The Best Shoei Helmets [RF-1400, Neotec 3, Hornet X2 and More]
Evan Rally
left for contents
I’m going to get straight into it instead of wasting your time – the best Shoei helmets for different riders are listed below. If you’re looking to learn more about why Shoei is such a respected name in the motorcycle helmet world, scroll to the bottom to learn more about Shoei.
We here at It’s Better On The Road are huge fans of Shoei, having worn their helmets for years and visited their stores across the world: including in Kyoto, Japan.
Shoei is known by riders for exceptional build quality, high level of safety and great comfort whether you’re on the street, track, or dirt.
Here’s a quick rundown of the Shoei helmets we’ll be looking at and their ideal uses:
Best Overall: Shoei RF-1400
- The quietest helmet on the market, super comfortable, great ventilation, big visor. Our contributor Carl reviewed his RF-1400 after 4 years of ownership here.
Best Value: Shoei RF-SR
- Essentially the RF-1400 but a little louder and heavier. I wore this helmet on a 12,000 mile cross-country trip in the USA and across Thailand, here’s my review.
Best for Touring: Shoei Neotec 3 or GT-Air 3
- Both the Neotec and GT-Air lines take inspiration from the RF-1400, but focus more on comfort and include touring-ready features like drop down sun shield and modular chinbar (for the Neotec).
Best for Track: Shoei X-15
- Built to cut through the air at high speeds and provide the ultimate protection in case of track-speed wrecks. Our contributor Sebastian has worn this helmet for several years while racing in Thailand and Europe, and will have a review soon.
Best for Adventure: Shoei Hornet X2
- One of the best adventure helmets, full stop – up there with the Arai XD-5. Huge visor, aerodynamic peak, plenty of vents: this helmet is at home in the dirt as it is on the highway. Our contributor JM has worn this helmet on many adventures in Thailand and will have a review soon.
Best for Enduro / Dirt: Shoei VFX-EVO
- An aggressive off-road helmet built to take a beating with Shoei’s M.E.D.S. EPS liner which absorbs sudden rotational impacts.
Open Face: Shoei J-Cruise II or RJ Platinum Police helmet
- In typical Shoei fashion, open face helmets that still manage to provide a quiet and comfortable riding experience.
Let’s get into the details of each of these incredible helmets!
Best Overall: RF-1400
If you ride on the street (or even a bit of track days) and want a safe, comfortable, quiet full face helmet that’s going to last, I’ll make the choice for you right now: Get the Shoei RF-1400.
Our contributor Carl has primarily worn this helmet for four years already, and he says it still feels like new to him. It’s been through everything – pouring rain, cold winter blasts, and those steamy Philadelphia summers – on all sorts of roads, from quiet country lanes to busy city streets and massive highways. This helmet had a big reputation to live up to, following in the footsteps of the legendary Shoei RF-1200, but it exceeded his expectations in almost every single way.
Over the past four years, Carl has truly fallen in love with the Shoei RF-1400 for a few key reasons:
- Top-Tier Safety & Build Quality: This helmet boasts premium construction with Snell M2020 (and ECE 22.06 in Europe) safety certifications. The build quality is incredible and it’s clearly durable.
- Whisper-Quiet Aerodynamics & Stability: The RF-1400 features a shell honed in a wind tunnel. It stays remarkably stable even in strong crosswinds and is impressively quiet when he’s cruising on the highway. Carl finds that quiet makes a huge difference, not just for comfort but for reducing fatigue and letting him actually enjoy his music or comms without cranking up the volume.
- Excellent Ventilation for Hot Weather: The strategic vents on this helmet are fantastic, according to Carl. They keep him cool and comfortable even in the summer heat without becoming overly noisy. He’s ridden in triple-digit temperatures with crazy humidity in city traffic, and the RF-1400 has been a lifesaver, keeping him surprisingly cool. Shoei even redesigned the vents from the RF-1200, adding an extra intake on the forehead and a large rear exhaust that creates a vacuum effect to pull hot air out.
