Shoei Glamster 06 helmet review

The Shoei Glamster is the helmet that, back in early 2017, we asked Shoei to make. This is the new iteration released in 2023 to conform to the latest 22-06 safety standard. The Glamster is a retro-styled helmet. Of course, there are many, many retro helmets on the market, but most of them are pretty unsophisticated often with no venting, no seal between the visor and the shell, no chin curtain, no Pinlock visor, no scope for custom fitting, and so on. Many of these helmets are not cheap, but nearly always their focus is more on form than function.

The Glamster has a classic, smooth, round shell somewhat reminiscent of the helmets worn by the likes of Sheene, Schwartz, Rainey et al. back in the day. But the Glamster is, in every way, a modern helmet with all of the features you might expect from a manufacturer like Shoei. Its nearest, and in truth only, direct competitor, is the Arai Concept X, formerly known as the Rapide. The Shoei is lighter, a little smaller, and has a more traditional profile, in contrast to the Arai's more aggressive 'Streetfighter' stance.

The Shoei has an adjustable brow vent, a rubber seal to between the shell and the visor to prevent water ingress, and to reduce noise. It comes with a Pinlock visor in the box and, as with all Shoeis, dealers will have the ability to custom fit the helmet by changing the head liners and cheekpads. A chin curtain also comes in the box.

The Glamster is a thoroughly modern helmet in every respect. Designed for riding on genuine classic or retro bikes, the helmet presents few compromises. But, in an attempt to be period faithful the Glamster does not have a drop-down sun visor. If you want one, the obvious alternative would be the Shoei GTAir2, but if you ride a faster bike, perhaps a sports-tourer, an option might be the superlative NXR 2. Like the 06 Glamster it is 22-06 rated, and does not have a drop-down sun visor. Both the GTAir2 and the NXR will be quieter than the Glamster, however, as the rounder-shaped chin bar of the Glamster does allow more air to enter the helmet; and air, obviously, equates to noise!

One final point. We had previously been told that the old Glamster passed 22-06 without any changes. And it turns out that this is not quite the case, and might even have been a little disingenuous. Now, in anybody's book the 22-05 Glamster is a protective helmet that anybody would be prepared to ride in. But the 22-06 version is not the same. Well, it is, and it isn't. It is the same, but in any given helmet size the shell will be larger on the 22-06 version than it was on the 22-05. There were, and still are, four shell sizes on the Glamster. XS/S, M, L, XL/XXL. But in the new helmet the XS/S helmet will take the shall from the old M. Now the M helmet will take the old L shell. And the L helmet will take the shell from the oldXL/XXL shell. There will be a new, larger shell for the XL/XXL helmets. Clearly this is because the eps in each helmet is going to be thicker and therefore more protective. What we do not know, of course, is whether Shoei has done this to meet 22-06 or because, as ever, Shoei wants to market helmets that significantly exceed the statutory standard. We suspect the latter.

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[RollWithSoul]

I just picked up two of these awesome looking helmets. I normally wear earplugs with “all” helmets, but especially so with the Glamster! I do find the wind noise to be less noticeable in my Rapide helmet however. As a cruiser rider, I really like them both! 😎👍

[ONEly-ucet]

Always the most informative reviews. Thank you and greetings from San Francisco.

[MartSharm]

EPS thickness aside, kudos to Shoei for already exceeding future standards with current products. I'm very pleased with my half-price 2205 Glamster from the Motolegends sale a few weeks ago and shan't be upgrading any time soon.

[motozest]

The alternative from Arai is the Concept XE, not the Rapide.

[jjnewman]

I love the Glamster. My only issue is it runs hot in the summer so I use my Ex-Zero.

[matusknives]

I am going to guess that the main reason the drop-down sun visor was not included is to keep the price competitive to other retro style helmets, not to keep with the design from the '70.

[marcoaguiar]

I wonder if they solved the visor problem which makes it fog up to unbearable visibility levels whenever it's cold outside even with that pinlock? Also those always open chin vents are so bad for winter/colder weather riding.... I have one because of the style but its only good for mild weather not summer. Also there are many more options not just 2 good option for a full face retro helmets. Hjc v90 and the new v10, nexx xg100 and xg100r etc

[michal_z]

+1 'like' for the 'Italian' quotation 😂

[TheNewRider.]

Hi all, are there deeper speaker pockets in this new version 🤞thanks 👍

[peoplewithpixels]

I believe they say that in France, not Italy. Nice helmet!

[billfreeman]

I have one and wish i didnt bother. The visor locking system is harsh..to close and open. It fogs up even in warm weather. Pretty noisy too. Even finding the strap popper is tricky. Never buying Shoei again. On the plus side it's light and comfortable.

[andrewvickers]

Thanks Chris. So does the Arai Rapide work noticeably better in hot weather?