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ADV ProductsADV Riding GearTouratech Seeks Best Adventure Helmet Honors with Aventuro

Touratech Seeks Best Adventure Helmet Honors with Aventuro

New feature-laden Touratech helmet is one of this year's hottest products.

Published on 06.10.2015

If you ask most riders who makes the best adventure helmet, you’ll often get the answer Arai or Shoei. While many helmet manufacturers have tried to chip away at this dominance in the premium adventure helmet market, perceptions still run strong. But that hasn’t stopped Touratech from taking a swing at the big boys, and they may have hit one out of the park on their first try.

It started as a dream two years ago, conceived in the mind of Touratech founder Herbert Schwarz. Decades of world travel experience, riding motorcycles to the remote corners of the Earth, were leveraged while imagining the ultimate adventure helmet. Herbert and his team began the design process by creating an uncompromising wishlist of helmet features that would meet the specific needs of long-distance dual sport touring.

Touratech teamed up with European motorcycle helmet manufacturer Nexx, chosen for their experience in building high-quality carbon fiber helmets. The helmet builder was able to meet Touratech’s exact specifications and precision standards, and the Aventuro Carbon Fiber Adventure Helmet was born.


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Designed For Adventure Riders By Adventure Riders

The new Touratech helmet comes packed with features that solve the unique problems faced by Adventure Riders. The helmet’s wind-tunnel tested shape is designed to reduce wind noise, and virtually eliminate buffeting and lift on the highway. Goggles fit over the face with a tight seal and removable recessed side panels allow for the easy installation of Quick Straps.

Touratech helmet rear goggle strap

A rear strap holder ensures goggles stay firmly aligned during off-road rides.

touratech helmet with quick straps installed

Ride with the windshield down on asphalt, with Quick Strap goggles on the back in the ready position for dirt.

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Installing a Bluetooth headset is also simplified with niches built into the helmet to mount speakers and a microphone in the optimal locations. Also included, are flat-surface attachments for mounting an action camera on either the sides or top of the helmet. A ‘peak extender’ is a unique sliding mechanism that allows you to extend the tip of the peak by about ¾ inch for additional sun shading and roost protection, or retract it to reduce lift on the highway.

Some of the other Aventuro features are designed to make the helmet more convenient and comfortable for daily use. Like an extra long chin strap that allows you to remove the helmet without unfastening the buckle and a chin curtain to reduce noise, or channels in the cheek pads for the arms of your glasses. A washable CoolMax 3D liner wicks away heat and moisture effectively. Special cooling fins in the foam liner work in conjunction with five intake and four exhaust vents to help draw excess heat away from your head efficiently. The Aventuro also comes standard with a Pinlock compatible windshield and Pinlock lens.

touratech helmet what's included
The Touratech helmet comes with a windshield carry bag, components for adapting the helmet modes, attachments for action cams and Quick Strap goggles, a Pinlock anti-fog shield and stick-on pads to fine tune your fit.

But the one feature that really sets the Aventuro apart is the ultra-light 100% Carbon Fiber shell. The feathery weight of the Touratech helmet reduces strain and fatigue on the neck, making longer rides more enjoyable. Also impressive, is the Touratech Helmet’s ability to convert into either a street or motocross style helmet, in less than a minute, using nothing but your fingers. In either street, dirt or adventure mode, the Aventuro looks and feels right at home.

Touratech Aventuro Carbon Fiber Adventure Helmet
The many ways you can configure the Touratech Aventuro Adventure Helmet.

Safety First

Safety was a major consideration for Touratech in designing the Aventuro and its Carbon Fiber shell has other advantages besides just being light. Carbon Fiber is stronger and more durable than typical fiberglass shells, and the material is better at distributing impact forces over the surface of the helmet, reducing the energy transferred to your head. The Aventuro also includes emergency quick release straps and exceeds all DOT and ECE 2205 standards for helmet safety.

Touratech Helmet emergency quick release cheek pad
Emergency quick release straps on the cheek pads that can be used by emergency response professionals to safely remove the helmet after an accident.