- All-Day Comfort & Custom Fit: The plush interior, with its customizable padding, makes this helmet fit like a glove, even on those marathon rides. Carl has worn this helmet for hours through all kinds of weather without any pressure points or buffeting. The RF-1400’s liner, ventilation, and wind-tunnel-shaped design absolutely nail it here for him. After about 6 hours of riding, any slight tightness in the cheek pads broke in beautifully, and now the 3D Max-Dry interior just molds to his face. He’s even done several hundred-mile weekend tours with zero discomfort.
- Crystal-Clear Visibility & Shield System: You get a wide field of view, fog-free performance thanks to the included Pinlock EVO insert, and a really solid visor mechanism. Carl notes that Shoei even slightly enlarged the eyeport compared to the RF-1200, giving you even better peripheral vision. The new center locking mechanism for the face shield feels secure and prevents accidental opening or closing, even at high speeds or in strong winds. Plus, the visor has a handy “city position” detent for a little extra airflow at lower speeds.
Carl agrees with me that the DOT safety standard is barely a standard at all. That’s why he always looks for ECE or Snell certifications on helmets, and that Snell M2020 sticker on the RF-1400 was a big reason he opted for it. This helmet’s identical European version, the NXR2, meets the stringent ECE 22.06 standard.
While the RF-1400 doesn’t have an internal sun visor, Shoei offers a Transitions photochromic shield that automatically tints in sunlight. Carl hasn’t personally tried it yet, but it’s a great option if you want that convenience. For him, he usually just wears sunglasses or swaps to a tinted shield on sunny days.
The RF-1400 is about as good as it gets for an all-around street helmet.
- Staff pick at Revzilla
- Excellent build quality
- Thick noise-sealing cheekpads
- Airtight visor seal
Our Review: We have a 4 year ownership review of the Shoei RF-1400, authored by Carl.
Best Value: Shoei RF-SR
Want Shoei quality without the top-tier price tag? The RF-SR full face helmet is your answer. This helmet offers many of the premium features and the renowned build quality that Shoei is known for, but at a more accessible price point. Think of it as the RF-1400’s more budget-friendly sibling, costing about 30% less.
Three years ago, I was staring down the barrel of a 10,000+ mile motorcycle trip across the USA. As an unemployed wanderer, my budget was tighter than a drum. I needed a helmet that offered more than just a basic DOT rating because, let’s be honest, I like my head in one piece. It also had to be comfortable for those long, back-to-back touring days, with good ventilation, decent quietness, and a snug fit.
And the kicker? It had to be under $500. My answer to that challenge was the Shoei RF-SR, and looking back, I’m sure I made the right call.
What impressed me most right off the bat about the Shoei RF-SR is that it packs many of the same premium materials as the pricier RF-1400, just in a simpler package that’s perfect for casual riding on any kind of bike. The big thing for me was the Snell certification. I wouldn’t trust a cheap helmet with my head on a cross-country trip. DOT alone just doesn’t cut it for me.
I also knew I wanted to avoid a polycarbonate shell. There are plenty of cheap plastic lids, but I wanted the best to protect my head (for under $500, because I was broke). So, those budget-friendly Snell lids with plastic shells were out of the running.
The RF-SR seemed almost too good to be true: Snell certification with a composite shell at this price? Materials sharing DNA with Shoei’s flagship RF-1400? I was skeptical but definitely curious. Now, after over 20,000 miles across all sorts of terrain and weather, this lid has proven its worth time and time again.
Here are the top four reasons I absolutely love the Shoei RF-SR:
- Vents Like Crazy: For a full-face helmet, the RF-SR vents an incredible amount of air. This made it surprisingly comfortable even in the most extreme heat and humidity I encountered. I’m talking 100°F+ with 100% humidity in Thailand and a scorching 160°F off the blacktop near the Salton Sea in California (not recommended, by the way!). Shoei’s design channels airflow through mid-layer foam ducts, really pulling air away from your head. This ventilation system is actually borrowed from the more premium RF-1200 and RF-1400. The chin vent is massive, and the upper vents look even bigger than those on the RF-1400. They might not be the sleekest looking, but they sure do the job! I’ve even found the airflow to be fantastic in a more tucked-forward, sporty riding position.
