Selecting the perfect motorsport helmet is not just about improving personal safety; there are many other factors to consider as well. You will undoubtedly want a helmet that becomes your companion on your motorsport journey that lies ahead.

You will want the helmet to be comfortable, reliable, and to have undergone rigorous testing, so you can have complete confidence to push your car into the red line.

As we know in motorsport, hundreds of components need to work in complete harmony to ensure we perform our best on race day.

From the tyre compounds to the comfort levels of our safety kit, everything must be carefully selected, optimised and improved to ensure that, at every race event, we bring our “A game”.

This is where we can help:

We are not a motorsport equipment retailer focused solely on the volume of online sales. 

Instead, Nicky Grist has quite literally lived and breathed motorsport and rallying for decades.

This dedication to the sport means that we don’t just want to sell you a helmet; we want to sell you equipment that you get tremendous value and enjoyment from using.

Let us now walk you through the items to consider when choosing your perfect race helmet.

Helmet fit and Sizing

How can I ensure I purchase the correct size helmet?

Head circumference 

You will want to measure your head's circumference accurately. To obtain an accurate measurement, we recommend that a friend or family member helps with this. The reason is that you will want to obtain an accurate reading from the tape measure. To achieve this, measure around the circumference of your head with the tape placed just above the eyebrows and also the ears.

The manufacturer's sizing charts

Each helmet manufacturer will publish its own sizing charts, which should then be followed when selecting a race helmet. It's important to remember that it's not just about measuring your head circumference and then purchasing helmets based solely on that. The reason is that heads can vary widely in shape, so you need to consider “pressure points”.

Pressure points 

You will not want part the helmet to create undue pressure on a specific part of your head. You will want the helmet to sit comfortably, with a snug fit across the head but without placing excessive pressure on pressure points.

Eyewear

You might wear glasses or prefer certain sunglasses whilst driving; therefore, do make sure you can wear them comfortably with that particular helmet design.

Overall material and the build quality 

We will now discuss how racing helmets are designed for different categories of motorsport, as well as the essential safety standards you should consider.

However, when you visit a helmet retailer's website, such as ours, you will initially be presented with many helmets for sale. Some of these helmets can vary massively in price, ranging from a few hundred pounds to several thousand. 

Therefore, it's essential to understand how to narrow down the sheer volume of helmets available.

One of the best ways is to consider the overall materials that will be used when constructing that particular helmet.

Regardless of brand, whether it’s a Bell, Arai or a Stilo helmet, often the price point is primarily dictated by the material used to construct the helmet. 
Let's now walk through the positives and some drawbacks of selecting the materials the helmet is constructed from.

Fiberglass

It used to be the case that many helmets were made of fibreglass; however, more innovative, advanced materials are now being used.

There are still some helmets made from fibreglass; however, these tend to be lower-cost and perhaps less popular now.

The advantages are that a fibreglass helmet is relatively inexpensive to produce; however, the downside is that these helmets can be cumbersome. Therefore, in our view, it's pretty rare to see fibreglass helmets still being used in competitive motorsport events.

Composite 

Composite construction helmets are made of more modern materials than the early fibreglass helmets of yesteryear. 

The advantages are clear: the composite material can be strong and relatively light and while these helmets pass the minimum safety standards the materials cost less and helmets are cheaper on your wallet.

The drawback is that this is still often a compromise when compared to full carbon fibre models, which can be much lighter.

Full carbon 

Most professional racers wear a full-carbon race helmet, and championships require a higher safety standard of which these helmets that mostly made out of carbon. 

Quite often a full carbon helmet, the helmet come with a transparent outer layer; with the actual exposed carbon fibre weave gives an attractive finish. These helmets are extremely durable, and, when correctly fitted, the much lighter construction with a very comfortable fitting allows the driver to wear for long periods before fatigue sets in from the constant g-forces in racing.

