Good helmet for £200 Mark.
Discussion
Hello all
I've been looking at buying a helmet to do the very occasional track day but mainly to do arrive&drive karting. So currently using the basic helmets provided.
I can't warrant paying out for the major brands such as sparco/omp/bell ( yes I got a cheap head but it's not as cheap as the helmets usually provided at karting clubs).
I've seen the following helmets for around £200 which seem to have good safety rating (SA2010/15).
V2 pro
Hedtec
Demon tweeks Race Safety accessories
V2 and Hedtec apparently made in same factory and can not find out much about Race Safety accessories one at all.
Unfortunately with these won't get chance to try them on before, I 'll have to buy first and hopefully get the right size. All should have good returns policy if they do not fit.
Does anyone have info or feedback on these? Any info much appreciated.
I've been looking at buying a helmet to do the very occasional track day but mainly to do arrive&drive karting. So currently using the basic helmets provided.
I can't warrant paying out for the major brands such as sparco/omp/bell ( yes I got a cheap head but it's not as cheap as the helmets usually provided at karting clubs).
I've seen the following helmets for around £200 which seem to have good safety rating (SA2010/15).
V2 pro
Hedtec
Demon tweeks Race Safety accessories
V2 and Hedtec apparently made in same factory and can not find out much about Race Safety accessories one at all.
Unfortunately with these won't get chance to try them on before, I 'll have to buy first and hopefully get the right size. All should have good returns policy if they do not fit.
Does anyone have info or feedback on these? Any info much appreciated.
I'd be tempted to go with a motorbike helmet (plenty of good quality ones at that price) - you can then either order online or go into a shop.
ETA - much wider choice - seem to pay extra for specialist karting/driving helmets over bike helmets, presumably because of Hans compatibility etc. See for example sub-£200 Bell helmets at sportsbikeshop.co.uk.
ETA - much wider choice - seem to pay extra for specialist karting/driving helmets over bike helmets, presumably because of Hans compatibility etc. See for example sub-£200 Bell helmets at sportsbikeshop.co.uk.
Edited by _Neal_ on Monday 9th October 18:19
Hifly130 said:
Hello all
I've been looking at buying a helmet to do the very occasional track day but mainly to do arrive&drive karting. So currently using the basic helmets provided.
I can't warrant paying out for the major brands such as sparco/omp/bell ( yes I got a cheap head but it's not as cheap as the helmets usually provided at karting clubs).
I've seen the following helmets for around £200 which seem to have good safety rating (SA2010/15).
V2 pro
Hedtec
Demon tweeks Race Safety accessories
V2 and Hedtec apparently made in same factory and can not find out much about Race Safety accessories one at all.
Unfortunately with these won't get chance to try them on before, I 'll have to buy first and hopefully get the right size. All should have good returns policy if they do not fit.
Does anyone have info or feedback on these? Any info much appreciated.
Nothing wrong with any of the ones you have listed.I've been looking at buying a helmet to do the very occasional track day but mainly to do arrive&drive karting. So currently using the basic helmets provided.
I can't warrant paying out for the major brands such as sparco/omp/bell ( yes I got a cheap head but it's not as cheap as the helmets usually provided at karting clubs).
I've seen the following helmets for around £200 which seem to have good safety rating (SA2010/15).
V2 pro
Hedtec
Demon tweeks Race Safety accessories
V2 and Hedtec apparently made in same factory and can not find out much about Race Safety accessories one at all.
Unfortunately with these won't get chance to try them on before, I 'll have to buy first and hopefully get the right size. All should have good returns policy if they do not fit.
Does anyone have info or feedback on these? Any info much appreciated.
I have a V2 with hans posts and have been happy it. It's worth trying on both the Hedtec and V2 as from experience, as well as comments from others you will either have a Hedtec shaped head or a V2 shaped bonce
I bought an SA2015 Hedtec for HANS at the beginning of this season and I couldn't return it quick enough. If the visor fixing mechanism hadn't been broken on delivery it soon would've been once used a couple of times such was the quality of design and materials. The shell, visor and lining seemed OK construction quality wise but although the sizing was correct, the fit was awful- the chin strap was tight across my throat and the end of my nose was so close to the inside of the shell that were the HANS device ever to restrain me I'm sure it would've ended up broken.