- Big, Secure, and Quiet Visor: I’m a stickler for good visibility. The RF-SR’s visor doesn’t limit my vision at all, even after thousands of miles on US highways and tiny jungle roads. But the real standout feature is the spring-loaded locking mechanism. This keeps the visor tightly sealed at every position and when fully closed. This is crucial for preventing the visor from snapping open or closed at high speeds, which is priceless when you just want to crack it open a touch for some extra airflow on a hot day. It also keeps the visor sealed against noise, water, and anything else you don’t want inside your helmet. This locking mechanism is another feature borrowed from the renowned RF-1200. Plus, the RF-SR comes with a Pinlock visor insert in the box, which is an absolute lifesaver for eliminating fog, especially in cold or damp conditions.
- Premium Materials Shared with the RF-1400: This is where the RF-SR really shines as an “affordable premium” option. It uses Shoei’s Advanced Integrated Matrix Plus (AIM+) shell construction, the same high-performance composite shell made from layers of fiberglass and organic fibers that you get in the RF-1400. This material is light, strong, and offers much better impact protection than the polycarbonate used in many helmets in this price range. You also get the same soft inner liner as in a brand new RF-1400, and you can even customize the fit with different sized cheek pads. The vent channel design is also shared with the RF-1400, featuring vents cut inside the EPS foam for efficient airflow and heat removal. And let’s not forget the Snell certification, a significant feature shared with its pricier sibling, making it track-legal in the USA and offering that extra peace of mind.
- Ready for a Communicator: Just like the RF-1200 and RF-1400, the RF-SR is designed to easily accommodate Bluetooth communicators like Cardo or Sena. It has speaker indents in the shell, and it even includes foam pads to help reduce wind noise if you’re not using speakers. But the RF-SR goes a step further than the RF-1400 with its ease of clamp mounting. The RF-1400 has some padding around the jawline that can make clamp mounting tricky, but the RF-SR has a simple lip all the way around, making it super easy to attach a clamp mount – my preferred method as it’s not permanent and easy to move between helmets.
Now, I do have to be honest about one potential downside: wind noise. This is a really personal thing, as it often depends on your head shape and the specific fit. But I’ve noticed that the RF-SR’s vents can sometimes whistle at certain head angles, particularly when I turn my head slightly down and to the side (head checks) at speeds above 50 mph.
Speaking of fit, the RF-SR is designed with an intermediate oval shape for the American market. This works perfectly for my head, providing a snug and comfortable fit. However, if you have a rounder head, you might find it a bit tight on the forehead. In that case, you might want to consider an Arai, which is known for its rounder head shapes. Interestingly, Shoei sells the RF-SR in Japan under the name RYD, and while it’s the exact same helmet, the inner foam is designed to fit rounder Asian heads. Just keep in mind that the Japanese RYD version doesn’t carry Snell or DOT certifications.
When comparing the RF-SR to the RF-1400, I see the RF-SR as the slightly simpler, more budget-friendly cousin. It shares many of the same core features, but the RF-1400 is just more refined: better aerodynamic design, more ventilation, quieter.
Compared to Shoei’s dedicated touring helmets like the GT-Air 3 and Neotec 3, the RF-SR lacks an internal sun visor (though you can buy a photochromic visor), but it offers that valuable Snell certification and is a bit lighter. Against competitors like the HJC RPHA 12 and AGV K-6, the RF-SR stands out with its Snell certification and composite shell in this price range. While those other helmets are excellent options, the Snell certification is usually a requirement to ride on tracks in the USA.
Ultimately, for my cross-country ride, I wanted a helmet that went beyond the basic DOT rating without sacrificing comfort or adding unnecessary weight. The Snell certification combined with the RF-SR’s composite shell gave me that peace of mind. The fact that it borrowed so much from the popular RF-1200 and put it in a more affordable package was just the icing on the cake (along with those incredible vents!).
