The short answer
Leatt, Nexx, Furygan and Simpson sit side by side at WheelsWork, but all four come from a different corner of motorcycling. In short:
- Leatt comes from the offroad and enduro world and is strong on protection and ventilation. Pick this if you regularly leave the tarmac.
- Nexx is a Portuguese helmet brand focused on light shells and finish. Pick this if you ride long days and put weight and comfort first.
- Furygan is a French brand built on leather, gloves and protection. Pick this if you mainly ride on the road and care about fit and finish.
- Simpson comes from American racing and has a shape of its own. Pick this if you want a helmet that stands out without giving up on certification.
Below we go through each brand: where it comes from, what it is good at and who it is built for.
Leatt: protection from the dirt
Leatt started in South Africa and became known for the neck brace for motocross riders. That background runs through the whole range: protection and airflow first, looks second.
The ADV line is the adventure branch of that. Waterproof membranes, solid protection where you land first in a fall, and a lot of attention to airflow, because you work harder at low speed off road than you do on the motorway.
Who it suits: adventure and allroad riders on mixed surfaces, and anyone who regularly takes sand, gravel or forest tracks.
Nexx: light helmets from Portugal
Nexx develops its helmets in house in Portugal. The brand sits in the premium segment and works a lot with composite and carbon shells.
You do not notice the difference in the shop, you notice it after three hours in the saddle. A few hundred grams less on your head adds up on a long day, and that is exactly where Nexx earns its keep.
Who it suits: riders doing long days and multi-day trips who are willing to pay for weight and finish.
Furygan: French leather and protection
Furygan is a French brand from Nimes that has been around since the late sixties. It grew up on leather gear and gloves, and that is still where it is sharpest.
On top of that comes everyday protection: D3O armour that stays soft until it takes a hit, and its own airbag vest that you wear under or over your jacket.
Who it suits: road riders, commuters and touring riders who care about fit, leather and protection.
Simpson: American racing history
Simpson comes from American racing and built a name there that you can recognise in the shape of the helmets. The brand deliberately picks its own silhouette rather than following the rest.
Worth knowing: that distinctive shape does not come at the cost of certification. The adventure models we stock carry the current ECE 22.06 standard and are pinlock ready.
Who it suits: riders who want a helmet away from the standard look, without compromising on the standard.
The four brands side by side
| Brand | Origin | Strong at | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leatt | South Africa | Protection and ventilation | Adventure and offroad |
| Nexx | Portugal | Light helmets, finish | Long days and touring |
| Furygan | France | Leather, gloves, protection | Road and commuting |
| Simpson | United States | Own design, racing history | Riders who want to stand out |
Frequently asked questions
Which brand is best for adventure riding? For mixed use on tarmac and gravel most riders land on Leatt, because the ADV line is built for exactly that. If you mainly want a light helmet for long days, Nexx is the more logical choice.
Are these brands ECE 22.06 certified? Every helmet we sell carries the current ECE 22.06 standard. It has been mandatory for newly sold helmets in Europe since 2024 and tests rotational forces in a crash, among other things.
What is D3O? D3O is a protective material that stays flexible while you ride and hardens on impact. Furygan uses it in gloves and jackets.
How do I find my size? Sizes differ per brand. Use our size advisor to work out the right size for each brand from your own measurements. That saves you a return.
Can I mix brands? Yes, and most riders do: a helmet from one brand, gloves from another. Just watch the overlap between jacket, glove and boot so nothing rides up in a fall.
Still not sure?
Torn between two brands or unsure about a size? Get in touch, we are happy to think along.