Top Hard Enduro Helmet

A helmet has one job. It manages the energy of a blow to the head so less of it reaches the brain. The shell spreads the load. The foam liner crushes and slows the head down.

The evidence that this works is strong. A Cochrane review of 61 observational studies found that helmets reduce the risk of death and head injury in motorcyclists who crashed. Its higher-quality studies put the reductions at about 42% for death and 69% for head injury (Liu et al., Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2008). The same review found too little evidence to measure the effect on neck injuries. A helmet is not neck protection. That is the job of a neck brace.

Why hard enduro asks different things of a helmet

• You fall often, at low speed. Hard enduro is ridden at walking pace over rock, roots and logs. Many small falls mean many small knocks. That makes inspection and replacement more important than on the road.
• You land on edges, not just flat ground. Rock steps and logs have corners. ECE 22.06 drops helmets onto a flat anvil and onto a kerbstone-shaped edge anvil (details below).
• You work hard in it. You climb, push and lift the bike, often for hours. Heat and sweat decide whether you keep the helmet on and fastened properly. See endurance training.
• Mud and water get in. A liner that comes out and goes in the washing machine is not a luxury after a water crossing.
• You wear goggles, not a visor. Off-road helmets have a peak and an open eye port. How the helmet and goggles fit together decides what you see.

"ECE 22.06" is shorthand for UN Regulation No. 22, 06 series of amendments: "Uniform provisions concerning the approval of protective helmets and of their visors for drivers and passengers of motor cycles and mopeds". It is published by the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) under the 1958 Agreement. The 06 series entered into force on 3 January 2021.

A national type-approval authority grants the approval after a technical service tests the helmet. The regulation also sets rules for production qualification, conformity of production and routine tests on batches, so the approval is not a one-off lab result.

What changed from 22.05

The UNECE working group that drafted the 06 series listed its main changes as a new rotational test, high- and low-energy impacts, more impact points, new visor tests, and rules for modular helmets, sun shields and accessories (GRSP-66-22).

The main tests, in numbers

For hard enduro, the low-energy test is the line to read first. Most falls in this sport happen at low speed, and 6.0 m/s is the slowest drop in the standard. It also carries the strictest limit, 180 g.

Conditioning

Before impact testing, helmets are soaked at room temperature (25 °C ± 5 °C), in heat (50 °C ± 2 °C), in cold (−10 °C ± 2 °C), or under 48 hours of UV light followed by 4 to 8 hours of water spray. Test helmets are split across these conditions. The regulation's core test set is 15 helmets, plus more for smaller sizes.

Other requirements

• Rigidity. The shell is squeezed to 630 N. It may deform no more than 40 mm, and must recover to within 15 mm.
• Projections and friction. Screws, vents and peaks are checked so they do not snag and twist the head in a slide.
• Retention system. The chin strap must be at least 20 mm wide. A double-D ring must have a red pull tab at least 10 × 20 mm.
• Goggle clearance. Where a helmet has no visor mounts, "the profile at the front edge shall not prevent the wearing of goggles" (paragraph 6.5).
• Visors. Visors take a high-speed particle test: a 6 mm steel ball fired at 60 m/s. Off-road helmets that take goggles have no visor, so this applies to goggles only through their own standard. See goggles.
• Accessories. "Only accessories tested during the type approval procedure of the helmet keep the type approval valid" (paragraph 7.3.1.3.5). That covers camera mounts and intercoms.

The regulation itself notes that "protective helmets for wear in competitions may have to comply with stricter provisions". If you race, read your event's rulebook.

The dates come from paragraph 15 of UN Regulation No. 22. Each one counts from the 06 series' entry into force on 3 January 2021.

Two things follow from the wording.

1. 3 January 2024 was not an automatic sales ban. The regulation says countries "may prohibit" the sale. Each country decided for itself.
2. The regulation says nothing about helmets already in use. Whether you may ride on public roads in a 22.05 helmet is a matter for national road law.

