Automotive Journal

Motorcycle helmets designed for women are more fashion-oriented that those for men. For example, pink and purple are colors usually found in women’s motorcycle helmets but would almost never be seen in a man’s helmet. All in all, a woman’s motorcycle helmet gives out a “fashion statement” more than the simple styles found in helmets for men.

A word of caution should be mentioned here - safety and not looks should be the most important consideration in purchasing women’s motorcycle helmets. An expert said that exuding sex appeal is often a factor in designing a woman’s motorcycle helmet from the manufacturer’s point of view; however, that should be a minor factor when one is a consumer looking to purchase a helmet for women.

It is easy to tell the difference between women’s helmets and those designed for men, thanks to the manufacturers. Colors and styles of the helmets are typically gender specific, but the sizing convention is also a clue because women’s motorcycle helmet sizes are typically smaller than men’s in the same general category.

The number of women riders has greatly risen over the last 30 years, which means the women’s helmets are available in a large number of styles. Any woman shopping for a helmet has no worry about sacrificing style or safety for a helmet - today’s helmets have both. For example, Icon Racing carries a helmet called “Hooligan Gloss Helmet” which is both safe and has a slick style. Although the name does not hint to its femininity, this women’s motorcycle helmet has a shape that is distinctly female and is available in a pink-purple color, which is unmistakably feminine. It is also equipped with a fully supply of safety features, meeting standards of both Department of Transportation (D.O.T) and Snell. It is composed of a fiberglass shell with dual-density styrene for a liner, which is known to minimize the risk of trauma in head injuries. This helmet is both beautiful and function and an excellent example of a women’s motorcycle helmet.

Because riding motorcycles is still perceived to be primarily a man’s activity, men tend to be more experienced and knowledgeable than women in purchasing helmets. Before shopping for women’s motorcycle helmets, a first-time buyer should learn about the wide variety of women’s helmets that are in the market. She should get a basic knowledge of DOT and Snell safety standards for helmets. She should understand the importance of proper fit as a factor in determining the level of protection a helmet can provide. She should also be knowledgeable about the trade-offs in a woman’s motorcycle helmet - those pertaining to safety, comfort, heat-flow, ventilation and other factors in rider’s comfort. Since the female face is generally more delicate than a man’s, women tend to buy helmets that maximize facial protection.