Everything Throttle Buff has on Shoei in one place: the Shoei helmets our buying guides recommend and what for, our Shoei review and comparisons, and help finding your size.
Shoei helmets we recommend
Each pick links to the guide that recommends it.
Which Shoei is right for you?
Shoei makes a helmet for almost every kind of riding, and the lineup is easier to choose from once you know what each model is built for:
- Street and sport riding: RF-1400. Shoei’s do-everything full-face. It carries DOT and Snell certification in the US, uses the CWR-F2 shield with a Pinlock insert and comes in several shell sizes, so smaller and larger heads both get a properly proportioned helmet.
- Touring: GT-Air 3. A full-face with a drop-down internal sun visor and a cut-out for Sena’s SRL3 integrated intercom. Pick it over the RF-1400 if you ride long days and want sun protection without swapping visors.
- Modular: Neotec 3. The chin bar flips up, which helps glasses wearers, touring riders and anyone who stops often. It also takes the SRL3 intercom and has an internal sun visor.
- Adventure riding: Hornet X2. A dual-sport helmet with a peak and a face shield, for riders who split time between pavement and gravel.
- Dirt and motocross: VFX-EVO. A goggle-style off-road helmet with Shoei’s M.E.D.S. system for rotational impacts.
- First premium helmet: RF-SR. A simpler, lower-priced Shoei full-face that still gets you Shoei fit and finish.
Shoei fit and sizing notes
Shoei helmets suit an intermediate oval head, the most common shape in North America and Europe. If your head is noticeably rounder or longer than average, read our guides for long oval heads and wide faces before you buy. Many Shoei dealers can also swap cheek pads and liners to fine-tune the fit.
Shoei recommends replacing a helmet five years after you start using it, or seven years after its production date, whichever comes first, and immediately after any crash. Our helmet expiration guide explains why.
Shoei vs other premium brands
Shoei’s closest rival is Arai: both are Japanese, both hand-finish their helmets and both sit at the top of the price range. Arai tends to suit rounder heads and favours a smooth, round shell; Shoei leans towards more aerodynamic shapes and integrated tech such as the SRL3 intercom. Our Shoei vs Arai comparison covers fit, noise and safety ratings in detail, and our helmet brands guide ranks ten brands side by side.
Shoei reviews and comparisons
- Shoei vs Arai Helmets: Which Brand Is Better?
- Shoei GT-Air vs RF-1200: Now GT-Air 3 vs RF-1400 Compared
- Shoei RF-1400 Review: Still Worth Buying?
Intercoms for Shoei helmets
Find your Shoei size
Our helmet size calculator converts your head measurement into Shoei sizes, alongside HJC, Bell, Arai and Scorpion.
More helmets: best motorcycle helmets, best modular helmets and every helmet guide.