The Lightest Motorcycle Helmets (Half Helmets and More)
Evan Rally
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Don’t want to carry a bowling ball on your head?
With modern helmets, you don’t have to.
I know the difference a few ounces can make on a multi-day tour or even a quick jaunt across town. By the time you’re done reading this, you’ll not only know the absolute lightest options out there, but you’ll also understand which one is the perfect fit for your riding style.
Tip: Looking for full face helmets? You’ll find that here. This article will focus on the absolute lightest motorcycle helmets, which are half and open face helmets.
Now, let’s ruffle some feathers.
First, the absolute lightest helmets are not full face helmets. They just aren’t, but if you’re interested in the lightest full face helmets, you can find those here. Keep in mind the difference is not massive, you can get a full face that’s 2 lbs 14 ounces (like the AGV K6-S or Klim Krios Pro), whereas your average half helmet or open face helmet will be 2 lbs 7 ounces, give or take a few ounces.
Second, the “best” helmet isn’t always the lightest; it’s the one that best balances weight, safety, comfort, and your specific needs.
Third, the helmets on our list will all be DOT rated; it may not mean much as a safety standard, but it is the legal minimum for a helmet on the roads in the USA when it comes to state helmet laws.
You are sacrificing serious safety by going for the absolute lightest helmet – but assuming you know that, let’s go forward.
Ready to dive into the world of featherlight lids? Let’s roll.
All Our Picks
Choosing the right lightweight helmet really comes down to your individual needs and priorities. Keep in mind that this article focuses on open face and half helmets; if you’re looking for a light and protective full face or modular helmet, head over here.
- Lightest Open Face: The Simpson Chopper Carbon is a fantastic choice if you prioritize the absolute lightest open face option.
- Another Open Face: The Bell Custom 500 offers a great balance of iconic design and reasonable weight.
- Unique Open Face: The Sena Surge manages the weight of the Simpson Chopper, if you integrated a full communication system right in to it.
- Lightest Half Helmet The Bell Scout Air is hard to beat in terms of minimal weight while still meeting safety standards.
- Cheapest Half Helmet: The LS2 Bagger offers a drop-down sun visor and comfortable liner in a lightweight package.
- Slimmest Half Helmet: The Street & Steel Oakland provides a good balance of weight, features, and value with a profile that looks slimmer than other half lids.
For the absolute lightest DOT-rated option, understanding the coverage limitations: MicroDOT helmets are in a category of their own, prioritizing minimal weight above all else.
Open Face Helmets
You want to feel the wind, but not the weight, right? These open face helmets offer a fantastic blend of freedom and minimal bulk. Here are your top two options.
Simpson Chopper Carbon Helmet
Weight: 2 lbs 1 ounce / 950g
A lightweight, vintage-style helmet with modern safety and comfort.
- Ultra-light carbon fiber shell for a sleek, low-profile fit
- Five-snap system allows customization with shields and visors
- Removable and washable interior for easy maintenance
- Only available in Medium, while supplies last!
The big story here is that 100% carbon fiber shell. Carbon fiber is renowned for its incredible strength-to-weight ratio, and it looks badass.
The design is intentionally minimalist, which contributes to the low weight. You won’t find a bunch of extra vents or complicated mechanisms here. It’s a classic, clean look that works with pretty much any style of bike. The interior liner is comfortable enough for shorter rides, and the simple D-ring closure is secure and easy to use.
Now, the potential drawback is simplicity. It’s built for riders who prioritize that lightweight feel above all else. If you’re looking for advanced ventilation or a built-in sun visor, this might not be your top pick.
The alternative option here would be a slightly heavier open face helmet with more features, like the Bell Custom 500, which we’ll get to in a sec. But if shedding every possible ounce is your mission, the Simpson Chopper Carbon is a prime candidate.
Bell Custom 500 Helmet
Weight: 2 lbs 7 ounces / 1100g
A classic open-face helmet with a modern fit and sleek low-profile design. https://imp.i104546.net/JKVaOq
- Five shell sizes for a perfect, low-profile fit
- Integrated five-snap system for shields and visors
- Lightweight design for all-day comfort
- Runs small, sizing up is recommended
The Bell Custom 500 isn’t just about looking good (though it definitely nails that vintage vibe). It’s also surprisingly light at around 2 lbs 7 ounces (1100g), especially considering its robust construction and comfortable features. Bell has been making helmets for ages, and their expertise shows in the details.
