Full Face vs Dual Sport vs Open Face: Which Motorcycle Helmet Is Right for You?
Full face, dual sport, open face, vintage: the type of helmet you choose matters as much as the brand. Here's a plain-English rundown of each style, who it's for, and what to look for, so you can pick the right one for how you actually ride.
Full-face helmets
Best for: street riding, commuting, highway miles, sport bikes, and anyone who wants the most coverage.
A full-face helmet covers your whole head and has a solid chin bar across the front, so your face and jaw are protected as well as your skull. It's also the quietest and most weather-proof style: wind, rain and bugs stay on the outside of the shield. If you're unsure which type to buy, a full-face helmet is the safe default.
Look for: DOT FMVSS-218 approval, a removable and washable liner, good venting, and an easy-to-swap shield.
Our picks: GDM Venom ($119.95), GDM Ghost (from $109.95), and the GDM Demon ($149.95), which adds a built-in drop-down sun visor.
Dual-sport (adventure) helmets
Best for: adventure bikes, mixed on- and off-road riding, ATVs, UTVs and snowmobiles.
A dual-sport helmet is a hybrid: it has the chin bar and face shield of a street helmet, plus a peak visor like a motocross helmet to block sun and roost. You can ride the highway to the trailhead and keep going on the dirt without changing helmets.
Look for: a removable peak, a face shield you can open for extra airflow on slow trails, and a drop-down sun visor.
Our pick: the GDM Beast ($149.95), also available with a HyperSonic Bluetooth intercom ($199.95).
Open-face (3/4) helmets
Best for: cruisers, scooters, around-town riding, and riders who want maximum airflow and visibility.
An open-face helmet covers the top, back and sides of your head but leaves your face open. It's light, cool in summer and easy to talk through, and it gives a classic look. The trade-off: no chin protection, and more wind and bugs. Many riders pair one with a snap-on bubble shield or goggles.
Our pick: the GDM Renegade (from $79.95), available with a clear, tinted or chrome 3-snap bubble shield.
Vintage / retro full-face helmets
Best for: café racers, scramblers, bobbers, and anyone who wants old-school style with full-face coverage.
Retro full-face helmets have the rounded shell and classic lines of 1970s helmets, with a modern DOT-approved shell and liner. Many use snap-on shields or goggles instead of a flip-up visor.
Our pick: the GDM Rebel ($149.95), with a diamond-stitched liner and matching 3-snap sun visor.
Youth helmets
Best for: young riders on dirt bikes, ATVs and side-by-sides.
Kids' heads aren't small adult heads, so youth helmets are built and sized for them. Never put a child in an adult helmet that's "close enough". Measure and use the youth size chart.
Our pick: the GDM DK-630 Youth Motocross Helmet ($49.95), DOT approved, sizes Youth S to XL.
Want Bluetooth?
Most of our full-face and dual-sport helmets come in Bluetooth versions with built-in calls, music, GPS audio and an optional rider-to-rider intercom. See our guide to Bluetooth helmets under $200.
Whatever you choose: get the size right
The best helmet is the one that fits. Before you order, take two minutes with our Helmet Size Guide. Every GDM helmet we sell is DOT FMVSS-218 approved and ships free via USPS from Sun Valley, CA.