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The lightest full-face motorcycle helmet you can buy right now is the AGV K6 S, at a claimed 2.77 pounds (about 1,255 grams) for around $510, with DOT and ECE 22.06 approval. If you want a drop-down sun visor, the HJC RPHA 72 Carbon is the lightest sport-touring option at about 3.2 pounds, and the LS2 Thunder Carbon is the cheapest way to get under 3.3 pounds while its closeout lasts.
Quick picks
-
Lightest overall
- Claimed weight
- 2.77 lb (1,255 g)
- Shell
- Carbon-aramid
- Price
- About $510
-
Lightest retro
- Claimed weight
- 2.98 lb (about 1,350 g, size M)
- Shell
- Woven carbon
- Price
- About $670
-
Best value carbon
- Claimed weight
- 3.2 lb (about 1,450 g)
- Shell
- TCT-U 3K carbon
- Price
- About $605
-
Lightest with sun visor
- Claimed weight
- 3.2 lb (about 1,450 g)
- Shell
- Carbon
- Price
- About $630
- Lightest race helmet: AGV Pista GP RR Carbon
- Best budget: LS2 Thunder Carbon
- Lightest ADV: Klim Krios Pro
We built this list from research, not hands-on testing. We compared claimed weights from manufacturers and large retailers (Louis, Cycle Gear, J&P Cycles), safety certifications, shell sizes and current RevZilla prices. Claimed weights usually refer to one mid-size helmet, so treat small differences of an ounce or two as a tie.
Lightest full-face helmets compared
| Helmet | Claimed weight | Shell | Certifications | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AGV K6 S | 2.77 lb (1,255 g) | Carbon-aramid, 4 sizes | DOT, ECE 22.06 | About $510 |
| Bell Bullitt GT Carbon | 2.98 lb (1,350 g, M) | Woven carbon, 3 sizes | DOT, ECE 22.06 | About $670 |
| Scorpion EXO-R1 Air Carbon | 3.2 lb (1,450 g) | TCT-U 3K carbon, 3 sizes | DOT, ECE 22.06 | About $605 |
| HJC RPHA 72 Carbon | 3.2 lb (1,450 g) | Carbon, 3 sizes | DOT, ECE 22.06 | About $630 |
| AGV Pista GP RR | 3.2 lb (1,450 g) | Carbon, 4 sizes | DOT, ECE 22.06, FIM | About $1,100 |
| LS2 Thunder Carbon | 3.25 lb (1,474 g) | Carbon-aramid, 3 sizes | DOT, ECE, FIM | About $350 |
| Klim Krios Pro | 3.4 lb (1,542 g) | Carbon + Koroyd | DOT, ECE 22.06 | About $725 |
Weights are the makers’ or retailers’ claimed figures, checked in November 2026. Prices change often; the LS2 is a closeout.
The lightest full-face helmets in detail
1. AGV K6 S: lightest overall
The K6 S is the lightest full-face street helmet we found that you can still buy at a normal price. European retailer Louis lists it at about 1,255 grams, or 2.77 pounds. That is roughly half a pound less than most carbon sport-touring helmets and a full pound less than many fiberglass helmets.
AGV gets there with a carbon-aramid fiber shell made in four shell sizes across XS to 2XL, so small heads do not carry a shell built for a large one. It is certified to both DOT and ECE 22.06, the newer European standard that adds rotational and extra impact tests. The trade-off is simplicity: there is no drop-down sun visor, so you swap to a tinted shield (or the photochromic K6 shield) for bright days. It is ready for the Sena ARK communicator.
Pros
- Lightest helmet on this list by a clear margin
- Four shell sizes keep small sizes light
- DOT and ECE 22.06
Cons
- No internal sun visor
- Sporty, slightly forward riding position fit
2. Bell Bullitt GT Carbon: lightest retro full-face
If you ride a cruiser, café racer or standard and want vintage looks without a heavy lid, the Bullitt GT Carbon is the one to look at. Bell quotes about 1,350 grams (±50 g) for a medium, or just under 3 pounds, which is lighter than most modern sport-touring helmets.
The GT version updates the original Bullitt with ECE 22.06 approval alongside DOT, a woven carbon shell in three sizes, and the same huge eye port that riders love for visibility. Venting is limited to a forehead slider, and the classic bubble shield is an extra purchase. For more retro options, see our Bell Bullitt alternatives.
Pros
- Under 3 lb in a medium
- Very wide eye port
- DOT and ECE 22.06
Cons
- Limited venting
- Bubble shield sold separately
- Louder than a sport-touring helmet at highway speed
3. Scorpion EXO-R1 Air Carbon: best value carbon sport helmet
The EXO-R1 Air Carbon is Scorpion’s track-capable flagship, and at about $605 it costs far less than the European race helmets it competes with. J&P Cycles lists it at 3.2 pounds, about the same as helmets that cost $400 to $500 more.
The shell is Scorpion’s TCT-U 3K carbon weave in three sizes, and the size range runs from XS to 3XL, which is rare for a carbon race helmet. It carries DOT and ECE 22.06 approval. Scorpion includes both a clear and a tinted shield in the box, so you do not have to buy a second visor right away.
Pros
- Carbon shell for about $600
- Sizes up to 3XL
- Clear and tinted shields included
Cons
- Race-oriented fit and noise
- No internal sun visor
4. HJC RPHA 72 Carbon: lightest sport-touring helmet with a sun visor
Most of the lightest helmets skip the drop-down sun visor, because the visor mechanism adds weight. The RPHA 72 Carbon, HJC’s new sport-touring helmet for 2026, keeps it and still comes in at about 1,450 grams according to Louis. That makes it the pick for commuters and tourers who want a light helmet they can wear all day.
