Are Shoei helmets worth the price?

Today we'll discuss Shoei helmets, which are considered by many to be the best there is.  First off: a lot of the success of these helmets has to do with their history.  The workers at Shoei have designed and built motorcycle helmets since 1958.  They’re a small, quality Japanese manufacturer, and they do their job well.  At its core then, Shoei helmets is a company whose strong history is one of its greatest strengths.  But Shoei helmets don't simply have a long-standing legacy. They have innovative design. A lot of it. A whole history of it.

The creativity and innovation of Shoei helmets is driven by one thing: racing.  Nearly without exception, when someone (not just Shoei helmets, but anyone) is designing racing technology, they'll eventually market that technology directly to consumers.  Simply put, most Shoei helmets were engineered with motorcycle racing in mind, which means that they often have design features which substantially exceed those needed by most casual riders.

But the thing is: a lot of riders are looking for that very thing.

Right, so: Shoei helmets are great. No argument there.  This company may be small, but the motorcycle helmets they make can be downright beautiful.  You must have known there was a catch though. Right? Well, whether you knew it or not, Shoei helmets have one big fat ol' drawback.  Bottom line: to buy a Shoei helmet you gotta be ready to pay.  Shoei helmets can frequently be found at five times the price (or more!) of the competitors.

Here's the point for all us "commoners" who don't have millions in the bank.  In a word: Shoei helmets aren't necessarily safer just cause you're paying more money.  Today’s market for motorcycle helmets is literally awash with alternatives, so if you don’t have hundreds to spend on Shoei helmets, you don’t need to.  It's also more than a question of a competitive marketplace.  That's because finding the best motorcycle helmet isn't about just picking a brand, or spending at a certain price-point.  In truth, you need to start with *you*: how big is your head? What *shape* is your head? It's questions like those that bring you away from Shoei helmets toward a helmet that is uniquely right for you.  Your own, personal "best motorcycle helmet" is found in this way.  And for many people, Shoei helmets may not be the best fit for their head; it just depends.

Pure and simple.  Shoei helmets are very cool helmets.  I like to look as much as anyone else.  But...Critical point: as long as you're buying a DOT-approved helmet, those extra dollars don't translate into extra protection.  And paying an arm and a leg for motorcycle helmets that just aren't right for your head (Shoei helmets or any other helmets) will always result in decreased safety, despite you spending more.  Cheaper, better fitting helmets will always be safer than poorly-fitted Shoei helmets.

So if you need a quality helmet but aren't made of money, just do this.  Decide you're going to find the *correct* helmet, rather than drooling over all those hot little Shoei helmets.