Schuberth E2 Adventure Helmet Tested

Even before putting it on, you can feel how high-quality the E2 is finished, which largely shares its construction with the touring flip-up helmet C5. The antibacterial inner lining nestles pleasantly against the head - and should your own noggin refuse to harmonize with the helmet, Schuberth may well have a solution, since the inner lining is offered for both oval and round head shapes. On me it fit right away, nothing pressed, nothing pinched. Compared to the C5, however, the adventure flip-up helmet has larger ventilation inlets and outlets, giving you more airflow on demand, which is pleasant especially during sweaty off-road stretches. The extra weight compared to the C5, around 50 grams, is barely noticeable, more noticeable is the wind resistance of the peak when you look to the side at speeds over 100 km/h. But that's not a peculiarity or even a weakness of the E2, rather a normal phenomenon of an adventure or enduro helmet with a peak.

Of course the helmet comes with a sun visor that is easy to operate even with gloves on, and you also get the hang of the practical ratchet closure right away. The repositioned chin strap compared to the predecessor model provides more comfort in the neck area. The helmet is one of the few flip-up helmets on the market homologated for both P and J, meaning you're allowed to ride it with the chin bar open, essentially as a jet helmet. However, for that the small red slider should be pushed up to fix the chin bar in place. Otherwise, in the event of an incident, the insurance could refuse to pay out.

Speaking of an open chin bar. That's not only practical for glasses wearers, but also makes communication easier at short stops, reaching for the water bottle in the tank bag, or a quick photo in between, without having to take the helmet off. Some gas stations also require you to remove your helmet before entering - with an open flip-up helmet you can always leave it up top. Speaking of an open flip-up helmet: these often press on the back of the neck or create an uncomfortable feeling, but the E2 is very well balanced in this regard and requires little "counter pressure" with the chin bar open.

But of course you put a helmet on for riding, and in that respect the E2 is definitely one of the quieter ones. The field of view could admittedly be a bit larger, which isn't solely down to the peak, but to a chin section that is pulled up quite far compared to a full-face helmet. The peak, by the way, can be adjusted into three different positions and removed quite easily; besides the very effective air intake, the chin ventilation of the adventure helmet also scores with a washable and replaceable filter that keeps insects, dust, or mud - as part of the adventure off the beaten track - outside the helmet. The homologation to ECE-R 22.06 standard also guarantees the highest safety, and the new fiberglass shell with the patented Direct Fibre Technology, reinforced with carbon, is meant to improve impact absorption and reduce weight.

Overall, the new Schuberth E2 combines the conveniences of a flip-up helmet with the adventure look of an adventure helmet at the highest level, scoring above all through its sophisticated ventilation, comfort, and genuinely solid build quality, which of course you can and should expect from a helmet in this price class.