Best Dirt Bike Helmets Under $300
The $300 price range offers some truly excellent dirt bike helmets. In this guide i’ve picked 5 of the finest options with regards to value for money, safety, and epic features.
You ploughed your savings into buying your dream dirt bike. With some scrounging, you’ve found a fantastic kit, but you’re wanting a new helmet too. Fortunately, you are spoilt for choice when it comes to selecting a dirt bike helmet for under $300.
Your helmet is your most important piece of safety equipment. Motocross and dirt biking isn’t playing chess: it is a high-speed, dangerous, adrenaline-fuelled sport that can lead to serious injury. Skimping on a safety kit will cost you dearly. The best dirt bike helmets under $300 meet all the important safety ratings. Which ones do you pick, and what should you look for?
In this article, we’ll walk you through the best choices under $300 and help you to make the best buying decision from our years of experience.
Best Dirt Bike Helmets under $300
These are 5 of the best dirt bike helmets under $300
Troy Lee Designs SE4
Value For Money:★★★★☆
Protection:★★★★☆
Features:★★★★☆
Comfort:★★★☆☆
Style:★★★★☆
Value for Money:
This helmet is a fantastic entry-level MX and dirt bike helmet that keeps the core focus on providing you high levels of quality and safety without weighing you down with unnecessary features. Priced near the $250 mark, and with its premium design and safety technology, it offers high levels of value for your hard-earned money.
Safety:
This lid is equipped with MIPS brain protection system. MIPS (Multi-directional Impact Protection System) is a leading helmet safety protection that reduces the rotational forces that arise from certain impacts. It also features an EPP (Expanded PolyPropylene) chin bar for enhanced frontal protection and strength. It carries a DOT safety certification.
Comfort and Features:
It is designed with maximum ventilation in mind: there are 16 air intake slots and 12 exhaust vents for class-leading airflow through the helmet to keep you cool no matter what. Inside are also anatomical 3D contoured cheek pads, and the liner and pads are also removable and washable to keep them clean and fresh. Other noteworthy features of the TLD SE4 Polyacrylite helmet is that it features plastic peak screws and brass inserts that break-away upon impact. The chin strap features robust stainless-steel D-rings.
The helmet is also available in 3 shell sizes and weighs just 3.30 lbs.
LS2 Subverter Helmet
Value For Money:★★★★☆
Protection:★★★★★
Features:★★★★★
Comfort:★★★★☆
Style:★★★★★
Value for Money:
With a high safety rating, the latest technology in shell construction, and a range of clever features, this LS2 Subverter helmet might be a game changer in its class but it scores a 4-star rating for value for money as this style is right at the very top of our budget cap. For those with budgets that allow, this is most probably the best dirt bike helmet for under $300.
Safety:
It meets DOT as well as ECE safety criteria. LS2 packed this off-road bike helmet with incredible levels of safety features. The shell features a multi-density EPS liner inside, a reinforced chin strap, and the outer shell of the helmet features what LS2 calls KPA (Kinetic Polymer Alloy). It is a blend of polycarbonate, thermoplastics, and other materials that provide high energy dispersion properties and high penetration resistance in impacts.
Comfort and Features:
Inside this helmet, the MX470 Subverter comprises hypoallergenic fabrics that are also moisture-wicking to keep you comfortable. The cheek pads and internal liners are created with 3D laser technology to fit to the curves of a rider’s face. These liners and pads are removable and washable, too. In terms of ventilation, it sports 35 air vents across the chin, top, side and the rear to keep the air flowing freely through the helmet.
It weighs just 3.20 lbs.
KLIM F3 Helmet
Value For Money:★★★★☆
Protection:★★★★★
Features:★★★☆☆
Comfort:★★★★★
Style:★★★☆☆
Value for Money:
At just over $200, the Klim F3 helmet offers a great deal of value for money when you work out its features vs. price ratio. It is both DOT and ECE safety rated, lightweight, and sports one of the highest rated comfort liner systems in this helmet category.
Safety:
With DOT and ECE safety certification, it is constructed with a multi-density and multi-layer composite shell to provide strength and impact absorption in key areas of the helmet.
