Dirt biking is considered to be an extreme sport, and as it turns out, gear plays a huge role when it comes to protect your noggin. If you understand the importance of a good dirt bike helmet, then you know what qualities to search for in a helmet.

What’s really bad is that helmets nowadays can have some really hefty prices, but if you ask me, half of the price that you pay for those expensive ones is the graphics and all the fancy stuff on the design.
But again, apart from protection and comfort, style also matters, and I’ll talk to you about all of these as we continue with the product reviews below.

Since we brought that up, this list contains Top 5 Best Dirt Bike Helmets under $200, each of the helmets was carefully chosen based on durability, safety features, comfort, and design.

If you want to skip the product reviews, then scroll down where you’ll find some buying tips and informational articles, while in the end, I’ll tell you what my best pick from all of these is so you don’t have to do the research yourself. So, let’s dive in and see what these helmets are made of.

Top 5 Best Dirt Bike Helmets Under $200 in 2022

1. Bell MX-9 Adventure MIPS Helmet

Bell is a well-known company which has been around from 1954, and since then, it has gained its reputation among dirt bike riders by providing them with innovative and high-quality gear.

The Bell MX-9 Adventure Helmet comes with MIPS technology, and this one is no exception to the company’s high-quality helmets. It’s the most expensive one in our list, however, take in mind that the prices can vary depending on the graphics that you choose.

Since we mentioned the graphics, this helmet comes in 16 different colors from which you can choose from, starting from the solid matte black which we are currently reviewing, dash gloss black/red/white, dash gloss black/white orange, dash gloss white/blue/Hi Viz, dash matte sand/brown/gray, gloss black/red/white berm, gloss Hi-Viz orange/black torch, gloss Hi-Viz yellow, gloss white, gloss white/blue/yellow torch, marauder matte/gloss blackout, matte/gloss blackout, rsd matte max, stealth matte black camo, switchback matte black/flo orange, and matte black/red/white.

Now that’s a lot of colors, so as you can see, you can pretty much easily find the one that meets your tastes or your dirt bike colors. You can also get it in different sizes ranging from x-small, small, medium, large, x-large, xx-large, and xxx-large, thus, finding the one that fits more comfortably in your head won’t be hard.

You can already tell by the price, but when it comes to protection features, the Bell MX-9 MIPS is DOT certified, while it also offers some very interesting and innovative safety features that make out for the price.

Therefore, one of the most appealing safety features that you get with this helmet is the Multi-Directional Impact Protection System, just as the name suggests, MIPS. You can find a number of videos on youtube which demonstrate what MIPS actually is, but for the sake of the article, MIPS appears as a yellow shell under the padding, while it’s primary purpose is to aid in offesting the rotational forces in impact.

In terms of construction, the Bell MX-9 MIPS features a polycarbonate/ABS shell which as you can tell, it’s durable and lightweight at the same time, but such materials also add a fair amount of comfort on your neck.
You will like how the material feels, it’s plush and comfortable yet it keeps your head firmly in place. Similar to most helmets out there, you can remove the lining since it’s machine-washable, and anti-microbial.

Durability, quality, and comfort, this helmet has all three of them and they’re pretty much everything you could ever ask for in a helmet. Not to mention the fact that it comes in a plethora of colors, so you won’t be forgetting about style either when buying this helmet, although this one is the most expensive one on the list, but it’s also the best one compared to the other helmets down below.

2. Fly Racing F2 Carbon Pure Helmet

Fly racing helmets have been a long-time favorite of mine, it’s a reliable company which produces promising products and dirt bike gear, especially when it comes to helmets.

I have used this particular model for quite some time, and I haven’t really found any issues with it to this day.

There is a lot to talk about the Fly Racing F2, starting with the helmet’s lightweight construction, and don’t let that fool you, it’s still strong and protective even though it’s lightweight.

Since we brought up protection, Fly Racing F2 has some of the most innovative and premium features when it comes to safety.

It meets both ECE and DOT standards, and those are pretty serious ratings which tell how reliable this helmet is.

