Best Pinlock Insert Guide 2025

The Fog Problem Riders Know Too Well

You can be the most skilled rider on the road, but if your visor fogs, you’re riding half-blind.
It starts as a light mist in the corners, then creeps in until the road ahead is blurred. You crack the visor to clear it — and cold wind, rain, or spray floods your face.

Every rider has been here: early-morning commutes in winter, long-haul rides into damp valleys, night runs when the temperature drops. It’s frustrating, dangerous, and avoidable.

The Pinlock visor insert exists so you never have to ride blind. It’s a simple, lightweight solution that changes how you experience the road — and once you’ve used it, you won’t go back.

Before you read further do visit our gear finder tool to help you find the right gear – https://goodgearhub.com/gear-finder-tool/

When a Pinlock Makes the Biggest Difference

While a Pinlock can benefit you year-round, some conditions make it a game-changer:

Cold dawn starts where your breath condenses instantly.
Humid, monsoon-season rides where moisture is heavy in the air.
High-altitude passes where temperature swings are brutal.
Group rides in rain, when you can’t afford to lift the visor mid-pack.
Urban winter commutes when stop-and-go traffic accelerates fog buildup.

It’s the kind of upgrade that pays off the first time it saves your vision in a situation you couldn’t avoid.

Best Pinlock Insert Guide 2025- What is a Pinlock Visor Insert?

Developed in the Netherlands — a country famous for riding in damp, unpredictable weather — the Pinlock system is a simple but incredibly effective anti-fog solution.

It’s a secondary lens made from a hydrophilic polycarbonate composite that actively absorbs moisture. This material is lightweight, shatter-resistant, optically clear, and designed to stay flexible for a precise seal.

The insert attaches inside your helmet visor using two small mounting pins, sealing against the visor with a thin silicone bead. The result is an insulating air pocket between the two layers — exactly like double-glazing for windows.

How Pinlock Works – The Science in Simple Terms

Fog forms when warm, moist air meets a cooler surface. In your helmet, that’s your breath hitting a cold visor.

The Pinlock tackles this in two ways:

Absorption – The hydrophilic polycarbonate surface pulls in and holds moisture before it can bead into fog.
Insulation – The trapped air layer between visor and insert stabilises the temperature difference, so condensation can’t form.

The result? A clear view even in cold, wet, or highly humid conditions — without sprays, wipes, or constant visor cracking.

Best Pinlock Insert Guide 2025- Understanding Pinlock Ratings – 30, 70, 120

The numbers aren’t marketing fluff — they’re performance scores based on the EN 166 anti-fog test standard. This measures how many seconds the insert can resist fogging under controlled conditions.

Pinlock 30 – Entry level (~30 seconds). Ideal for mild climates and casual commuting.
Pinlock 70 – Mid-range (~70 seconds). Perfect for touring, colder weather, and wet climates.
Pinlock 120 – Premium (~120 seconds). Used in racing and extreme-weather riding; delivers maximum fog resistance.

Rating	Fog Resistance (Seconds)	Best Use Case
30	~30	Light commuting
70	~70	Touring, cold/wet conditions
120	~120	Racing, alpine touring

Quick tip – If you ride year-round or in variable climates, the Pinlock 70 offers the best balance of cost and performance. For mountain or winter touring, the 120 is worth every cent.

Installing a Pinlock – Step-by-Step

Remove your helmet visor according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Locate the Pinlock pins — one on each side.
Flex the visor slightly to slot the insert into the pins without stressing the plastic.
Ensure the silicone bead sits flush all around the visor’s inner surface.
Reattach visor and check for any lifting at the edges.

Avoid: Touching the inner surface, installing in dusty areas, or forcing the insert — all will reduce clarity and seal effectiveness.

Caring for Your Pinlock Insert

If you treat your Pinlock well, it can last for years without losing performance.

Cleaning:
- Remove the insert before washing.
- Use only lukewarm water and mild, non-abrasive soap.
- Rinse gently; do not scrub.
- Pat dry with a microfibre cloth — never use paper towels.
Storage:
- Keep your visor closed when the helmet is stored.
- Avoid extreme heat (like leaving it on a hot dashboard) which can warp the insert.
- If storing separately, keep it flat in a visor bag.
Replacement:
- Replace if the silicone bead is worn, the insert is scratched, or clarity drops.

Pinlock vs Other Anti-Fog Options

Sprays & Wipes: Work briefly, need frequent reapplication, and can smear.
DIY Hacks: Things like dish soap or shaving cream are inconsistent and risky for visor coatings.
Dual-Pane Snowmobile Visors: Effective, but heavier and less aerodynamic for motorcycle use.

The Pinlock wins on longevity, ease, and consistency — install it once, and it works until it’s worn out.

Common Mistakes Riders Make

Buying the wrong insert for their visor model.
Installing with dirty gloves, leaving residue.
Ignoring a damaged or worn silicone bead.
Using with a warped or cracked visor.

Brands That Support Pinlock

Pinlock-ready visors are standard or optional on most mid-to-premium helmets:

Shoei, Arai, AGV, HJC, Schuberth, LS2, Bell, Shark — all sell compatible visors.
Some budget helmets require buying a Pinlock-ready visor separately.

Variants Beyond Clear Inserts

Pinlock offers more than just clear vision:

Tinted inserts – Cuts glare without swapping visors.
Photochromic inserts – Darken in sunlight, clear at night.

Gear Finder Integration

On Good Gear Hub, our Gear Finder doesn’t just pick helmets that fit your head — it filters for features that fit your riding reality.
One of those is Pinlock compatibility.

You enter your bike type, riding style, usual weather, terrain, and more. We match you with helmets that work for you — and where fogging won’t even be on your mind.

Where a Pinlock Truly Proves Itself

Adventure Touring – BMW GS or KTM Adventure through the Rockies, temperature swings from 25°C to freezing.
Sport Touring – Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX through rain-soaked Pacific Northwest.
Commuting – Downtown Chicago in February; clear view from first gear to last light.

Best Pinlock Insert Guide 2025 – goodgearhub wrapup

Fog-free vision isn’t just a comfort — it’s a safety requirement. The right Pinlock keeps your line of sight clear so you can focus on the road, the apex, the overtake.

A clear visor is a clear mind. And when your vision’s sorted, the ride is all yours.