'Good value' track day helmet

[LuckyNumber7]

Good evening all,

After paying £20 numerous times at track days to hire a very cheap helmet I thought I'd plan ahead a little better and buy one.

Could anyone recommend a good value full face?

I've seen some as cheap as £35 that have all the safety accreditations, and I know 'how much is your head worth?' comments make sense but as I mentioned above.....about £20 is the answer!

Thanks,

LN7

[DanGPR]

Realistically, the helmet on a track day is just to stop you from hitting against the a-pillar or similar in a roll over. Unless you have a 7-style car or similar I would just get a cheapo full face lid, they will all be similar at that end of the market.

The main difference between car and bike helmets is fireproof lining on the car helmets.

There are Leopard or Shox branded helmets available from 30-50 quid on eBay etc. but realistically the best helmet is the one that fits your head properly. If you want to spend a little bit more (£100+) go to your local motorcycle shop and try a few on. Try and get something from one of the more well known manufacturers just in case you ever get invited on the back of someone elses bike! (AGV, Shoei, Caberg, Shark, Xlite, etc)

[Samjeev]

Sparco Club X-1
£74

Just got one myself having upgraded from a cheapo bike helmet as I prefer the peace of mind that its a bit more up to task in comparison whilst still being cheap.

[feef]

I used to use my bike helmets most of the time. Never had a problem, but never really had a crash to worry about either

I almost started competing in hillclimbs and sprint events (before I blew the engine), and for that I got a Hedtec from the Autosport show last year.

http://hedtec.co.uk

Obviously made in the far east and rebranded by Hedtec, but they get a good reputation among the club racers I've spoken to and the one I have is certainly comfy enough

[DMN]

Another vote for the Sparco X1; price has come down since I got mine.

[Pulse]

I have the cheapest of the cheap; a Box BX-1.

They can be had for under £30 on eBay (or slightly more in some shops), but it's suited me fine!

As everyone will tell you, go with what fits right, not necessarily the price.

[untakenname]

I've got an OMP open face helmet for trackdays, was cheap but it feels fine for what it's used for.

[C70R]

DanGPR said:

Realistically, the helmet on a track day is just to stop you from hitting against the a-pillar or similar in a roll over. Unless you have a 7-style car or similar I would just get a cheapo full face lid, they will all be similar at that end of the market.

The main difference between car and bike helmets is fireproof lining on the car helmets.

There are Leopard or Shox branded helmets available from 30-50 quid on eBay etc. but realistically the best helmet is the one that fits your head properly. If you want to spend a little bit more (£100+) go to your local motorcycle shop and try a few on. Try and get something from one of the more well known manufacturers just in case you ever get invited on the back of someone elses bike! (AGV, Shoei, Caberg, Shark, Xlite, etc)

This, in spades. The 'because racecar' crowd will spend £400 on one to match their nomex underpants, but it's completely surplus to requirements for the average trackdayer.

[CedricN]

If I were you I would buy something from the bottom end of the racing helmet range, not a bike helmet. Its nice to have the peace of mind that the helmet wont melt and destroy my face in case of fire.

[Dakkon]

CedricN said:

If I were you I would buy something from the bottom end of the racing helmet range, not a bike helmet. Its nice to have the peace of mind that the helmet wont melt and destroy my face in case of fire.

Never understand this line of thinking, unless the rest of you is in a nomex suit, the rest of you will be burning way before your head, assuming you are wearing any helmet.

[rallycross]

If you are going to the trouble of buying a helmet don't buy a crappy £30 helmet buy something that will actually work like this

https://www.hedtec.co.uk/products/xtreme-ii/

This product is supplied by the team who run Motorsport events hence good products and a good price@

https://www.motorsport-events.com/

[C70R]

Dakkon said:

CedricN said:

If I were you I would buy something from the bottom end of the racing helmet range, not a bike helmet. Its nice to have the peace of mind that the helmet wont melt and destroy my face in case of fire.

Never understand this line of thinking, unless the rest of you is in a nomex suit, the rest of you will be burning way before your head, assuming you are wearing any helmet.

Trackday discussions on the internet always make me laugh. It's like people are keen to make out that they are one step down from ELMS Racing, when the reality is closer to banger racing.

[mko9]

DanGPR said:

but realistically the best helmet is the one that fits your head properly.

If you have the opportunity to try on some helmets, do it. I found there to be a big difference in how different brands, and even different models of the same brand fit. After you find something you like, by all means buy as cheaply as possible. But don't buy a helmet without trying it on first.

[CedricN]

Dakkon said:

Never understand this line of thinking, unless the rest of you is in a nomex suit, the rest of you will be burning way before your head, assuming you are wearing any helmet.

Have you seen synthetic clothing burn, its really nasty. Same reason you are recommended to have cotton only clothing at track days, at least where I live.

Since it's barely a matter of cost i don't see why you shouldn't put at least a tiny thought about your safety,even though it's a track day.

[CrutyRammers]

CedricN said:

If I were you I would buy something from the bottom end of the racing helmet range, not a bike helmet. Its nice to have the peace of mind that the helmet wont melt and destroy my face in case of fire.

The downside is then you end up paying extra for HANS fittings and accreditation that you probably won't use. It's what I did, but you're looking at 2-300 quid (depending on which ones fit you) instead of 50, fire proofing aside, for the same protection.