Evan rode in this helmet across America in 2022 and has worn it the tropical climate of Thailand as well. It's the ideal all-around street and touring helmet for a fair price: master of none, but great at everything.
- Sturdy build quality from the padding to the visor
- Composite AIM shell (not plastic / polycarbonate)
- Comfortable and snug liner
- Durable (I've battered the poor thing)
- Affordable 💵
Our Review: Check out my detailed review of the Shoei RF-SR.
Best for Touring: Shoei Neotec 3 and GT-Air 3
Shoei’s touring helmets basically adapt the wind tunnel and safety testing they’ve done with their track and street helmets, then pack in some bells and whistles that make the helmets more comfortable for long rides seated upright on an ADV, sport touring or cruiser motorcycle.
Both the Neotec 3 and the GT-Air 3 take inspiration from the all-rounder RF-1400, but they double down on features specifically designed for racking up the miles – like internal sun shields and slots to seamlessly integrate the Sena SRL 3 comms system.
The Shoei Neotec 3 offers the ultimate in versatility for touring. Its modular design allows you to easily flip up the chin bar, providing the convenience of an open-face helmet when you need it, without sacrificing the full-face protection for the open road.
Packed with touring-friendly features, the Neotec 3 includes an integrated drop-down sun shield to combat bright sunlight and a highly effective ventilation system to keep you comfortable on long hauls. Building on the legacy of the popular Neotec series, the Neotec 3 boasts refinements in aerodynamics and an even smoother operating mechanism for the modular chin bar.
A premium modular helmet combining aerodynamic design, top safety features and custom fit comfort.
- Excellent protection with AIM composite shell
- Can be custom fit by Shoei
- Integrated sun visor and Pinlock shield
- Ready for SRL3 Comms system
The Shoei GT-Air 3 is a fantastic full-face option designed specifically for touring comfort. A key feature loved by touring riders is its integrated drop-down sun shield, offering immediate relief from the sun without the need to change visors or wear separate sunglasses.
The GT-Air 3 also excels in ventilation, ensuring a steady flow of air to keep you cool on warm rides. With a plush and supportive interior, this helmet is engineered for all-day wear, making it an ideal companion for those epic cross-country adventures.
A premium touring helmet with advanced aerodynamics and comfort features.
- Super quiet
- Wind tunnel molded for smoother ride (less fatigue)
- Eyeglass compatible
- Internal sun shade and Pinlock visor
Best for Track: Shoei X-15
When it comes to pure performance on the track or spirited riding on the street, the Shoei X-15 reigns supreme. This is Shoei’s flagship sport and racing helmet, developed with direct input from professional racers and worn by Marc Marquez.
The X-15 is the successor to the legendary X-Fourteen, and Shoei has pulled out all the stops to make it even better. The shell design has been meticulously refined in the wind tunnel to minimize drag and lift, providing exceptional stability even at extreme speeds.
Ventilation is critical for track riding, and the X-15 features an extensive system of vents and channels designed to keep you cool and focused when the heat is on. Even the cheek pads have ventilation channels cut into them. The face shield offers a wide field of vision, and Shoei even moved the pinlock posts further out so they don’t cut into your peripheral vision.
Track helmets also need to be at the pinnacle of helmet safety, and the X-15 meets the most stringent safety standards: ECE-22.06 and Snell M2020R. It’s rare to see a helmet pass both of these, as the design constraints for both are a bit at odds: ECE prefers lighter, slimmer helmets that reduce rotational forces while Snell prefers heavier helmets that can withstand multiple impacts. The X-15 is the best of both worlds.
While the X-15 is primarily designed for track use, its advanced features also make it a fantastic option for serious sport riders who demand the best in terms of performance and protection on the street.
Engineered for high-speed performance with advanced aerodynamics and premium safety features.