If you still ride in a 22.05 helmet, plan its replacement now, and check its production date. The dates above and Snell's guidance explain why. No 22.05 marks could be applied after 3 July 2023, so any 22.05 helmet is now more than three years old, and many are older than five. The Snell Foundation recommends replacing motorcycle helmets after five years, or sooner if the maker says so (Snell M2025R).

Under ECE 22.06 the approval label must be sewn to the retention system, or secured another way that meets the same rules (paragraph 5.1.10). Look on the chin strap. The regulation's own example reads E4 061406/J-1952.

The helmet must also show the maker's name or mark, the size in letters and centimeters, and the year of production. Each helmet must carry its size and maximum weight to the nearest 50 g, and a label that says: "For adequate protection, this helmet must fit closely and be securely attached. Any helmet that has sustained a violent impact should be replaced."

What to check before you buy

1. Find the sewn-in label. No label, no approval.
2. Read the first two digits of the approval number. You want 06.
3. Check the code after the slash. An off-road helmet should read P.
4. Check the size and year of production on the helmet.
5. If you plan to fit a camera mount or intercom, check the maker lists it for that helmet. Only accessories covered by the approval keep it valid.

Three labels matter for off-road helmets. They are different kinds of promise.

DOT means the maker certifies the helmet meets Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 218, the US rule for motorcycle helmets. NHTSA "does not approve helmets", and relies on self-certification. It tests some helmets, can force a recall, and publishes the results (NHTSA).

Snell is voluntary. Makers submit helmets to the Snell Foundation. Certified makers must also take part in random sample testing, where Snell buys helmets "from the same supply as those sold in stores" (Snell M2025R). Snell M2020 has been replaced by M2025. Snell's transition plan made 1 August 2024 the first day M2025 helmets could be sold and set 1 April 2025 for M2020 production to stop. M2025D applies mostly to helmets that must also meet DOT and JIS. M2025R applies to helmets that must also meet ECE 22.06 as well as DOT and JIS (Snell explanatory cover, current Snell standards).

DOT labels on helmets made before 13 May 2013 simply read "DOT" (NHTSA).

Both standards include a drop at about 6 m/s. The difference is what they let through. At 6.0 m/s, ECE 22.06 allows a peak of 180 g and a HIC of 1,300. At 5.8–6.2 m/s, FMVSS No. 218 allows a peak of 400 g, with time limits above 200 g and 150 g. A lower limit at the same speed means a softer landing for your head in the slow falls that hard enduro is full of. 22.06 also adds a rotational test, which FMVSS No. 218 does not have.

Our view: for a rider who is not bound by US road law, ECE 22.06 is the label to insist on, for those two reasons from the texts above. A helmet that also carries DOT or Snell is not worse for it.

A label is a pass. It is not a score.

• No margin. ECE 22.06 is pass or fail at each limit. The label does not say whether a helmet passed with room to spare or only just.
• No fit. Every lab test uses a metal headform of a fixed size. None of it tells you whether the helmet fits your head.
• No neck protection. The Cochrane review found too little evidence on neck injuries. A certified helmet is still only a helmet.
• No heat rating. ECE 22.06 only says temperature under the shell "shall not rise inordinately" and allows vents (paragraph 6.5). There is no ventilation number to compare.
• No lifespan. The label shows the year of production, not an expiry date. Snell sets five years as its guidance.
• Nothing after a crash. An approval covers a new helmet. It says nothing about a helmet that has been dropped or crashed.
• Nothing about added parts. Unapproved accessories can void the approval, as covered above.
• Maker claims are not the standard. Rotational systems such as Airoh's AMS² or ASN are the maker's own designs. The standard's oblique test is the part every 22.06 helmet must pass. Anything beyond that is the maker's claim.

A helmet can only work if it stays in place. Airoh's own fitting guidance and NHTSA's guidance agree on the basics.

