Let’s face it: motorcycle helmets are a life-saving necessity. In most states they are required by law, and not only that, they must also be DOT certified. Many old school and novelty helmets do not meet the standards required for a DOT certified sticker, however manufacturers are hard at work designing helmets that are both legal and stylish. Recently, Chad Hodge designed this vintage-style helmet under the influence of Bell Star, which is both DOT and ECE certified – meaning you can wear it on the road in America as well as Europe. Biltwell Gringo and Ruby le Castel are also well known for their nostalgic helmet designs, and many other novelty helmet producers can be found online.

However, beware of unknown novelty helmet brands. Many companies have been known to use the DOT sticker deceptively, selling helmets that aren’t fit for full protection on the road. Typically, the company includes a sticker that the consumer puts on the helmet, while a legal helmet should have the sticker already placed on the backside.