- Enhanced aerodynamics for reduced drag and lift
- Superior ventilation with seven air intakes and six exhaust outlets
- Customizable fit with adjustable interior padding
- Premium price point
Our Review: We’re excited to be working on a full review of the Shoei X-15 coming soon from our Sport and Track contributor Sebastian.
Best for Adventure: Shoei Hornet X2
For riders who love to venture off the beaten path and explore the great outdoors on two wheels, the Shoei Hornet X2 is the perfect companion. This helmet is at the pinnacle of the adventure helmet market, offering a balance of on-road comfort and off-road functionality.
The Hornet X2 builds upon the legacy of the original Hornet DS, with improvements in aerodynamics, ventilation, and overall comfort. It features a unique visor design that provides excellent protection from the sun and debris while also being shaped to minimize lift at higher speeds.
Ventilation is crucial for adventure riding, especially during more technical off-road sections, and the Hornet X2 offers ample airflow to keep you cool. The interior is comfortable and moisture-wicking, ideal for long days in the saddle, and the visor is quickly removable to easily accommodate off-road goggles.The peak can also be removed, though its aerodynamic design means you’ll barely notice it crushing highway miles.
The Hornet X2 strikes a great balance between a full-face street helmet and a dedicated off-road helmet. It offers the protection and comfort needed for highway miles while still providing the features and ventilation necessary for tackling more challenging terrain.
Shoei Hornet X2 Adventure Helmet delivers the perfect blend of on-road comfort and off-road capability for serious adventure riders.
- Lightweight AIM+ shell for superior protection and aerodynamics
- Advanced ventilation system for optimal airflow in all conditions
- Emergency Quick-Release System for enhanced rider safety
- Runs small, sizing up is recommended
Our Review: Our contributor JM is currently working on a comprehensive review of the Shoei Hornet X2, so keep an eye out for that.
Best for Enduro / Dirt: Shoei VFX-EVO
When the pavement ends and the real fun begins, the Shoei VFX-EVO is the helmet you want on your head. This is Shoei’s top-of-the-line motocross and off-road helmet, engineered for maximum protection, ventilation, and comfort in the demanding conditions of dirt riding.
The VFX-EVO features an aggressive design with a large eyeport for excellent visibility and plenty of room for goggles. The ventilation system is incredibly advanced, with multiple vents and channels designed to keep you cool even during intense riding sessions.
Safety is paramount in off-road riding, and the VFX-EVO utilizes Shoei’s AIM+ shell construction and multi-density EPS liner to provide exceptional impact protection. The helmet is also lightweight, which helps to reduce rider fatigue during long runs. You also get Shoei’s innovative M.E.D.S. system, which absorbs rotational impacts by separating two sections of EPS foam with a liner; similar to 6D’s ODS system.
If you’re serious about enduro or motocross, the Shoei VFX-EVO is a premium helmet that offers the performance and protection you need to push your limits.
Shoei VFX-EVO Helmet delivers cutting-edge safety and performance for off-road riders.
- Advanced AIM+ shell for a lightweight yet durable build
- M.E.D.S. technology reduces rotational impact forces
- Optimized ventilation system for maximum airflow
- Runs small, consider sizing up for a better fit
Open Face Options: Shoei J-Cruise II and RJ Platinum Helmet
Sometimes you just want to feel the wind in your face. Shoei offers a couple of fantastic open-face helmet options that, in typical Shoei fashion, still manage to provide a surprisingly quiet and comfortable riding experience.
The Shoei J-Cruise II is a stylish and comfortable open-face helmet perfect for urban riding and cruising. It features a longer internal sun visor for great sun protection, an improved ventilation system to keep you cool, and a plush interior for all-day comfort.
One of the standout features of the J-Cruise II is its compatibility with SENA’s SRL communication system, allowing for seamless integration without any bulky external components. Music, GPS, and comms all integrated with Harman Kardon sound.
Shoei J-Cruise II Helmet offers premium comfort and safety for open-face touring.
