You know what? A helmet can make or break your day at the track. I’ve learned that the sweaty, scratchy, too-loud kind will wear you down. The right one helps you breathe, think, and stay calm when the car moves around.
If you’d like an expanded version of this discussion, you can read my real-world take on auto racing helmets where I quite literally put my face on the line.
I’ve run HPDE, time trial, and a few club races. I’m 56 cm around the head. I’m a small in most brands. I’ve used Bell, Stilo, Arai, HJC, and Zamp on real days at real tracks. Here’s how they felt, smelled, and worked when things got fast and a bit messy.
Why the helmet matters (more than you think)
- Vision is everything. If the visor fogs, you guess. That’s bad.
- Wind noise makes you tired. A loud lid steals focus.
- Fit changes how your neck feels after three sessions.
- Vents and sweat control? They sound small. They are not.
Let me explain. When I ran Road Atlanta on a humid morning, my visor started to fog at turn 10a. I cracked it a click. It cleared. It also sent a loud hiss into my left ear. That tiny thing changed my braking. Little stuff stacks up.
My head shape and fit notes
My head is a bit oval. Bell and Arai hug me well. Stilo feels a touch wider at the cheeks unless I swap pads. HJC and Zamp run true, but they’re a hair roomier along the sides. I always try on with my balaclava and HANS attached. I hold the chin bar and rock it. If my forehead lifts, it’s too big. If I get hot spots in five minutes, it’s the wrong shape.
For a step-by-step visual on taking that measurement and confirming crown and cheek pressure, this concise video guide walks through the process in just a few minutes.
If you want an independent chart that lines up shell shapes, visor options, and radio kits in one place, swing by PDV Racing and bookmark it for the next time a flash sale tempts you.
Now, the helmets.
Bell RS7 (SA2020) — My steady workhorse
I bought my RS7 before a long day at Road Atlanta. It was 85°F, sticky air, and a crosswind on the back straight. The Bell sat low and firm. The cheek pads were tight for the first day, then they gave just a little, which I liked.
- What I loved: The visor seal is solid. The top vents actually move air. The field of view is wide, so turn-in feels natural at speed.
- What bugged me: It’s not the quietest. Above 120 mph, I hear a low hum. The visor change isn’t hard, but it’s not fast with gloves on.
Real moment: I took the RS7 through Turn 12 flat in fourth. No lift from the visor. No wobble. My neck felt fine after three sessions, which is rare for me.
Stilo ST5 GT Carbon (FIA 8859-2015) — Light, cool, and pricey
I saved up for this one before a weekend at Laguna Seca. Hot, dry air. Dust everywhere. I went with ear cups and the built-in radio port. The weight drop was the first thing I felt. My neck thanked me by lunch.
- What I loved: It’s light. The shell feels sleek in the wind. The comm ports and hydration port are clean. No ugly hacks needed.
- What bugged me: The price stings. The visor latch is small, so I missed it once with gloves and had to try again on pit out.
Real moment: Coming through the Corkscrew, I braked late and felt a side gust. The Stilo stayed planted. No whistle. My radio call to my coach was clear. I could hear breathing again. That helped me calm down.
Arai GP-7 (SA2020) — Plush liner, steady vision
I wore the GP-7 at Lime Rock in October. It was cold at first, then bright sun. The Arai liner feels like a soft glove, and the crown pad sits just right. My head didn’t rock, even when I hit the curbs in the downhill.
- What I loved: The visor is super clear, and the eye port shape just clicks with my sight line. The top vents can be tuned in small steps.
- What bugged me: On a frosty morning, I got fog at idle. A crack fixed it. Also, visor swaps took me longer than with the Bell.
Real moment: Second session, tires warm, I chased a blue Miata. I saw each corner exit a beat sooner. It wasn’t magic. The view just felt natural.
Budget pick: HJC H10 (SA2020) and Zamp RZ-56 (SA2020)
I’ve used both for autocross and a couple HPDE days. They’re honest helmets. A bit heavier, sure. But they do the job, and they don’t fry your wallet.
The lesson started long before I was in a full-blown track car; my go-kart helmet story breaks down what I wore back then and what I learned in the process.
- HJC H10: Smooth liner, OK vents, and good value. At Summit Point on a mild day, it stayed comfy for 20-minute runs. Noise was medium. Not awful.
- Zamp RZ-56: Fits a touch roomy on the sides. Cheek pads run thick, so it feels snug. I ran it on a hot day at Dominion. It got sweaty, but it dried fast with a fan.
Tip: If you plan to add a radio or hydration, the Stilo makes that easy. With Bell, Arai, HJC, and Zamp, you can add kits, but it’s more work and wires. For a fun example of how high-quality audio and video hardware completely shape user engagement in another fast-moving space—live video chats—check out this in-depth Flirt4Free review which breaks down streaming tech, camera angles, and user experience details you can actually translate into better driver-coaching or pit-lane broadcast setups.
Quick gear bits I learned the hard way
- SNELL SA2020, not M2020. You need the auto fire rating for cars.
- Get HANS posts installed and checked. Don’t “sort it later.”
- Try your helmet with your seat, your HANS, and your glasses if you wear them.
- Tear-offs are cheap eyesight. I use two on dusty days.
- Anti-fog works. I use a tiny bead of baby shampoo, wiped thin. It’s not fancy. It works.
If you’d like to see exactly what the rule-makers look for—from shell construction to visor tear-off thickness—grab the official FIA helmet guidelines (PDF) and keep them on your desktop for reference.
Small digression—tinted visors look cool. I use light smoke for bright tracks like COTA. But I carry a clear visor for dusk. Nothing is worse than a dark visor and a red flag delay at sunset. Ask me how I know.
And if you wonder whether a clear visor still makes sense under indoor lights, my recap of a night at K1 Speed in Torrance shows exactly why it does.
Comfort, stink, and care
I sweat. Everyone does. After each day, I pop the pads (if they’re removable) and rinse them with lukewarm water and a drop of baby shampoo. I pat them dry with a towel and set a small fan near the helmet. No heat. Helmet bags help, but don’t seal it up wet. That’s how you get the locker room smell. And no, spray cologne doesn’t fix it.
My picks, plain and simple
- Best all-around: Bell RS7 — great vision, solid vents, fair price.
- Best for long days and radios: Stilo ST5 GT Carbon — light and smart, if you can handle the cost.
- Comfy classic: Arai GP-7 — plush fit and steady view, a touch fussy on visors.
- Best on a budget: HJC H10 or Zamp RZ-56 — heavier, but honest and safe.
Honestly, if your neck gets sore, go lighter. If your wallet gets sore, go simple and save for tires. Tires win time. A happy head keeps you safe.
A tiny checklist before you buy
- Measure your head. Twice.
- Try on with your balaclava and HANS.
- Check you can open the visor with gloves.
- Sit in your car with it on. Look left, right, down at gauges.
- If it hot-spots in five minutes, walk away.
Final lap
Helmets are personal. They’re also your final shield when things get loud and sideways. I’ve had quiet laps