Know of helmets with a lower profile up top (fit for tall driver)?: Grassroots Motorsports forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

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Nov. 2, 2010 2:22 p.m. NOSLO6 New Reader

I'm a somewhat tall guy and even in the optimal seating position my helmeted head just barely bumps the roof in my car.

My trusty Simpson super voyager has seen better days and with a replacement in the budget for the next year, I found myself wondering if there are helmets that have, for lack of a better term, a lower profile up top. Thoughts or experiences?

I know there's a solution in seat modification/swapping, but am just curious about the helmet question since even a small reduction in dome up top (not my head... ) would fix the issue.
Nov. 2, 2010 2:24 p.m. Giant Purple Snorklewacker SuperDork
Nov. 2, 2010 3:30 p.m. Type Q HalfDork

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote:

I DO NOT want to know what you were searching for when you found that picture.
Nov. 2, 2010 3:36 p.m. mistanfo SuperDork

Since helmets all use (perhaps some REALLY expensive models use something different) the same materials in build, they are all within about 1/8" of one another, per testing that I did years ago at OG Racing, when I worked there. I doubt that things have changed that much in the past 4 years. Styrofoam dissipates energy at a set rate per given thickness.

That being said, I just realized that the Snell 2010 spec allows for a lighter "head" used in the test of smaller helmets, so if you have a smaller head, a new model might be ever so slightly shorter. Not likely enough to matter though.
Nov. 2, 2010 3:46 p.m. NOSLO6 New Reader

mistanfo wrote: so if you have a smaller head, a new model might be ever so slightly shorter. Not likely enough to matter though.

Alas, I have a big @ss head. I'll be going with the blue model featured above (<-- model referring to the headgear, not the, well, model).

Good info above, any other thoughts do chime in.
Nov. 2, 2010 3:52 p.m. unevolved HalfDork

If you've never been fit for a helmet, I'd go to a proper outfitters and have someone that knows their stuff size you up. I was about to buy an XL helmet based on my gigantic head, but thankfully I went to a brick-and-mortar shop and the lady working there showed me I needed a Large.
Nov. 2, 2010 4:38 p.m. bluesideup New Reader

I am 6'5" with a 7 5/8 head and use a Pyrotect Airflow helmet. I haven't had a problem driving a Boxster or my Mirage with it. I'm not sure how it compares head room wise to other helmets.

Pyrotect Airflow
Nov. 10, 2010 2:17 p.m. NOSLO6 New Reader

Thought this might be worth one last bump. Thanks for the thoughts all.
Nov. 10, 2010 3:56 p.m. Sofa King Reader

I have an RCI helmet that unfortunately is now too old to use, but it definitely sits flatter on the top of my head than my new helmet. (sorry don't remember the brand off hand.). But it makes at least an inch difference in head room. It isn't that the helmet has less padding / foam, it just fits closer to the top of my head. The RCI has a fairly flat top while the new one is very rounded on top. It might not fit you the same way, but my point is that the difference in helmet shapes can definitely impact the available headroom. I think the only way to be sure is to go to a brick and mortar store (preferably bring the car) and try them on.