Best Motorcycle Helmets for Glasses Wearers in 2023: Tested Reviews!
For the purposes of this article, I tested over 30 motorcycle helmets to find the best ones that fit nicely and comfortably while wearing glasses.
First of all, the elephant in the room, I changed to contact lenses a long time ago. I recommend and love it, but to bring proper information for you I went back to the depths of my closet and found my old buddies as not everyone adapts to contacts. It’s looking through old lenses that I’ll be bringing you clear, fogless information.
Before I reveal my top choices, it would be useful if you understand what makes a helmet comfortable for glasses wearers. Here are my main points:
- the amount of padding around the ear and if it interferes with the glasses frame (removable padding also counts)
- the number of ventilation inlets and outlets and if they do a good job in order to avoid the lenses from fogging
- the amount of wind noise (which is generally related to well-designed vents as well as with the amount of padding)
- last but not least, style – because there is no point in spending hours choosing your frames if you’ll cover it with a bad looking helmet
- Safety is a granted one as I would not recommend anything unsafe for my fellow riders
- Comfort is also important, so trying helmets out before buying is definitely recommended as we are all shaped differently and a comfortable helmet for one rider might be a bad experience for another
Besides all that, many helmets include some tech features such as built-in speakers or intercoms and other gadgets, so look into those as well if you are tech-savvy and like being connected while riding.
More common features such as a sun visor are also available in many of the helmets listed below, so if you like staring at the big orange ball in the sky, you might want to have one of these, especially if they don’t interfere with the glasses frame.
Cutting to the chase, here are my top 10 recommended helmets for glass wearers (along with affiliate links to Amazon):
1. ScorpionExo Belfast ¾ open face helmet
Pros: Even though it has very good and comfortable padding around the ears, it offers enough space for the glasses frame to move around allowing you to adjust the position of your glasses.
Because it’s an open-face helmet, I can guarantee that fogging won’t happen as ventilation is plenty. When it comes to style, this is what this piece of gear is all about with many available colors and allowing that frame of yours to be seen by everyone around you. This is also a great option if your gear budget is on the lower side while still being a safe helmet.
Cons: Evaluating wind noise on an open-face helmet is not really a thing. Also, I don’t expect you to be doing highway speeds with your chin exposed like this. Data shows that the chin is generally one of the first points of contact with the ground when crashing a motorcycle. Beyond that, the liner is non-removable so it cannot be washed.
2. Scorpion Exo-T510 Air Fit
Pros: These are nice because of innovative technology. Not only does the padding around the ears offer a channel for the glasses to slide in – which limits movement a little bit, but still allows for plenty of adjustment -, this helmet offers padding that can be tightened by pumping air in it.
The system is as simple as the push of a button and just like that you will be pumping air into the padding and adjusting how tight you want your helmet to be.
This is important because many of us have chosen larger helmets to accommodate for our glasses before, but doing so is sacrificing our safety as now the helmet is loose on our heads. When it comes to style, with different colors and graphics, there is a version for everyone out there.
Cons: Because of the liner adjustability, wind noise and fogging can be dealt with in a more pleasant manner, but are still not perfect as this helmet is still a bit on the loud side of things for a touring helmet.
3. Shoei GT Air II
Shoei is known as one of the best Motorcycle Helmet brands out there and our list would not be complete without mentioning the GT Air II.
Pros: This helmet offers a snug fit around the head with lots of padding, but the designers did leave the groove for the frame to slide in. True, it does not offer a lot of flexibility for positioning the glasses, but they do fit comfortably.
Also, this Shoei counts with great ventilation with its many ports both in the front, back and top of the helmet, as well as with a sun visor that is very easy to use and does not interfere with the glasses frame. Available in multiple colors and graphics, you can’t go wrong with this one.
Cons: Shoei is a premium brand and this is an expensive option. Still, accounting for the quality of it, I think the price is payable even if you have to adjust the budget a bit. A good helmet is the most important gear you can have when riding motorcycles and deserves the investment.
4. Arai Corsair-X
Just as the one above, Arai has been on the market for a long time and has always been considered a high-end helmet. The amount of design and test hours spent on the development of their products is unbelievable and, of course, they also think about us who can’t see very well without our spectacles.
Pros: With the adjustable liner that counts with grooves for glasses to fit nicely with no pressure points, it also offers second to none ventilation with openings on the chin, visors, top of the head, neck etc, so fogging should never be an issue. Graphics are incredible as always with Arai and nobody cares about style – they are Arai, they show everyone that you know what you are doing.
