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While safety and durability are undoubtedly things to look for in a good helmet, few will deny coolness figures into the purchase a little bit.
Cool motorcycle helmets are par for the course among bikers. As much a part of the costume as the leather jacket and attitude.
A cool helmet adds a certain je ne sais quoi to a biker’s look! And does this while keeping the skull safe as well.
| Hip and Cool Helmets Reviewed | Price Range | Our Score |
|---|---|---|
| Bell Rogue Helmet | $$$$ | 4/5 rubber chickens |
| IV2 3D Skull Half Motorcycle Biker Helmet | $$ | 4/5 rubber chickens |
| IV2 Helmets "DEMON SAMURAI" Dual Visor Modular Flip up | $$$ | 3.5/5 rubber chickens |
| X4 German Motorcycle Half Helmet | $$$ | 4/5 rubber chickens |
| Shark Raw Full Face Helmet | $$$$ | 3.5/5 rubber chickens |
What makes a helmet cooler than most is up to you.
It could be a striking design or unusual materials. It could even be a novelty or functionality.
While coolness is ultimately in the eyes of the beholder, there are some items that tend to merit the description for most people—like the five helmets reviewed below.
Bell Rogue Helmet
Best Hip and Cool Half Helmet
Bell’s Rogue Helmet comes in a number of finishes and has a five-year warranty. The composite shell is married to a removable liner and detachable muzzle.
The muzzle means that this DOT-approved three-quarter helmet can be converted into an open-face one with ease. The matte black finish gives a sleek, traditional-biker appeal, and the sizes range from XS-2XL to ensure comfort.
Pros
- Eye-catching design
- Comfortable fit
- Excellent build
Cons
- Lack of venting in the shell may make it hot-wearing to some
- Muzzle rigidity can make it hard to fit on some faces
Conclusion
This is definitely a cool helmet, bringing to mind some vintage post-apocalyptic films (and awesome video games, for that matter).
But like all helmets, it would be better to try this on before buying, as it doesn’t sit well on all heads.
With that said, there are few things to complain about if it does fit you well, given its solid manufacturing and great warranty.
IV2 3D Skull Half Motorcycle Biker Helmet
Best Cool Novelty Half helmet
The 3D Skull Half Motorcycle Helmet from IV2 is a helmet fashioned in the shape of a stylized skull. This 3D-molded helmet has DOT approval, an EPS liner and padded interior, and two options for eye shields.
It comes in sizes S-XL and costs just under a hundred bucks.
Pros
- Impossible to ignore
- Extremely stealthy and stylized appearance
- DOT-approved (despite the “crazy” design)
Cons
- Can be uncomfortable due to the design
- Difficult-to-change eye-shields
Conclusion
This IV2 product is unarguably cool looks-wise, but there are more than a few issues with it.
Wind noise reduction is minimal due to its design, and poor lens quality also means a higher chance of scratches developing early on—although the shell making up the skull feels pretty sturdy by itself.
Still, this is probably best as a backup helmet, not a primary one, especially because most bikers still consider it as belonging to the novelty-helmet category.
IV2 Dual Visor Modular White Demon Samurai Helmet
Best Hip and Cool Modular Helmet
IV2’s Model No. 953 is a modular helmet that can be converted from full- to open-faced with a flip of the visor.
Glove-friendly controls are combined with all the usual safety details such as, shock-absorbent liners, thermoplastic construction, and more.
Fully wrapped in a 360-degree grayscale design of a demon samurai with clear inspiration from traditional Japanese art.
It’s available in sizes S-XL.
Pros
- Good-looking without being outrageous
- Modular design adds to the functionality
- Has an inbuilt flip-down sun visor beside the main shield
Cons
- Padding tends to run a little thin
- The white part of the matte exterior may be hard to keep clean
Conclusion
For the money, this is easily one of the coolest helmets you can get without breaking the bank (or your head, come to think of it).
This handsome piece is solidly built—which is why most buyers will likely forgive any extra bit of weight it may carry—and offers good protection without compromising on style.
The built-in sun visor is a great touch, in particular.
X4 German Motorcycle Half Helmet
Best Hip and Cool German Style Helmet
The German Motorcycle Half Helmet is a lightweight half helmet available in five sizes from S-2XL.
It has a foam-padded liner and a low profile. It is also DOT approved and has a sleek black finish. It’s available for less than half a benjie.
Pros
- Truly low-profile fit
- Vintage design is eye-catching, but less constricting than full helmets
- Tough ABS plastic construction
Cons
- Thin padding
- Has a tendency to lift at higher speeds unless chin strap is tight
Conclusion
It may be smaller than all the other entries on this list, but this helmet is far from easily ignored. Its vintage European biker look can round out a cool outfit nicely, and the DOT approval is just the icing on the cake.
It’s probably not the most protective of the helmets here, though, but that’s the usual exchange for getting a half helmet instead of a full one.
With that said, it may not be comfy for all heads—the thin padding could be a problem for some users.
Shark Raw Full Face Helmet
Overview
The Shark Raw Full Face Helmet is a thermoplastic helmet equipped with a fog-and-scratch-resistant shield. The interior is made of natural fibers and is aerated by a system of vents and diffusers.
It comes in black, white, and grey in sizes XS-L, and you’ll pay about three bills for this model.
Pros
- Stunning design married to trimness
- Excellent lens quality
- Good ventilation
Cons
- Build quality is less than optimal for connecting pieces
- Some replacement parts (like spare black lenses) are hard to find
Conclusion
This is a handsome helmet, and its compact design will keep most users from getting the big-head look that is all too common with motorcycle headgear.
Most will find it comfortable to use, especially given the quality of the lenses (which really do minimize fog). However, some minor issues have to be considered, like the tendency of the earpiece connections to unseat if you fiddle with them. And slight shiftiness in the mask when you turn your head too far to either side.
If you can live with that and the higher price tag, then this helmet will undoubtedly add to the coolness of your ride.
Summary
The helmets above all have their own style, so they may appeal to different people with different likes and dislikes.
Probably the best buy here, though, is the IV2, what with its inbuilt sun visor, modular function, cool black-and-white Japanese design, and full-faced protection.
Getting it means you won’t need to sacrifice safety for style.
The Shark helmet is technically a full helmet too, but it suffers from the highest price tag of all the items on this list.
The third-best option is really up to you and your taste, whether you want to go vintage German, Mad Max-ish, or Halloween-rider when you hit the roads.
The Bell model is likely the best third-place choice based on protection, however, but again the price is a bit high.
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