SNELL helmets are expensive because approval costs a fortune. As I found out, a £200 helmet with SNELL approval seems to be equivalent in construction quality to a £50 motorcycle helmet.
Do you need SNELL approval or a fireproof lining? No, IMO. I did, and so after my experience with Hedtec happily forked out twice as much money for a Sparco which is at least twice as good in every way.
SNELL helmets are expensive because approval costs a fortune. As I found out, a £200 helmet with SNELL approval seems to be equivalent in construction quality to a £50 motorcycle helmet.
Do you need SNELL approval or a fireproof lining? No, IMO. I did, and so after my experience with Hedtec happily forked out twice as much money for a Sparco which is at least twice as good in every way.
Thanks for all the replies.
You are right in saying I don't need the SA approval as unless I have a dramatic and unexpected cash boost I won't need fireproof lining to do mainly karting or the odd track day. On that point are bike helmets usually ok to use for a standard car track day?
Stories of quality issues with the helmets mentioned do concern me.
The one thing I have found no reviews of or anyone's experience is the Demon tweeks Race Safety Accessories helmet. Anyone seen any or owned one?
I 'll take a look at the bike shop website.
You are right in saying I don't need the SA approval as unless I have a dramatic and unexpected cash boost I won't need fireproof lining to do mainly karting or the odd track day. On that point are bike helmets usually ok to use for a standard car track day?
Stories of quality issues with the helmets mentioned do concern me.
The one thing I have found no reviews of or anyone's experience is the Demon tweeks Race Safety Accessories helmet. Anyone seen any or owned one?
I 'll take a look at the bike shop website.
I can't use my motorbike helmet in a car because the back of the helmet has an annoying slightly pointy shape which interferes with headrests. One thing to consider.
Last time I looked you could buy a £100 OMP helmet from Demon Tweeks for trackdays and competition where SNELL approval isn't required, approved to a British Standard and specifically designed for the task in hand.
Last time I looked you could buy a £100 OMP helmet from Demon Tweeks for trackdays and competition where SNELL approval isn't required, approved to a British Standard and specifically designed for the task in hand.
Hifly130 said:
Thanks for all the replies.
On that point are bike helmets usually ok to use for a standard car track day?
Yes, did at least a dozen track days in my (sub-£200 Bell) motorbike helmet with zero issues. I bought it as I had a motorbike but used it on trackdays too. On that point are bike helmets usually ok to use for a standard car track day?
One tip I would have for trackday helmets would be that one with a flip-up front and an integral sun visor is a good shout - the former for use in hard top track cars (better for chatting to your passenger etc) and the latter for obvious sun-based reasons. The guy I often shared my track car with had one with both of those features, and I was jealous. Again that was a bike helmet (Caberg I believe) and no issues using it on any trackdays. Not sure about karting with a flip-front lid, but in terms of a sun visor lots of HJC helmets have them, and are a reputable make.
Wollemi said:
I went for a motorcycle helmet as one of the most important things is to get a good fit if it is to work properly. A good bike shop should be experience in fitting helmets and judging whether it's fitting correctly. I had to try several makes before finding the best one for me.
I did exactly this. I have a head the size of a small planet 
and chose a helmet based on what fitted me best, more than cost (although cost was under £200 iirc). Don't worry too much about price as this could last you a very very long time.To answer one part of your question, I have a V2 helmet and like it.
They ask you to measure around your head about half an inch above your eyes, and then buy the size it says from the chart on their website.
Mum's tape measure, not Stanley's.
I came up almost exactly on the border between L and XL, so bought L.
Then ordered again and got an XL, as the L fitted but was a little tight. My son in law uses the L now.
As far as i remember, V2 do allow you to return, as they are governed by the Distance Selling Regulations.
