European Alternatives to Shoei

Shoei is a Japanese motorcycle helmet maker. SHOEI Kako Co., Ltd. was founded in Tokyo in 1959 and began with multi-purpose safety helmets. It introduced its first racing helmet in 1963, its first full-face helmet in 1967 and, in 1976, what it calls the world's first carbon fibre helmet. According to Shoei, every helmet is still handmade in Japan in a process involving more than 50 people, and its wind tunnel in Ibaraki, Japan, opened in 2011.

Why look for a European alternative to Shoei?

Riders look for alternatives to Shoei because of fit, availability or the wish to buy from a European company. These European helmet makers are listed here:

• Schuberth from Magdeburg offers flip-up, full-face, adventure and open-face helmets and communication systems, and tests in its own wind tunnel.
• AGV from the Dainese Group near Vicenza has made helmets since 1947 and equipped riders such as Agostini and Rossi. Its parent company is owned by US-based investors.
• Nolan from near Bergamo makes helmets under the Nolan, Grex and X-lite brands and its own communication systems.
• Caberg from Bergamo has made helmets since 1974 and offers a chip with medical data inside the helmet.
• Airoh from Bergamo comes from racing and motocross and has won dozens of world titles since 2005.
• NEXX from Portugal specialises in premium carbon helmets, with the X range made entirely in Portugal.

What to compare

Fit is the deciding factor with helmets, so try on several brands in a shop if you can. Check that the helmet is approved to ECE 22.06, the current regulation, and compare weight, ventilation, visor system and whether a communication system fits. A one-to-one replacement for a specific Shoei model does not exist. See the full Motorcycle Helmet Brands category for all listed European makers.