A German-style half helmet with a genuine DOT certification sticker and costing approximately as much as a tank of gas, that is how to sum up the QUICKOOL. The QUICKOOL has been the type of budget retro lid cruiser and chopper guys have been searching for. The DOT certification sticker matters because there are a lot of cheap half shells floating around that are nothing more than painted plastic with a fake sticker. However, the QUICKOOL has passed the FMVSS 218 (Impact and Penetration Standard), and riders have rated it 3.8 out of 5 based upon 154 ratings. If you'd like to add an old-school German military appearance to your bike without breaking the bank for a full-face helmet, you can purchase the QUICKOOL German Half Helmet Here.
Build Quality and Features
You start with the shell. We believe that the use of ABS for a half helmet in this price point is appropriate. ABS is strong, lightweight, and when hit, does not crackle or spider-web, unlike cheaper polycarbonate blends. It is not going to be a multi-layered composite that high-end lids are constructed of, however, it is certainly not pretending to be.
Certification is the feature everyone cares about. DOT Certification means that the helmet has met FMVSS 218 standards for both impact absorption and penetration resistance. The Federal Standard for motorcycle helmets sold in the United States is FMVSS 218, so you will be receiving a helmet that was tested for the ability to wear a DOT Certification sticker. Not ECE, not Snell, just DOT. While most riders in this category do not require anything else, this is all the certification that most riders will ever need.
Weighing in favorably to a full-face helmet is the fact that a half helmet weighs very little. When you are riding a long distance on the highway, wearing a full-face helmet will make your neck do a great deal of work. On the other hand, the QUICKOOL weighs so little that you may even forget you have it on. It protects the top portion of your head and allows the wind to blow directly onto your face. Again, this is precisely what cruiser and chopper riders are looking for.
The shell is available in a Gloss Black finish that matches well with its German style theme. The inner lining of the helmet is removable and breathable, which makes it far easier to maintain than any other form of lid. A removable and washable liner helps prevent the helmet from becoming a science project due to excessive sweat after a summer of riding.
Fit, Comfort, and Size Options
The QUICKOOL is a half helmet, therefore it protects only the crown of your head and sits above your ears. This represents the classic German-styled retro-lid appearance. The primary advantage of purchasing this particular model is because it is styled after an older European military-style helmet and is priced lower than most of those same models. However, prior to making a final decision regarding whether or not to purchase this model, please understand that it is simply a styling option and not necessarily an option that is preferred by everyone.
The fit of a half helmet feels larger compared to a full-face helmet. Therefore, when purchasing a half helmet, it is recommended to purchase one that fits slightly tighter than your regular helmet size.
Buyers report that the QUICKOOL generally fits their heads according to its stated size. In addition, the manufacturer offers a completely free replacement if you determine that your selected size does not fit properly. Therefore, selecting your correct size without having tried on the helmet beforehand will not create any additional risk on your part.
As previously mentioned, comfort will be determined primarily by the fit of the padding and the fit of the chin strap. The chin strap features padding and utilizes a quick-release plastic buckle. This quick-release buckle is a small feature, however, it provides a considerable amount of convenience for riders who frequently enter and exit the saddle. Therefore, if you are a casual rider who enters and exits the saddle frequently throughout your rides, then this added convenience will likely prove beneficial.
In terms of fitting different shaped heads, each helmet has varying degrees of success in this regard. Therefore, as with every helmet, there are riders who find the QUICKOOL to be extremely tight fitting out-of-the-box and there are riders who find it to be excessively roomy. However, since the manufacturer offers a completely free size exchange program, virtually all complaints relative to fit can be eliminated.
If you are uncertain as to whether you fall within two consecutive sizes (i.e., M/L or L/XL), then you should select the smaller size. A half helmet that fits too loosely on your head is worse than one that is slightly too firm.
What Amazon Reviewers Have Said
The QUICKOOL currently averages a 3.8-star rating across 154 total reviews. Given that this product is a budget-priced half-shell, we consider this rating to be somewhat representative. Additionally, while overall ratings provide a general indication of a product's quality and value relative to competitors within similar categories, reading individual reviewer feedback often provides significantly more information relative to actual performance characteristics.
On the positive end of things, customers consistently praise the style (retro-German military) and light-weight design of the QUICKOOL. They similarly appreciate the fact that this helmet bears a legitimate DOT certification sticker, which they reference repeatedly as evidence supporting their decision to purchase. Similarly, numerous reviewers state they found it to be comfortable for cruising around town as well as providing excellent value for money.
However, as with most products, there exist several negative comments. Many customers comment negatively concerning fit issues, with some stating they felt the shell ran too small while others were concerned that it was too large based on their specific head shapes. A couple of reviewers also comment concerning the simplicity of the liner design and strap functionality, however, none of these comments are perceived as being significant enough to disqualify them from recommending this product.
Considering all comments collectively as well as reviewing both sides individually supports our assessment. Happy buyers have exceeded unhappy buyers, and virtually all complaints related to fit (the only complaint mentioned) can easily be addressed via free-size-exchange provided by the manufacturer.
Based on this, we would conclude that for cruisers, scooters, and choppers wanting that old-school look without dropping serious coin on a full-face, this budget half-shell does exactly what it claims to do. So if you want that old-school German look but don't want to break the bank, you can see what buyers say about QUICKOOL on Amazon. And if you're still looking for options beyond QUICKOOL, check out our complete collection of Motorcycle Helmets or our Buying Guides Blog.
Who Is This Helmet For?
This helmet is specifically designed for cruisers, scooters, and choppers who desire an old-school German-military look for their bikes without sacrificing too much money on full-face helmets. It is also an ideal choice for scooter commuters who desire an ultra-lightweight helmet for shorter trips around town and moped or street-speed riders.
Please note, however, that the major compromise for choosing this particular model is safety. Since a half shell protects considerably less than a full-face, during an accident you'll be leaving your jawline, chin-line, and bottom portion of your skull unprotected. That amounts to quite a bit of surface area with absolutely no protective material between yourself and pavement. Consequently, we recommend cruisers and highway riders choose either full-face or three-quarter helmets instead.
That being said, for cruiser and scooter riders seeking retro styling with minimal expense, this budget half-shell will perform admirably well. Therefore, if this describes you or someone you know, you can click here to see what buyers are saying about QUICKOOL on Amazon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the QUICKOOL helmet DOT certified?
Yes. The QUICKOOL helmet bears a genuine DOT certification sticker and has met FMVSS 218 standards for both impact absorption and penetration resistance.
Does the QUICKOOL protect my entire head?
No. It is merely a half shell covering only the crown of your head and sitting above your ears. Your facial skin, jawline, and chin remain exposed as part of its open design, which appeals to cruiser and chopper riders, yet provides less coverage than full-face or three-quarter helmets.
What sizes does the QUICKOOL come in?
The QUICKOOL is available in sizes ranging from Small to X-Large. Please carefully follow the measurement instructions on the product page and compare your measurements to determine which size best fits your head. Buyers generally agree that the QUICKOOL measures closely to its claimed size, however, if your chosen size doesn't fit well enough, the manufacturer will replace it free of charge.
Can I remove and wash the liner?
Yes. The QUICKOOL features a removable inner lining which makes cleaning easy.
Will I be okay using this helmet for highway riding?
While it carries a legitimate DOT certification sticker, we still cannot emphasize enough that as a half shell it will never protect as much of your head as full-faced helmets used for extended periods at highway speeds.