It goes without saying, but one of the most crucial pieces of equipment any racer should invest in is a high-quality race helmet. However, with an abundance of options available on the market, it can be difficult to decide what type of helmet you actually need.
In this article, we’ll outline some of the key things you need to consider when buying your first, or new, race helmet.
Shell material
Race helmets are made from a variety of materials with having its own merits and uses. The material used for the helmet has a major impact on the weight of the helmet and the level of protection it provides the wearer.
The main materials used on modern race helmets are fibreglass, carbon fibre, and composites — a more complex construction comprised of a combination of fibreglass, carbon fibre and Kevlar. Fibreglass is lighter than polycarbonate, however, it is less rigid than carbon fibre and not as efficient in dispersing energy across the helmet shell.
Carbon fibre excels in its high rigidity while being incredibly lightweight which is why it is used in many other sports applications. The main benefit of carbon fibre is its strength — it's able to withstand higher impacts than a fibreglass or composite helmet. As such, a carbon fibre racing helmet is now a requirement for most top-level international motorsport.
Lastly, and something important to consider, is ensuring that the helmet complies with the FIA or Snell standards for the race you are competing in. Helmets for Formula 1 need FIA 8860-2018 ABP certification, FIA 8860-2018 for full carbon fibre helmets in other top levels of motorsport, and FIA 8858-2015 for composite helmets which can be used for all other forms. SA2020 is the US standard that is the equivalent of both non-ABP FIA homologations.
Ventilation & Aerodynamics
Airflow is important. High-performance racing gets hot pretty quickly. Providing optimal airflow into the helmet is integral for a driver to keep cool and remain focused. Similarly, a helmet’s ability to keep air passing past the visor is critical as too much hot can result in the visor misting up (especially in cooler climates).
When choosing a race helmet, be sure to pick one that does these properly.
Moreover, in open cock pit racing, you’ll also need to consider aerodynamics. If you’re planning on racing in this environment, you will need a helmet that can cut through the air seamlessly to minimise resistance and allow you to perform at your best. A good-quality helmet spoiler will do this while also providing essential stability for your head. In an open cockpit environment, your head needs to remain in place and not be thrashed about by the air flow.
Fit
For a helmet to do its job properly, it needs precisely fit your head. If you’ve never had your head properly measured by a specialist, there’s a good chance your helmet isn’t the right size.
A well-fitted helmet comprises all of the following:
- Firm, even pressure around the widest part of the head.
- No uncomfortable pressure points.
- No major gaps in pressure, (i.e. areas where the helmet doesn’t make firm contact with the head)
- Reasonable pressure on the cheeks ensuring that by moving the helmet with the chin strap fastened, the skin on the cheeks bunches up.
- No front-to-back movement. Ensure that a gentle pull-up on the back edge doesn’t slide the eye-port down over your brow.
To meet the above requirements, invest in the appropriate internal padding to ensure that you’re comfortable. Notably, the cheek and crown padding can be adjusted to your requirements to create a bespoke fit. If you’re unsure how to do this, consult a specialist. Here at Fyshe, we supply our helmets and padding in an array of sizes from 52-53 (XXS) up to 59+ (L+) to suit all head shapes and sizes.
Visor
A race helmet visor protects you against more than just air and insects. It also acts as a shield that can protect your face from impacts. Therefore, it’s essential to select visors that are compatible with your helmet that are also appropriate for your race. It’s very common for drivers to own many replacement visors, i.e. a tinted visor for bright conditions or an Amber visor for low-light racing conditions.
Additionally, it’s a good idea to consider dual-pane visors from vendors like Schuberth. These essentially work like double glazing, greatly reducing the risk of your visor fogging up.
If you have additional questions about finding the right race helmet for you, simply get in touch.