Daily wear also plays a part. Sweat, sunscreen and regular use all shorten a helmet's working life, so riders who use a helmet every day should expect to replace it sooner than someone who rides occasionally.

To compare our full face and open face ranges side by side, see Epicurist.

Neither format is a universal answer. Weather, speed, journey length and personal comfort all play a part, and many riders end up owning one of each for different trips.

To see the handcrafted shells behind our range, visit Epicurist.

Getting helmet sizing right starts with a proper head measurement, taken with a soft tape around the largest part of the head, just above the eyebrows and ears. That figure points to a starting size, but it is only a starting point, since head shape varies as much as head size.

An open face helmet leaves the face exposed, which some riders prefer for shorter journeys, city riding, or a more classic look on a café racer or scrambler. It offers less coverage than a full face design, and riders who choose one should weigh that trade off honestly rather than assume it based on style.