Shoei GT-Air 3 Helmet Review: Pros, Cons, and Safety Features
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I’ve been riding for a couple of days now with my new Shoei GT-Air 3, and I thought I’d share my thoughts on the helmet. It’s not all good, I’m afraid—but if you’re interested, please do stick around. Let’s get into it.
This article is based on the video by The mad Leprechaun.
First Impressions and a Design Quirk
On my old Shoei helmets, there used to be a tab off to the side. As you rode along, you’d just flick it up with your left hand—dead easy. But now, they’ve moved that tab to the center of the visor. It sounds fine in theory—ambidextrous and all that—but you’ve got to press a button before you can lift the visor. Add to that the vent system being in the way, and well, it complicates a simple action.
If I mount a camera on the front of the helmet, like I intend to, I won’t even be able to open the visor. That’s a bit annoying. Not a massive deal, but I do wonder why they changed it.
The Moisture Mishap
This morning was a cold one—around 4°C. Moisture from my breath fogged up the inside of the visor. Now, the pinlock system did its job beautifully. All of this part, where you expect to see, was fine.
But the inner tinted visor? Different story. I retracted it and, poof—moisture went straight into it. When I brought it back down, it was fogged up. Couldn’t wipe it. Couldn’t see. Had to stop and clean it.
On warmer rides, it’s not a problem. But in cold weather, that inner visor can be a visibility hazard. Again, a small gripe—but something to note.
Chin Curtain Woes
The chin curtain is going to have to go. I normally ride with a chin curtain because, obviously, when I’m on the motorbike I’ve got a microphone in there so I can talk to camera. But this one—it’s just too restricting.
It might loosen off. Don’t know. But right now, it’s not working for me. It feels like it’s just in the way more than anything else. Small thing, I know—but it’s enough to be a bit annoying.
Comfort: A Shoei Tradition
Let’s get to the good stuff. I had this helmet properly fitted—tight but not too tight on the cheeks, good on the crown. Spot on. And I think it helps that I probably have a Shoei-shaped head. Been wearing them since 1991.
Quick backstory: in 1990, I got a new bike and a brand-new Shoei helmet. Three days later, a drunk driver took me out. Bike totaled. Helmet looked like it’d been attacked with an angle grinder. But my head? Absolutely fine.
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
That’s why I’ve stayed true to Shoei. Comfort, safety—they just get better with every model, and the GT-Air 3 is no exception.
Ventilation: Better Than Expected
The GT-Air 3 would suggest, by design, that the ventilation’s going to be really good—and honestly, it is. It’s got a nice vent on the front of the chin, a two-stage vent on the forehead, and two exhaust vents at the top.
Now, I’ve heard people say the ventilation is maybe too good. But I always run a little bit hot, so I’m more than happy to ride with the front and top vents open. I had both of them open during my ride today, and I didn’t feel overly cold at all.
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It’s still January, so the temperature’s not exactly high—but even so, I didn’t find it excessively breezy or uncomfortable. For me, it’s doing its job just right. Air’s moving through, I’m staying comfortable, and I’m not getting that chill that can sometimes sneak in with other helmets. So, yeah—ventilation gets a thumbs-up from me.
Exceptionally Quiet
I’ve been riding today without my ear defenders in—and I have to say, this is probably the quietest Shoei helmet I’ve ever owned. Ever. The last one I’ve been using was the Shoei Hornet ADV, which is a brilliant helmet and suits my style of motorcycle really well. But if I’m reviewing something like a sports or a naked bike, a peaked helmet like that becomes absolutely useless.
That’s partly why I picked up the GT-Air 3. It’s more suited to those types of bikes. I do miss the peak—mainly for blocking out that low, wintry sun—but this one makes up for it in how quiet and smooth it is.
The aerodynamics are stunning. There are indentations along the side and back of the helmet you can’t really see unless you’re looking for them, but when you’re riding, you can feel it—just gliding through the air. I’ve been on the bike for two or three hours today and haven’t felt any pressure points at all. It’s genuinely impressive.
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Let’s Talk Safety
Safety in a helmet comes in many forms—and not just in the structure or materials. Sure, the shell itself is important, but being able to see clearly and regulate your temperature also plays a big role in staying safe out there.
The visor system on the GT-Air 3 is excellent. Thanks to the pinlock insert, it stayed clear where it needed to—no fogging in my line of sight, even in cold weather. That’s crucial. If you can’t see, you can’t ride safely. Simple as that.
Ventilation also adds to safety. Being too hot or too cold can distract you. The GT-Air 3 helps regulate your temperature well. It’s got a chin vent, a vent up on the forehead, and two exhaust vents at the back. Air flows right over the top of your head and out the back, keeping you cool and focused.
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Fit is critical too. I’ve already mentioned the comfort, but it’s worth repeating: a snug, well-fitted helmet is safer. No wobble, no shifting—just solid protection where you need it.
Now let’s talk about retention. The chin strap on the GT-Air 3 secures firmly under your chin with a reliable and easy-to-operate mechanism. In the event of an accident, you want your helmet to stay put—but you also want rescuers to be able to remove it without a struggle. This strap does both. It holds tight, but it’s easy to unclip if needed.
And then there’s the emergency release system. The red tabs on the cheek pads let responders pull the pads out before removing the helmet—minimizing neck movement. If there’s a chin curtain installed, that can come out too—it’s just clipped in. Once those are out, the helmet can be removed much more safely.
If you ever come across a crash, don’t just rip a helmet off. It supports the neck, acts like a pillow. Only take it off if the rider isn’t breathing. Pull the tabs, unclip the strap, and then carefully remove the helmet.
Intercom-Ready
The GT-Air 3 is ready for a Sena SRL intercom. It’s got removable side tabs for the install, cutouts for the speakers so they don’t press into your ears, and a space at the back—probably for the battery pack. All clean and neatly integrated.
Premium voice‐activated mesh & Bluetooth comms that seamlessly integrates into select Shoei helmets for crystal‐clear ride‑to‑ride audio and music.
- Excellent mesh intercom range for group rides
- Sleek integration with Shoei GT-Air 3 / Neotec 3
- Lightweight with long battery life (~8 hrs)
- Harman Kardon audio provides crisp, rich sound
- Small buttons can be hard to use with gloves
- Voice commands may be unreliable in practice
Can You Wear Glasses With It?
I only wear glasses when reading or working on the PC, but I did wonder if they’d fit in the GT-Air 3. So, I tried it.
Slipped right on—no resistance, no pressure. And came off just as easy. That’s a big win. Last thing you want is to break your specs jamming them into a helmet.
Final Thoughts
And that’s it, really. Hopefully, that gives you a bit of insight into why I always choose Shoei helmets.
They’re not perfect—the center visor tab, the inner visor fogging, the chin curtain—they’ve all got their quirks. But comfort, quietness, ventilation, and safety? Absolutely top-notch.
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