In addition, what I also like about the helmet is the dual-density EPS liner, and if you don’t know what that is, it’s basically an extra layer of protection which helps a lot in case of an impact. In other words, two-linings will absorb more energy on impact, which sounds logical enough because instead of your head absorbing the energy, the two-lining tends to prevent that from happening.

To continue, another strong aspect of this helmet is comfort, the manufacturer has made sure to take every precaution and measurement so the rider feels as comfortable as it gets during their ride.

One of the most appealing features is probably the ventilation system, and it’s far more complex and advanced than seen in any other helmet out there, which gives the helmet great value for the money. It has a multi-port air induction cooling system which consists of 11 intake vents and 4 exhaust vents, so you will be provided with decent airflow throughout the helmet.

More on that, the EPS liner gives extra credit to the airflow due to the fact that the air travels through the EPS liner and out the exhaust vents, and as a result, you’ll be provided with optimum airflow throughout the helmet as well as around your head to prevent sweating and moisture.

The padding is removable and machine-washable, so after every long ride on the trails, you can wash the padding for your next ride with a fresh smell and a comfortable fit.

Finally, you’re really going to love everything that this helmet has to offer. This is probably the best-value helmet for the price, it’s comfortable, safe, and it also comes in a very stylish design.

3. AFX FX-41 DS Helmet

AFX is new to the market, it’s an uprising company which by far is producing quality dirt bike gear that dirt bike enthusiasts seem to love.

The AFX FX-41 DS helmet tells exactly what this company is capable of creating since it comes with a plethora of premium features and a very comfortable construction.

When it comes to safety features, this particular model meets both ECE and DOT standards, so its protection capabilities are beyond the charts.

Construction-wise, the AFX FX-41 DS is made of a poly-alloy composite which is known to be extremely strong and durable yet lightweight at the same time, so you won’t really feel like you’re carrying something heavy on top of your head.

Nonetheless, to know if you’re getting the correct fit, make sure you know exactly what size accommodates you the most since the helmet comes in two shell sizes, and shell size plays an important role when it comes to protection.

What I also like about the FX-41 is the face shield, and the design of it is well-thought-out and unique in a way that truly increases the helmet’s protection capabilities. In addition, the face shield is resistant to scratches and it protects against UV rays.

Not everyone enjoys the face shield, so for those who prefer goggles, you can easily remove the face shield and set goggles up. But if you ask me, I would totally suggest you keep the face shield, it’s a great addition that really protects your face from all sorts of debris that you can get while riding.

To continue, let’s also point out a couple of interesting facts about comfort.
So as you can imagine, this hefty helmet comes with some awesome comfort aspects and features, first of them being the ventilation system, and second the lining and padding.

To begin with the ventilation system, you can find the vents at the chin, sides, forehead, top, and read, they’re basically everywhere and they’re 17 in total. On the other hand, what’s really great is that the lining and padding are made of hypoallergenic and anti-microbial nylon, so you can experience the true qualities of a premium helmet.

Apart from that, such materials are known to be highly comfortable, and they’re the most popular choice for all motorcycle riders worldwide, not just dirt bike riders. Since we mentioned the anti-microbial material, let’s not forget to mention that it also helps with the smell, but again, I would still recommend you wash the lining every now and then.

4. Fox Racing V1 Motif Helmet

Fox Racing is a well-known and respected brand in the dirt bike gear department, and there’s a good reason behind it. Each of the helmets that they produce come with unique features and a one-of-a-kind design, which in this case is the Fox Racing V1 Motif Helmet.

This company rarely makes affordable products, and all of their helmets come at pretty hefty prices, and the V1 Motif is one of the few that they’ve made which stands at a more reasonable price.

The Fox Racing is both ECE and DOT certified, which puts a serious amount of trust for even the most demanding customers on the market. Although this is not what really makes this helmet stand out from the other models on the market, its protective capabilities go beyond that.

First and foremost, the helmet’s construction. The Fox Racing V1 is made of the highest-grade materials used on helmets, and it’s the leader in its price range featuring an injection molded polycarbonate and ABS shell, it truly gives great value. Thus, the helmet is able to provide the rider with strength, protection and comfortability due to its lightweight construction, and that’s pretty much everything you could ever ask for in a helmet.

