Snell 2020 Helmet Recommendations

[Fresh]

Hello all,

Im looking for recommendations on Snell 2020 helmets. I know there are a lot of manufacturers out there, but the standard somewhat makes them all the same.

I’m thinking full face, but I like the reduced chin protection too.

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[balucipher]

Racequip makes a perfectly good $2-300 helmet that's perfect for casual hpde work. It's probably all you need. None of the helmets get safer the more you spend.

If you're willing to spend more, you'll get features like removable liners, lighter weight, option to hook up air for cooling, larger vision port sizing etc.

What's your use case?

Pick up some balaclavas, ideally in nomex so that you can sweat into those instead of soaking your liner in the helmet and the helmet will stay cleaner and fresher

 

[Fresh]

I’m running at Mid-Ohio in September and will likely begin autocrossing (just became an SCCA member today).

Good call on the nomex.

I’ll check out the Racequip.

 

[madbikes]

I bought a couple Racequip helmets for HPDE. Relatively inexpensive and served me well. If this is your first time and a helmet shop is not crazy far away from you, I highly recommend going to one so you can try them on.

Other than ammenities, more expensive helmet generally has better aerodynamics, which is not critical until you drive open-wheel vehicles. It is not necessary to spend a lot until you head to the track on a somewhat regular basis

 

[Pekingduck]

I second racequip I like the price. The quality not that great though. I use that brand

 

[jdOTFL5]

Carbon fiber sparco helmet here... not only it noticeably lighter, it looks cool and yeah i mean idk i feel like for something like a helmet i wouldnt cheap out on something thats going to protect your head. i would say spend what your budget allows and as long as its regulation safe then it should be ok

 

[Icehawk]

Start with a cheap(ish) one, if you like doing events and do them enough invest in a lighter one - your neck will thank you. I'd also suggest a neck collar, I used to get headaches without them running my NA Miata on fat R compounds.

I'd go open face unless you need versatility (ie, you ride motorcycles, karts, other open stuff).

 

[ZeroGSR]

One thing I didn't see mentioned, the best helmet is one that fits YOU well. So if you have a local shop that stocks SA rated helmets make the effort to check them out in person.

Racequip, Conquer, G-Force, Zamp, and Pyrotect all make decent entry level options. All should protect you fine as others pointed out, more money just means better options.

Open v Closed Face, I am still debating. I will mostly be Auto-X, so open is preferred but I like the versatility of Closed.

 

[Fresh]

Well I had all intentions of getting the Zamp RZ-59. but after the guy at Summit Racing telling me a lot of people get Racequips, I went with the PRO20. I did try the L and XL on for both of these, and likely would have went with the Zamp because I liked the front venting more, but I felt I was in-between sizes (I ride street ADV bike, so I know how tight/not tight it should be to me).

I went closed-face since the majority of minor injuries from what I read are jaw-related. Hearing that sold me on the Full-Face Helmet.

Related to SCCA and NASA stuff... can someone comment if the windows can be tinted, and if they aren't allowed, can they just be rolled down to pass safety inspection and during the race?

 

[ZeroGSR]

Well I had all intentions of getting the Zamp RZ-59. but after the guy at Summit Racing telling me a lot of people get Racequips, I went with the PRO20. I did try the L and XL on for both of these, and likely would have went with the Zamp because I liked the front venting more, but I felt I was in-between sizes (I ride street ADV bike, so I know how tight/not tight it should be to me).

I went closed-face since the majority of minor injuries from what I read are jaw-related. Hearing that sold me on the Full-Face Helmet.

Related to SCCA and NASA stuff... can someone comment if the windows can be tinted, and if they aren't allowed, can they just be rolled down to pass safety inspection and during the race?

NASA TT - "Both front side windows must otherwise be in the down position while on track." Most racing bodies require front windows down so you should be fine.

 

[keller]

Well I had all intentions of getting the Zamp RZ-59. but after the guy at Summit Racing telling me a lot of people get Racequips, I went with the PRO20. I did try the L and XL on for both of these, and likely would have went with the Zamp because I liked the front venting more, but I felt I was in-between sizes (I ride street ADV bike, so I know how tight/not tight it should be to me).

I went closed-face since the majority of minor injuries from what I read are jaw-related. Hearing that sold me on the Full-Face Helmet.

Related to SCCA and NASA stuff... can someone comment if the windows can be tinted, and if they aren't allowed, can they just be rolled down to pass safety inspection and during the race?

PRO20 is a solid choice. Get a racequip head sock and maybe a darker face shield. Even amongst racers these less expensive helmets are a great choice. You often hit your helmet in the roll cage getting in and out of a racecar, so it can be stressful to wear a more expensive model.

 

[Rad Ray]

NOTHING is more valuable than what you put inside a helmet, so don't fall for the bargain basement crap. Just take a look at what the F1 drivers are wearing and you'll notice that a Walmart-type helmet is nowhere to be found. You're worth a helluva lot more than that. I'd recommend a Stilo ST5 GT Composite. It fits a variety of head shapes, is lightweight, and incredibly strong. And don't forget quality, certified gloves, shoes, and a one-piece Nomex suit. All together, you'll spend some serious coin, but if you track your car regularly you're going to need them.

 

[ZeroGSR]

NOTHING is more valuable than what you put inside a helmet, so don't fall for the bargain basement crap. Just take a look at what the F1 drivers are wearing and you'll notice that a Walmart-type helmet is nowhere to be found. You're worth a helluva lot more than that.

Just want to state, any helmet that meets SA2020 is not a "Walmart-Type" helmet. A $200 SA2020 helmet is built to the same crash specs as a $2000 SA2020 helmet. I won't say a $1K helmet isn't worth it, because it is, but not because of it's ability to protect your head in a crash.

 

[menikmati]

NOTHING is more valuable than what you put inside a helmet, so don't fall for the bargain basement crap. Just take a look at what the F1 drivers are wearing and you'll notice that a Walmart-type helmet is nowhere to be found. You're worth a helluva lot more than that. I'd recommend a Stilo ST5 GT Composite. It fits a variety of head shapes, is lightweight, and incredibly strong. And don't forget quality, certified gloves, shoes, and a one-piece Nomex suit. All together, you'll spend some serious coin, but if you track your car regularly you're going to need them.

Yes, I too ride full MotoGP gear when I go for a bike ride.

/s

OP is already pretty familiar with helmets (from ADV riding) and it looks like he found a good budget-friendly helmet for his tracking application.

 

[balucipher]

NOTHING is more valuable than what you put inside a helmet, so don't fall for the bargain basement crap. Just take a look at what the F1 drivers are wearing and you'll notice that a Walmart-type helmet is nowhere to be found. You're worth a helluva lot more than that. I'd recommend a Stilo ST5 GT Composite. It fits a variety of head shapes, is lightweight, and incredibly strong. And don't forget quality, certified gloves, shoes, and a one-piece Nomex suit. All together, you'll spend some serious coin, but if you track your car regularly you're going to need them.

F1 drivers aren't wearing SA2020 helmets and use the open wheel spec that's designed for impacts that open wheel car drivers get

This isn't like a motorcycle helmet where lightness really matters. Most hpde drivers are wearing the helmet for 20-30 minute stints.

As mentioned above, SA2020 is the same from $200 helmet to $2000+

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