Retro and vintage motorcycle helmets have made a strong comeback in recent years. Their clean design, classic lines and unadorned aesthetic have won over a type of rider who doesn’t want to wear a racing helmet in the city. In this article we explain what a retro helmet is, what to look for before buying one, and why you don’t need to spend a fortune to wear one well.
What is a retro or vintage motorcycle helmet
A retro or vintage helmet is, in most cases, a jet helmet — also known as an open-face helmet — with a design inspired by the models of the 1960s and 70s. A rounded shell, understated finishes, no spoilers or showy vents, and a short visor or none at all.
The terms “retro” and “vintage” are used interchangeably in the market. Some manufacturers also call them café racer helmets when they are aimed at more sporting and classic bike styles. In every case the concept is the same: the aesthetic of another era with modern protection and homologation.
Don’t confuse style with protection. A retro-design helmet with ECE 22.06 approval offers the same level of safety as any other modern helmet in the same category. The design is an aesthetic choice, not a compromise on safety.
Which type of motorcycle suits a retro helmet best
Retro or vintage helmets work particularly well with certain bike styles, although there are no written rules:
- Classic and vintage motorcycles: their natural pairing. A retro helmet with a Honda CB, a Triumph Bonneville or a Royal Enfield is a coherent style statement.
- Café racer: the open-face helmet with a short visor is the classic companion to this style of bike.
- Scrambler and naked: the modern naked trend has adopted the retro style as its own. A Ducati Scrambler, a BMW R nineT or a Yamaha XSR look perfect with a retro jet helmet.
- Urban scooter: the retro helmet also works very well in the city with any scooter. Its understated design integrates better into the urban environment than a sport helmet with a spoiler.
Retro jet vs retro full-face: which to choose?
There are two main categories of retro helmet:
The retro jet or open-face helmet is the most popular and the one that most faithfully reproduces the original aesthetic of the 1960s and 70s. No chin guard, a wide field of vision, lightweight and easy to put on and take off. Ideal for city use and short to medium journeys. The trade-off is that it offers no chin protection in the event of an impact.
The retro full-face helmet retains the vintage aesthetic but adds a fixed chin guard for complete protection. It is less faithful to the original design but offers greater safety. Brands such as Bell (Bullitt) and Shoei (Glamster) have embraced this format, though at prices above £400–500.
For urban use and short to medium journeys, the retro jet is the most coherent choice — both aesthetically and practically. For road riding at higher speeds, the retro full-face offers greater protection.
What to look for before buying a retro helmet
There are four things to check before buying any retro helmet:
ECE 22.06 homologation. This is Europe’s most demanding safety standard. Many retro-style helmets on the market carry older homologations (ECE 22.05) or only DOT certification, which is the American standard and is not valid in Europe. Make sure the helmet you buy carries the ECE 22.06 label.
Integrated sun visor. This is the feature that adds the most comfort to a retro helmet for urban use. Without it, you’ll need to wear separate sunglasses — which works, but adds an extra step. If a sun visor matters to you, check that the model you choose includes one, as not all do.
Shell material. Budget retro helmets typically use ABS or thermoplastic. More expensive ones use fibreglass or carbon. For urban use at moderate speeds, high-performance thermoplastic (HPT) is perfectly adequate and considerably more affordable.
Weight. A lightweight retro helmet is more comfortable for everyday use. Under 1,400 grams is a good benchmark for a fully featured jet helmet.
The ADN Mojito: retro helmet with sun visor and ECE 22.06
In the ADN range, the retro model is the ADN Mojito — the only vintage-style helmet in the brand and one of the best-equipped in its price bracket.
The Mojito has a clean and understated design that needs no graphics or bold colours to stand out. Its rounded shell and extended visor follow the classic retro jet aesthetic, with all the features you’d expect from a modern helmet:
- Integrated quick-release sun visor — no need for separate sunglasses.
- ECE 22.06 homologation — Europe’s most demanding standard.
- Contained weight: 1,350 grams in the smallest size.
- Accommodates prescription glasses without pressure points.
- Anti-theft ring included to secure it to the bike.
- Removable and washable interior for intensive use.
- Compatible with third-party Bluetooth intercoms.
Available in solid colours — no graphics — in sizes XS to XXL. Priced at £89.95 with free delivery, it offers one of the best value-for-money propositions in the retro segment, where most retro helmets with a sun visor and ECE 22.06 approval start from £150.
ADN Mojito: designer quality at a real-world price
The retro helmet market has a problem: most well-equipped options cost between £300 and £600. Fibreglass shells, brands with decades of history, premium finishes. All very well, but for the rider who wants a retro helmet for everyday use, that price isn’t always justified.
The ADN Mojito was created to resolve that contradiction. Integrated sun visor, ECE 22.06 homologation, anti-theft ring, washable interior and a clean design with no graphics — everything you need in a retro jet for urban use, at £89.95 with free delivery.
Its shell is made from high-performance thermoplastic (HPT) — the same material used by most helmets in this price range, and perfectly adequate for urban use at city speeds. It’s not carbon fibre, nor does it pretend to be. It’s an honest, well-equipped helmet with a design that doesn’t need anyone’s name on it to stand out.
Because wearing something well made shouldn’t cost a fortune.
Frequently asked questions about retro motorcycle helmets
Is a retro helmet less safe than a modern one?
No, if it has ECE 22.06 homologation. The homologation certifies that the helmet meets the same safety standards regardless of its design. A retro jet helmet with ECE 22.06 approval has passed the same impact tests as any other approved helmet. What is true is that a jet helmet — retro or otherwise — offers less protection than a full-face because it doesn’t cover the chin.
Are retro helmets only for classic motorcycles?
No. The retro style works with a wide variety of bikes — classic, scrambler, naked, café racer, urban scooters. What matters is that the aesthetic is consistent with the bike and the rider’s personal style. There are no rules about which motorcycle can be paired with a retro helmet.
Does the ADN Mojito have a sun visor?
Yes. The ADN Mojito includes a quick-release integrated sun visor — it lowers without needing to stop or remove the helmet. It is one of the few retro jet helmets on the market with an integrated sun visor in its price range.
Can I wear aviator-style motorcycle goggles with a retro helmet?
Yes, and it’s the most classic combination. Aviator-style motorcycle goggles or goggles with a visorless retro jet helmet is the look most faithful to the original aesthetic of the 1960s and 70s. If the helmet already has an integrated sun visor like the Mojito, you can skip the goggles and use the visor on sunny days.
What is the difference between retro, vintage and café racer helmets?
In practice, very little. All three terms describe helmets with an aesthetic inspired by the 1960s and 70s. “Retro” and “vintage” are used interchangeably. “Café racer” tends to be associated with a more sporting and minimalist style, without a visor, aimed at bikes of that style. In the market, however, all three terms overlap and there is no official definition that separates them.
Want to explore the full range of ADN jet helmets? Discover the ADN Helmets jet range — Cosmo, Spritz and Mojito — and find the one that best suits your bike.