Frontal Head Restraint System (FHR)

Often shortened to “FHR device,” these pieces of kit look relatively simple; however, they have proved time and time again to be an essential piece of safety equipment across a range of motorsport disciplines.

Before whittling down the list of helmets you would like to purchase, carefully consider the helmets and see whether you will need an FHR device fitted. If so, the racing helmet will need FHR anchor points so that the device is correctly fitted to the helmet.

Many helmet manufacturers will therefore indicate in the product description that the helmet is “FHR Ready” or “FHR compatible”.

FHR and compatible helmets 

As we will discuss later in this comprehensive article, you should purchase a helmet that meets specific safety standards. If it is an FIA safety standard of all levels, except karting helmets where they are nor required, like FIA 8859-2024 and FIA 8860-2018 and ABP homologations will have the specific attachments fitted to them.

However, the greater majority of motorsport events will require all drivers and co-drivers to wear homologated FHR devices in competition.

Safety standards

It's essential to carefully consider safety standards when purchasing a new helmet.
The reasons why safety standards matter so much are twofold: certain motorsport events will not let you compete or participate without the correct safety equipment in place.

The next factor is your own confidence and reassurance that you have invested in a quality piece of safety equipment that has undergone rigorous safety testing.

There are a number of things you must consider; If you value your own safety you should buy the highest safety standard available, and in the lightest construction. If you have both of these things in your helmet you cannot be better protected.

Let's now look at some of the critical safety standards in much more detail:

FIA 8859-2015

This safety standard (FIA 8859-2015) is an umbrella standard used for a wide range of motorsport events. 

It's important to note that there are more stringent standards for helmet design that you may wish to consider that now far exceed this safety standard. This level of helmet is the minimum standard that the greater majority of UK national motorsport events would require you to have in a helmet.

However, let's say you plan to meet with friends for a track-day event; the actual track owners may insist, for example, that a FIA 8859-2015-compliant safety helmet is worn.

At the time of writing there is not an expiry date for the standard of helmet, although the FIA have applied safety improvements over this version.
FIA 8859-2024

This FIA 8859-2024 is an updated standard that has taken over from the 2015 version. And in time will be the new minimum for UK national events.

This homologation required helmets to have more impact resistance and better energy absorption from the interior liner.

For racing this model must also comply with the new impact resistance test on the visor and visor locking device.

FIA 8859-2024 ABP

Advanced Ballistic Protection (ABP) is and an exceptionally strong material applied in the upper opening of the visor area to protect the forehead from the possibility of flying objects for drivers racing in open top vehicles. 

There are certain manufacturers that have developed helmets in this standard to allow racer at lower levels have the protection at a more cost-effective price.

Snell SA2025

Snell Foundation is an American testing company that have their own helmet safety standards. While the SA2025 standard is only required if you compete in the United

States, but most helmets have this and the FIA standard attached to make them universally acceptable

Racing or rallying in Europe and the UK you will only require the latest FIA standards 

FIA 8860-2018

FIA 8860-2018 is a much more rigorous safety standard that helmet manufacturers can adhere to. Introduced for the major forms of motorsport including; Formula 1,

Formula 2 (although these require more safety as per the ABP standard below) but all world championship events and also the major endurance races require this standard.

The FIA 8860-2018 is the standard used in professional racing; a wide range of motorsports require that a helmet meet this standard to compete at that level.

The standard actually refers to the motorsports helmet's ability to withstand an impact, resist penetration, and be fire-resistant. There is no higher safety standard than this, but other than protecting yourself, buying this helmet from the start allows you to future proof your racing in the future, as you will not be turned away with this standard.

FIA8860-2018 ABP

Advanced Ballistic Protection (ABP) applied to the highest safety standard 8860-2018 is the safest helmet for use is racing and is the standard that is required in F1 and F2, and in the future F3 and F4 championships will require the driver to use.

Snell K2025 

The Snell K2025 is a safety standard reserved for adult karting helmets, and is only for use in kart events.