One of the key features is the low-profile shell design. This means the helmet doesn’t stick out too much, giving you a slimmer look and reducing wind resistance. That low profile design comes from the fact that it’s made in five shell sizes, which allows for a more precise and comfortable fit across a wider range of head sizes. Most helmets in this price range have 1 or 2 shell sizes total, across all sizes.
Inside, you’ll find a quilted liner that feels premium against your head. The multiple density EPS liner is designed to absorb impact energy effectively. The chin strap features a secure D-ring closure. While it’s an open face helmet, Bell offers various accessory shields and visors that you can purchase separately to add some face protection or change up the look.
The silver lining to not being the absolute lightest is the added comfort and the availability of accessories. If you value a bit more plushness and the option to add a shield for wind or debris protection, the small weight increase is a worthwhile trade-off.
Sena Surge Helmet
Weight: 2 lbs 7 ounces / 1100g
A sleek open-face helmet with built-in Mesh and Bluetooth communication for seamless connectivity.
- Integrated Bluetooth 5.2 with Mesh Intercom for rider communication
- Hidden microphone that's shockingly clear
- Lightweight fiberglass composite shell for better impact absorption
- Removable and washable interior for easy maintenance
- Unable to upgrade the intercom
- Have to carry the helmet to charge it
The Sena Surge truly stands out because it manages to pack a full Sena communication system into an open face helmet while keeping the weight down to around 2 lbs 7 ounces (1100g). Shockingly light considering what they managed to pack in here.
Let’s talk about that integrated Sena Bluetooth system. We’re talking crystal-clear communication with other riders via intercom (without a boom mic), the ability to take phone calls, listen to your favorite tunes, and get GPS directions – all seamlessly built into the helmet. The controls are designed to be easy to use even with gloves on, with a slim unit built into the side of the helmet. And the battery life is 21 hours!
The helmet itself features a lightweight shell construction made of composite fiberglass. It has a comfortable interior liner (removable and washable) and a secure double D-ring chin strap.
While it’s not the absolute lightest open face, a comms system is going to add about 3.5 – 5 ounces (100-150 grams) to any helmet, so it’s about the same weight as adding a comms unit to the Simpson Chopper, and a LOT cheaper!
Half Helmet Minimalists: The Bare Essentials
For the ultimate in lightweight and minimal coverage, half helmets are the go-to choice. These helmets prioritize keeping you legal while offering the most open and airy feel. However, it’s crucial to understand that they provide the least amount of protection compared to open face or full face helmets.
Ride at your own risk, and enjoy the wind in your hair.
Bell Scout Air
Weight: 1 lb 15 ounces / 900g
A lightweight, low-profile helmet that blends half-helmet freedom with open-face protection.
- Composite Tri-Matrix shell for durability and safety
- Five shell sizes for a sleek, proportionate fit
- Includes two peak visors for versatility
- Runs small; sizing up is recommended
The Bell Scout Air, tipping the scales at a mere 1 lb 15 ounces (900g), is a prime example of how advanced materials can lead to incredibly light yet DOT-approved helmets. The secret lies in its Tri-Matrix composite shell. This blend of carbon fiber, aramid, and fiberglass provides exceptional strength while minimizing weight. Each of these materials brings unique properties to the mix, resulting in a shell that’s both light and impact-resistant.
That shell also extends to cover the ears, providing some wind noise reduction and a bit more lateral protection.
The design is intentionally low-profile, which means it sits closer to your head and avoids that bulky “mushroom” look – thanks to the 5 shell sizes that Bell loves to produce helmets in. While it’s a half helmet, Bell offers optional snap-in shorty visors that you can purchase separately for a bit of eye protection from sun and debris.
The alternative option for riders who want a bit more coverage could be an open face helmet like the Simpson Chopper Carbon or the Bell Custom 500, although those will come with a slight weight increase.
If your priority is having a DOT-approved helmet that feels almost weightless, the Bell Scout Air is a top contender. Comes in tons of colorways as well if you order through Helmade.
LS2 Bagger
Weight: 2 lbs 3 ounces / 1000g
A lightweight, versatile open-face helmet designed for comfort and style.