Measure

Use a cloth tape. Start just above the eyebrows and go around the widest point at the back of the head (NHTSA). Airoh sizes by head circumference: XS 53–54 cm, S 55–56 cm, M 57–58 cm, L 59–60 cm, XL 61–62 cm on the Aviator 3.

Check shape

NHTSA lists three head shapes: round oval, intermediate oval (the most common) and long oval. Pressure on the forehead means the helmet is too round for you. Pressure on the sides means it is too oval.

Try it on properly

These steps come from Airoh's warning booklet (Airoh) unless marked.

1. Wear it for 5 to 10 minutes. Look for spots of pressure that cause pain or headache. NHTSA suggests wearing a new helmet for 30 to 45 minutes before a ride, because hot spots can take time to show.
2. Gently rotate the helmet. The skin on your brow should move with it.
3. Fasten the strap so one finger passes easily between strap and neck.
4. With the strap fastened, try to pull the helmet off. It should not rotate or move. If it does, adjust the strap again or change size.
5. Airoh's booklet says not to wear scarves or caps under the helmet.

A correctly sized helmet "will be a little tight", with even pressure and no hot spots, and it should not move when you shake your head (NHTSA). Makers may offer different cheek pads and liners to tune fit. NHTSA warns that other changes to the interior risk the helmet's integrity.

Shell sizes

More shell sizes means less padding needed to fill the gap in each size. Airoh makes the Aviator 3 in four shell sizes and the Twist 3 in two.

Goggles

ECE 22.06 requires that a helmet without visor mounts does not prevent the wearing of goggles. That is the minimum. The real check is your goggle in your helmet. The goggle should seal around the eye port with no gap at the nose and no pressure on the bridge. The strap should sit flat and not push the helmet up at the back. The full goggle guide is on our goggles page.

Peak

The regulation allows a detachable peak (paragraph 6.2.1). Airoh ships the Aviator 3 with a peak extension and publishes videos on fitting and removing the peak. Check the peak screws as part of every inspection.

Neck brace

If you wear a brace, bring it when you choose the helmet. Check that the helmet's lower edge clears the brace when you look up and turn your head. The neck brace guide covers fit in detail.

Emergency release

Airoh's AEFR system has a red strap at the bottom of each cheek pad. It lets medical staff pull the cheek pads out while the helmet is still on, so the helmet comes off with less head movement (Airoh technologies). Tell your riding partners it is there. See first aid basics.

Hydration

Airoh builds its AHS hydration system into the EPS of the Aviator 3. If you ride with a hydration pack, check how its tube routes to the helmet before you buy. See hydration.

Hard enduro is slow. Slow means little airflow through the vents. Your head produces heat whether or not air is moving.

What the makers and the standard give you:

• Vents. ECE 22.06 allows ventilation holes to stop heat building under the shell. Airoh lists 8 vents plus a spoiler with extractors on the Aviator 3.
• Washable liners. All four Airoh helmets below have removable, washable liners.
• Heat limits. Airoh's booklet warns: "Do not uselessly expose to temperature over 50°C." The standard's heat conditioning also runs at 50 °C. Do not leave a helmet on a dashboard or in a closed van in the sun.

Our view: for hard enduro, choose ventilation and low weight over extra features. The sport is ridden at walking pace for hours, with the rider doing heavy work. And every helmet here passes the same 22.06 impact limits. A helmet that stays on and stays fastened all day does more than a heavier one you loosen at the first stop.

