You could have either finish. icon has rubatone, or there's flat top coat. I would say both (mid end helmet finished) are harder to clean (if not regularly) plus you could wax/pam gloss. Also depending depending on what you hit it on like boxers and vasoline, gloss is less likely to scuff. Less to grab the road if you hit is better too. Wouldn't stop me from buying one I wanted or pay extra though. I wear them out and don't covet resale value. pic when new. now at two hard years not so nice.