Summary: The Shoei Qwest has been around since 2010. It’s both Snell certified and SHARP 5 star rated. So, here’s the low-down on what should be one of the safest helmets around…
- Comfortable
- Pretty Quiet
- Good Build Quality
- large visor with pinlock anti-mist system
- DOT/ECE approved
- Snell approved & Sharp 5 Star rated
- 5 year warranty
- Typical price range: $330-$440
- DISCONTINUED – REPLACED BY SHOEI RF-SR
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Safety
Claimed organic fiberglass (whatever that is!) with multi-layered composite fibers. Multi-compound inner to provide different levels of shock absorbancy. Shoei helmets are very well made and the Qwest has been tested and awarded a maximum 5 Stars by SHARP and is Snell certified too. So it should be as safe and trustworthy as they come!
Noise
Shoei reckon this helmet is particularly quiet – typically 2db quieter than the Raid 2. However, some people are saying that it’s actually a bit noisier in practise. Guess it might depend on the bike and riding style.
Update – there are one or two reports of whistling Qwests. Whistling seems to come from around the visor and from around the chin area. Shoei may suggest you put a chin guard on the helmet – which does solve one of the whistles. They also suggest closing the visor firmly from the centre of the visor rather than using the small lip to the bottom side, to seat it better. For further information, I found this post which includes a letter from Shoei to a guy who sent his Qwest back for a slight update. However, it’s worth checking with your retailer that they’ll be happy to refund if you find the problem.
Size
Worth noting that people are finding Shoei helmets a bit on the small side compared with other brands – so you might need to go up a size when ordering.
Ventilation
Chin and head ventilation – with exhaust outlet on back to helmet. Ventilation reported to be very good. Though, as always, not enough on its own to stop the visor misting up in rain. Vents easy to operate.
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Visor
Good sized aperture reported for wide field of view.
Overall
Middle of the range Shoei helmet should provide a high degree of safety and performance. It’s sold as a mostly touring helmet and replaces the Raid 2 in their model line up. It looks good, comes in over 20 different color schemes and is known for being comfortable and pretty quiet.
Video
And should you want to see a video on the Qwest – complete with lots of slick, jargony nonsense in the commentary, here’s one I found earlier!
Here’s a well cool Special edition – the Shoei Qwest Passage Helmet.
For reviews on other Shoei Helmets, check out our Shoei Crash Helmets page.
For other helmet reviews check out our Crash Helmet Reviews section. And if you’ve tried any of these helmets, we’d love to hear what you think by commenting below. Thanks! Billy.
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Star Ratings
