Shoei Helmet Sizing and Head Shapes

A helmet is the one piece of gear where "close enough" isn't good enough. Shoei makes it easier than most, with a simple chart and a consistent head shape. Here's how to use both.

Step 1: Measure your head

Wrap a soft cloth tape around your head just above your eyebrows and ears, pull it comfortably snug, measure twice and use the largest number [1]. Shoei Europe's fitting instructions describe the same line: about 2 cm above the eyebrows, 2 cm above where your ears meet your head, and around the most protruding point at the back [2]. Keep the tape level, because a sloping tape reads small [3].

Step 2: Match the chart

Shoei size	Head (cm)
2XS	51–52
XS	53–54
SM	55–56
MD	57–58
LG	59–60
XL	61–62
2XL	63–64
3XL	65–66

Source: RevZilla's Shoei helmet sizing [1]. If you fall between two sizes, Shoei Europe says to try the smaller size first [2].

Step 3: Know your head shape

Circumference is only half of it. Shoei itself says a helmet size "cannot be identified by circumference alone," and that the same size can feel different across Shoei models [4]. The other half is shape. RevZilla describes three [5]:

Round oval: the least common, more spherical. These riders tend to feel hot spots at the temples in oval helmets.
Intermediate oval: the most common, slightly narrower than it is long. Most helmets sold in North America follow it.
Long oval: much longer than it is wide. These riders get forehead pressure in rounder helmets.

To find yours, have a friend take a photo of the top of your head with your hair flattened. If you can't tell, intermediate oval is the best bet [6].

Where Shoei fits in

RevZilla says Shoei builds almost everything around an intermediate oval [3], so Shoeis fit most riders. If a Shoei in your measured size presses on your forehead or temples, the problem is probably shape, not size. RevZilla's advice is to try a different brand before a different size [3]. Arai, for comparison, varies shape by model [3].

Model note: Hornet X2

RevZilla's Hornet X2 page says customers have found it runs slightly small and recommend sizing up if you're between sizes [7]. That's the opposite of Shoei's general "try smaller first" advice, which is exactly why model-specific notes matter.

Step 4: The fit test

It should be snug enough that your skin moves with the helmet when you try to shift it [8].
A full-face should grip your cheeks and jaw as well as the top and sides of your head [8].
Wear it for 15–30 minutes before deciding, since pressure points take time to show up [3].
Folded ears going on are normal, as long as they settle and don't hurt [6].

Fine-tuning

Shoei notes that helmets with removable interiors can be tuned by swapping cheek pads and center pads [4]. If one temple aches after a long ride, Shoei suggests testing with a folded handkerchief under the helmet to find whether extra padding elsewhere relieves it [4].

Measure once. We'll do the chart math.

Yardstick Outfitters saves your measurements, checks them against each brand's own size chart where we have one, and alerts you when your size drops in price. Join the waitlist →

Sources

Size charts change. Always check the chart on the exact product page before you buy. Last checked October 15, 2026.