Collection: Modular Helmets

What Is a Modular Helmet?

A modular helmet — also called a flip-up helmet — is a full-face helmet with a hinged chin bar that lifts up, so you can switch between full-face and open-face protection on the fly.

It's the most versatile helmet style you can buy: closed, it protects like a full-face; open, it gives you the airflow and freedom of an open face. That flexibility makes modular helmets a favorite for touring riders, commuters, and anyone who wants convenience without giving up chin protection.

Benefits of Modular Helmets

The biggest benefit is convenience: the flip-up chin bar lets you talk, drink, or cool down at a stop without removing the helmet — while still giving you full-face protection on the road.

• Convenience at every stop — flip up at gas stations, tolls, and lights without unstrapping.
• Easier for eyeglass wearers — get the helmet on and off without knocking your glasses.
• Airflow on demand — open the front in heat or slow traffic to cut fatigue.
• Less claustrophobic than a fixed full-face.
• Built-in sun visor on most models.
• Comms-friendly — pairs naturally with a Bluetooth headset for touring.

The trade-off: the hinge makes a modular slightly heavier and a touch louder than a comparable full-face — a fair exchange for most touring and commuting riders.

Are Modular Helmets Safe?

Yes — a quality modular helmet that's properly certified offers strong protection. Look for DOT and ECE 22.06 certification, and ride with the chin bar locked down for maximum protection.

Modern modulars are tested like full-face helmets. DOT is the U.S. legal minimum. ECE 22.06 tests modular helmets in both open and closed positions and adds a marking: "P" means the chin bar is protective (tested like a full-face), while "J" means jet-style with no chin protection. A P/J-rated helmet is approved to ride open; a P-only helmet should be ridden closed.

How to Choose the Right Size

Measure your head about an inch above your eyebrows with a soft tape, match it to the brand's size chart, and pick a snug fit with no pressure points. Sizes vary by brand, so always check the specific chart.

• Measure right — widest part of the head, level, measured twice; use the larger number.
• Mind your head shape — round, intermediate, or long oval; the right size in the wrong shape will pinch.
• Snug, not painful — the liner breaks in about 15–20%.
• Between sizes? Size down, and fine-tune with thinner or thicker cheek pads.

How to Care for a Modular Helmet

Clean the shell and visor with mild soap and lukewarm water, hand-wash the removable liner, and — unique to modulars — periodically lubricate the chin-bar hinge so it keeps flipping smoothly.

• Shell & visor — lukewarm water and a microfiber cloth; avoid harsh chemicals, especially on matte finishes.
• Liner & pads — hand-wash and air dry; refresh an older helmet with new liners and cheek pads.
• The hinge — apply a silicone lubricant to the flip mechanism and visor pivots periodically.
• Stay fog-free with a Pinlock or anti-fog insert.
• Storage & lifespan — keep out of direct sun; replace after any impact or about every five years.

Modular vs. Full-Face

Choose a modular for convenience and versatility on tours and commutes; choose a full-face for the lightest, quietest, maximum-protection helmet, especially for sport riding.

Modular Helmet FAQs