So if you were looking for an affordable carbon fiber helmet.....

... where would you look?  I bought my simple SA2010 Racequip open-face in 2011 for about $125 at a small local shop (US Race Gear) after being able to try on to see if my XXL head was really XXL or XXXL.  It suited my needs for a helmet, affordable.

I've been thinking about a lighter-weight CF helmet, seems like prices have come down.  SWMBO has hinted about needing birthday ideas, and yesterday got a big bonus from her job.  Profit sharing can be fun.

Any ideas?  Next month I'll be in Cleveland and Track First OH and Summit are in range to try on samples.  (AX/RX/Track days, no need for water ports and such)

I don't know if it's a particularly good deal in CF, but in FG or FG+Kevlar form, the SA2015 Pyrotect Pro Sport looks like a great deal in $/years-of-service. CF construction is a +$100 option.

You can get into an open face black armor in carbon for $450, and a full face for just under $600  

Fit is so important in a helmet. I’d worry about fit far before weight. CF helmets sure are nice though!

dculberson said:

Fit is so important in a helmet. I’d worry about fit far before weight. CF helmets sure are nice though!

Yep. Fit first, then everything else.

I have a Black Armour CF full face. It’s a nice helmet. Was just under $600

Tim and Sally at Track-First are great - I just got a new suit from them a couple weeks ago.

As far as weight goes, I haven't seen huge differences between carbon fiber and the "normal" helmet materials. I'm not sure the price increase is justified.

I'll echo what has been said already: I place comfort higher on the priority list than weight.

I will also consider fit/comfort.  I wore the current one that Halloween as Speed Racer.  After about two hours, omg it was pushing into my forehead something fierce.  I'm looking for examples with light weight and comfy, hoping they go hand in hand.

When I was at discovery parts I tried on one of the $2000 carbon fiber helmets, and was shocked that it was about the same weight as my EX9.  I'm sure if my head was sticking out of a formula car I'd feel differently about how strong the CF one is!

I’m lucky: Pyrotect fits my head perfectly. I’ve tried on just about everything out there and nothing fits me as well. Can’t bring myself to spend more for a worse fit.

Their full-face CF helmet (pre-drilled for HANS anchors) is around $600. Optional forced air from the top or side.