I need to buy a helmet. Help!

It's official. My daughter and I are registered for the SCCA Starting Line track event on 5/16 at PBIR! We're both very excited, and the car (1999 Miata) is getting buttoned up as we speak.

One item high on the priority list is getting helmets for both of us. I started looking around and immediately became overwhelmed by the choices. So many manufacturers, materials, choices, etc. Not to mention cost. Oy!

We'll be okay with fairly entry level helmets, though I don't want super heavy lids. I want full face, with head/neck restraint anchors built in. I might end up doing some W2W for crap can racing. Unfortunately, there is nowhere even remotely close to go try things on, and time is of the essence. Suggestions on how to proceed?

HJC makes a line of affordable Auto helmets. The plus is almost any motorcycle shop carry's HJC helmets so fitment should be very similar between the motorcycle helmets and the Auto version.

How big is the event? There might be a few shops there with some in stock or if you know of ones going they might bring some to try?

Motorcycle shops might be good for general sizing especially if they have manufacturers who also make car helmets. (Arai, Zamp, Bell, etc). Some might even be able to order snell ones.

-Rob

I am budgeting for a new Zamp. New car needs a full face to be legal.

Zamp seems to have the bang for the buck market cornered.

I liked the fitment of mine. I only recently upgraded to a Shoei because I needed a motorcycle helmet and I figured 2 for 1 (track and moto).

I got myself a SA2015 Pyrotect Pro Sport duckbill a while ago, seems like the best $/years of legality deal.

I like Simpson. Not the cheapest but not top shelf either. Kind of the Honda Accord of helmets.

NEALSMO wrote: Zamp seems to have the bang for the buck market cornered. I liked the fitment of mine. I only recently upgraded to a Shoei because I needed a motorcycle helmet and I figured 2 for 1 (track and moto).

Zamp is owned by Bell, and in my experience they seem to fit and feel like a Bell. So, if Bell works well with your head shape then Zamp should too.

WildScotsRacing wrote: Zamp is owned by Bell, and in my experience they seem to fit and feel like a Bell. So, if Bell works well with your head shape then Zamp should too.

That's not always the case. I found the Zamp to be narrower in the cheeks and uncomfortable, while the same size Bell fit me perfectly. As always with helmets, YMMV and the best bet is to find a shop and try them on.

You need to have your head examined. No really. Measure it and check the shape of it, as helmets will really vary in fit depending on your head size. I had to upgrade my helmet last year for LeMons. Had a 2005 rated, so I got a new SA2015. I tried Zamp, but it literally gave me a headache after having it on for a few minutes. It was squeezing the sides of my head like a grape. The helmet that fit me best was RaceQuip. It was about $40 more than the Zamp, but worth every penny. Came with the anchors I needed for my head and neck restraint...I went with Z-Tech.

Head and Neck restraint

Helmet

Thanks for all the feedback folks. I'm going to try to find some place to try some on (and soon!).

Yeah, that's a tough one.. Another thing to do is order a few from a seller, and return what you don't want.

For personal experience, I used to have a PyroTect which worked pretty well for me, and now I picked up an HJC which is great. The Simpsons ones were the most comfortable I tried on, though. With glasses, the shoei's eyeport was too small to fit my glasses through.

Most (all?) of the SA2015s will have HANS achor post holes, so you shouldn't have to be too worried, I'd still check the fact list just to make sure, though.

Also, if you have a helmet that otherwise fits great, but the top-eyeport area is a touch too tight, after you decide you're keeping the helmet, take something hard like a maglight and roll it along the top edge to give it a bit of chamfer, that'll help make it more comfortable.

WonkoTheSane wrote: Most (all?) of the SA2015s will have HANS achor post holes, so you shouldn't have to be too worried, I'd still check the fact list just to make sure, though.

SA2015s all have them, SA2010s may or may not (also keep an eye out for SAH2010 helmets that are certified for use with HANS devices).

My last helmet was a Simpson Stingray, which I loved. Unfortunately, they don't seem to offer it, or anything comparable any longer.

I think there is a active recall on some Simpson helmets.

Happily I haven't crash tested one but I've found RaceQuip to be a good fit for me as well as a good bang for the buck.