Helmet Suggestions

[ShadowBolt]

One thing I refuse to Cheap out on is safety equipment. The old saying goes "if you have $100.00 head put it in a $100.00 helmet". Its that one time you need it that will pay a dividend in the long run .Dale Junior is a perfect example, despite the best equipment he will still be affected for the rest of his life. To many others are depending on you, don't take that risk to save a few dollars. Just my $.02 cents. Personal experience, I was knocked off my bicycle by a soccer mom in an suv. I was wearing my helmet. I was out of work for 18mo. Every year I have to jump through a hoop with the FAA to receive my medical so I can continue to fly.

I agree with the above statement if purchasing the most expensive helmet is really safer. Can anyone tell me there is a safety difference in a $200.00 helmet and a $3500.00 helmet? If so why don't we all spend $3500.00 for a Arai? Is there anyone that test all or some of the racing helmets where we could see what the higher dollar helmets do different than the low buck units do? Unless the people that say "if you have $100.00 head put it in a $100.00 helmet" are all buying the most expensive helmet they can buy they are still making a decision on what to purchase based on price. I'm going to see if I can find anything on the web about this.


JJ

[RichardP]

I agree with the above statement if purchasing the most expensive helmet is really safer.

A more expensive helmet can certainly be safer... in the street motorcycle world or if you are looking for something for motorcross or ATV use. There are helmets available that meet different standards and you should choose the appropriate one.

In the closed car racing world, not really. All helmets have to meet Snell SA2010 or SA2015, or FIA 8859-2015, FIA 8860-2010, FIA 8858-2010 standards. These are tough standards to meet. In fact, there are arguments that the standards are too tough. More is not better in this realm. The Snell standard has the helmets tested at an impact energy that is very likely to cause a traumatic brain injury. Designing the helmet for such high impacts means the helmet isn't as good at protecting for smaller impacts that are more likely. The argument is that people are getting hurt by minor hits because the helmet is trying to protect against something that probably isn't survivable. I don't know as much about the FIA standards.

One aspect that can help with safety is helmet weight. A lighter helmet is going to put less load on your neck when you are getting thrashed around. This is less of an issue now that HANS devices are required.

Correct helmet fit is still important for comfort and safety.


Richard P.

[AllZWay]

A more expensive helmet can certainly be safer... in the street motorcycle world or if you are looking for something for motorcross or ATV use. There are helmets available that meet different standards and you should choose the appropriate one.

In the closed car racing world, not really. All helmets have to meet Snell SA2010 or SA2015, or FIA 8859-2015, FIA 8860-2010, FIA 8858-2010 standards. These are tough standards to meet. In fact, there are arguments that the standards are too tough. More is not better in this realm. The Snell standard has the helmets tested at an impact energy that is very likely to cause a traumatic brain injury. Designing the helmet for such high impacts means the helmet isn't as good at protecting for smaller impacts that are more likely. The argument is that people are getting hurt by minor hits because the helmet is trying to protect against something that probably isn't survivable. I don't know as much about the FIA standards.

One aspect that can help with safety is helmet weight. A lighter helmet is going to put less load on your neck when you are getting thrashed around. This is less of an issue now that HANS devices are required.

Correct helmet fit is still important for comfort and safety.


Richard P.

I agree with this... I bet there is little difference in overall safety between a $200 helmet and $3500 helmet, but the difference is in weight, and fit and comfort... and your personal level of comfort with such helmet.

[mach1]

Fun fact, my composite stilo is lighter than a carbon black armor helmet.

[Suck fumes]

also double the price. but stilo is pretty amazing!

[blk96gt]

I've got a Black Armor helmet and really like it. Way more comfortable than the G-Force helmet I had before.

[dtanker65]

I agree with the above statement if purchasing the most expensive helmet is really safer. Can anyone tell me there is a safety difference in a $200.00 helmet and a $3500.00 helmet?


JJ

I want the helmet to crack before my noggin. Don't want people sayin, "yeah he's a mort, but the helmet held up good". I approach safety with the goal of decelerating the impact to the driver (crush zones), let the car and safety gear slow down the event. I "assume" but don't know that the SFI rating is derived from destructive G testing and light weight is in line with the Hans technology

Aviation structural composites haven't been around long enough to gather good life data yet, but it is known that UV is destructive. When the approved inspection procedure for plastic airplanes is to tap on them with a nickel looking for "dead spots" I'd rather ride on a Boeing and suffer the mileage penalty. Helmet is a disposable item. The $3500 helmet might pay off if you are really good looking though.......

[ShadowBolt]

I want the helmet to crack before my noggin. Don't want people sayin, "yeah he's a mort, but the helmet held up good". I approach safety with the goal of decelerating the impact to the driver (crush zones), let the car and safety gear slow down the event. I "assume" but don't know that the SFI rating is derived from destructive G testing and light weight is in line with the Hans technology

Aviation structural composites haven't been around long enough to gather good life data yet, but it is known that UV is destructive. When the approved inspection procedure for plastic airplanes is to tap on them with a nickel looking for "dead spots" I'd rather ride on a Boeing and suffer the mileage penalty. Helmet is a disposable item. The $3500 helmet might pay off if you are really good looking though.......

Think about the Cirrus SR22 sitting on the ramp month after month year and year. I'm sure most are in hangers since most are so new but who knows in twenty years. I used to regularly fly a 1946 Cub and a 1946 Champ almost every week. Never worried about flying a sixty five year old plane. I'm not sure about the "fast glass" units six decades from now. Guess it will not be my problem since I will not be around but......

JJ

[marshall_mosty]

Think about the Cirrus SR22 sitting on the ramp month after month year and year. I'm sure most are in hangers since most are so new but who knows in twenty years. I used to regularly fly a 1946 Cub and a 1946 Champ almost every week. Never worried about flying a sixty five year old plane. I'm not sure about the "fast glass" units six decades from now. Guess it will not be my problem since I will not be around but......
JJ

The Boeing 787 (primarily composite by weight) body modules are delivered to Boeing for final assembly pre-painted (white) and the windows are covered until they have interior panels installed to keep the UV light off the composite surfaces.

[RichardP]

I agree. You shouldn't leave your unpainted helmet outside for decades...

The interior energy absorbing foam is more sensitive to the elements than the outside shell. Storing your helmet inside your hot, enclosed trailer, for example, isn't the best idea.


Richard P.