Judging by the crowd at MOA gatherings, lots of BMW riders have an affinity for high-tech gear from Klim and a large contingent favors modular helmets. The intersection of these subgroups is going to love Klim’s new-for-2026 GT1 Expedition, as will many who weren’t previously in either of those two camps. The crowning (!) achievement of five years of painstaking R&D, this kit is an absolute tour-de-force of cutting-edge technology, addressing several familiar drawbacks of modular helmet design with improved aerodynamics, lower weight and greater ease of operation. There are so many innovations to cover, this is one of the most challenging product reviews I’ve ever written, and I’ve done hundreds over the past four decades.

This isn’t Klim’s first modular helmet, but it’s a huge step up from the TK1200 that came before; there’s really no comparison. While the older lid also featured a carbon-fiber shell, the GT1’s is hand-laid to completely eliminate imperfections, trim excess weight, and allow for more intricately complex sculpting; the chin bar shares the same construction, with a protective layer of EPS (expanded polystyrene) foam inside. Within the helmet’s sleek contours sits a unique pairing of EPS and Koroyd, an innovative impact-absorbing material comprised of a multitude of tiny polymer straws welded together to create a honeycomb. This brilliant invention first appeared in Klim’s F5 dirt helmet back in 2018; I reviewed one for Motorcycle Consumer News and it quickly became my favorite off-road hat for many reasons, led by Koroyd’s outstanding ventilation (it’s 90% “transparent” to airflow), feathery weight and superlative protection.

In the GT1, a layer of Koroyd is sandwiched between two layers of EPS. Along with the expected function of shock absorption, the outer EPS layer provides thermal insulation from heat at the helmet’s surface. This enables more effective cooling by air flowing through the Koroyd layer below and the extensively channeled innermost EPS, which facilitates both incoming and outgoing ventilation. Koroyd is engineered to crush uniformly upon impact, distributing the energy over the broadest possible area with zero rebound and minimal transmission of angular/rotational forces; this combination absorbs 42% more energy than EPS alone. However, because Koroyd has a higher initial threshold for collapse and is rigid to the touch, EPS continues to serve as the absorber of lower magnitude impacts and provides a more suitable surface behind the helmet’s plush comfort liner. The GT1 carries both DOT and ECE 22.06 certifications, the latter being arguably more relevant for comprehensive, real-world crash protection due to its independent lab testing and consideration of not only direct, but also glancing, multi-point and both high- and low-speed impacts.

For optimal component configuration, the GT1 uses three shell sizes and five sizes of EPS/Koroyd across seven interior sizes (XS-3XL), keeping exterior bulk to a minimum while maintaining the same level of protection. Reviews of the helmet’s fit are mixed, with many saying the sizing is true and others reporting it’s on the small side, requiring buyers to go up one size larger than usual. I had some personal issues with the GT1’s fit, so I’m going to expound on this.

I believe the discrepant reviews probably have more to do with head shape than head size, as measured by simple circumference. Klim advertises the GT1 as an “intermediate oval” design; the other main categories being “long oval” and “round oval.” I’ve owned almost 30 helmets, two of which were size large and the rest medium. I’ve come to believe my head must be a tad more oblong than the standard intermediate oval, but not a truly long oval. Hence, long oval designs feel wobbly, while rounder ones create too much forehead pressure, even when I’m wearing the manufacturer’s recommended size for my 57cm head circumference. Klim’s sizing chart indicates I should take a Medium (57-58cm), but it felt very, very snug. Not only was there some slightly ominous forehead pressure, but the cheek pads seemed oddly thick and stiff. However, moving up to a Large allowed a little rotational play at the crown and the cheek pads felt loose. Most importantly, the ratcheting Micro-metric quick-release chin-strap closure—which is a joy to use but has less range of adjustment than traditional D-rings—couldn’t be cinched tightly enough to secure the larger helmet properly on my head, even with all the slack taken out of the strap. This rendered it a non-starter. I stuck with the Medium, albeit with some trepidation.

