflow, but it might not be as breezy as some full-face helmets. It comes with a dark smoke anti-fog sun shield that blocks most UV rays, and you also get a clear shield for extra eye protection, both resistant to scratches. Noise reduction is average since open-face helmets naturally let in more wind sound, but the snug fit and ear covers can help reduce some of it.

Style-wise, the matte black finish is sleek and understated, appealing to riders who prefer a minimalist look. The unique multi-configuration design lets you adjust the helmet between full, 3/4, and half modes, adding flexibility based on your riding preference. While it doesn’t have the extreme noise blocking or full-face impact protection of other helmet types, the ScorpionEXO Covert X suits riders who want a comfortable, adaptable open-face option with good safety features and practical extras like speaker pockets and multiple shields.