Do remember that if you ever intend to go on a track day in a open topped car, even as a passenger when the guy with the Radical/Elise/TVR offers you a chance ride, you have to have a full face helmet. I know you will have a full face for karting, but others may not have clocked this rule. It was brought in last year at most tracks in the UK after an accident where a Caterham driver with an open face helmet got a face full of hot oil from an engine blow up in front of him, I gather.
They ask you to measure around your head about half an inch above your eyes, and then buy the size it says from the chart on their website.
Mum's tape measure, not Stanley's.
I came up almost exactly on the border between L and XL, so bought L.
Then ordered again and got an XL, as the L fitted but was a little tight. My son in law uses the L now.
As far as i remember, V2 do allow you to return, as they are governed by the Distance Selling Regulations.
Do remember that if you ever intend to go on a track day in a open topped car, even as a passenger when the guy with the Radical/Elise/TVR offers you a chance ride, you have to have a full face helmet. I know you will have a full face for karting, but others may not have clocked this rule. It was brought in last year at most tracks in the UK after an accident where a Caterham driver with an open face helmet got a face full of hot oil from an engine blow up in front of him, I gather.
I've got the demon's Race Safety one for trackdays. It fitted me best out of all the ones I was looking at and has been fine. All motorosport helmets are certified to the same standards, so safety shouldn't be an issue; what you pay for in the more expensive ones is lightness and style and better detailing.
Thought I would let you all know what I got.
Done a fair bit of karting recently so went more karting orientated helmet. Was more keen to get one of the main branded helmets and after doing loads of searching ( including bike helmets) came across ybracing which seem to do omp helmets at a good price.
Originally was going for a helmet right on budget but didn't have my size.
In the end went for Omp GP8K which is a full face kart helmet. The website did a 10% discount for signing up to a newsletter so it came in just under £280 incl delivery and vat. Just got it. Very happy with quality and most importantly fits like a glove. Really comfortable.
Thanks for all your helmet suggestions.
Done a fair bit of karting recently so went more karting orientated helmet. Was more keen to get one of the main branded helmets and after doing loads of searching ( including bike helmets) came across ybracing which seem to do omp helmets at a good price.
Originally was going for a helmet right on budget but didn't have my size.
In the end went for Omp GP8K which is a full face kart helmet. The website did a 10% discount for signing up to a newsletter so it came in just under £280 incl delivery and vat. Just got it. Very happy with quality and most importantly fits like a glove. Really comfortable.
Thanks for all your helmet suggestions.
Edited by Hifly130 on Tuesday 24th October 11:09
Hifly130 said:
Thought I would let you all know what I got.
Done a fair bit of karting recently so went more karting orientated helmet. Was more keen to get one of the main branded helmets and after doing loads of searching ( including bike helmets) came across ybracing which seem to do omp helmets at a good price.
Originally was going for a helmet right on budget but didn't have my size.
In the end went for Omp GP8K which is a full face kart helmet. The website did a 10% discount for signing up to a newsletter so it came in just under £280 incl delivery and vat. Just got it. Very happy with quality and most importantly fits like a glove. Really comfortable.
Thanks for all your helmet suggestions.
Good choice I reckon, and sensible to get something useful for karting. I bought a OMP GP7K last year, which seems to be well made. Fits well and comfortable.Done a fair bit of karting recently so went more karting orientated helmet. Was more keen to get one of the main branded helmets and after doing loads of searching ( including bike helmets) came across ybracing which seem to do omp helmets at a good price.
Originally was going for a helmet right on budget but didn't have my size.
In the end went for Omp GP8K which is a full face kart helmet. The website did a 10% discount for signing up to a newsletter so it came in just under £280 incl delivery and vat. Just got it. Very happy with quality and most importantly fits like a glove. Really comfortable.
Thanks for all your helmet suggestions.
Edited by Hifly130 on Tuesday 24th October 11:09
CrutyRammers said:
I've got the demon's Race Safety one for trackdays. It fitted me best out of all the ones I was looking at and has been fine. All motorosport helmets are certified to the same standards, so safety shouldn't be an issue; what you pay for in the more expensive ones is lightness and style and better detailing.
+1 done about 4 track days with it and it been decent, comfy and I quite like that you have option for peak or visor.Gassing Station | Track Days | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff