The HJC F100 sits above the brand’s entry-level flip options, using a fibreglass shell rather than plastic and offering a more premium feel throughout. It’s designed as a proper touring helmet, approved for use in both open-face and full-face modes, and available in a wide range of finishes. It's relatively light by the standards of flipover helmets, but for the biggest weight saving there's the HJC F100 Carbon, which is the lightest flipover touring helmet we've weighed.
On paper, the F100 is a strong contender in the flip-over category, so here's what I discovered out on the road.
Fit & comfort
Fit was the deciding factor for me and unfortunately for me, it was not in the F100’s favour. I found the helmet too narrow once the chinbar was closed, even though it felt fine with the helmet in open-face mode.
Going up a size didn't help, as it was too large when worn in open mode. That’s sometimes just how helmet fit works: a particular model simply doesn’t suit a certain head shape.
This meant I limited my testing to shorter rides so I could assess ventilation and visor performance, as I couldn't put up with prolonged discomfort. My advice is the same as for any flip helmet - make sure the F100 is comfortable for you in both open and closed modes before committing.
Noise & aerodynamics
Noise and stability weren’t problem areas during my brief rides, and nothing stood out as unusual for a touring-spec helmet. Given the focus of this review and the fit limitations, it's not something I can fully report back on - anyway, such things always depend as much on the bike, rider and conditions as they do on the helmet itself.
Chinbar operation
The flip mechanism works as it should, allowing the helmet to be used legally in both configurations. Operation is straightforward and confidence-inspiring, with no sense of looseness or flimsiness in the mechanism. There's a lock to hold the chinbar in the open position. It's a bit fiddly to use, but in my opinion there's no need to use it anyway.
Vision & visor system
Visor performance during my testing was good, with clear vision and no obvious issues. The smallest opening for the visor is quite large - useful in better weather, but it makes things a bit too breezy in the cold. The option to have a smaller gap would be very handy, but an effective chin vent helps draw in pretty good airflow anyway.
Ventilation
Ventilation worked as expected, with enough airflow to prevent overheating during everyday use. Both the chin vent and the one on the top of the lid bring through the airflow to stop rides getting sticky.
Fastening & safety
The F100 meets the ECE 22.06 standard and is approved for use as both an open-face and full-face helmet. There’s no ACU Gold sticker, so it’s not suitable for track use, though that’s unlikely to matter to most buyers in this category.
At the time of recording, there’s also no SHARP rating available. If one appears in future, we'll update this review.
Intercom compatibility
There's no built-in integration for a specific communications system, which is good news for some riders and bad for others. If you want to install HJC's sleek and low-profile comms then you won't be able to - that's the bad news. The good news is most off-the-shelf intercoms will fit neatly thanks to large speaker recesses, a decent-sized flat section on the shell and a thin trim that easily accommodates a slide-on clamp mount.
Final thoughts
The HJC F100 is a strong option in the flipover helmet category. Build quality is good, everything works as it should, and the use of four shell sizes is a genuine advantage, helping keep external proportions closer to the size of the head inside the helmet.
The fibreglass shell pushes the price above entry-level flipovers, which tend to sit around £250, including HJC’s own plastic-shelled i100. Personally, I think the jump in quality justifies the extra spend.
The fit didn’t work for me, but that doesn’t make this a bad helmet. If your head shape suits the F100’s internal profile then I’d say it’s one of the best flipover helmets currently available, particularly if you have the appetite and budget to step up to the HJC F100 Carbon.
HJC F100