Spoiler alert: these fit issues have been resolved and my GT1 is wonderfully comfortable. The cheek padding broke in nicely; it’s still snug and firm but now simply feels reassuring instead of confining. (The stock pads are a stout 35mm thick, but thinner alternatives are available.) As for the crown/forehead tightness, an unpleasant “hot-spot” did indeed develop reliably after about 90 minutes of riding, but I was able to easily relieve it using the method outlined in my how-to article on custom helmet fitting. Rather than trimming or compressing the offending EPS, which diminishes a helmet’s impact protection, the addition of just a few millimeters of soft padding (e.g., closed-cell foam or neoprene) underneath the comfort liner on either side of a hot-spot accomplishes the same thing without compromising safety, as this lifts the helmet away from the site of acute impingement and distributes pressure over a larger area. It was also helpful to insert a tiny bit of extra padding in the helmet’s ceiling (being careful to preserve full ventilation) to get everything sitting slightly higher on my noggin. Some helmet manufacturers have started building in such an adjustment, while others offer custom fitting services utilizing the same principles. My point is this can be done safely, and it’s amazing how big a difference minute quantities of strategically placed extra padding can make. It may be counterintuitive to address tightness by adding material, but this has produced genuine fitment transformations in several of my helmets. Obviously, my experience won’t translate to every head shape (e.g., someone else may do better with a size Large GT1 outfitted with thicker cheek pads) and I’m certainly NOT implying most purchasers of Klim helmets should expect my mods will be necessary for them! However, as with any helmet, try different sizes and consider the possibility minor shape-related tightness might be easily remedied without interfering with the helmet’s primary function. I happily put in a few minutes of extra effort to enjoy the many benefits of my GT1 all day long without the slightest problem, rather than endure discomfort or forego the helmet altogether.

Perhaps the GT1’s most striking piece of engineering is its proprietary Dynamic Position Pivot Point—a revolutionary advance in modular helmet design. This ingenious mechanism doesn’t merely serve as a stationary hinge for the chin-bar but actually moves it slightly forward/outward as it leaves the lowered/locked position, then pulls it back tightly upon its return. The result is an extraordinarily flush juncture between the top edge of the face-shield and the shell’s brow, as well as between the chin-bar’s trailing edge and the helmet’s base. Everything is so perfectly streamlined, you must look closely to notice it’s modular. The face-shield/shell brow transition is even smoother than what’s typical on conventional helmets. Klim’s catch-phrase for this, “Plane and Simple,” isn’t a misspelling, but an apt descriptor. Advantages include reduced wind noise and drag, developed and confirmed in Klim’s own wind-tunnel at realistic speeds of 75mph. The GT1 proved remarkably impervious to buffeting on a bike with no windscreen, regardless of my head position; it seems to slip smoothly through the air in any direction, making it feel even lighter than it is. I greatly appreciated Klim’s use of a chin-bar release trigger that moves in the same outward arc as the chin-bar. This may sound trivial, but it makes operation much easier and more natural than pushing a button straight up (or even slightly inward) while simultaneously trying to push the chin-bar outward.

Also contributing to the GT1’s compact, aerodynamic dimensions and light weight (especially for a modular helmet—my Medium weighs just 3lbs., 10oz/1,644 grams) is the absence of a drop-down eyeshade. Instead, Klim includes a photochromic face shield. Compared to auto-tint-shifting shields I’ve used in the past, this one transitions between clear and moderate darkness quite promptly. A standard clear version comes on the helmet, too, and there are additional tinted options. All provide UV400 protection and are rated as having Optical Class One clarity, courtesy of Super HD technology that reduces light refraction. The photochromic and tinted shields are formulated with infrared insulation, reducing the helmet’s interior temperature (and associated rider fatigue) in strong sunlight. The eye port is extremely wide, exceeding not only my range of peripheral vision, but even the distance I could deliberately rotate my eyes. In a supremely elegant design integration, the shield snaps into place on the chin-bar pivot mechanism and can be removed with a simple nudge from behind when fully opened, no tools or tricky maneuvering required. Five strong detents provide excellent stability in any position, and a clever and effective prop/notch interface at the bottom edge both holds the shield cracked open in its lowest setting and locks it fully closed. The shield seals against a tough-yet-pillowy EPDM (a durable synthetic rubber) eye-port gasket that reduces vibration, noise, and the possibility of water intrusion; closure is further enhanced by self-adjusting side-plates that automatically optimize shield positioning. A 120XLT wide field-of-view Pinlock anti-fog insert, also rated Optical Class One, is included as well, and can be mounted inside either shield.

