Shoei GT Air 3 helmet in matt black

The Shoei GT Air 3 is Shoei's new premium sports touring full face helmet that is certified to ECE 22-06. As with all Shoei helmets, the GT Air 3 can be customer fitted by changing head liners and cheek pads. Since April 2024, you can also benefit from the Shoei Personal Fitting System (PFS).

It is a similar spec'd helmet to the Shoei GT Air 2 but obviously a safer helmet. From 10 metres you would not tell the two helmets apart. Shoei has the same audience in mind so the core fundamentals are identical. 

A modern, reasonably aggressive design with a subtle but still distinct rear spoiler. A drop-down, sun visor. A semi-integrated, Sena comms. system. And changeable inner parts for a custom fit.

A GT-Air will never be as quiet as the Shoei Neotec 3, but as Shoei did when it launched the new Neotec, they have tried to make the new GT-Air quieter than its predecessor. They have made two changes that supposedly have an impact on noise. The first is a rounder, less pointed chin profile that will apparently create less turbulence. The second is longer cheekpads that extend further towards the back of the helmet to prevent air coming into the helmet at the back of the neck.

The chin vent, whose primary function is to help to desist the visor has not really changed, but the brow vent has. It sits a little further forward and so will increase airflow into the helmet.

There is a new visor for the GT-Air 3 that is distinguished by a thicker rib that runs along the its lower edge. This will help prevent twisting and distortion in the visor, which can ultimately lead to noise and water ingress. The GT-Air 3 now has an official crack position. The other changes to the visor are that it now has a lock position, and that it has to be raised from the centre rather than the left. A locking mechanism is now mandatory under 22-06. 

There are perhaps only two other changes that are worthy of note. The first is a thinner neck strap, along with a smaller micro-ratchet fastener. Both will play a part in making the helmet more comfortable to ride in. It is by weaving strands of steel into the strap that Shoei was able to maintain the strap’s strength whilst reducing its width. The last change worthy of mention, although that is debatable, is a larger chincurtain.

Everything else is pretty much as it was. A sun visor that meets the EN 1830 standard for sunglasses. A comfortable lining that holds the helmet firmly in place, yet which wicks sweat away from the skin. A Pinlock 120 anti-fog insert. And, of course, a semi-integrated comms. system.

The helmet takes the Sena SRL-03 comms. system offers either Bluetooth or Mesh functionality. It is, in fact, the same unit that is used for the Neotec 3 and the J-Cruise 3.

FIf you want a Shoei full face helmet but want something a little racier you can look either at the Shoei NXR 2 or the top end race lid the Shoei X-SPR Pro.