If you buy through our links, Amazon pays us a small commission at no extra cost to you. It never affects our scores. How we are funded.
A Pinlock insert is the cheapest upgrade that makes the biggest difference to your helmet, especially in British weather. If your visor has ever fogged up at a junction on a cold morning, read on.
How a Pinlock works
It is a clear insert fitted inside your visor, held by two pins. A silicone bead around the edge seals the gap between the insert and the visor.
That sealed air gap insulates the insert from the cold outside. Because the insert stays warm, your breath does not condense on it and the visor does not fog.
“Pinlock ready” or “Pinlock included”
- Pinlock ready: the visor has the pins, but the insert is sold separately.
- Pinlock included: it comes in the box.
What 30, 70, 120 and Max Vision mean
- The number (30, 70, 120…) indicates the anti-fog performance: the higher it is, the better it insulates.
- Max Vision means the insert covers more of the visor, almost to the edge.
The insert must be the right one for your visor model: search by the exact name of your helmet or visor.
How to fit it, step by step
- Remove the visor from the helmet (check the manual).
- Clean the inside of the visor with water and a microfibre cloth and let it dry.
- Peel the protective film off the insert.
- Flex the insert gently and slot one end under one pin.
- Flex a little more and slot the other end under the second pin.
- Check the silicone bead touches the visor all the way round.
- Refit the visor.
Fog or bubbles between the two layers?
The bead is not sealing properly. The pins are usually eccentric: you can rotate them to put more or less tension on the insert. Turn them little by little until the bead sits flat all round.
How to clean a Pinlock
- Only lukewarm water and a soft microfibre cloth.
- Never anti-fog sprays, alcohol or glass cleaner: they damage the insert’s coating.
- Clean gently: the insert is soft and scratches easily.
Tired of fogging? Read our full-face helmet guide for helmets with the Pinlock in the box.