1. Prefer ECE 22.06 certification. Read the sewn-in label. The approval number should start 06 and end /P.
2. Get the fit right first. Measure, try several sizes and shapes, and do the roll-off check. A helmet that does not fit fails every other test.
3. Balance weight and ventilation for long technical days. Makers state weights with a tolerance (Airoh gives ±50 g). Compare vent count and liner, not just grams.
4. Understand rotational systems. Every 22.06 helmet passes the oblique impact test. Maker systems such as Airoh AMS² (a two-layer liner with silicone elements that allow relative motion) and ASN (a sliding 3D fabric layer) are claimed to reduce rotational forces further. Those are the maker's claims, not part of the approval.
5. Ensure stable goggle fit and hydration compatibility if needed. Try your own goggles in the helmet. If you use a drink tube, check for a hydration channel.
6. Check the neck brace. Try the helmet with your brace on.
7. Check what comes in the box. Spare peak extensions, vent covers and nose pieces save money later. Only fit accessories the maker lists for that helmet.
8. If you race FIM events, you need an FIM helmet. The FIM's 2026 technical rules for EnduroGP, the ISDE, SuperEnduro and HardEnduro make FRHPhe-02 helmets, with a valid FIM homologation label, mandatory from 1 January 2026. All other standards are forbidden in those championships (FIM technical rules 2026). Airoh says its Aviator 3 Evo carries FRHPhe-02 as well as 22.06.

Spend the money here before you spend it on anything else. See how we build this gear list and the gear setup guide.

Cleaning

Airoh's instructions (Airoh warning booklet):

• Clean the helmet with water and a few drops of mild soap only.
• Dry it away from direct sun and heat.
• For matt paint, use only demineralized water and a microfiber cloth, with light pressure.
• Do not paint the helmet or apply stickers, petrol or other solvents.
• Store it in a safe, dry place.
• Use only original Airoh spare parts.

ECE 22.06 requires a warning label where solvents or stickers can harm the shell material (paragraph 14.2). The US standard requires the maker to list which cleaning agents, paints and adhesives are safe, because "helmet can be seriously damaged by some common substances without damage being visible to the user" (FMVSS No. 218, S5.6.1).

Inspection after every ride

• Label still present and readable.
• Chin strap: no fraying, no cuts. Double-D rings free of rust. Red pull tab intact.
• Shell: no cracks, deep gouges or soft spots. Check around the vents and peak screws.
• Liner: no crushed or cracked foam under the comfort padding.
• Cheek pads and AEFR straps in place.

When to replace

• After a crash or a hard knock. Airoh: "in case of accident, we always suggest replacing the helmet, even when the damage is not clearly visible." Snell: return it to the maker for inspection, or destroy and replace it. The ECE 22.06 label itself says a helmet that has sustained a violent impact should be replaced.
• After a drop. Airoh's booklet refers to falls, "even accidental ones, that may provoke dents and/or abrasion". A helmet dropped onto rock or concrete is a helmet with a possible impact.
• With age. Snell recommends replacement after five years, or sooner if the maker recommends it.
• When it no longer fits. A liner that has packed down lets the helmet move.

In hard enduro, treat "had a crash" broadly. The makers themselves say the damage may not be visible, and riders in this sport fall often. If your head hit rock hard enough that you remember it, replace the helmet.

• Trusting a sticker, not the label. The ECE approval is the sewn-in label with an E-number and a 06 approval number. Paragraph 5.1.10 of the regulation sets this.
• Buying by letter size, not head size. Measure your head in centimeters and use the maker's own chart. Airoh's chart, for example, puts M at 57–58 cm.
• Wearing it loose for comfort. Airoh's guidance is one finger under the strap and no rotation on the head. Airoh warns that for maximum protection the helmet "must always fit properly and not move loosely about on your head".
• Keeping a crashed helmet because it "looks fine". Airoh, Snell and the ECE label all say the damage may not be visible.
• Cleaning with solvents or degreaser. Makers call for water and mild soap. Solvents can harm the shell without visible signs.
• Wearing a cap under it. Airoh's booklet says not to wear scarves or caps under the helmet, and to let air circulate freely inside.
• Assuming "DOT" equals "22.06". FMVSS No. 218 has no rotational test. Its flat-anvil drop runs at about the speed of the 22.06 low-energy test, but it lets through up to 400 g, against 180 g under 22.06. Check which label your helmet carries.