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It is time for me to replace my helmet. It is 2016 and I bet a lot of people are in the same boat if they are using 2005 helmets.
My current helmet is a Zamp composite helmet. It is light and perhaps the most comfortable car racing helmet I have ever owned and worn. Although I only got it about five years ago on a close out it is a 2005, hence the need to replace.
I have read reports that wearing almost any helmet is beneficial. See the extensive Hurt Report for more info. That report say wearing any helmet is beneficial. The most important thing is to simply wear a helmet. What I took from that report was that there is no real benefit to expensive helmets. In other words, the saying "Wear a $69 helmet if you have a $69 head" is not necessarily true.
With that said, I want a good helmet. It does not have to be expensive or cheap. My most recent helmet purchase was made because I really like the comfort and lightness of the Zamp helmet my son wore when he was racing karts. I feel one of the under-rated qualities of a helmet in car racing is the weight. Since so many injuries and deaths come from basal skull injuries, a lighter helmet at 50g's is an asset.
What is a good and lightweight helmet that is comfortable and preferably not $2,995?
Please share with me your thoughts, opinions and first-hand experiences.
If you like your Zamp, it is light, and it is the most comfortable helmet you have ever worn, why would you not get another?
I am considering that, but I want to hear what others have to say. This is also a salient topic for us all to debate here from time to time.
I have also found that helmet fitment can change from model and model year changes even within a single brand line-up. So while I like my current Zamp, a new one may not fit with the comfort of the old one.
Prior to my Zamp I was racing with a Simpson. I even went to the Simpson factory store in Torrance, CA, looked at a long wall full of helmet models and colors. I ordered one in the color and size I wanted and I only raced with it for two years as it was so uncomfortable in the amount of pressure it placed on my forehead over the duration of a race. It was not too small, it was that the internal foam shell and my head are incompatible.
I have a Zamp SA2005, 2010, and 2015. They all fit the same.
I believe part of the SA2015 certification standard is that they be HANS ready - at least have the hole on the back sides of the helmet already drilled.
I have an older hybrid head/neck restraint, and I needed to install D-rings for the clips on the ends of my tether. But the same hole will take the newer HANS type snap-fittings.
Bottom line - like Sox-Fan says, if you like your older Zamp, I think you'll find the SA2015 will fit the same and be HANS ready (although I think the hole just comes with a button in it, and you'll need to supply your own snap-fitting or D-ring).
As mentioned above, all 2015's must be HANS ready. HANS ready means the area around the hole (anchor post) is reinforced.
All helmets have to pass the same standards to be certified for the corresponding agency.
More expensive helmets are because:
1- they may have additional FIA certification
2- they are composite as opposed to Fiberglas. Composites are better reinforced in the front and side where the risk of impact is higher.
3- they have better ventilation.
3- they have more "features".
4- fabrics/material used is more durable (even the stickers on cheaper helmet fall apart).
5- they have replacement parts for their features.
6- not always, but typically lighter.
7- they may come with additional interior pads (like cheek pads) for head fitment and/or adjustment.
Also only the very high end carbon fiber is lighter. Sub-$1000 carbon helmets are actually heavier than their counterpart composites.
Currently dollar is very strong against Euro and British Pound. If buying a European helmet, you can benefit from the exchange rate buying from overseas. A high end euro helmet is now cost about a med quality purchased domestically.
I have a Zamp SA2005, 2010, and 2015. They all fit the same.
Bottom line - like Sox-Fan says, if you like your older Zamp, I think you'll find the SA2015 will fit the same and be HANS ready (although I think the hole just comes with a button in it, and you'll need to supply your own snap-fitting or D-ring).
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This is fantastic and reassuring information for me. Thanks!!
All helmets have to pass the same standards to be certified.
More expensive helmets are because:
1- they may have additional FIA certification
2- they are composite as opposed to Fiberglas. Composites are better reinforced in the front and side where the risk of impact is higher.
3- they have better ventilation.
3- they have more "features".
4- fabrics/material used is more durable (even the stickers on cheaper helmet fall apart).
5- they replacement parts for features.
6- not always, but typically lighter.
These are outstanding points and my experience, too.
Just picked up one of these and my local shop had a 15% off Black Friday sale
Figured I can use this for 10 years, so I spent a few extra bucks
Unbelievably light, great fit and SFI rating
Just picked up one of these and my local shop had a 15% off Black Friday sale
Figured I can use this for 10 years, so I spent a few extra bucks
Unbelievably light, great fit and SFI rating
Hard to beat Stilo (current helmet). Also like Arai (last helmet)
I have looked at the Stilo's. Those are certainly a short list helmet. I like the integrated communication options. Arai is a good reputation brand, but I have never owned, worn one, nor researched them, yet.
Contact Ronnie at product41.com and he can get you set up with a new Zamp.
I just got a new carbon Zamp and it fits great. I had a carbon Simpson previously, which was also a 2005, and I like the Zamp.
Contact Ronnie at product41.com and he can get you set up with a new Zamp.
I just got a new carbon Zamp and it fits great. I had a carbon Simpson previously, which was also a 2005, and I like the Zamp.
J.R.
I will do that. I was just reading up on the carbon zamp last night. I am trying to find the weight of that helmet, but it does not seemed to be published anywhere.
I will do that. I was just reading up on the carbon zamp last night. I am trying to find the weight of that helmet, but it does not seemed to be published anywhere.
I can weigh my Simpson carbon against the Zamp carbon for you if you want. It may be a couple of days as my Simpson is at the garage at race track.
I can weigh my Simpson carbon against the Zamp carbon for you if you want. It may be a couple of days as my Simpson is at the garage at race track.
That would be great, but I really only need the Zamp weight. While I like Simpson helmets, after trying on a few I found my head shape is not very compatible with the foam liner shape.
01-15-2017, 02:25 AM
New 2010 and 2015 Helmets?
