Learn Racing · Safety Gear · 4 min · Beginner
Helmet Guide — What Actually Matters
Snell ratings, fit, HANS compatibility and when to replace a racing helmet — the parts of helmet shopping that actually matter.
Your helmet is the most important piece of gear you'll ever buy. The good news: you don't need the most expensive one. You need the right rating, the right fit and the right condition.
Ratings: SA vs M
Snell SA (Special Application) helmets are made for auto racing — they're fire-resistant and usually have threaded inserts for a head-and-neck restraint. M-rated helmets are for motorcycles. Many HPDE groups accept M-rated helmets, but almost every wheel-to-wheel series requires SA. If you plan to race someday, buy SA from day one. FIA 8859 is the international equivalent.
Fit is everything
- Measure your head just above the eyebrows and use the maker's size chart.
- It should be snug everywhere with no pressure points — cheeks pushed up slightly is normal.
- With the strap fastened, you shouldn't be able to roll it off forward or back.
- Wear it for 20 minutes in the store or at home. A hot spot at minute 5 is a headache at minute 25.
Head and neck restraints
A HANS or similar device keeps your head from whipping forward in a hard impact. Most racing series require one. Make sure your helmet has M6 anchor posts (or can be fitted with them) so it's ready when you are.
When to replace it
Snell updates standards about every five years and most sanctioning bodies stop accepting a rating roughly ten years after it's released. Replace any helmet that's been in an impact or dropped hard onto concrete — the foam liner compresses once and doesn't come back.
