Full Face Vs Open Face Helmet: The Primary Differences

When it comes to riding a motorcycle, wearing a helmet is absolutely vital for your protection. Even if you’re just going for a short ride, wearing a helmet is important for safety. That’s why it’s important to understand the different types of helmets available. There are mainly two options available, which are full face vs open face helmets. Full face helmets cover your entire head, including the chin and jaw whereas open face helmets only cover the top and sides of your head, leaving your face exposed. 

If you are not sure which helmet is better open face or full face, we have covered detailed information about helmet for riders, its advantages, and disadvantages in this guide to help you choose the one that is best suited as per your needs. 

A] Full Face Helmets

Full face helmets often provide protection to your entire head covering face, chin and jaw in the event of a crash. The internal design of a full face helmet is like it has a hard outer shell made of fiberglass or some other strong material so that it can save your head during mishap. The shell is them lined with a soft, padded interior that helps to absorb the impact.

To gain a better and clear understanding of full face helmets let’s see the advantages and disadvantages: 

Advantages Of Full Face Helmets

• Enhanced Protection: A full-face helmet stands out because the chin bar is seamlessly incorporated into the helmet’s structure, resulting in enhanced strength when compared to a modular helmet. Protection of face, chin, and jaw is important because these areas are particularly vulnerable to injury in a crash.
• Impact Absorption Capabilities: The sturdy outer shell of full face helmet is designed to deflect the force of impact, while the interior’s soft and padded construction serves to cushion the blow. This combination reduces the risk of severe head injuries, providing enhanced protection for the rider.
• Aerodynamic Design And Wind Noise Reduction: The aerodynamics design helps to reduce wind resistance and drag, which can improve the rider’s comfort and performance.
• Integrated Visor For improved Visibility: The design of a full-face helmet includes the integration of a visor, which serves multiple purposes. It helps riders improve visibility by blocking out glare and shields their eyes from wind, debris, and harmful UV rays.

Disadvantages Of Full Face Helmets

• Restricted Peripheral Vision: The design of peripheral vision in full face helmets can restrict your vision while driving especially when you’re changing lanes or making turns as it blocks the side vision.
• Increased Heat And Discomfort During Hot Weather: Since the full face helmet covers the entire face there is a limitation of air passing by, this can become uncomfortable during summers as the heat is trapped and it can lead to sweating.
• Difficulty In Communication While Wearing The Helmet: Wearing a full face helmet can make it challenging to communicate with others, as it restricts the ability to hear important traffic sounds and can make it difficult for others to hear you especially when you need to give directions to someone else.

Recommended Full Face Helmets

• LS2 FF800 Storm Sprinter Helmet : The helmet features a certified European ECE 22.05 & ISI shell, weighing approximately 1400 grams. It offers extra comfort, a twin shield visor system, and various security features. Ventilation is ensured through top and chin vents with an exhaust port. Available in sizes XS to 3XL.
• AXOR Retro Dominator Helmet – Dull Black: This helmet features a fiberglass shell, chin vent, hypoallergenic liner, multi-density EPS liner, leather neck roll, and genuine leather interior. 

B] Open Face Helmets

Simply put, an open face motorcycle helmet does not cover the chin or face. It typically has an integrated visor and these helmets are often lighter and more ventilated than full face helmets, but they offer less protection in the event of a crash.

To gain a deeper insight, let’s learn about the advantages and disadvantages: 

Advantages Of Open Face Helmets

• Greater Visibility And Wider Field Of View: An open-face helmet offers a wider angle of sight and improved visibility. It allows for easier scanning of the surroundings, reducing blind spots and the chances of missing something on the road.
• Enhanced Airflow And Ventilation, Especially in Warm Climates: The open design allows ample airflow on the face and head, ensuring enhanced comfort while riding, specially during summers.
• Easier Communication With Others: As the riders face and mouth is not covered it becomes easier to communicate and listen actively.
• Convenient For Riders Wearing  Glasses Or Prefer A Less Restrictive Fit: Open face helmets are often more comfortable for riders who wear glasses, as they do not require the use of a helmet with a built-in visor. 

Disadvantages Of Open Face Helmets

• Reduced Protection For The Face And Chin: Open face helmets are less safe as compared to full-face helmets. As in the event of a fall, the chin area is particularly vulnerable and likely to hit the ground.
• Increased Exposure To Wind, Dust, And Debris: Due to its design, open face helmets do not provide much protection against wind, dust and debris which can be a problem during windy weather.
• Higher Noise Levels During High-Speed Riding: The design of open face helmets doesn’t provide much protection which can be a problem for riders who ride at high speeds, as the noise levels can be very loud.
• Lack Of An Integrated Visor: These helmets do not have visors integrated which means riders must wear separate eye protection. This might feel inconvenient to some riders. 

Recommended Open Face Helmets

• Axor Retro Jet Dull Slate Helmet: This helmet is made with fiberglass composite shell, providing hypoallergenic and multi-density EPS linear with genuine leather interiors and trims.
• SMK Retro Jet GL 240: This is a stylish open face helmet with advanced impact absorption materials for maximum protection. Its UV resistant visor offers excellent road vision, while the unique transformation kit allows customization options. Plush suede fabrics and real leather cushioning provide extra comfort and a luxurious feel.

