I'm gonna go shopping for my 1st helmet for autox, track and occasional open-wheel racing. I know I need full face, SA2005, and that I'm gonna try them on at a store before I buy. But I'm lost in all the choices so I'm hoping to get some guidelines from you guys...

Materials - it seems a helmet can be kevlar, fiberglass, or carbon fiber. What are pros/cons of each? Weight? Strength?

Design - it seems large eyeports are good for peripheral vision? Are they also good if I need to wear glasses? Any negatives?

Cooling - I guess I don't need those helmets with ports for external air systems unless I'm racing sedans for a few hours, right? But what about vents around the mouth area? Anything I should look for? Are there features that help with moisture or anti-fog?

Aerodynamics - since I'm only doing open-wheel racing once in a while (karts and skip barber races), this is probably not that important, right?

Hans - are most helmets compatible with a Hans device?

Brands - it seems Bell is very popular? Arai is used by professionals? What about other brands - Simpson, G-Force, Sparco, etc?

They say buy the best helmet that you can afford, but how do I figure out what's good or not? Do they mean buy the most expensive helmet you can afford, instead?

I'd like to spend as little as possible, but still get something decent...Does $300 sound about right? Let's say my budget is $500 tops. What's a good helmet in this price range for my needs? How are the Bell M2/M3/M4 helmets? Arai GP5/GP5K worth the higher price? If I start to get into karting or open-wheel seriously later on, can I still use a general purpose helmet then, or should I opt for a helmet geared toward open-wheel now?

 

You've touched on all the points related to a helmet purchase except the one that is by far and away the most important: fit. All of the oher things you mention are trivial compared to fit. I went into a local shop with the same mindset (spend about $300 on a Bell) and walked out with a $800 Arai. The Arai fit my head so much better than anything else (Bell, Simpson, Bieffe, Stand 21, Sparco) that there was no choice. My advise would be to try on as many helmets as you can and choose from there. Hopefuly one will fit you perfect.

Assuming there might be more than one helmet that fits well, then the answers to your questions (IMHO) are as follows:

Materials: CF will be the lightest and most expensive. The weight difference is not a factor unless you have a weak neck or plan on enduro racing.

Eyeports: If you wear glasses, get the large eyeports. If not get the smaller ones as they afford more protection from debris.

Cooling: FA is cool (pun intended) and is not that hard or expensive to set up in your car. Sort of depends where you drive as to whether it almost becomes a necessity or not. Anti-fog and ventilation is pretty much the same across the board for most vendors.

Aero: Don't bother unless you are going to be doing competitive open wheel racing.

HANS: Haven't heard of a helmet that wont allow the HANS connections.

Brands: All of the vendors you mentioned make good helmets. Haven't heard of quality control issues with any of them.

Money: Buy what fits. Period.

BTW, did I mention that you should get the helmet that fits?

Really, get the helmet that fits.

Bro

 

Thanks for the tips. Incidently, I tried on an Arai GP5 yesterday. I was surprised by how thin the shell and padding were, especially at the top of the head. But I will have to try on lots of other brands to compare...

 

Not only make sure that it fits your head, but that your head fits in the car with it on...for those of us over 6ft tall. I used a different helmet yesterday and the top was much thicker so my head rubbed/rested on the roof of the car which is not only annoying but probly dangerous to some extent

 

What size are you looking for? I have a silver HJC CL-14 fullface, size medium, that I would get rid of. It's been worn about 5 times and has a clear and smoke shield. PM me if interested.

 

One other consideration that goes hand in hand with costs is weight. Your head/neck has to support this helmet and the heavier it is, the more strain you exert. Likewise the lighter the helmet, the more expensive. Check the weight of each helmet and chooses the lightest you can afford.

mark

 

Fixed it for you.

Bro

 

i have the arai gp5-k,
light, love it - the new gp5-w (wide) has better viewing

i also have had bieffe (f1/gp), good helmet - liked the extra shin support





all helmets have a 'standard' safety rating. i chose the arai b/c of feel/comfort, view, etc. LOVE it

 

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The SN2000 performed extremely well in aerodynamic tests along side our WTT line of helmets. The SN2000 has two Naca-style intake ducts on the chin bar, two adjustable air vents on top plus four exhaust vents on the rear of the helmet. The inner lining has removable chin curtain for extra comfort on hot days. The SN2000 also includes our 3mm homologated shield with CNC machined aluminum hardware and positive lock down hinge.

 

I heard Bieffe's were great aero helmets, but methinks that is taking it to the extreme.



Bro

 

it's prbably easier to find a motorcycle shop that has helments instock for your to try out. Every brand is shaped differently, so find the brand that fits your head the best and the design is carried into the auto helments. I found for a larger round head, nothing beat an arai!

 

Arai Gp-5 All The Way The Best Helmets You Can Buy

 

Depending on the amount of track work you plan on doing, make sure the helmet has the appropriate SA rating (SA2005 is the latest). Otherwise, if you shopped for your helmet at a motorcycle shop (like I did), you'll end up with a M rated helmet, which will not be acceptable at certain events. My understanding is that the SA rated helmets also include an additional test for fire retardation.

 

I would be amazed to find a track venue that would allow a M helmet. Unless you are going to do AX exclusively, you need to get an SA helmet.

Bro

 

More relaxed in Canada. It's not uncommon here to do so (run with a M helmet). Heck, some events don't even force helmets.