Since I'm now hooked on AutoX, I figure I better get a helmet. Luckily my first event was relatively cool, so it cut down on sweat/funk factor, but as Summer drags in I'm sure I will not be as lucky.
Of the few loaners that were at the even, even those of the same size all had a different fit. The one I liked best turned out to be a DOT motorcycle helmet. If I'm going to drop dime on a helmet I want to make sure it fits right.
Any suggestions on where to try different brands out?
Find a store that sells them and try them on. This can be problematic if you are not going to purchase one there. Sizes usually run the same with in a brand (usually but not always) so if you can try on a motorcycle helmet by Simpson at a bike place there is a reasonably good chance that the automotive version will fit.
Also you can use a helmet rated for cars on a bike but many groups mandate a helmet rated for automotive use (SA rated) so getting a motorcycle helmet could limit its usability depending on where you plan on driving.
I got a Zamp helmet from Safe Racer. For an SA rated helmet, it is fairly cheap and it seems pretty decent so far. I managed to try it on at an autocross from a fellow GRM'er.
to be honest I measured my head and ordered the reccomended size from an online vendor. fits fine. its an hjc motorcycle helmet. i bought it only ever intending to use it for autocross.
I found HJC snell-2005 helmets on sale for $40 on google FYI.
I tried a bunch on at a motorcycle parts store and a handful at a racecar parts store.
Wound up buying an RCI (Racer's Choice Inc, I think), online. I'd tried a Medium on at the second store, felt okay but was decidedly too small front-to-back, so I ordered a Large. Turned out to be good front to back, but too sloppy side-to-side/not enough cheek and temple padding. I got in touch with RCI via the retailer I bought from. They were extremely helpful, and shipped me a set of extra thick cheekpads overnight for next to nothing that made the fit 1000% better. Very very pleased with RCI, highly recommended.
Autox rules almost always mandate a Snell rating, for whatever year range is current. Keep that in mind. While many clubs and events don't check the helmet, sometimes they do.
When you autocross, you're wearing it for only a few minutes. Pretty much anything will be comfortable enough for a few minutes, regardless of head shape.
Hat size tells you a lot about overall size fitment of helmets. Head shape is the final detail. Tremendously important for a helmet you're going to wear all day, far less for for a helmet that is on for 10 minutes.
Motorcycle dealerships and accessory shops generally have helmets you can try on to get some idea of size and fitment.
The problem I found is that NOBODY anywhere near Steve and I sells SA-rated helmets. M-rated are easy to find and try on, but I don't have any idea how they relate to SA helmets.
Steve, I bought mine over the internet. It's a Pyrotect Airflow SA2010. I sized it by having my wife measure my head (accurately) and looking at their size charts. I am supposedly about 60-65% of the way up in their size L, but I should have bumped up to an XL.
Different helmets fit different shape heads. I have a pretty round head and the Pyrotect fits pretty evenly all round, if snugly. I have heard that Bell helmets fit better for more fore-and-aft shaped heads.
A little unrelated, but for cutting down on funk, you might consider some of these:
I bought a set because I was starting to tear up my carbon-x one that I use for real racin'. At a dollar or two ea, it's a good deal and makes keeping a helmet clean way easier.
Actually, looks like the price has gone up a bunch - I think it was $5 for 3, free shipping when I bought them. But you get the idea. Look around and I think you can find something that's good and cheap.
Duke wrote: The problem I found is that NOBODY anywhere near Steve and I sells SA-rated helmets. M-rated are easy to find and try on, but I don't have any idea how they relate to SA helmets.
It's always been described to me (by bikers and car guys alike) that an A rated helmet is designed to take blunt forces, and an M rated one is designed to slide.
Duke wrote: The problem I found is that NOBODY anywhere near Steve and I sells SA-rated helmets. M-rated are easy to find and try on, but I don't have any idea how they relate to SA helmets. Steve, I bought mine over the internet. It's a Pyrotect Airflow SA2010. I sized it by having my wife measure my head (accurately) and looking at their size charts. I am supposedly about 60-65% of the way up in their size L, but I should have bumped up to an XL. Different helmets fit different shape heads. I have a pretty round head and the Pyrotect fits pretty evenly all round, if snugly. I have heard that Bell helmets fit better for more fore-and-aft shaped heads.
depends on the brand ... my first helmet was a M rated ... but it also was SA rated
friedgreencorrado wrote:Duke wrote: The problem I found is that NOBODY anywhere near Steve and I sells SA-rated helmets. M-rated are easy to find and try on, but I don't have any idea how they relate to SA helmets.It's always been described to me (by bikers and car guys alike) that an A rated helmet is designed to take blunt forces, and an M rated one is designed to slide.
the SCCA allows M rated as long as it is also SA rated
I've seen some misinformation tossed around here. When shopping safety gear, always read the rules.
