Airoh has long been a familiar name in Europe, especially in motocross and road racing circles, but for U.S. riders the brand has mostly lived at the edges — something you’d spot online or occasionally in the wild when someone was willing to pay for the extra shipping to bring one over from Europe. That made Airoh helmets feel a bit like forbidden fruit: admired from afar, but not something you could easily get your hands on.

That changed recently with Airoh establishing a full U.S. presence, complete with a distribution network, dealer support, and a dedicated Airoh USA website. One of their flagship products leading that rollout is the Commander 2, a high-end ADV helmet the brand has been refining for years overseas.

With its sharp lines, Italian design, and a wide range of color options, the Commander 2 quickly grabbed attention when news broke that it was finally coming stateside. But the question remains: does the Commander 2 deliver for U.S. adventure riders and the types of rides we do? 

After several adventures that mixed city riding, highway miles, and technical off‑road sections, we’ve got a clear sense of how it stacks up. Before getting into performance, let’s take a look at what the Commander 2 brings to the U.S. market.

What You Get

The Commander 2 is offered in two different shell constructions: Composite Carbon and a lighter Full Carbon 6K option. Our test unit was the composite carbon version. Both come in three shell sizes (XS-SM, MD-LG and XL-3XL) to help maintain a more accurate fit across the size range, and each carries DOT and ECE 22.06 certification. 

Inside, the helmet uses a removable, washable, Coolmax liner made from soft, hypoallergenic materials, and the safety package includes two notable updates compared to its predecessor. Airoh’s ASN sliding layer (similar to MIPS), a 3-D fabric structure designed to reduce forces to the head on impact, along with AEFR,which allows for quick‑release of the cheek pads in emergency situations. A double‑D ring closure rounds out the retention system.

From there, rider visibility is a major focus of the design. The Commander 2 uses an extra‑wide faceshield opening to maximize peripheral vision, and the Scratch-resistant, UV-protected visor comes equipped with Airoh’s A3S antifog setup that helps improve airflow and manage moisture on the surface. Plus an included Pinlock 120 XLT MaxVision insert helps reduce the chances of a fog up on the shield further.

The faceshield clicks shut with a locking mechanism and uses a small release button to crack the shield open. The mechanism is designed to keep the shield air-tight at speed while still offering a small initial opening for extra airflow. A central pull tab allows the rider to fully lift the shield with one finger.

In addition, a built-in drop‑down Sun visor helps riders manage changing light conditions with the flip of a switch on the side of the helmet. No need to add and remove sunglasses in the middle of a ride. The eyeport is also shaped to work with large motocross goggles for those riders who spend a lot of time in the dirt, and the faceshield can be closed over the goggle strap without bunching. 

Airflow and aerodynamics are another central focus. The shell and peak were developed directly in Airoh’s wind tunnel, with the goal of smoothing airflow over the top of the helmet and reducing wind noise at speed. Ventilation comes from two forehead intakes and a chin vent, all designed for easy operation with gloves, while warm air exits out the back. The helmet also includes a size-adjustable chin curtain to help reduce wind noise and cold air drafts.

Airoh supplies additional accessories in the box to support different riding setups. Two different action‑camera mounts are included, and the helmet comes with the side covers needed if you want to run it without the peak or faceshield. These allow the Commander 2 to be configured in ADV, street, or off‑road modes, depending on the type of riding you’re planning.

Airoh also offers several optional accessories for the Commander 2, which we installed during testing. The helmet is pre‑shaped to accept Airoh’s low‑profile AWC2 or AWC4 Bluetooth communication systems, which fit into dedicated recesses and cable routings for a cleaner installation than a universal clamp‑on unit. We also tried out Airoh’s Blast XR1 goggles, which are a direct match to the helmet’s eyeport dimensions for a perfect fit. Replacement tinted face shields are also available in various colors.

How It Performed

The first thing that stands out once you put the Commander 2 on your head is the interior. Airoh clearly prioritized comfort, and it shows in the plush padding and silky‑smooth liner materials. The helmet settles onto your head without creating pressure points, and for riders with an intermediate‑oval shape like myself, the fit feels natural. Even on longer days, there’s no cheek pad squeeze on your face. Overall the helmet has a more relaxed, touring‑friendly feel.

Build quality also made a strong impression. The closures, controls, and hardware all feel solid, and the materials throughout the shell and interior give the sense that the helmet was designed to hold up to long-term use. Despite the added mechanisms required for the drop‑down Sun visor, Airoh managed to keep the weight reasonable too. The composite model’s claimed weight is 3.46 pounds (1570 grams), and riders who want to shave off a bit more can opt for the full‑carbon version at 3.35 pounds (1520 grams).

The faceshield system takes a moment to understand because of a unique mechanism I’ve never seen on an ADV lid before. Once you figure it out though, it becomes one of the helmet’s more useful features. The shield locks firmly upon closure, and the first time you try to lift it, the amount of force required seems like a problem. That’s because the lock mechanism needs to be released with a small triangular push‑button at nose level before the shield will open. 

Once you get the hang of it, the unlock mechanism is easy to operate with a gloved hand, and the button also allows the shield to be cracked open just slightly with the press of a button if you want a little fresh air. That small opening is helpful for defogging or adding a bit of cooling air at low speeds, without pulling in dust or watering up your eyes. The drop‑down Sun visor is also well executed, with an easy to use slide opening mechanism. The tinted visor lowers far enough that the bottom edge stays out of your field of view — something that can be annoying on a few helmets I’ve tested with this design.

