Waterproof Ratings on Helmet Intercoms: What IP67 Means for Riders

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Helmet buying note: fit, certification and known history matter. Prefer new helmets from reputable sellers, verify the certification label, and replace any helmet that has been involved in an impact.

IP67 means a unit passed two lab ratings: it is sealed against dust, and it survived immersion in fresh water to about a meter for 30 minutes. It does not mean the unit is rated for pressure-washer jets, salt water or hot water, or that it will stay sealed for years. It also covers the unit as sold, not one you have opened. Here is how to read the code and what to check before you trust it.

How an IP code works

"IP" stands for ingress protection, and the code comes from the international standard IEC 60529. It has two digits, and the first covers solids, the second liquids. If a digit is replaced by an X, the product was not tested for that category. So IP67 is rated for both dust and water, while IPX7 is rated for water only. A code can also carry an optional letter after the digits for extra information, so if you see one, look for the maker's key to what it means.

The descriptions above come from Wikipedia's article on the IP code, which is a secondary source that summarizes the standard. For the exact test conditions, the standard itself is the authority.

Reading a few examples

IP67: dust-tight and rated for temporary immersion. IPX7: rated for temporary immersion, but not tested for dust. IPX4: rated for splashing from any direction, nothing more. IP66: dust-tight and rated for powerful jets, but not for immersion. IPX5/IPX7: rated for both jets and immersion. Two units can both be called "waterproof" and sit at very different points on this list, which is why the code is the useful detail.

What IP67 covers on an intercom

For a helmet intercom, IP67 means the maker has stated the unit is dust-tight and can survive brief immersion. Cardo's support page, for example, says all its units are IP67 waterproof and that riders can use them in the rain. Other makers publish their own ratings, and some units carry different ones. Check the spec sheet for the model you are buying, because the rating belongs to the product, not the brand.

What IP67 does not promise

• It does not guarantee jet resistance. According to Wikipedia's summary, the water ratings are not cumulative beyond level 6, so a unit rated IPX7 has not necessarily passed the jet tests of IPX5 or IPX6. A unit that has passed both is listed with both, such as IPX5/IPX7. Do not point a pressure washer at an intercom.
• It covers fresh water only. Salt water, oils and solvents are not part of the standard tests for these levels. Hot water and steam are not covered either.
• It does not speak to durability. A rating describes a new unit under test. Seals can age, and the standard does not promise long-term wear.
• It does not cover a unit that has been opened. Cardo warns that opening its unit means it will no longer be waterproof.
• It says nothing about drops or crashes. Ingress protection is only about solids and liquids.

Marketing words versus ratings

"Waterproof," "water resistant," "weatherproof" and "splash-proof" are marketing terms, not ratings. A listing that uses only those words has not told you how the unit was tested. When you shop, look for the actual IP code and ask these questions:

• Does the rating apply to the main unit, or only to part of the system, such as the speakers or the remote?
• Does it apply with the charging port covered or in use? Check the manual for how the maker expects the port to stay sealed.
• Does the listing state a dust rating (the first digit) or only a water rating (an X)?
• Is the code printed in the maker's own spec sheet, or only repeated in a third-party listing that may have copied it from another model?

Rain at riding speed

An IP rating is a lab result under set conditions. It was not designed to mirror riding at speed in heavy rain with airflow, vibration and the mounting position on the side of a helmet. That does not make the rating useless. It is a sensible first filter, and a stated rating at least tells you what was tested. It does mean you should treat it as a minimum, not a guarantee.

A few habits help in wet weather:

• Keep seals and port covers clean and closed. Check them before a wet ride and after you charge.
• Do not open the unit. If something looks damaged, contact the maker.
• Follow the manual on drying and charging. Check what your maker says about drying a unit before you plug it in.
• Mind the cables. Wired speakers and microphones may be part of the system, so check what the rating covers.

The speaker installation guide explains how comm units sit in a helmet.

If you ride in a lot of rain

Riders in wet climates or on year-round commutes should treat the IP code as one input among several. Look at where the unit mounts, how the cable and speaker connections are protected, and how the maker describes care after wet rides. Pick a unit whose manual gives clear instructions, because a good rating is only useful if you keep the seals and covers in the condition the maker expects. Our guide to the best motorcycle rain gear covers the rest of a wet-weather setup.

A buyer's checklist

1. Find the IP code in the maker's spec sheet, not just in a retailer's listing.
2. Check that the rating names both digits, or note which one is X.
3. Read what the maker says about opening the unit and keeping ports sealed.
4. Check whether the rating covers accessories such as wired speakers or a remote.
5. Look for any care guidance on drying and charging after rain.
6. Remember your rating is for the unit as sold. Do not open, drill or modify it.

For help choosing a system by features, see our Bluetooth helmet communicator guide, the communication systems buyer's guide and the mesh versus Bluetooth comparison. Once you own a unit, our intercom battery life guide covers charging routines.

Frequently Asked Questions