A focus on safety was one reason Touratech opted ‘not’ to incorporate an internal drop-down sun shield (a popular feature on many new helmets) in the Aventuro. The company cited concerns over reducing the thickness of the impact absorbing foam liner in the area where the shield retracts, which can diminish the helmet’s ability to absorb energy in a crash. Touratech also noted that the Aventuro does not come with an internal drop-down sun visor because the design doesn’t work well for serious off-road use. Dusty conditions can cause them to scratch or jam inside their housing.

First Impressions

The Aventuro didn’t disappoint with its eye-catching Carbon Fiber exterior. We couldn’t help but admire the beautiful weave pattern gleaming in the sun, along with the angular lines and tasteful graphics. Build quality was exceptional with no flaws in the paint, graphics or plastics. Every vent and latch had tight tolerances and snapped with a solid click.

best adventure helmet gleam of carbon fiber weave
Few materials look as stunning to the eye as Carbon Fiber gleaming in sunlight. (Photo courtesy Bill Lieras)

What was immediately apparent when picking up the Touratech helmet was the weight, or lack of it. Weighing just 3.03 pounds in the medium size, the Aventuro felt much lighter than our eyes expected it to be.

Slipping on the Aventuro, the padding and ultra-plush liner materials gave it a premium feel. The helmet has a neutral shape and fit true to size based on Touratech’s sizing chart. After a short break-in period the fit was perfect, and a bag full of stick-on pads were included with the helmet for further fine tuning.

Bluetooth Headset Installation

Setting up our helmet with a Sena Bluetooth headset was quick with the easy-to-remove padding, built-in microphone and speaker niches that remove all the guess work during installation. The recessed speaker housing avoids any painful pressure points on longer rides and speakers are perfectly positioned for optimal sound quality. Another thoughtful touch is a channel cut into the foam liner that holds the microphone wiring in place. The mounting position for the microphone is also optimized to reduce wind noise and provide optimal sound quality.

touratech adventure helmet microphone

A recessed cavity perfectly positions the mic and a channel routes wiring cleanly.

Touratech helmet speaker niches

Speaker niches eliminate pressure points and friction on the ears during long rides

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Action Camera Integration

Curved GoPro sticky mounts don’t always stick on securely and they can detract from a helmet’s appearance when permanently attached. The Aventuro offers three different ‘flat mount’ attachments that can be installed on the helmet in seconds. We tested both the top and side mounting locations and they both offered a secure attachment that won’t leave you backtracking on the trail searching for a lost camera. Once filming is complete, the action camera attachments can be quickly removed to retain a streamlined appearance.

best-adventure helmet top action camera attachment

Top GoPro mount optimized to avoid filming the peak.

best adventure helmet side action camera attachment

A perfectly flat surface is provide for a solid GoPro side mount.

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Road Test

Riding with the chin curtain and all vents and windshield closed, the helmet is toasty warm and quiet, even with the peak installed. When temperatures heat up, opening the vents and slightly cracking the shield provides excellent cooling. Venting is dispersed evenly across the head so there are no cold spots created and any sweat wicked away quickly with the CoolMax 3D lining.

A large eye port of the Aventuro provides excellent visibility and the helmet makes it comfortable riding with sunglasses. On longer rides, no pressure points appear inside the helmet and neck muscles appreciate the light load.

best adventure helmet riding with glasses
Cheek pad cut outs around the temples eliminate pressure when wearing glasses.

On the highway, the wind-tunnel designed peak funnels wind efficiently through a large opening, helping avoid the usual lift and buffeting associated with adventure helmets.

Riding with touratech helmet in street mode
The anti-drag peak works extremely well on the highway, but it can also be removed in seconds for longer rides. (Photo courtesy Bill Lieras)

Riding without the peak, the helmet transforms into a true street helmet. With its “streetfighter” appearance, it wouldn’t look out of place riding a sport or naked bike. And with the peak off, it’s just as quiet and comfortable as a dedicated street helmet.
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Off-Road Test

Riding off-road with the Aventuro in the standard Adventure Mode works well with traditional goggles. The design gives the goggles a tight fit around the face, just like a motocross helmet. The back goggle strap holder keeps goggles in place and ensures they stay there. Installing Quick Strap goggles with the included side panel plates takes just seconds and everything is pre-configured for a perfect alignment.