It uses a carbon shell in three sizes from XS to 2XL, is certified to DOT and ECE 22.06, and is built to take HJC’s Smart HJC Bluetooth units. If road noise matters as much as weight, compare it with our quietest motorcycle helmets.
Pros
- Drop-down sun visor at 3.2 lb
- Made for Smart HJC intercoms
- DOT and ECE 22.06
Cons
- Pricier than fiberglass touring helmets
- Only three shell sizes
5. AGV Pista GP RR: lightest race helmet with FIM approval
The Pista GP RR is the same design AGV supplies to MotoGP riders, sold as a road-legal helmet. It is not lighter than the K6 S (Louis lists about 1,450 grams), but it is very light for a helmet that also passes the FIM racing homologation on top of DOT and ECE 22.06.
You get an all-carbon shell in four sizes, a race visor and a built-in hydration system. It only makes sense if you do track days or want the most race-proven shell you can buy; for street riding, the K6 S is lighter and half the price.
Pros
- DOT, ECE 22.06 and FIM approved
- Four shell sizes
- Race features such as hydration
Cons
- About $1,100
- Race fit and tucked-in position are tiring upright
6. LS2 Thunder Carbon: best budget lightweight helmet
Light helmets are usually expensive, but the LS2 Thunder Carbon is on closeout at RevZilla for about $350, down from about $700. Cycle Gear lists it at 3.25 pounds, within a couple of ounces of helmets that cost twice as much.
It is LS2’s race helmet, with a carbon shell reinforced with aramid fibers, three shell sizes and DOT, ECE and FIM approval. Because it is a closeout, sizes and colors can disappear quickly. We could not find a current helmet under $300 that weighs less than about 3.5 pounds, so this is the realistic budget choice while stock lasts.
Pros
- Carbon shell for about $350
- DOT, ECE and FIM
- Within ounces of $600+ helmets
Cons
- Closeout: limited sizes and colors
- Race fit
7. Klim Krios Pro: lightest adventure helmet
Adventure helmets carry a peak and a bigger chin bar, so they are usually heavier than street helmets. The Krios Pro is the exception. Cycle Gear lists it at 3.4 pounds, light enough for long days off-road where you are standing on the pegs and turning your head constantly.
Klim pairs a carbon shell with a Koroyd energy-absorbing liner and DOT and ECE 22.06 approval, in sizes XS to 3XL. It comes with a Transitions photochromic shield. The peak catches wind at highway speeds, so it is noisier and pulls more than a street helmet on the freeway.
Pros
- Lightest ADV helmet we found
- Photochromic shield included
- Sizes up to 3XL
Cons
- Peak adds buffeting at speed
- About $725
How to choose a lightweight helmet
Why helmet weight matters
A lighter helmet is easier on your neck, especially on long rides, at highway speed and when you check your mirrors and blind spots hundreds of times a day. Research for military aircrew found that neck muscle activity generally rose as helmet weight increased, and that where the weight sits matters as well as how much there is. A helmet that is light but sits far forward can still feel heavy, which is why aerodynamics and fit matter too.
Claimed weights are for one size
Manufacturers usually quote weight for a medium. Bigger sizes weigh more, and the jump is larger when a brand uses fewer shell sizes, because a small head then ends up in a larger shell. AGV and Bell use four or five shells on their top helmets, which keeps small sizes light. Our helmet shell sizes guide lists shell counts for more than 30 models.
Light does not mean less safe
Every helmet here is DOT certified, and all but one carry ECE 22.06 as well. ECE 22.06 added an oblique (rotational) impact test, more impact points and more impact speeds compared with the old 22.05, plus a visor test. Carbon and aramid shells save weight because they are stiffer per gram than fiberglass or polycarbonate, not because they skip protection. For more on the standards, read ECE 22.06 vs DOT.
What you give up for low weight
- Sun visors: most of the lightest helmets have none. The RPHA 72 Carbon is the exception.
- Price: carbon costs more. Light fiberglass helmets exist, but we could not find one under $300 that weighs less than about 3.5 lb.
- Quiet: race helmets prioritize airflow over quiet. Touring riders may prefer a slightly heavier, quieter shell.
If you are still deciding between materials, our best carbon fiber helmets guide covers more carbon options, and best motorcycle helmets covers every budget.
FAQ
What is the lightest full-face motorcycle helmet?
Among helmets widely sold in the US, the AGV K6 S is the lightest we found at a claimed 2.77 lb (about 1,255 g). A few niche European helmets claim lower weights in their smallest size, but they are hard to buy in the US.
How much should a full-face motorcycle helmet weigh?
Most full-face helmets weigh about 3.3 to 4 lb (1,500 to 1,800 g) in a medium. Under 3.3 lb is light, and under 3 lb is very light. Modular helmets usually weigh 3.7 lb or more because of the hinge.
Are lighter helmets less safe?
Not necessarily. Weight depends mainly on shell material, shell size and features. The helmets on this list pass DOT, and most also pass ECE 22.06, which adds rotational impact testing.
Is carbon fiber lighter than fiberglass?
Usually, yes. Carbon fiber is stiffer for its weight, so a carbon shell can be thinner and lighter. Most of the lightest helmets use carbon or a carbon-aramid blend.
For most riders, the AGV K6 S is the lightest helmet worth buying, and at about $510 it costs less than many heavier carbon helmets. Choose the HJC RPHA 72 Carbon if you want a sun visor, or grab the LS2 Thunder Carbon while it is on closeout.