- Ultra-lightweight fiberglass shell for durability
- Removable, washable comfort liner for freshness
- Zip-off neck skirt with speaker pockets for added convenience
- Strange looking vents
The LS2 Bagger, weighing in at around 2 lbs 3 ounces (1000g), offers a bit more than just the bare minimum while still maintaining a lightweight feel. Its HPPT (High Pressure Thermoplastic Technology) shell is designed to be both lightweight and provide good impact protection. This material allows LS2 to create a durable helmet without adding unnecessary weight.
A standout feature of the Bagger is its zip-off neck skirt, which comes with speaker pockets for a helmet comms system. It also allows you to retain some warmth when temperatures drop, like a late night ride home.
The interior liner is removable and washable so you can keep it fresh. The chin strap uses a quick-release ratchet buckle, which is convenient and easy to use.
Solid and very affordable option at under $100.
Street & Steel Oakland
Weight: 2 lbs 2 ounces / 980g
A sleek, shorty-style helmet with a low-profile visor and retractable sun shield for ultimate West Coast style.
- Lightweight design for all-day comfort
- Retractable drop-down sun visor for added convenience
- DOT approved for safety and reliability
- Sun visor may interfere with glasses
The Street & Steel Oakland half helmet, weighing approximately 2 lbs 2 ounces (980g), gives you that blister half helmet look with one killer feature: a drop down sun visor.
Its fiberglass shell offers a good balance of strength and weight savings. Fiberglass is a tried-and-true material in helmet construction that’s a cut above polycarbonate in terms of weight and impact dispersion.
The West Coast style is understated and fits with just about any cruiser or chopper. You also get a visor snapped on to this baby for a bit more sun protection, and a double D-ring chin strap.
Featherweight: MicroDOT Helmets
Now, for the absolute lightest DOT-rated helmets on the market, we have to talk about MicroDOT helmets. These helmets are in a league of their own when it comes to minimizing weight. Many of their DOT-approved models weigh in at an astonishingly low weight, around just 14 ounces (400g)! This is significantly lighter than any other DOT-certified option we’ve discussed.
MicroDOT achieves this by focusing on the absolute minimum required for DOT certification. Their helmets are incredibly small and low-profile. The benefit is obvious: you’ll barely feel like you’re wearing a helmet at all. This can be a huge plus for riders who find traditional helmets uncomfortable or restrictive.
However, it’s crucial to understand the trade-offs. Due to their minimal size and construction, MicroDOT helmets offer the least amount of coverage among DOT-certified helmets. They essentially cover only the very top of your head. While they meet the minimum legal requirements, they don’t provide the same level of protection as even one of the half helmets we mentioned up above, in the event of a crash.
If your absolute top priority is having the lightest DOT-rated helmet possible and you understand the limitations in coverage, then MicroDOT is worth considering.
You can explore their range of DOT-approved helmets here,
Ultra-lightweight, DOT-approved helmets designed for comfort and safety.
- Lightweight design for reduced neck strain
- Low-profile fit to avoid the bulky look
- Quick-release strap for easy use
- Limited color and design options
Making the Final Call: Factors to Consider
Beyond just the weight, here are a few other things to keep in mind when choosing your lightweight motorcycle helmet:
- Safety Certification: Always ensure the helmet you choose meets the safety standards in your region (DOT in the US).
- Fit: A properly fitting helmet is crucial for both comfort and safety. Make sure the helmet is snug but not too tight, and that it doesn’t move around excessively when you shake your head.
- Riding Style: Consider the type of riding you do most often. If you primarily ride in the city at lower speeds, an open face or half helmet might be sufficient. For highway riding or longer trips, you might want to consider the added protection of a full face helmet (even if it’s slightly heavier).
- Features: Think about any features that are important to you, such as integrated communication systems, sun visors, or removable liners.
- Personal Preference: Ultimately, the best helmet is the one that you feel comfortable and confident wearing.
Finding the lightest motorcycle helmet doesn’t mean you have to compromise on quality or style. There are fantastic options available in the open face and half helmet categories that offer incredible weight savings.
By carefully considering your riding needs and priorities, you can find the perfect featherlight lid to enhance your riding experience and keep you comfortable on every mile. Now go forth, ride light, and enjoy the freedom of the open road!