From 4.3.1 of the latest SCCA rulebook:
4.3 DRIVER’S SAFETY EQUIPMENT 4.3.1 helmets Helmets meeting the following standards must be worn while on course: All helmets meeting the latest or two immediately preceding Snell Foundation standards (SA2010, SAH2010, SA2005, SA2000, M2010, M2005, M2000, K2010, K2005, K98), SFI standards 31.1, 41.1, 31.1A, 31.2A, 41.1A, 41.2A or British spec BS6658-85 type A/FR are accept- able. Formula Junior drivers must use helmets meeting the above, SFI 24.1 (Youth Helmets), Snell CMR2007 (Children’s Motorsports Restricted), or Snell CMS2007 (Children’s Motorsports Standard) specifications. For maximum protection, helmets must fit securely and should provide adequate peripheral vision. The chin strap must be securely fastened. Loaner helmets should be available to vehicle occupants not having their own.
Some groups will not allow M helmets, non SCCA.
All the SA stands for is Special Application. Meaning, the material lining the helmet will not catch fire easily, if at all. M is the motorcycle application, and uses cheaper materials for the helmet linings. There should be basically no difference at all between SA and M sizes.
friedgreencorrado wrote:Duke wrote: The problem I found is that NOBODY anywhere near Steve and I sells SA-rated helmets. M-rated are easy to find and try on, but I don't have any idea how they relate to SA helmets.It's always been described to me (by bikers and car guys alike) that an A rated helmet is designed to take blunt forces, and an M rated one is designed to slide.
That's an overgeneralization.
The differences I'm aware of are that the SA have a fire rating and have to take an additional impact test designed to simulate whacking into a roll cage. Also, SM helmets need to meet DOT regs, which may have implications for eye port size (SA helmets often have smaller eyeports than SM). It's certainly possible for a helmet to meet both specs.
Either one is obviously fine for autox. Most track day groups will take SM helmets for street cars as well (since street cars are generally lacking roll cages and the fire rating doesn't do you much good if you're wearing a t-shirt and jeans.)
Personally I wouldn't buy a helmet online without trying it on first, but then there's a store that sells SA helmets up at Sears Point, less than a hundred miles from my house.
For me, helmets are like shoes; I won't buy unless I've actually tried them on. There's simply too much "slop" in the measurement to accurately determine what's going to be a comfortable fit from a size rating alone (though on the shoe front I've found that going by the Euro sizes works a lot better). Even in the same helmet, they may offer different sizes of padding in the cheeks and top that can transform how it fits on your head.
In reply to codrus:
Thanks!
In reply to Neckromacr:
I have to admit, the smell/etc. of the loaner helmets weren't the best reason to have your own helmet. Perhaps it was just me, but I found that I could actually concentrate better if I had my hat on my head in the lineup, instead of having to stop and put a helmet on half-way to the start line.
Check with your local club before you buy, but I've never know any club that actually requires an SA rating for autox. Even for non-competition track days I think it's pretty rare. Basically if you don't need a roll cage or nomex underwear, you probably don't need a nomex helmet liner. That being said, if you would feel better/safer spending the extra money on an SA rated helmet over an M rated helmet, by all means do so.
I do strongly recommend finding a way to try as many helmets as possible. For example, back when I bought my SA helmet, I found that the Bell fit my head better than the Simpson. More recently when I bought my M helmet, I found that Scorpion fit better than HJC. But the only way you'll know is to go try them on. Start at the motorcycle dealerships, if nothing else to use that as a starting point to figure out what you do/don't like in a helmet. Their staff should also be able to help you learn about choosing one that fits correctly. For SA helmets you may have to rely on the kindness other drivers in your local club who have one and are willing to let you try theirs on.
FWIW, Steve, we're OK with M helmets in BMC. I just bought an SA because I have a rollbar right near my head and I eventually plan to do track days.
Duke wrote: FWIW, Steve, we're OK with M helmets in BMC. I just bought an SA because I have a rollbar right near my head and I eventually plan to do track days.
Thanks, it appears Philly SCCA is the same. I don't foresee track days in my near future, so I think I'll stop by a few bike places maybe. Worst case buy from an online vendor with no hassle returns and try from there.
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