[m20e3087]

Which brand and types of helmets are you guys using? Planing on getting one but too many options. I am aware of the code requirement for scca, and nothing to expensive, any suggestions?

[5.M0NSTER]

I’ve had good luck with Bell M racer series

[Daytona_550]

https://pitstopusa.com/c-1213146-saf...-save-100.html

[Killed by Death]

GOTTA try them on if you want comfort. Some heads are round and some are more oval. Same goes for helmets.

Simpson car, Smith snow and Bell bike helmets work best for me.

[Anthony1s]

Racequip Pro15

http://www.racequip.com/autoracinghelmets.html

Before the coronavirus, you could find them for ~$180, but now I think they're harder to come by and more expensive.

[detroitm2]

Originally Posted by Anthony1s

Racequip Pro15

http://www.racequip.com/autoracinghelmets.html

Before the coronavirus, you could find them for ~$180, but now I think they're harder to come by and more expensive.

+1. This is what I run.

[Montaver]

Arai GP-5W, works great for a more oval headshape. I found all the Bell helmets really uncomfortable with a lot of pressure on the forehead. Tried the HJC as well, same issue.

[moveswiftly]

Stilo ST-5. Has built in audio as well for instructing / being instructed.

[243Racing]

Originally Posted by Montaver

Arai GP-5W, works great for a more oval headshape. I found all the Bell helmets really uncomfortable with a lot of pressure on the forehead. Tried the HJC as well, same issue.

As another data point;

My first 2 helmets were Bell. Sport and M4. Fit great, kind of hot, kind of heavy. Recently switched to a GP-5W and I love it. I have a large and odd-shaped head so ymmv.

[Twt]

Originally Posted by moveswiftly

Stilo ST-5. Has built in audio as well for instructing / being instructed.

I have been a Stilo user for a while and they are the best...but OP is looking for a budget friendly option. I noticed OP is in Florida so I would suggest going to an HPDE track event, like Chin at Sebring, where you will find high quality vendors offering a variety of helmets that you can try on, plus a usual discount at the event.

[moveswiftly]

Originally Posted by Twt

I have been a Stilo user for a while and they are the best...but OP is looking for a budget friendly option. I noticed OP is in Florida so I would suggest going to an HPDE track event, like Chin at Sebring, where you will find high quality vendors offering a variety of helmets that you can try on, plus a usual discount at the event.

Good point but if he gets serious about tracking might as well save some money (in the long term) and get the right helmet from the get-go.

[Anthony1s]

Originally Posted by moveswiftly

Good point but if he gets serious about tracking might as well save some money (in the long term) and get the right helmet from the get-go.

Snell safety ratings will expire eventually though. It depends on what organization you track with, but for the most part I think the Snell2015 cert is only good until 2025. Spending $900 on a helmet that'll last 5-10years at max doesn't make sense for most people. Especially if you crash and have to replace it because it's safety is compromised.

[Megator]

Originally Posted by Anthony1s

Snell safety ratings will expire eventually though. It depends on what organization you track with, but for the most part I think the Snell2015 cert is only good until 2025. Spending $900 on a helmet that'll last 5-10years at max doesn't make sense for most people. Especially if you crash and have to replace it because it's safety is compromised.

When I was 1st looking at helmets everyone said "how much is your head worth?", implying thats how much you should spend on a helmet. Less than $100 a year is cheap to protect my main money maker.

To OP: gotta try before you buy (or be able to return if online). A well fitting comfortable helmet is worth more than one with fancier features or higher safety standard (with SNELL 2010 as a minimum).

Fit = safety as then the padding in the helmet can do its job properly.
Comfort = safety as then you can concentrate on driving and not that constant helmet irritation.

If you dont yet know if this is the sport for you, pick up a cheapo SNELL helmet and upgrade later. Any SNELL certified helmet is tested to a certain standard (and production inspected) so safety should be A OK.

Make sure it has the SNELL stickers though and that they are untampered with. Also keep an eye on them as I have heard of ppl only stealing stickers...

[Insane_Dawe]

Coming from a motorcycle background, you can easily look on revzilla to find a cheapo($120) snell approved lid. This usually means polycarb and 2 shell sizes a.k.a. 1 size for XS-SM(Small Medium) and 1 size for LM-XXL. You can try different brands at motorcycle dealerships or Cycle Gear and Revzilla is okay for organizing by headshape.

