HJC V31 Disney Mickey Open-Face Helmet Test 2024

Helmets are built first and foremost for our protection. Yet in recent years they've increasingly become design objects and status symbols. HJC takes this to the extreme with licensed helmets from DC Comics, Activision, Netflix, or the Walt Disney Company, which also owns Marvel. The new V31 Disney Mickey is one of these too, though it shows off its design in a more understated way. But let's start from the beginning.

299.90 euros for an open-face helmet? The price of the HJC V31 Disney Mickey is pretty steep for a helmet in this class. A look at the HJC online shop quickly makes one thing clear: licensing costs money! The standard version in a solid color comes in at 199.90 euros - that's 100 euros less than the Disney Mickey version we tested. The official Disney design with the sewn-in Disney label in the interior lining has to be paid for - though fans will certainly consider it worth the money. Especially when you get such a classy helmet in return, because the details are impressive!

"Is that a girl's helmet you've got there?" a colleague asked me just recently. Just because it's pink? Clearly, introverted riders should reach for a more restrained design, or the black Disney Mickey version. But those who choose the pink variant also benefit when it comes to the interior lining. It comes in a gorgeous dark red that not only perfectly matches the helmet's exterior but also looks incredibly classy. As is typical for HJC, the build quality is at a very high level, which at least partly justifies the price. On the fiberglass composite shell you'll find symbols that clearly point to what is probably the most famous mouse in the world.

Whether it's the Disney design or not - the equipment is identical across the entire V31 range. The 1,120-gram HJC open-face helmet naturally features the latest ECE 22.06 safety standard and even a double-D ring - more fiddly in everyday use, but still safer than a ratchet closure. Eye protection is provided by the integrated, lightly tinted visor, which can be locked in three positions. Anyone wanting even more protection from the sun's rays can also mount a peak using the prepared attachment point. If you'd rather ride with goggles anyway, the V31 offers a matching goggle strap at the back.

Due to their design, open-face helmets offer less protection than full-face helmets. Their strength lies in slow-speed urban riding. Here, as a rider, you're looking for comfort and perhaps also the right styling to stand out from the crowd. The HJC V31 offers both. When putting it on and taking it off, the shell feels relatively stiff and doesn't offer much flex, but that can be explained by the new safety standard. A minor inconvenience that shouldn't really be called that - after all, your own safety benefits from it. Once it's on, you get to enjoy the helmet's high quality.

The breathable interior lining sits smoothly against the head and feels very high quality. Thanks to the visor being adjustable across three height positions, you can also freely choose how low the visor sits. On the style front it also scores points, because despite the safety standard the helmet doesn't sit too high and doesn't cause the classic "egg head" look that often occurs with open-face helmets.

Is the HJC V31 a good open-face helmet for 2024? Yes, without a doubt. It offers safety, comfort, numerous features, and high-quality construction. Does the price of the helmet pay off? That's something you need to weigh based on the version. Prices start (as of 02/2024) at 199.90 euros for the solid-color V31 versions, while more elaborate designs come in at 229.90 euros. If you want to represent Disney, you'll then have to pay 299.90 euros, which fans will certainly consider worth it - after all, you're only paying extra for the licensing here. So if you're looking for a high-quality open-face helmet, the V31's entry-level design does the job perfectly well. If it's meant to be a statement, you can always go for the version with the mouse.

You can find more information here: HJC V31 Open-Face Helmet.