Comfort and Features:
This helmet has been designed with 13 air vents and six exhaust slots to keep your head as cool as possible. As with other helmets in our review, it also has Custom EPS internal liners systems that hold the helmet in place around your head. 3D cheek pads and liners ensure a comfortable fit and feature moisture-wicking and anti-microbial fabrics that you can easily remove and wash to keep them bacteria- and sweat-free.
This helmet is available in 3 shell sizes and weighs 3.46 lbs.
Alpinestars S-M5 Solid Helmet
Value For Money:★★★★★
Protection:★★★★★
Features:★★★★☆
Comfort:★★★★☆
Style:★★★★★
Value for Money:
Lightweight, jam-packed with safety features, comfortable, and priced slap-bang in the middle of our sub-$300 budget, the Alpinestars S-M5 helmet is our value-for-money winner. Quality, premium materials, and style at a price that’s affordable gets our vote for this category.
Safety:
It is DOT-certified for safety and boasts ECE rating to be one of the highest safety-rated helmets in our line-up. The shell of the helmet has been designed with advanced impact-resistant thermoplastic materials that minimizes the energy of impacts at any angle of contact. A multi-density inner layer further enhances energy absorption in the event of an impact. Alpinestars has also ensured that the peak will break-away in the event of an impact to that area of the helmet to reduce any injury.
Comfort and Features:
The helmet weighs just 2.77 lbs, thanks to its innovative shell construction methods and technology. That light weight doesn’t sacrifice safety protection, as we have already mentioned. It also doesn’t compromise on comfort. This helmet features EPS foam pads and liner that are removable and washable. These fabrics consist of treated anti-microbial polyester that is moisture-wicking and breathable. This helmet features several ventilation slots and 4 exhaust ports, plus an hydration tube channel integrated into the helmet’s cheek pads for improved convenience while riding.
Fly Racing Carbon Helmet
Value For Money:★★★★☆
Protection:★★★★☆
Features:★★★★☆
Comfort:★★★★☆
Style:★★★★★
Value for Money:
Fly Racing has been creating ever higher quality products for the motocross and dirt biking sectors. This Dirt F2 Carbon helmet presents MIPS safety technology, carbon fiber and Kevlar materials to create a helmet that’s dripping with the latest technology for less than $300. You can’t fault the folks at Fly Racing: this is one serious value-for-money product that should be near the top of your shopping list.
Safety:
It is equipped with MIPS (Multi-directional Impact Protection System) technology that reduces the rotational impact energy forces on the head and neck. With a carbon and Kevlar woven composite shell material, this helmet is strong and lightweight for a helmet that is ECE and DOT safety certified.
Comfort and Features:
Inside the helmet, you’ll find a dual-density EPS liner that is removable and washable – with moisture-wicking fabrics to keep your head feeling cool. The cheek pads and lining are customizable for the perfect fit. It features 11 air vents and 4 exhaust air slots on the rear for airflow through the helmet even while you’re stationary.
This helmet weighs just 3.24 lbs.
Buying Guide:
Safety Ratings:
Several helmet safety standards currently exist. Each one offers a different safety testing and level of protection. Your helmet must, first and foremost, provide the correct and suitable safety rating for the type of riding you’ll be doing.
DOT (Department of Transport) is an American certification required for all helmets sold in the USA to carry this standard. DOT certification means that a helmet has been manufactured to a set standard.
ECE (Economic Commission for Europe) certification is more rigorous than DOT ratings. The ECE tests impact absorption and rotational forces on certain parts of dirt bike helmets to ensure they provide a necessary level of protection. This certification is recognized by more than 50 countries.
Snell certifications are regarded as the highest current safety rating available, as they’re designed for motorcycle and motocross racing standards.
Read here for more insights on helmet safety standards. You may be wondering if your dirt bike helmet is actually legal for use on the road: you can read about that here.
Fit and Comfort:
All the safety measures and development mean nothing if the helmet doesn’t fit properly. Ensure that a comfortable fit is found: the helmet must not move on your head when you nod or turn your head. If the helmet moves, set the chin strap tighter. The best MX helmets under $300 feature helmet liners and padding. These are adjustable and removable so that you can add more padding or remove padding accordingly for the best fit.