Paying for a nicer helmet gets you better size, fit, finish, padding, weight but I look at the EPS in my $500 Shoei and it's the same as my $120 HJC. If you're willing to drop the money, a car specific helmet is nice because they are usually smaller, lighter and are HANS ready.

No matter the helmet, the EPS will only be good for ~5 yrs before it gets questionable, check manufacture date.

[Megator]

Originally Posted by Insane_Dawe

Coming from a motorcycle background, you can easily look on revzilla to find a cheapo($120) snell approved lid. This usually means polycarb and 2 shell sizes a.k.a. 1 size for XS-SM(Small Medium) and 1 size for LM-XXL. You can try different brands at motorcycle dealerships or Cycle Gear and Revzilla is okay for organizing by headshape.

Paying for a nicer helmet gets you better size, fit, finish, padding, weight but I look at the EPS in my $500 Shoei and it's the same as my $120 HJC. If you're willing to drop the money, a car specific helmet is nice because they are usually smaller, lighter and are HANS ready.

No matter the helmet, the EPS will only be good for ~5 yrs before it gets questionable, check manufacture date.

Hans is a good extra if you can afford it. Even cheapo helmets come with the anchor points now a days.

If you dont plan to do seats/harness/rollbar I recommend the Simpson Hybrid S HANS, its the only one designed to work with a 3 point belt.

https://www.simpsonraceproducts.com/...mpson-hybrid-s

[tux2005]

It is best to try the helmets on, I suppose I don't know if COVID-19 restrictions could cause problems with that but it's really the only way to really judge fit & comfort.

I really wouldn't suggest getting a helmet that isn't SNELL SA-2015 rated, you may be able to run helmets without such a rating with some groups but SA-2015 is the most strict you're likely to encounter. Ideally of course getting an SA2020 would be better but I don't think those are available yet. The ratings come out every 5 years or so, any helmet should usually be replaced after 5 years of use anyway and a given rating is often accepted for 10 years from release (i.e. many groups will allow SA2010 helmets up to the end of this year, maybe into next year if SA2020 aren't out yet, they won't force you to replace a 2010 with a 2015 at this point anymore). The ratings may have small differences between generations and the reason for suggesting that you change every 5 years regardless of the rating expiring is due to potentially invisible damage, UV and sweat can degrade the effectiveness of the helmet. Also, any accident or dropping a helmet is very likely to compromise the safety of the helmet and should ideally be replaced.

You probably do want the ability to go for a HANS device, even if you don't have immediate plans for it. But if you can afford it then going with a Hybrid S is going to be the most flexible. Otherwise any other HANS device will require 4/5/6 point harnesses and those usually also need seat(s) and a harness bar or cage (the only exception being Schroth QuickFit Pros & I think some Takata 4-points which have their anti-submarine technology).

I'm not really sure just how much more faith I would put in a more expensive helmet, any Snell rated helmet is going to meet their standards which I think gives a solid base of safety. It does really come down to fit, comfort, features and weight which would make me consider more expensive helmets. I think one aspect to consider for a safety perspective is the weight, a heavier helmet is going to put more forces on your head in an accident so lighter is always better. I could see comms built into the helmet as a nice feature but who knows how well compatibility will work.

[Daytona_550]

Good airflow/venting was something else that I paid attention to when I was shopping for a helmet.

[c1pher]

It is good to try different brands first to see how you like the fit. For me personally, I have always liked Bell helmets. They strike a good balance between cost and safety.

[AmuroRay]

I have a HJC SA2015 (so still valid) and it was about 3xx. Fits well and looks good - and it’s safe.

I got it through Amazon, but I should have looked at the smaller retailers first.

[Twt]

By the way, if you are a member of SCCA you get 20% off helmets with their preferred vendors
If you're in need of a new one, use the coupon code SCCAHelmets2020 to save 20% on Pyrotect helmets from SoloPerformance.com/TNiA.
I am not endorsing these just providing the information

[m20e3087]

Thanks for all the feedback.

[Malakas]

+1 for the Stilo ST-5. Even the composite version is very light weight and as said above you can wire it for radio or drink or air (or all three).

My first helmet was a Bell M4. I always looked for helmets that had enlarged eye ports when I was first doing this nonsense... felt less confined when everything else can get overwhelming