Snell CMR 2016

This is another karting standard, but CMR 2016 is specifically for youngsters aged 15 and under. This standard has maximum weights for helmets, but to get the best helmet you must shop for the lightest helmet in this standard.

Let us explain how helmets are designed for different motorsport events.

Rally helmets

Rallying is a form of motorsport that’s very different from other types of motorsport competitions. 

While all motorsport helmets must comply to the safety standards as mentioned above, a rally helmet is designed very differently from those used in other forms of motorsport. Let us explain some of the main differences in terms of this helmet design.

Designed for a wider angle of view

While most helmets are open face variants they are often described as having a “wider field of vison” this allows the rally driver and the co-driver to have improved peripheral vision capability. This is crucial for rallying, as the terrain is often rough and obstacles can frequently be encountered that require a change of driving angle at a moment's notice.

Reading the road ahead is critical and the more open your vision the safer things will be.

Therefore, rally helmets are purposely designed to offer a wider angle of view to allow you a greater chance of seeing such in-road obstacles.

Communication 

A rally car can be a very noisy place to be, so you have to factor in the critical crystal clear communication between the driver and co-driver. Imagine, for example, going over a bumpy, gravel-covered road: the noise can be so loud that it's hard to hear yourself think. This is why the onboard intercom systems need to be robust and feature clever noise cancelling technology.

These vital electronics are integrated into rally  helmets; and generally distinguishes rally helmets from many other helmets designed for other motorsport events.

Fire resistant 

As part of the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile) safety regulations, the helmet must be fire-resistant. This mainly for the interior lining and the rubber attachments on the helmet edges.

Ventilation and comfort 
Rallying events can involve wearing the rally helmet for extended periods on slow twisty roads in a car with high internal temperatures; therefore, the helmet must be well-ventilated which is why most are open faced. This allows the helmet to be more comfortable for both the rally driver and the co-driver. 

Helmet Peak and Visors

Rally stages can take you over roads covering long distances, climbing uphill and down with thousands of corners. At any moment you can turn a corner into bright sunlight, which is where the fitted peaks on a rally helmet come in. 

At speed and in an instant you loose your vision and a simple drop of your head and you can shade your eyes from the blinding sun, so simple but absolutely critical. In winter months when the sun is lower in the sky you may also require a visor in addition, and the better brands offer these attachments.

Karting

How are karting helmets designed differently?

Snell K2025 or similar karting-specific standards

Karting helmets are designed to meet a unique category of safety standards. One of the most commonly cited will be the “Snell K2025”, this recently introduced after K2020 is specific to karting competitions only. It's essential to check with the competition organiser which safety standard your safety equipment must meet to enter that competition.

Driver comfort is crucial. 

Karting is a form of motorsport in which drivers experience powerful acceleration and deceleration forces. This often occurs at sharp bends; as a result, the kart and driver are subjected to substantial g-forces as they navigate the lap.

The weight of the helmet is an important consideration, regardless of which motorsport event you are entering. However, it's arguably even more important to consider here, as the nature of karting means that the tight turns, the way the kart can move substantially, means that you will want a lighter helmet, placing less strain on your neck. 

Grand Prix helmets 

A Grand Prix racing helmet is another form of motorsport helmet. Overall helmet lightness, the construction material, and occupant comfort are all critical considerations here as well. These helmets are full-face helmets which offer better protection and have full visors to block out high speed wind when racing in open top cars.

These helmets have a plethora of accessories like aerodynamic spoilers to stop buffeting at high speed, and also have a wide range of visors with various colours and tints to suit the driver and racing conditions.

Why is it important to regularly inspect the helmet for damage?

You should regularly check your racing helmet for signs of damage, such as hairline cracks or any chips or dents. 

These checks need to start as soon as you receive the helmet from your courier. You should check the helmet after delivery and, most definitely, before use, such as entering a competition.