Cons: It is a premium helmet and with all those development hours, safety and technology, up goes the price. One of the most expensive options on the market, this is only for a handful of people who are willing to pay the premium.
5. Arai Tour XD4
Another one from Arai, this is a famous helmet in the adventure world and, as these models are common for use with goggles, they are normally very good for glasses wearers.
Pros: Besides the large grooves around the ears allowing for great adjustability of the frames on your face and no pressure points whatsoever, ventilation is also no object with lots of inlets and exhaust ports. Does all that and still offers amazing soundproofing, what more can you really ask of it?
Cons: Unbelievable, I know, but the visor cut is too small if you actually want to use goggles when tackling dirt roads. Again, this is a premium helmet, so the price is only for a few.
6. Shoei RF-1200
As one of the best brands, Shoei wouldn’t have done with only one option on our top 10 and this is the cheaper alternative to the very expensive Arai Corsair.
Pros: Very light and roomy helmet allowing for comfortable use with glasses leaving space to move them around for a perfect position. Also, with an extra noise barrier, quietness is as good as one can have it, but with this comes not so great ventilation. Offered in different colors and graphics, I’m sure there is an option you will like out there.
Cons: Because ventilation is not great as mentioned above, fogging can be an issue. Also, it is not exactly affordable, but it is less expensive than the Corsair and offers great features, so it is a good compromise between quality, safety and an empty wallet.
7. Arai Ram-x
And yet another one from Arai makes it to our list, but this time with an open face option.
Pros: The Ram-x helmet is a great option for those who like ¾ shell helmets. With a visor that comes down far enough to cover the rider’s face and a sun visor, this is a great option if you wear glasses. On and off movement is easy and there is plenty of space left on the liner for positioning the frame. Fogging will definitely not be a problem with this well-vented helmet.
Cons: As with any open-face helmet, your chin is exposed in the event of a crash. That’s not to say they are not safe, it’s still an Arai, but your dentist bill might be higher with this one. Beyond that, for the price of this one you can get some of our recommended full-face helmets, making this one only for those who really like the open face option.
8. HJC RPHA-max
Pros: Modular helmets are an awesome option for people who wear glasses because they can be easily popped open in order to put or remove the frames. The secret here is to find one that feels comfortable around your head.
They also offer great ventilation and thus fogging should not be a problem. You can find them in multiple colors to match the rest of your gear or your motorcycle.
Cons: Of course, there is no perfect option, so the compromise of modular helmets is normally the weight. Because of the modular system and extra components that are required, they normally carry a few grams more than regular helmets which can be hard on the neck if you plan on tackling long hours on the highway.
9. HJC F-70
Another good HJC option is the F-70 bringing a bit more of a budget-conscious helmet for those who care about their wallet’s health.
Pros: With grooves included in the design of the liner – which is removable and washable like in most high-end helmets – there is enough room to adjust the position of your glasses.
When it comes to fogging, this helmet has a breath deflector, which will direct your breath away from the lenses and avoid fogging – a simple and still great feature if you ask me.
Cons: Not the lightest option if compared with some of the other helmets mentioned in this list, but that’s only an issue if you plan on wearing it for many hours at a time.
10. AGV K6
If you thought we were going to leave the Italians off of this list, they might be late but they always join the party – that’s what Italy is all about, isn’t it?
Pros: As one of the most respected gear brands out there, this AGV K6 is a great option if you want to have your glasses on. The removable and washable liner has grooves that offer enough space to fit the frames and with 5 front vents, you should not have to deal with those fogging lenses. Offered in many colors and graphics like AGV normally does, this can be an incredible piece of gear to reach that desired sporty look.
Cons: Some users have complained about fit and finishing issues such as vibrations on the vent lids and some of the internal padding coming off (they are removable) when removing the helmet, which can be a bit inconvenient.
Imagine having to stick the padding back in place every time you take the helmet off and possibly having to adjust it after because it’s no longer in a comfortable position? However, I’m sure this was only happening with a few users. I didn’t notice it, and either way, AGV would have addressed the issue by now.
Final Word
There you have it folks, these are my recommendations for helmets in 2021 if you wear glasses. I hope you have fun picking your helmet from the bunch.
Whatever type is your preferred option: Modular, touring, sport, adventure or ¾, as long as they are safe and comfortable, what matters is that you can ride for miles with a smile on your face.