Those same cheek pads and liners can be swapped a size up or a size down for a more comfortable fit. When you’re zigzagging on dirt trails or jumping over tabletops, you’ll undoubtedly be gasping big mouthfuls of air as the adrenaline pumps through your body. You need as much ventilation coming through your chin bar and into your mouth and lungs. If your cheek pads are too tight, it will feel like you’re overheating and not getting enough air into your lungs. Our review of the best dirt bike helmets under $200 goes into more detail about comfort.
Materials:
The helmet’s internal pads and liners must be made of moisture-wicking fabrics that are easy to remove and washable. These are mostly made from polyester fabrics that offer anti-bacterial fibres.
The helmet’s shells are usually made of lightweight polycarbonate, fiber glass or carbon fiber layers. The lightest helmets are constructed from polycarbonate and carbon fiber. They offer increased strength and energy absorption in the event of a crash. Under the $300 budget cap, the best helmets feature polycarbonate shells with state-of-the-art manufacturing technology.
Vision and Goggles:
A clear view is crucial for dirt bike riding. It is not a stylistic element for designers to create wide fields of view for dirt bike helmets: it allows a rider the best peripheral vision for safer riding. You’ll be using goggles with your helmet and the closer these fit to your face, the less of a disturbance they will be in your vision. Through dust, bushes, riding near other riders in a motocross race, to having the sun in your eyes and stones flying at your head, you want to be able to see everything around you to keep track of the obstacles in your field of vision.
When you try on helmets, bring along your goggles so that you can see how they’ll fit with you helmet and work with enhancing your vision.
Read how the best dirt bike helmets can improve your field of vision.
Weight:
When you’re on the footpegs and breathing hard, every muscle in your body is alive and burning. The weight of your helmet might not seem like a big deal when you’re trying it on, but after 10 minutes jumping your dirt bike, you’ll know all about it from the spasms in your neck and shoulders. While the helmet need not way more than 5 lbs, try to find one that’s as close to 3.5 lbs as you can for the best weight/safety ratio.
Peaks
A distinguishing factor of dirt bike helmets are their peaks. These are adjustable for you to find the best view forward, while providing you protection from flying debris, mud, sand, and keeping the sun away from your eyes.
Ventilation
Good ventilation can make your helmet feel lighter than it actually is. The air vents keep your head cool with large slots up front to suck air into the chin bar. There are usually two areas with rear exhaust vents for the warm air to circulate out of the helmet, too.
Top Budget Dirt Bike Helmet Brands:
Troy Lee Designs:
Troy Lee Designs (also known as TLD) have been creating dirt bike accessories and kit since 1981, for amateurs and professionals. This company started out as an MX company, painting helmets for motocross riders, before producing their own lines of products designed in California.
LS2:
LS2 is a Chinese company that specialises in helmet technology. They’ve been producing high-quality helmets for professional racers since 1990. The company is now one of the largest manufacturers of helmets in the world with products for all disciplines of motorcycle riding and racing.
Klim:
Klim is headquartered in Rigby, Idaho and has recently been bought over by Polaris. This company started offering motorcycle products in 1999 and today support racers, tourers, adventurers, and street riders with high-quality products.
Alpinestars:
Alpinestars has manufactured clothing and protective kit for motorsports and action sports since 1963 from its base in Asolo, Italy. They are hugely synonymous with motocross racing and high-performance motorcycle gear.
Fly Racing:
Fly Racing was established in 1998 as an off-road motorcycle brand. It offers products to the North American market from its headquarters in Boise, Idaho. It is one of the largest brands in motocross and dirt biking today.
Last Checkpoint:
Finding an MX and off-road helmet under $300 isn’t that difficult. There are dozens of good lids available. Selecting the best from those proves tricky. When you consider the various safety aspects, comfort and fit, weight, and ventilation features, you’ll narrow your shopping list. We tested and reviewed the pick of the bunch for our best MX/dirt bike helmets under $300 and we recommend the Alpinestars S-M5 as the winner from this line-up.