Ventilation is a mixed system that works better than its small number of vents might suggest. The chin vent is large and moves a noticeable amount of air, while the head vents are smaller but still effective. On cooler mornings, you can definitely feel crisp air reach the top of your head when the head vents are open, and the exhaust ports at the rear help pull warm air out. The vent switches are easy to find with lighter gloves, though thicker winter gloves may require a bit more searching for the small-sized buttons on top of the head. Also, the peak is on the small side and doesn’t extend that far forward, which limits its ability to block low sun. The benefit of the smaller peak is reduced lift and less tugging at highway speeds.

Airoh designed the Commander 2 to integrate cleanly with its AWC2 and AWC4 communication systems, and as mentioned above the helmet includes dedicated pockets for speakers and a microphone, along with wire channels and a built-in battery slot. Installing the AWC4 system was straightforward, even if the pictograph‑style instructions seemed a little light on detail. And after removing the cheek pads for the install, everything snapped back into place cleanly, which bodes well for pad washing down the line.

The intercom control unit uses a stick‑on mounting pad rather than a molded recess, so placement requires a bit of guesswork. But the external module remains compact with the battery tucked inside the helmet slot. The low‑profile controller sits just ½ inch off the shell’s surface, reducing the chance of snagging on branches or gear, which is a nice feature to have for riding off-road. The only drawback of this design is that it means you’ll be plugging in the helmet itself to recharge rather than removing the control unit to plug it in separately.  

Goggle compatibility is another area where the Commander 2 shows its versatility. We tested it with Airoh’s Blast XR1 goggles as well as larger models from 100% and Smith, and all fit securely in the eyeport with the foam still sealing properly against the face. Riding off-road on warm days, with the shield up, vents open and goggles on, the Commander 2 felt comfortable and light. Airoh also shaped a goggle‑strap channel into the rear of the shell to keep the strap in place. The faceshield has the ability to close over the goggle strap as long as it’s pre-positioned under the shield hinge when open rather than overlapping. This makes it possible to run goggles for off‑road sections and still flip the shield down for a quick highway stretch. 

Removing the faceshield to install the included Pinlock insert requires an Allen key, but the process is simple and the shield pops off and reinstalls without fuss. Riders who frequently switch between ADV, street, and off‑road configurations will appreciate that the faceshield mounting hardware is easy to work with, even if a standard screwdriver or tool-less screws might have been more convenient than an Allen screws. The screws that hold the peak in place can be removed or tightened with your finger. However, you’ll need a key or coin to pop off the screw coverings. There are also two different configurations for mounting an action cam to the top of the helmet. Both options were simple and convenient to set up.

During testing, the only problem I had with the helmet was a faint rattle that disappeared after removing and reinstalling the peak and shield hardware. It may have been fresh plastic settling in or a bit of dirt caught between components, but once tightened, the noise didn’t return, even after getting the helmet dirty again. 

Out on the highway, the Commander 2 proved to be quiet at high speeds. I’ve heard that earlier generations of Airoh ADV helmets had a reputation for being loud, but this updated design seems to be significantly improved. I took the Airoh out, along with an Arai XD-5, on a freeway run to test them back-to-back for noise level. The Airoh was noticeably quieter and there was less wind buffeting or lift on the peak when turning your head at speed. The sound level at roughly 60 mph in the Arai – one of the top premium adventure helmets in this segment – was about the same as 70 mph in the Commander 2, and it remained quiet enough to listen to voice‑based audio clearly through the headset at freeway speeds.  

For highway riding, the unique chin curtain deserves a mention here as well. It’s a two‑piece design with a removable Velcro section that lets you adjust airflow or create more room for your chin if needed. You can pull the entire curtain out as well for warmer weather and reinstall it quickly when temperatures drop or you want less wind noise. 

Who Is It For

The combination of a plush interior, good aerodynamics, goggle compatibility, drop-down Sun visor, and intercom integration makes the Commander 2 feel well suited for riders who want a comfortable, well-appointed helmet for long-range touring but still want the flexibility to run full-sized goggles in the dirt. 

Our Verdict

I think Airoh is going to make a strong first impression here in the U.S. with the new Commander 2. It’s not trying to be the most extreme off‑road helmet or a street helmet with a peak bolted on. Instead, it lands in the sweet spot for riders who want one helmet that can handle everything from daily commuting to multi‑day backcountry routes, without feeling out of place in either environment. 

The starting price of $529 puts it in the premium helmet range and it delivers the comfort and refinement you expect from top brands in that category. Considering that the price of many high-end helmets has gone up to the $800 to $1,000 range in recent years, it could be considered a relatively good deal. 

What We Liked 

• Includes ASN liner and quick-release cheek pads for improved safety.
• Convenient drop-down Sun visor that works well.
• Super plush Coolmax interior gives a high-end feel to the helmet.
• Italian styling with 10 different color options.
• Designed to integrate seamlessly with their AWC2/4 intercom systems.
• Allows you to close the face shield over the goggle strap without bunching.

What Could Be Improved

• Make the peak larger or adjustable so it can block the Sun better.
• Head vent buttons can be hard to locate when wearing thicker gloves.
• Tool-free mounting screws for the faceshield would be nice.

Airoh Commander 2 Specs

• Weight: 3.46 lbs/1570 grams (Composite Carbon)
• Weight: 3.35 lbs/1520 grams (Carbon Fiber)
• Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL, XXXL
• Safety Standards: DOT and ECE Approved
• Construction: Composite Carbon or Carbon Fiber shell with three sizes.
• Includes: Pinlock, drop-down sunvisor, ready for integrated Bluetooth headset, emergency quick-release cheek pads, removable wind stop chin protector, action cam mount, ASN sliding liner.
• Price: $529-$679

Shopping Options

Solids

Graphics

Carbon Fiber

Photos by Nic deSena, Lori Cannon, Neale Bayly and Rob Dabney

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.