Around 38 dollars for a DOT-approved open face helmet with a built in sun visor. That is the whole pitch for the CARTMAN Matte Black Open Helmet on Amazon, and honestly it is a hard one to argue with. This half shell pulls down a sun visor when the light gets rough, it has a quick release buckle that pops free in a second, and it carries a real DOT sticker. Buyers have weighed in too. Across 238 Amazon reviews it holds a strong 4.6 out of 5 stars, which is a solid signal for something in this price range. Most budget half helmets make you choose between cheap and usable. This one is trying to be both.
Build Quality and Safety
First off, let's look at the shell. CARTMAN molded theirs from ABS plastic. ABS is the same plastic used in many helmets selling for twice as much as this one. It is light, it will handle a drop, and it produces a smooth single-piece mold without seams that could crack upon impact. It is not aerospace composite, but for a casual half-shell helmet, it should suffice.
A far more important aspect is the certification. The CARTMAN meets the DOT safety standards. Specifically, the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 218 tests for crashworthiness and penetration resistance. In essence, it was tested to determine whether it protects your head during a collision by absorbing energy while preventing sharp objects from penetrating the helmet. That is the distinction between a legitimate helmet and those painted shells that claim to meet standards, but do not.
Overall, the helmet is very light. There is no chin bar, there is no heavy shield, there is simply a low-profile shell designed to minimize weight on your neck and shoulders. That is a comfort benefit when riding long distances. The shell ventilates as well, allowing warmer air to escape rather than become trapped within the helmet.
Comfort and Fit
Reviewers report that CARTMAN's sizes appear fairly accurate according to their charts. That is worth calling out since half-shells are notorious for being smaller than expected. David Blaque stated in his review that the helmet was well-made, sturdy, and comfortable and added that it had been assembled with care. Additionally, he liked that the quick release buckle was the easiest and fastest system he has ever experienced for putting on and taking off his helmet.
In terms of the buckle itself, CARTMAN opted for a quick-release chin strap versus the typical double D ring. While double D rings are classic and provide security, the quick-release offers more convenience. After stopping for gas or taking a break to talk with someone, removing your helmet can be quicker with a simple motion. Many city riders and commuters prefer quick-releases on their helmets as they offer greater ease of use throughout the day.
Inside the helmet is a moisture-wicking liner. As its name suggests, it pulls sweat from your forehead and evaporates quickly. This function is beneficial during hot weather, and on longer trips than you wish to endure.
Billy J Cooper praised several features of this helmet in his five-star review, stating that it felt light and comfortable and placed significantly less pressure on his neck and shoulders after extended periods of time.
One comfort feature repeatedly brought up by reviewers is for eyewear wearers. Due to the fact that the shell provides some space above your eyes and the visor extends sufficiently, you can easily wear eyeglasses under this helmet without damaging them due to friction from the helmet shell. Gary Wm Taylor specifically mentioned this as a reason for liking this helmet, stating that the visor remains distant from his face to allow him to safely wear eyeglasses. If you wear prescription eyeglasses when you ride, this may be significant for you.
The Sun Visor
This feature sets this helmet apart from most budget-priced open-face half-shells. It includes a retractable sun visor that lowers when sunlight gets too low and raises when you're back in the shade. There is no additional shield to transport, store, or lose.
Open face helmets like this expose your entire lower portion of your face to direct sunlight when riding near sunset or early morning hours. Having a visor that integrates into your helmet eliminates needing to add additional protective eyewear while riding, such as sunglasses on top of whatever else you already have on.
Dave Blaque mentioned that the visor flipped out and back into position cleanly and that he ran it directly over his glasses.
The visor lens is scratch-resistant and treated to reduce fog buildup. Budget helmets often skimp on this level of detail. The visor clicks positively into position when lowered. Therefore, it won't bounce around at high speeds nor suddenly fall out of place at an unfortunate moment. Although seemingly trivial, losing control of your visor can ruin an outing quickly.
What Amazon Reviewers Are Saying
As stated earlier, this has earned a respectable 238 reviews with an overall rating of 4.6 stars. These reviews all share similar characteristics. They generally aren't describing this helmet as an entry-level luxury model. Instead, reviewers agree that for the price, this helmet delivers.
Comfortability and the quick-release buckle are common positives among reviewers. So is the sun visor.
Several reviewers described the build quality extremely favorably as well. Dave Blaque referred to it as sturdy and carefully assembled. Gary Wm Taylor agreed that it is lightweight yet sturdy and also keeps the head cool. Billy J Cooper emphasized how lightweight it feels and also reduced neck strain. When multiple reviewers highlight identical advantages of a product consistently, it increases the credibility that there indeed exist benefits to purchasing that product.
Negative comments are minimal. Some reviewers reported slight sizing discrepancies along the edges, which is normal across virtually every helmet regardless of cost class. Since it exposes your face and jawline while riding, some people may consider this as an issue. However, this is simply a characteristic of an open-faced design.
Who Is This Helmet For?
Casual riders looking for an authentic DOT helmet at a great price. Cruisers wanting a lighter helmet for casual cruising. Commuters using scooters or electric scooters who are tired of carrying heavy motorcycle helmets everywhere. Anybody who dislikes dealing with D rings to attach and unattach their chin straps and prefers easy-to-use quick releases.
According to CARTMAN's marketing language, they targeted consumers who use these helmets for street use, dirt use, and snow use. That's a broad scope. An open-faced helmet with a sun visor would work perfectly fine for around-town riding, short highway excursions, or for winter riding under a balaclava where a full-face helmet would create excessive heat and fog issues.
Not everybody needs this helmet. If you ride aggressively or rapidly, an open-faced shell leaves you vulnerable to debris and insects entering your field of vision. If you require extensive facial protection, this isn't going to be your best option. However, if you want an affordable, comfortable, highly-reviewed open-faced half-shell with an actual working sun visor, then this fits your requirements perfectly well. Browse our motorcycle helmet comparison to compare how this stacks up against others available now. Or check out more helmet reviews here on our blog site. And if you believe this sounds suitable for your needs, you can find pricing and sizing info on the CARTMAN on Amazon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the CARTMAN helmet DOT certified?
Yes. The shell meets DOT safety standards. The specific certification is for Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 218 testing for crashworthiness and penetration resistance.
Do I buy the correct size for my head?
Most reviewers suggest yes. At least four reviewers have suggested that their head measured accurately based on CARTMAN's recommended sizing chart. If you are unsure of your head measurements, it is always safe to round up when selecting an online purchase size.
Will I still be able to wear my eyeglasses?
Yes. According to multiple reviewers, the distance of the visor from your face combined with the open nature of the shell allows you to comfortably wear your glasses beneath the helmet.
How does the sun visor operate?
It operates as a retractable sun visor that moves downward when sunlight becomes too intense and upward once sunlight returns to acceptable levels. The lens is scratch-resistant and has an anti-fog coating.
Which types of riders are likely candidates for this helmet?
Anyone seeking a legitimate DOT-approved helmet at a reasonable cost, especially cruisers and commuters, will likely be interested in this helmet.
What does the quick release buckle mean?
It replaces the traditional double D ring with a quick release chin strap. One motion opens and closes it, which makes the helmet faster to put on and take off than most budget half shells.