These checks are crucial because a slight crack or fracture in the helmet's outer layer can compromise its ability to protect you during a collision. And may go as far as a scrutineer failing your helmet before you are allowed to race.

Why are Stilo helmets so popular right across the globe?

Stilo is the only company that is dedicated to just producing motorsport helmets. There are many high-quality helmet manufacturers worldwide; however, Stilo stands out as head and shoulders above many other companies as they cater for the specific differences that each motorsport discipline requires, with a helmet specific to your chosen motorsport.

The superior quality of Stilo helmets comes down to many reasons, which we will now set out. 

Passionate about innovating and pushing the envelope 

There are helmet manufacturers that produce helmets to meet a price point for that helmet category. However, Stilo is entirely different, an Italian brand that is deeply passionate about what they do.

The company has invested in its own laboratory in Italy for testing its products and impact testing the helmets. Product innovation is at the core of what they do; their helmets are often clearly distinguishable from other brands due to their individual design and development processes. The Pure Carbon line, for example, where the helmet's weave is clearly distinguishable, shows why these helmets are such distinctive with a stylish shell design.

Modular design 

It's important to note that Stilo has many helmets designed with a modular system.
This means that the peaks, as well as other visors, can be removed entirely and replaced. 

Also, many Stilo helmets feature a unique, removable, adjustable ventilation system. The ventilation system keeps the driver's head cooler, which is crucial when, for example, you're competing in a rally event in a hot, arid country, where driver and co-driver comfort is a priority.

Lightweight 

Stilo produces some of the lightest helmets on the market today. Driver fatigue often means the difference between winning and losing a race. When they are tired, they are much more prone to accidents.

This is why carefully selecting safety equipment is crucial: a helmet that is light, comfortable, and well-ventilated enhances driver and co-driver comfort.

This allows you to focus on the race rather than fatigue setting in earlier due to uncomfortable safety equipment.

Stilo hand make all of there motorsport helmets, sometimes with a pure carbon fibre outer shell. 

The carbon fibre outer shells are powerful, meaning all relevant safety standards can be satisfied. However, there’s the bonus that the Stilo helmet has had a lot of development to make them comfortable as well as lighter, not weighing down the neck and shoulders.

High-quality integrated communications 

Certain Stilo helmets will actually come fitted with integrated communication systems. Rally helmets have their WRC electronics offering the best clarity in the business. And some of their race helmets have speakers and connections for in-ear speakers as required in FIA race events.

Stilo also uses noise-cancelling earphones and microphones, which are crucial in most motorsports where driver-co-driver communication is needed. 
  

Finally, choose the correct visor for your helmet.

A visor is incredibly important for use in various motorsport categories. As we all know, a small dust particle can irritate the eye, impairing vision during a critical stage of a stage when participating in say particular motorsport competitions such as a WRC event.

The sun's glare as it comes down low, say through the top of the hill, could also impair our vision also. This could ultimately mean the driver needs to take their foot off the accelerator due to the intense glare.

Racing visors require a big range to offer various external colours and depth of tints for racing in grey wet days to bright sunlight. Cold and wet races require double glazed options to help stop misting-up which is a serious issue. Stilo offers a full range of visors and fitting as a driver requires.

What are tear-off visors?

Racing over many laps while following cars will always throws up dirt and sometimes oil onto your visor, and this is where a tear-off become vital. 
Special attachments on FIA specification visors allow clear strips to be attached, normal multiples on top of each other, and when the upper layer is dirty simply tear it off and throw it aside which instantly regains your vision of the road ahead.

We have all of the motorsport safety equipment that you will ever need.

There may well be an abundance of suppliers of various motorsport equipment that you can choose from when buying online. However, we have a rock-solid reputation for supplying premium quality safety equipment. 
For drivers and co-drivers who do not want to compromise on their safety, they come to us to purchase top-quality, branded safety equipment, such as the safety kit made by Stilo.

Nicky Grist Motorsports excellent customer service and knowledge of motorsport will really help you in choosing your equipment.