Do Arai helmet shields block UV?

The major helmet retailers in the USA I called don't seem have a confident answer on if the shield blocks UVA/UVB. Some say probably not, since Arai's website doesn't mention it. I called Arai USA tech support, they just said "it's made out of polycarbonate, so it blocks UV". I ask, how much, and does it block UVB (burning) and UVA (aging damage) wavelengths? Answer was "not sure". On some other bike site forums back in 2008 guys were complaining about getting sunburned through the Arai shield.

Now I read in some post (don't know how credible) that polycarbonate has to be treated with something to prevent UV damage to the shield itself.

I am light skinned, already have sun damage, so this is a big deal for me.

So why don't I just by a helmet which has a shield that is documented to block UV? Because the Aria Profile model (for narrow oval heads) is the only helmet I've come across that fits my head.

 

I have a Shoei with a dark shield and I got a sunburn after the first ride in it. The website states all of their shields offer "Nearly 100% UVA / UVB protection" I am more concerned about my eyes since I already have damage from sun and do not typically wear sunglasses under a dark shield.
I always wear sunscreen and dark glasses under the shield now. Plus the shield doesn't help if you don't have it closed.

 

That's strange, I currently I use a Shoei X-11 with dark smoke visor, and haven't ever noticed a "through the shield" sunburn when riding a full day with visor closed (and no sunscreen). Like you, I also have some sun damage to my eyes. I can't really wear sunglasses under the smoke shield, as it gets too dark.

 

Have you tried an Iridium visor ? ( Spectra in US ? )

Have been a fan of Shoeis Irridium Gold visors since my first XR1000 in 2004 and now XR11000, they reflect heat away and are listed as 100% against UVA & UVB have low glare, have never had a sunburn through them even when riding 12 hours straight on hot Summers days and are even resonable in low light and morning fog riding into the sun.

Only downfall with Iridium is the need to treat them carefully because they can scratch easily lesson learnt from the one on my pre Shoei '01 AXO Helmet and keep (only) the outside of the shield Plexus'd.

 

Same here, never detected any sunburn with my Shoei dark shields. And there have been many days where I would have noticed.

 

Many years ago I used an Arai Iridium shield. Didn't buy another one because the mirror coating scratched so easily. Maybe it would block more UV than the smoke shields due to the reflective property?

 

The early Arai Iridiums were known to be bad. One friend ('03/'04) when comparing with my Shoeis Iridium complained it was like the Arais coating just evaporated away, not happy he did some digging at the time and found the early Arai visors were outsourced to a 3rd party and the coating was smoked on the outside of the visor and could come off with normal cleaning, later OEM ones are much better, his 2007 Arais Blue Iridium has had no issues I'm aware of so guessing ( not 100% ) the Arais film is on the inside now like the Shoeis are so don't Plexus/use cleaners on the inside of the Visor.

 

Interesting thread on gl1800 " Arai Visors don't block UV " it's from 2008 so a bit old and things may have changed but unlike Shoei who advertise 99% UVA / UVB protection on all their Visors can't find Arai quoting their UVA / UVB specs for their Clear Visors although they advertise UV Blocking on their Irridium Visors ?

Goldwing Linky Arai Visors don't block UV:
Arai Visors don't block UV - GL1800Riders

 

I had read that same GL1800 thread before starting this thread, that's what got me concerned. I just decided now to buy the Arai Profile helmet plus the blue Irridium visor and hope it blocks UV well.

John451, did you say the reflective coating is on the inside only (i.e. I wouldn't have to be careful about wiping the outside)?

 

Only know my Shoei's RF1000 & RF1100 Iridiums is on the outside although I did ask mate today with the Arai and while he wasn't sure outside or inside the latest one he has lasted well although he is careful uses only warm water and clean soft rags to clean it with.

 

I just returned from a 7-day ride using my new Arai Profile helmet + iridium shield. I didn't get any sunburn on my face (light complexion), so that shield seems to block UVB pretty well.

Also, contrary to reviews I read before buying, this helmet is very noisy compared to my Shoei X-11. Even with earplugs and all vents closed, it sounds like I have my ear next to a flamethrower. I can't figure out what is causing it to be so loud; it fits very snug to my face.