- Enhanced ventilation system for superior airflow
- Integrated sun shield for instant glare protection
- Bluetooth-compatible for seamless communication
- Face shield inserts sold separately
The Shoei RJ Platinum Helmet is for riders who prioritize a super lightweight feel yet still want great protection out of their open face lid. This helmet is incredibly light (under 3 lbs) and yet still carries a Snell certification (granted it’s 2015, not the newer 2020 or 2025). It offers a simple yet effective ventilation system and a comfortable interior, making it a great option for those who prefer the open-face experience.
The police design might get you some looks, but at least drivers will keep their cool around you!
Shoei RJ Platinum LE Helmet combines classic open-face design with modern comfort and safety.
- Lightweight AIM+ shell for durability and protection
- Enhanced ventilation for a cooler ride
- Removable and washable interior for easy maintenance
- Lacks a built-in sun shield
Comparison Table
| Shoei RF-1400 | Shoei RF-SR | Shoei Neotec 3 | Shoei GT-Air 3 | Shoei X-15 | Shoei Hornet X2 | Shoei VFX-EVO | Shoei J-Cruise II | Shoei RJ Platinum Helmet | |
| Best For… | Street | On a Budget | Touring | Touring | Track | Adventure | Enduro/Dirt | Urban | Urban |
| Safety Cert. | Snell, DOT (US), ECE (EU) | Snell, DOT | DOT, ECE | DOT, ECE | Snell, DOT, ECE | DOT, ECE | Snell (2015), DOT, ECE | DOT, ECE | Snell (2015), DOT |
| Special Features | Pinlock visor | Pinlock visor | Modular chin bar, internal sun visor, Pinlock visor | Internal sun visor, Pinlock visor | Pinlock visor | Pinlock visor | No | Internal sun visor | No |
| Ventilation | High | High | High | High | Very High | High | Very High | Medium | Medium |
| Noise Level | Low | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium | High | Medium | Medium |
| Price Range | Premium | Mid-Range | Premium | Premium | Premium | Premium | Premium | Mid-Range | Mid-Range |
| Get One | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price |
Why Riders Swear By Shoei
Shoei. Just the name conjures up images of premium craftsmanship, exceptional comfort, and unwavering protection for motorcycle riders across the globe. For decades, Shoei has been a titan in the helmet industry, and for good reason – their helmets protect some of the best riders in the most competitive and dangerous leagues of motorcycling sport; even Marc Marquez of MotoGP. Their commitment to innovation and quality has earned them a loyal following among riders who demand the best.
Shoei’s story began in 1959 in Tokyo, Japan, with the production of their first motorcycle helmet. Since then, they’ve consistently pushed the boundaries of helmet technology, introducing groundbreaking features and setting new standards for safety. Riders love Shoei helmets because they know they’re investing in a product that has been meticulously engineered and rigorously tested. They are hand made with Japanese precision and attention to detail.
So, who are Shoei helmets for? The answer is simple: riders who prioritize safety, comfort, and quality above all else. Whether you’re a weekend warrior carving up mountain roads, a long-distance tourer logging thousands of miles, or a track day enthusiast pushing your limits, there’s a Shoei helmet designed to meet your specific needs.
One crucial aspect to consider when choosing a helmet is its internal shape. Shoei primarily caters to riders with an intermediate oval head shape in the North American and European markets. This shape is characterized by being longer front-to-back and slightly narrower side-to-side. If this describes your head shape, you’re likely to find a Shoei helmet that fits you like a glove.
Interestingly, Shoei recognizes that head shapes vary across different regions. In the Asian market, they offer helmets with a rounder internal shape. For riders in North America or Europe with a rounder head, sourcing a Shoei helmet from Japan can be an option. You might even find it saves you a bit of cash!
We’ve placed Shoei firmly in our S-tier of helmet brands, recognizing them as one of the absolute best in the business. You can see our full ranking and why we rate them so highly here.
We hope this guide has helped you narrow down your choices and brought you closer to finding your ideal Shoei companion. Now get out there and ride safe!
