The Schuberth C3 Helmet was not our choice for this trip, but is one of the best all around adventure-touring helmets available today.  It has a compact design, modular flip-up face, and comes stock with all the bells and whistles you can expect in a 21^st century helmet.  The Schuberth C3 was the quietest modular helmet on the market (<86 dBa at 65 mph).

The Schuberth C3 is also the second lightest, and has the smallest circumference of any modular motorcycle helmet available today.  The flip down sun visor makes this helmet even more versatile.  The must have Pinlock visor system is included, creating a helmet almost impervious to fogging in all conditions.  The sophistication of the ventilation system as well as the placement of tabs and vent locks, are well above the rest.  Although all the helmets we tested where of high quality, they seem to be chasing the capabilities of the C3 and C3 Pro.

From the super plush inner lining, to the anti-roll off system built into the helmet, you can tell that each detail is well thought out.  Every aspect of the Schuberth C3 Helmet has the long distance, adventure-tour rider in mind.  If you are planning on spending weeks & months in your helmet doing tens of thousands of miles, there is no better helmet than this one except for may the Pro version.

The Schuberth C3 has an industry leading 5 year warranty from the date of purchase, and a 7 year warranty from the date of manufacture.  They also have a program that will replace your Schuberth C3 for 1/3 the retail cost during the first 3 years if the helmet is in an accident.

The C3 from Schuberth is also the second most expensive helmet we tested.  That price has many justifications though. The Schuberth C3 has every upgrade imaginable.  When you read about all the features and upgrades included in the Schuberth C3, it will be easy to understand why it cost more than the rest.  You can’t have the best quality product, put more into research and development, include more features, and charge less.  It just doesn’t work like that.

So if you are looking for the very best in motorcycle helmet technology, with the highest safety rating, wrapped up in the lightest, most soundproof modular shell, then the C3 or C3 Pro are your only options.  Bang for your buck, you get what you pay for.  It’s lower priced than the Pro, makes the C3 rank slightly higher than the C3 Pro in this section

The C3 from Schuberth is ahead of the pack when it comes to noise and ventilation.  The manufacture boasts the quietest modular helmets on the market, the C3 is rated at (<86 dBa at 65 mph).  The ventilation is well thought out and was not noticeable louder than the C3 Pro at high speeds including heavy winds.

The Schuberth C3 also had minimal physical up-lift or buffeting even at speeds over 100 MPH.  The Pinlock system makes the visor almost fog proof.  Even in conditions of below freezing including sleet and some snow, this helmet only showed minimal fogging in the corners where the pinlock system doesn’t cover.

The Schuberth C3 series helmets were the best performers when coupled with the Sena Bluetooth system.  Both for hearing GPS directions and communication between riders, the Schuberth models out did the others.  Even at speeds exceeding 100 MPH, and on rides for over 10 hours there was no need for earplugs.

The Schuberth C3 has more features than any other helmet that we evaluated. Unique features of the Schuberth C3 include the built in antenna for integration with Schuberth’s SRC-System.  The ratcheting chinstrap is also unique to the Schuberth C3 in this line up, and is one of my favorite features.  No need to take you gloves off to remove the helmet.  I have a hard time understanding why all motorcycle helmets don’t come with this system, it is superior in everyway we can tell.

Some of the key features that we feel are a must in any helmet for adventure-tour riding include; the modular flip-up face, integrated sun visor, Pinlock anti-fog system, and chin curtain.  All of these features have the long distance, go anywhere, under any condition rider in mind.

If Schuberth could incorporate a helmet visor to block shaded areas while off road onto the Schuberth C3, then it would truly be the best helmet for every possible world travel situation.

The Schuberth C3 was also the most comfortable and safest feeling helmet of the bunch.  Unique features to the Schuberth C3 series include the anti-roll off system, which guarantees that the helmet cannot pivot off the head from behind once it is latched down.  The A.R.O.S also reduces the chance of the helmet coming into contact with a rider’s chest if an accident did occur.  The Schuberth C3 includes reflective areas that improve the helmets visibility in the dark.  The Schuberth C3 is the only modular helmet that is ECE Certified in our assessment.

The shell of the helmet is made of a fiberglass composite called S.T.R.O.N.G. fiber, which is credited for the helmets light weight.  The inner shell is composed of special EPS foam material that ensures ultimate shock absorption.  The Schuberth C3 is both ECE and DOT Certified.

The inner lining of the Schuberth C3 is the most comfortable of the group by leaps and bounds.  The quality of the material is very apparent when it is put side by side with the other helmet liners.  Made up of a combination of material including COOLMAX, Thermocool, and Interpower coating.  These materials make the inner liner of the Schuberth C3 highly breathable and cool even in the hottest situations.  All of the pads are removable for cleaning. Schuberth also makes optional cheek pads to help further customize your helmet.

The only complaint, if it really is a complaint, is that the flip-up face mask is sometimes difficult to latch down.  We attribute this to the Anti-roll off system and find it a fair trade off for the sealed in comfort of the Schuberth C3 offers once it is closed.  It does sometimes take more than one try to securely lock it into place.