Polycarbonate helmets are made of a strong, lightweight plastic. They are designed to disperse the force of an impact and protect the rider’s head from serious injury. You can earn 4 rating from SHARP for a thermoplastic or polycarbonate motorcycle helmet like the Shark Evo-One 2 as you would for a helmet made of fiberglass or carbon fiber.

Polycarbonate helmets, for example, show excellent performance in absorbing the shock from an impact. On the other hand, because polycarbonate is highly prone to abrasion, it is usually added in bigger amounts, making polycarbonate helmets heavier and bulkier to wear. Therefore, these helmets are not the best choice for high-speed riding.

Helmets are largely made of plastics, but the good news is that most of the plastics used are probably safe. There may be concerns about the plastic in polycarbonate shells, but they are not in contact with your skin while you ride. We think that the benefits of helmet protection far outweigh any risk from the materials.