Thanks for the recommendation! Larger eye port is a must, also want light but strong.

 

I use Arai GP-5W SAH2010 Helmet for most days. The Bell M4 also has a larger eyeport.

I also have a Stilo, not the full composite version with the larger eyeport. I like the fit of the Stilo, but the field of vision on the Arai is better.

Again, fit is the most important factor. Find a good shop that carries a few brands and see what you are comfortable with.

Unless you are going entry level, find a local race shop and not a bike shop. They will have more selection for your intended use most likely.

 

Thinking to get this:
Stilo WRC OFFSHORE - SA2010

Any thought?

 

Stilo has a good reputation. One of the biggest things with buying a helmet is fit. Try it on. It should be snug but not so tight you get a headache. If you can wiggle the helmet without your head moving, it is too big.

Marc

 

Thank you for the advise
any local shop I can try and buy in Southern Cal?

 

Only two places in SoCal I'm aware of to try on and buy helmets are Werks II in Burbank (where I purchased mine) and Sube Sports in Huntington Beach.

 

Coming from a motorcycle background, I've done a ton of research on helmet safety/effectiveness. Basically, what it all boils down to is that any safety-approved helmet will protect your head decently...provided that it fits your head equally snugly everywhere on your head.

Achieving that goal is not as easy as it sounds as there is a wide range of head sizes and head shapes (when viewed from above) out there. The size issue is self evident, but few manufacturers provide a choice of models for different head shapes. Most manufacturers, while supplying a limited range of sizes (S, M, L, etc.), tend to settle on a single head shape model that they hope your head will fit.

This cheaper-to-manufacture-and-sell approach (only one or two outer shell sizes accommodates their whole range) often results in a larger/heavier-than-necessary injection-molded plastic/polycarbonate outer shell that's then filled with a lot of padding in hopes that, in whichever direction your head is largest (in relation to their helmet's shape), the padding will give enough so that it won't feel too tight.

But here's the problem: padding is easily compressed and so offers no protection. The helmet's shell and liner material (styrofoam, etc.) provide all the protection. Padding only offers comfort, and excess padding allows additional space between your head and the helmet's liner which will result in at least one additional impact that your head will have to absorb before all of an accident's energy is accounted for.

Others here have recommended Arai helmets, and they did prove to be my only solution. My head is quite large (7 5/8 hat size) and is "soft oval" shaped, in Arai's terminology. My Arai "soft oval" Astral-X (since replaced by a newer model) fits my head as though it's the result of a custom fitting. It's not overly large or heavy, has no "pressure points", fits snugly in every direction, and yet is so unbelievably comfortable that I can easily wear it on an all day tour...even when it's quite hot out, as it's also fairly well ventilated.

If your head shape happens to be "round" or "long oval", etc., Arai has models to specifically fit those shapes as well. A not inconsequential additional benefit that Arai offers is that all of their helmet shells are individually hand laid-up in some kind of fiberglass/carbon-reinforced unobtainium cloth that's specifically weave-direction-and-density engineered for the types of impacts that are typically seen in motorsport use, in the many different mold sizes and shapes required by their near-custom-fit model range.

My Arais (I bought two) were over $400 each, and they were far from the most expensive that Arai offered, but I have to say that each and every time I put one on, I stop and think "what a nice thing this is". It was the best money I ever spent on any kind of safety gear.

 

I guess like buying shoes...have to try before buy

 

I buy Arai, Shoei and Simpson lids for both motorcycles and cars. I wear full face except when I'm right seat instructing as I find the 3/4 Arai lets me communicate better with the student as we go 'round the track.

Fit is everything, and here's a trick. Remove the cheek pads when trying on a helmet, that way you can tell how it fits on your skull, Cheek pads alter the impression of the fit (and you can easily modify them) . I used to buy my helmets too large because the cheekpads were too tight on me. Then I learned the cheekpad removal trick from Arai's USA's Bob Lefever, and now I simply cut down the cheekpad foam with a razor blade after purchase.

SA helmets are for Auto Racing. They have a Nomex Flame Retardant Liner in them and are designed to take multiple hits off the roll bar or car doors in a crash.

M helmets are for Motorcycles. No fire liner and they are designed to take one big hit on the asphalt in a crash.

 

FYI: all the (auto racing) helmets being sold today are SA2010 rated; SA2015 helmets are due for release later this year.
You should review the rules of wherever you plan to race for what is approved and when the newer certification will be required. 2010s will likely be legal anywhere for some time, but worth a check. I'm waiting to buy a SA2015 for SCCA to make it legal for the max time period.

 

If you wear glasses or sun glasses, make sure the helmet doesn't bump against your glasses when you get jostled around while driving spiritedly. Your nose will thank you.

 

seems like i better spend the $1k for the SA2015 than SA2010 later this year....
Or can the same model of the helmet passed both?

 

There is a lot of good discussion about helmets in this thread. I have a 2013 Shoei full face helmet and it fits perfectly. Unfortunately, it is not rated for automotive use, although having inspected a range of car rated helmets I am sure that it provides exceptional protection from impact. I think that the difference between motorcycle and auto is fire retardant/resistent rating. My regional Porsche club events require automobile rated helmets, so check with you event/track organizer regarding their requirements. I will go with a Stilo composite wide (opening) helmet for track days, although the offshore fluorescent orange color is attention-getting. Also,there are open and closed cockpit helmets for automobiles.

 

Anyone know where I can get Arai helmets in Toronto?