How SHOEI Helmet Models Differ in Weight, Shell Material, and Shield Type

SHOEI's US lineup separates its helmets mainly by three specs you can compare directly: listed weight (about 2.86 lbs to 4.15 lbs), shell material (AIM or AIM+), and shield/visor system (CWR-F2R, CWR-F2, CWR-1, CNS-1C, CNS-1, CNS-3C, CNS-3, CJ-2, GT, CNS-2, V-470). If you are choosing by riding use, the practical filter is: race and street full-face models cluster around the CWR and CNS shield families, while open-face and dual-sport models move to CJ-2 or V-470 visors and peaks. The table below uses only the specs listed on the official site.

Weight, shell, and shield by model

Two entries share the CWR-1 shield and 3.49 lbs / AIM+ spec, and two entries share the CJ-2 shield at different weights and shell materials, so the shield name alone does not identify a single model.

What the shell material difference means

AIM and AIM+ are the two shell materials listed across the range. The site presents them as part of the same handmade, multi-step construction process in Japan, without publishing a performance ranking between them. What you can rely on for comparison is the pairing: AIM+ appears on the lightest listed helmet (GT, 2.86 lbs) and on several mid-weight models, while AIM appears on the heaviest listed helmets (CNS-3C at 4.15 lbs, CNS-3 at 4.09 lbs). Do not read AIM+ as automatically lighter — the CJ-2 appears in both an AIM+ version at 3.07 lbs and an AIM version at 3.56 lbs, so the same shield family spans both materials.

Matching shield type to riding use

The site tags every model with the same use categories — Race, Street, Touring, Off-Road, Adventure — so the category labels alone do not narrow the list. Use the shield/visor as the differentiator instead:

• CWR-F2R / CWR-F2 / CWR-1 — full-face shield systems, the lightest group after the GT, all on AIM+ shells.
• CNS-1C / CNS-1 / CNS-3C / CNS-3 / CNS-2 — the heavier full-face group, mostly AIM, with CNS-2 as the AIM+ exception at 3.99 lbs.
• CJ-2 — appears with an internal sun shield on the 3.07 lb AIM+ version, and without that note on the 3.56 lb AIM version.
• GT — GT visor, 2.86 lbs, AIM+, the lightest listed.
• V-470 — visor/peak, 3.36 lbs, AIM+, the only listed entry with a peak, which points to off-road or adventure use.

How to decide

1. Set a weight ceiling first. If you want the lightest options, the GT (2.86 lbs), CJ-2 AIM+ (3.07 lbs), and V-470 (3.36 lbs) are the low end; anything in the CNS-3C/CNS-3 range sits above 4 lbs.
2. Then pick the shield family that matches your riding. A peak (V-470) suits off-road and adventure; an internal sun shield (CJ-2 AIM+) suits riders who want sun coverage without swapping shields; CWR and CNS systems are the full-face options.
3. Confirm shell material last, since it does not map cleanly to weight — check the specific model row rather than assuming AIM+ means lighter.

Fit and sizing

The site lists a sizing and fitment section with guidance on properly fitting your helmet, plus a Personal Fitting System for custom fit. Weight and shell specs do not tell you whether a shell shape suits your head, so use those fit resources before committing to a model based on the table above.