Joking aside, I recall reading about a prototype helmet that uses solar power to operate a cooling fan in the summer and a heater in winter, but currently it is nothing more than that, and may never reach market.

I think the best bet, until something like that does become a practical reality, is to save your money on something that will make a marginal difference at best, and wear a balaclava under your current helmet. I just don't believe that there are currently any helmets out there, that are significantly warmer than another brand, to justify spending the money on one just to try to keep a little warmer in the winter. Invest a lot less in a quality balaclava, would be my advice.

 

I ride 12 months a year in Buffalo NY with a Shoei Neotech and baclava, head is never cold.

 

I don't like cloth over my nose and mouth while I ride, so I prefer this style....

.... But there is something to be said about the full face ones for keeping you warm, if you don't mind having your nose and mouth covered.

It the open face model keeps me plenty warm enough though.


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I found that a better fitting neck collar/wind protector helps immensely with mainaining the warmth. that and plugging the venting holes with ear protectors made me go from wearing 2 balaclavas to wearing none and feeling toasty.

 

I sincerely recommend any Schuberth one. It's the best I've used, letting apart its weight (not the lightest helmet).

 

If you have the money, the Schuberth S2 is my go-to cool weather helmet - quiet and warm. In fact, a little too warm - I have to put it away once the weather gets in to the low 80's or I have sweat rolling off my nose. They do a great job with the collar arrangement and even include a little v-shaped hook and loop insert you can add under the chin to block even more air. Then there is the pinlock arrangement to assist with preventing fogging. Pricey but you get what you pay for.

 

I like the Sparco flame-retardant balaclava under the helmet. They are thin, warm enough without being HOT, and don't feel terrible. Of course, I am bald, so I don't get much warmth without SOMETHING on my head.

 

Whichever brand/style you choose make sure you can get a Pinlock shield for it. I ride regularly in the winter if the roads are dry but not much below 30's & 40's. I wear a silk baclava usually just around my neck and my helmet is a modular so you know it lets plenty of air in but my head's never gotten terribly cold. I do ride behind a windshield though.

 

A lot of guys use snowmobile helmets in the winter months. Some are not DOT approved. I know my HJC snowmobile helmet is for both motorcycling and snowmobiling with a visor change. Also it has a insert around the mouth so it won't fog.

 

I love my Shoei RF-1100 in the cold. It has a very well-sealing gasket around the visor and the vents don't let in ANY air at all if they're closed. The chin curtain and breath guards are also pretty effective. The only problem is that this helmet fogs up faster than any other one I've ever worn so if you get one be sure to also get a Pinlock shield.

I have not personally tried out an RF-1200, which is the current model, but I can't imagine it would be much different.

 

I've been disappointed with the newer line of Shoei helmets. My last Shoei was an X11...