Speaking of fogging mitigation, the GT1’s chin vent is split between two separate spring-loaded, cam-lock-equipped intakes (press to open, press again to close), with the upper channeling fresh air directly against the face-shield’s interior through a diffuser. The lower opens airflow to the rider’s jaw and cheeks. A rocking-panel vent atop the helmet opens two intakes with one motion, forcing air through the deep channeling of the EPS and the Koroyd’s myriad straws; this air is then drawn out through four negative-pressure exhausts at the helmet’s rear. Augmenting this ventilation and the face-shield’s infrared insulation is Klim’s use of brrro fabric in the removable/washable crown liner and cheek-pads (generous slots in the former align with the inner EPS layer’s voluminous channels). This material is moisture-wicking, anti-bacterial and delivers a noticeably enhanced evaporative cooling effect when moist, putting a rider’s sweat to better use. The helmet’s interior and neckroll incorporate mesh panels for yet more cooling, and even the luxurious goat-leather suede accents around the helmet’s base are perforated. I tested this helmet in sweltering summer temperatures and was impressed by how well it moderated heat. Airflow throughout the helmet is vividly apparent and effective.

For protection from cold and to reduce buffeting and wind noise, a substantial chin curtain extends inward from the front of the chin-bar; a small crescent of material can be attached to increase this coverage, if desired. By the same token, the chin curtain can make the interior feel stuffy when sitting still, but airflow to the face was always plentiful while moving. To offset the curtain’s potential impediment to ingress and egress with the chin-bar lowered, an elastic wedge in its center allows expansion to ease passage of the rider’s nose. While the GT1 is easier to don and remove with its chin-bar up, even with its chin-bar down it’s no harder to put on and take off than most conventional helmets—definitely not true of some other modular lids.

Topping off the GT1’s long list of noteworthy features are its accommodations for high-end audio. 50mm-wide speaker pockets, which come filled with thick, removeable, noise-damping rubber pucks, can swallow the largest helmet speakers currently on the market (e.g., JBL’s 45mm disks). The hard trim around the helmet’s base is recessed on both sides (Klim’s “Infinity Edge”) to facilitate insertion of clamp-type comm unit mounts between the shell and liner. Of course, the fact the GT1 is exceptionally quiet is an advantage for in-helmet sound systems, too. It’s actually the quietest helmet I’ve ever worn—so quiet that I consistently underestimated my speed due to the reduced wind noise. Thoughtful accoutrements include a drawstring storage bag, reflective decals that match specific shell contours, and silicone lubricant for the chin-bar/face-shield pivots.

The GT1 is available in the Carbon Matte Black colorway pictured here, along with Gloss White, Gloss Metallic Asphalt (dark gray), Gloss Metallic Monument (light gray), Gloss Black with red detailing and Gloss Asphalt with hi-viz yellow detailing. MSRP is $999.99, which is certainly a big investment, but that price is in keeping with the ever-rising cost of top-shelf helmets from other premium brands. Half a century ago, Bell ran an advertising campaign with the slogan, “If you’ve got a $10 head, wear a $10 helmet.” Your brain—not to mention your life—merits high-quality protection, so purchase the very best helmet you can possibly afford. There are many less expensive alternatives out there, but few at any price come close to the GT1’s level of technical sophistication. Also consider Klim is now offering an industry-leading five-year warranty with free gear replacement after a crash on select products, including this helmet (see https://www.klim.com/gear-protection-guarantee for details).