When choosing a helmet, riders have to choose between three design options. Open face, full face, or modular helmets. Here we will look at the pros and cons of each one, allowing riders to make an informed choice that is best suited to their riding style, budget, and needs.
Open Face Helmets
The classic look of these helmets is much beloved by riding enthusiasts. They offer the best ventilation and make the faces of riders easily visible. They also offer a wider range of view for better visibility and make hearing sounds like sirens and honking clearer.
The lack of a chin bar, however, makes these helmets less protective. Almost a fifth of riders that crash will land on this area hence the likelihood of more injury with an open face helmet. At higher speeds and extreme weather conditions, this helmet does not make for a comfortable riding experience.
Full Face Helmets
The all-round construction of full face helmets makes them great for protection during crashes. They are also more insulating against adverse weather, noise, bugs, and flying debris. No need to wear glasses or a mask, unlike with an open face helmet. Riders that prefer to remain incognito will appreciate this helmet, especially when paired with a tinted visor.
On the downside, these helmets are certainly heavier than open face helmet options. They can also often be stifling during hot weather and make riders feel somewhat isolated. It is more difficult to hear sounds and many designs have risky blind spots.
Modular Helmets
These helmets are also known as flip up helmets they make use of elements from both the open face and full face helmets. Riders can choose when to cover their faces or opt to lift the visor and chin bar, where permissible. This flexibility means that under whatever environmental conditions, they can modify their helmet use to best match their riding style.
However, the hinge and lock mechanism that allows for this freedom of choice does add to the weight of the helmet. It also compromises the structural integrity of the helmet, giving it a lower safety rating when it comes to crash protection than the full face helmet. It is also less insulated, allowing more noise and wind to penetrate.
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