It’s typical of Dual Sport/Adventure helmets to have a truncated peak (to improve highway performance) with little value for sun shading or roost protection off-road. But the Aventuro has a nice sized peak that is as large (if not larger) than most motocross helmets. And extending the length of the peak with the peak extender makes it even more effective.

best adventure helmet comparing the peak length
Comparison of the peak between the Touratech helmet on the left and a motocross style helmet on the right. The well-designed Touratech peak is larger but creates less drag on the highway.

For longer dirt rides, it makes sense to remove the windshield and store it away to avoid getting it dusted up. You can pop off the Aventuro’s windshield and install a high-flow mouth vent to convert it into pure dirt helmet in less than a minute.

 Touratech helmet in dirt mode
Remove the windshield and pop on the high-flow mouth vent to put the Touratech helmet in dirt mode for full-day off-road rides. (Photo courtesy Bill Lieras)

Moisture wicking and ventilation were very effective during energetic off-road rides, and the lightweight helmet paid dividends with less fatigue during long days. The cheek pads and liner can be easily removed and washed once dirty, and quickly dry out overnight. The durable Carbon Fiber resists chips and scratches better than a standard fiberglass shell, making it easier to maintain its appearance. The Touratech helmet never felt too heavy or bulky, and in all respects, the Aventuro works just as good off-road as a dedicated motocross helmet.

Final Thoughts

The strength, durability, protection and light weight of Carbon Fiber make it an ideal material for building motorcycle helmets. It’s also no surprise that there’s a premium to pay for Carbon Fiber. Starting at $650, the Aventuro is at the high end but there are other premium adventure helmets in the same price range that do not offer a Carbon Fiber shell or many of the specialized dual sport features. When you consider the unique integration features for goggles, action cameras and Bluetooth headsets, along with the included Pinlock lens, the Aventuro starts to warrant the price tag.

Touratech has succeeded in building a helmet that is light, comfortable, durable and adaptable. It’s been designed from the ground up to be an ‘Adventure Helmet,’ not a street or dirt helmet converted for ADV use. Those that spend significant time in the dirt will appreciate all the thoughtful off-road features. And it works well enough in each of its different modes to legitimately replace your dedicated street or dirt helmets.
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Shopping Options:

Touratech Aventuro Carbon Helmet

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Author: Rob Dabney

Rob Dabney started a lifelong obsession with motorcycles at the age of 15 when he purchased his first bike – a 1982 Honda MB5. Through his 20’s and 30’s he competed in off-road desert races, including the Baja 250, 500 and 1000. Eventually, his proclivity for exploration led him to dual sport and adventure riding. Rob’s never-ending quest to discover what’s around the next bend has taken him on Adventures in Latin America, Africa, Europe, Asia, and throughout the American West. As a moto journalist, he enjoys inspiring others to seek adventure across horizons both near and far.

Author: Rob Dabney
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Ed
Ed
June 10, 2015 8:05 pm

I think to be considered, the helmet should be compatible with googles without having to remove the screen.

Rob Dabney
Rob Dabney
June 10, 2015 8:15 pm
Reply to  Ed

Hi Ed. There’s no need to remove the windscreen to use goggles. It’s designed to use goggles with the windscreen attached and they work just as well with the windscreen on or off. The only real reason to remove the screen is if you are concerned about getting it scratched during hardcore off-road use or you want to save a few ounces of weight if you go motocross racing.

NMBill
NMBill
June 10, 2015 9:01 pm

Looks great, but give me a call, when the long oval version comes out.

RobG
RobG
June 19, 2015 10:58 am

Great, another vastly overpriced helmet designed for people with more dollars than sense. Touratech makes good stuff but holy crap are their prices out of this world. Sadly I won’t be one of their customers for that very reason.

Dave Mason
Dave Mason
July 11, 2015 4:21 pm
Reply to  RobG

You read the review, right? The helmet’s features are more than competitive with other helmets in the price range. Perhaps you are in the market for a $300 helmet. That’s fine. But Touratech is not the only company offering ~$600 helmets so why bash them?

Dave Mason
Dave Mason
July 11, 2015 4:23 pm
Reply to  RobG

Also, just because someone has access to more discretionary income than you doesn’t mean they have more dollars than sense. It means they can comfortably afford high end kit.

big andy
big andy
June 25, 2015 10:38 pm

heard this helmet is a redesigned NEXX XD1 but without the internal visor and adds quite a bit more to msrp

Matt P.
Matt P.
June 26, 2015 11:17 am
Reply to  big andy

The NEXX helmet is not 100% Carbon Fiber, which is a premium material. There are also other differences.