In addition, you can get the helmet in four different shell and EPS sizes, so you can always find the one that fits you best. The manufacturer has really done a great job with providing customers a variety of sizes to choose from.

When it comes to comfortability, similar to most models on the market, the Fox V1 consists of nine intake vents and four exhaust vents for optimum cooling. So as you can tell, heat won’t really be a problem during your rides.

Before we end, I’d also like to mention that the helmet’s padding and lining is removable and washable, so you can thoroughly clean it each time you come home after a long ride.

Overall, to finish up with the helmet’s protection features, the Magnetic Visor Release System is another aspect which increases the safety chances in case of an impact due to the fact that the visor snaps off when hit. Remember, I only suggest helmets that I feel comfortable using, and this is one of my favorites so far.

5. O’Neal 5 Series Wingman Helmet

O’Neal has a great reputation, in fact, the company’s history starts from 50 years ago so they really know what they’re doing. I have been using this model for more than six months, and so far, it has been a fantastic addition and definitely worth every buck.

It’s the perfect all-rounder which comes at a fair and reasonable price, and it truly delivers plenty of features that will elevate your dirt biking experience to a whole new level.

When it comes to protection aspects, the O’Neal 5 Series Wingman meets DOT, ECE, and AS/NZS standards, so it definitely qualifies as a strong and durable helmet that is powerful enough to withstand heavy impacts.

In terms of construction, this particular model features a polycarbonate combined with ABS shell which packs incredible durability without increasing the weight of the product.

As an extra layer of protection, the helmet’s lining and padding also aid in absorbing energy in impact by keeping your head in place. On the other hand, besides the absorption capabilities, the Coolmax liner is plush, so it helps with wicking away sweat while also cooling you off.

All and all, the helmet provides you with exceptional comfort, and for more convenience, you can remove the liners and wash them anytime, which is great because the helmet will always smell great even after long sweaty rides.

It’s also important to note that the helmet consists of multiple air vents that draw out heat effectively and carry it through the exhaust vents.

To sum up, the O’Neal Series 5 does not only come with comfort and safety features, but it is also one of the coolest looking helmets out there due to the clear coating on the shell and graphics, so design is also a strong aspect of it.

Dirt Bike Helmet Buying Tips

Safety – This is the most important and crucial part that you should really take into consideration when buying a dirt bike helmet. Before you buy one, make sure you check out all the safety features, what materials are used for the helmet’s construction, how the padding and lining are made, and so on.

Most people don’t take such things seriously, but your helmet has to be eligible and to meet the ECE or DOT standards to withstand heavy impacts. Style and graphics is not everything, so don’t go for a helmet just because it looks beautiful.

Comfort – Comfort is another aspect that will have a strong impact on your thoughts about the helmet. For a decent and comfortable helmet, make sure you aim at the features that are mentioned in the helmets above. The ventilation system and how many vents the helmet has will help with cooling you off and preventing your skin from getting sweaty, and also make sure the padding and lining are removable because you’ll have to wash it every now and then if you want to get that moisture and bad smell away.

Price – I would suggest you aim for a mid-price helmet, most of the expensive ones have their prices elevated due to the design and graphics that take place in the design. Don’t spend a lot on a helmet, but also don’t go for a cheap one if you have the budget. On the other hand, it’s still better having a helmet than not having one at all.

Final Verdict

Choosing your dirt bike gear might be frustrating, and trust me I have been there. Proper research is needed so you don’t make a mistake or go for the wrong gear, and dirt bike gear is expensive so you don’t want to make mistakes.

I have personally used and tested all of the above-mentioned helmets, and I share with you guys everything that I would be comfortable using, so you wrong with no matter what you choose.

The most well-rounded helmet on the list is the Bell MX-9 Adventure MIPS Helmet as it checks all the boxes, it provides you with incredible protection since it packs a plethora of premium features for safety, while it is also built from the highest-quality materials to provide you with a comfortable riding experience.

As we got all of that out of the way, I believe now you have enough facts to support your decision, hopefully this article was able to help.