C] Comparison of Full Face and Open Face Helmets

When deciding between full face vs open face motorcycle helmet it’s essential to compare them directly to understand their key differences. Let’s examine some important points of comparison:

1. Protection

• Full Face Helmet: Full-face helmets cover the entire head, including the chin and jaw, for maximum protection. They are the safest choice, minimizing the risk of serious injury in a crash. These helmets are also the quietest type of helmet, as they seal around the face, preventing wind noise which can make it difficult to hear traffic around you. However, they can be hot and uncomfortable in warm weather.
• Open Face Helmet: Open face helmets cover only the top and back of the head while leaving the face exposed. They offer less protection compared to full-face helmets during accidents, but some riders prefer them for their comfort. These helmets allow for better communication with other riders or a passenger. Moreover, they can be more comfortable to wear in hot weather rather than a full face helmet. 

2. Visibility

• Full Face Helmet: These helmets are known for providing better visibility compared to other types of motorcycle helmets. Although the chin bar in a full-face helmet may slightly obstruct the rider’s view, overall they offer clear and unobstructed vision. This is because full-face helmets are designed with a built-in visor that covers the entire face, ensuring protection from wind and debris providing a clear view of the road ahead.
• Open Face Helmet: Open-face helmets offer a wider field of view, which is advantageous in traffic and on winding roads. On the other hand, full-face helmets generally have a large visor that covers the entire face, providing better visibility in conditions like rain or fog. However, full-face helmets can limit the rider’s field of view, which can be a disadvantage during night riding or when visibility is crucial.

3. Ventilation and Airflow

• Full Face Helmet: A well-ventilated helmet ensures a cool and comfortable head, even on hot days, and prevents visor fogging. Full-face helmets typically feature two types of ventilation which are intake vents and exhaust vents. Intake vents allow fresh air to enter the helmet, while exhaust vents enable the escape of stale air. These vents are commonly positioned on the front, back, chin bar, and top of the helmet.
• Open Face Helmet: Between open vs full face helmets, open face helmets provide better ventilation and prevent the visor from fogging up. Some models even have air vents on the top and sides to ensure good airflow all around the head. Individuals who ride in the city and prefer to stay comfortable and cool often choose open-face helmets for their ventilation benefits.

4. Communication

• Full Face Helmet: When it comes to staying connected and communicating while riding, full-face helmets offer an advantage. The closed design of a full-face helmet reduces the wind noise, which makes it easier to communicate with others. Also full-face helmets can be equipped with communication systems, such as bluetooth helmet intercom which allows riders to stay connected with their loved ones. Also the visor provides protection against wind, debris, and insects, ensuring clear communication without interruptions.
• Open Face Helmet: When compared, open helmet vs full face, communication is more convenient in open helmets as your face is visible, mouth is not covered and it is easier to hear and be heard. When you are riding in a group, you can use hand signals to communicate with other riders in the group. 

5. Comfort and Fit

• Full Face Helmet: The design of full face helmet provides a snug and secure fit, covering the entire head, including the chin and jaw. They feature a sturdy outer shell, a cushioned interior, and a visor, offering maximum coverage and shielding riders from various elements, such as wind, debris, and weather conditions. The padding inside full face helmets ensures a comfortable and cushioned fit, reducing pressure points during long rides. Additionally, the full coverage helps to keep the head warm in colder weather conditions.
• Open Face Helmet: Open face helmets offer a comfortable and relaxed fit. With their open design, they allow for better airflow, keeping riders cool in hot weather. However, the fit of an open face helmet can vary depending on the model and brand. Therefore, it’s crucial to try on different helmets to find the one that securely and comfortably fits your head shape and size. 

6. Aesthetics and Style

• Full Face Helmet: Full face helmets only come in various designs, colors, and graphics, allowing riders to express their personal style. Whether it’s a sleek and modern look or a bold and vibrant design, full face helmets offer versatility in terms of design. Additionally, the full coverage design of these helmets provides a more aggressive and sporty appearance.
• Open Face Helmet:  Open face helmets come in a variety of styles, from classic to retro to chopper to sport to adventure. The color of the helmet, the graphics on the helmet, and the materials used in the helmet can all affect its appearance. Ultimately, the best open face helmet for you will depend on your personal preferences and style.

In this guide, we have covered only 2 types of helmets. If you want to learn more about various types, read our guide: Different Types of Motorcycle Helmets. Or you can save the link for later, continue reading.

Conclusion

Helmets play an important role in the event of a mishap, as it acts as a barrier between our heads and potential injuries. Considering the above blog, full-face and open-face helmets differ in the amount of coverage they provide. Full-face helmets cover our entire head, including the face and chin, while open-face helmets leave parts of the face exposed. Therefore, it is crucial to select a helmet based on our personal requirements and safety considerations.

By considering factors such as protection, visibility, comfort, and communication needs, you can make an informed decision between full face helmet vs open face helmet. It’s important to remember that no matter which type of helmet you choose, wearing one is an essential practice for safety on the roads. If you are looking to buy high quality helmets or bike gears, with great style and design check out  bikester global shop. The most trusted one’s among riders.