Rick
Rick
June 28, 2015 9:28 am

Final Thought. Lots of really neat bells and whistles. Absolutely sounds inviting except for one thing. What does this mean? “The helmet has a neutral shape”. Does this mean round?

I have to agree. Unfortunately, until they make a helmet designed for an oval head I wouldn’t consider it.

Rob Dabney
Rob Dabney
June 29, 2015 12:32 am
Reply to  Rick

Hey Rick. This helmet is not biased toward oval or round head. It’s fairly neutral. If you have a long oval head it may fit you fine.

strom
strom
July 22, 2015 5:44 am

Nexx XD1 -same helmet a lot cheaper ! ! ! ! !

Steve Hall
Steve Hall
July 23, 2015 12:25 am
Reply to  strom

@strom – Nexx is cheaper because it is NOT the same helmet. People just keep repeating this misinformed claim based on what they heard on some forum. Matt P.’s comment above is correct.

trackback
Touratech Announces New Modular Helmet with Off-Road Chops - ADV Pulse
October 15, 2015 12:15 pm

[…] the launch of the Aventuro Carbon in early 2015, Touratech raised the bar for adventure motorcycle helmets. The AVENTURO Mod builds […]

Michael Jones
Michael Jones
October 16, 2015 3:44 pm

Any chance they would make a 4xxl size?

Rob Dabney
Rob Dabney
October 16, 2015 3:50 pm
Reply to  Michael Jones

Unfortunately, the largest they make is 2X Michael.

Eric
Eric
March 6, 2016 12:22 pm

I own this helmet and can honestly comment on it. I have have come off an Arai XD4 and XD3 before that.
The build quality of this helmet is just not up to the price. The main EPS foam doesn’t fit the shell correctly in my helmet and the one I tried on in the store. The one in the store was really bad. Mine seemed OK at first but now has me worried enough to return it. The space adds to the noise in this helmet and it’s louder then a Chinese made off brand product.
Also, I’ve now broken two tabs that hold the visor on. Each time it’s a $20 part with $15 shipping costs. Really, the part is just junk and I’m no longer trusting the helmet.
The interior feels like a $200 lid. The Arai is clearly way above the Touratech helmet.
Overall I’d give this a 2 stars and would not recommend this product. Go buy an Arai.

Mark P.
Mark P.
March 10, 2016 10:49 pm
Reply to  Eric

huh? I have totally the opposite experience with this helmet. Love it. The only minor complain I have is that the cheek pads would come lose when I would take the helmet off but I adjusted them and have not had the problem since.

Mohan Ranawade
Mohan Ranawade
November 20, 2016 6:44 pm

Dear friends on ADvPulse,
My friend and me had purchased the Aventuro 10 months back from their authorized reseller in Thailand.
The helmets although light and good to look at ,aren’t as functional as the Nolans and Arai we were used to.
The workmanship is below average and after just 10 months of usage the cheek pads wont stay fixed to the helmet’s interior and keep coming off every time we remove the helmet.
We have informed the company and we are awaiting their answer.
Its a a great source of embarrassment ,while on the ride ,since every time we remove the helmets the cheek pads are all over us, sparking off ridicule with fellow riders who wear cheaper helmets 🙂
Also the Helmet is quite noisy with or without the peak ,especially when you open the “hatch” (aka ventilation port).
If there was any scope to post pictures ,I could have made my point much clearer.

Mohan Ranawade
Mohan Ranawade
November 28, 2016 6:51 am
Reply to  Mohan Ranawade

UPDATE:
I received a favourable response from the support team at Touratech.

They are sending us New Cheek pads with New pins free of charge.

They have confirmed that the new AVENTURO helmets have a different fastening system and that the current problem should be resolved.

michael
michael
May 2, 2021 8:33 am

having the black yellow Adventuro(not the carbon), the goggles Scott Hustle X doesn’t fit , very often you can misplace the latch when closing the chinbar , that is the first time I do experience with a premium helmet, well take it for what it is.

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