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Depends on what you're doing. Amateur drag racing (10sec+)? Circuit racing? For drag racing, IMO, you wear it so little that any decent SN2015 will work. For circuit, yeah, start test fitting and get it right. Lightweight carbon fiber is popular. SN2015 is all we can get right now. HANS capable.
A medium Impact helmet may fit like a Large Simpson helmet. You need to try them on before purchasing and you need to make sure they fit properly. The brow should cross just above your eyes, the cheeks should fit tightly but not so tight you are biting your cheeks and another person shouldn't be able to take hold of the back of the helmet and pull it forward and off your head when the strap is fastened, if they can the helmet is too loose even though it may be too tight in certain areas.
If you are going to do HPDEs get a helmet with built in speakers so you can hopefully tie into an instructor's intercom without needing to jam a speaker and microphone boom inside your helmet.
Get one with a full face shield. Open face helmets don't cut it on the track. There is a lot of debris that can come in through an open window at 120 mph. At a VIR HPDE a couple of years ago a student lost control of his car going into Turn 3 and hit the tire wall with the passenger side of the car. The instructor sitting in the passenger seat got hit in the face by the passenger side mirror which was torn off the car and thrown through the window into the instructor's face. Luckily, he had his face shield down and it saved him from serious injury.
What do you need the helmet for? Yes, it makes a difference. When you are trying on helmets, wear it for at least 30 mins. Just sit and watch TV. I've tried many helmets that felt ok at first, but after a 1/2 hour you know it's not right... You are also going to find that whatever helmet you pick is going to have a hot spot (or two), and need adjustment. NOBODIES head is perfect. I use a spoon to gently press the EPS lining where the discomfort is. That usually can fix 1 spot. if the helmet just doesn't fit, it's not going to help.
If you are racing, seriously consider a HANS device. You just put a 3+lb weight on top of your head and expect your neck to not protest if you come to a sudden stop?
The fit is all important. Most better(higher priced) helmets have removable different thickness inner padding This can really make a difference in comfort. I wear glasses, i need a larger opening facemask, so it doesn't feel like I'm looking through a gun slit. Secondly, I needed a shallow channel in my padding to accommodate the side earpieces of my glasses. Without that, my head felt like it was in a vice if I wore my helmet for any extended time. Next is weight, you wont notice it immediately, but in time you will, lighter is better (as long as it meets the same safety standards).Lastly cost, only you know what you can afford, and how you intend to use your helmet. But, remember this, this is the most basic piece of personal safety equipment you will own. It is placed around your skull and brain to protect it.
I have an Arai GP 5W
Another note on fit: all manufacturers employ a certain helmet shape, oval, round, modified teardrop, etc. You will fine one maker to offer helmets which best fit your head's shape.
To echo one of Bill's points, the fit will be tight. It will first strike you as too tight as this is your first helmet.
I have never had any issue getting sunglasses on while wearing any helmet.
As one person asked...this will be primarily for HPDEs and other road track events. I might eventually try a drag strip...but that's not my first desire.
I comfortable spending 500ish...but if turns out to be a 700 helmet, so be it. Tires, brakes, wipers, helmet, scotch...not areas to go cheap on IMO.
I went with a Simpson Voyager 2. I’m only running 2 or 3 track days a year so I didn’t want to go extreme on the cost side but did want a well known brand. I think this one ran about 400 bucks. It’s comfortable and I can wear my sunglasses. No complaints the 3 times I’ve ran with it.
I went to Summit Racing south of Atlanta this past week. My first visit. Awesome place. BUT...I didn't like the procedure for trying a helmet. Theres no one on one. You get in line for the Sales/Service counter, then tell the guy manning a computer what you want. I had NO idea where to begin. LOL. I eventually tried out 8 helmets.
My buddy loves the Discovery shop at AMP...Atlanta Motorsports Park. Definitely get some personal time there with a sales rep. Thats where I'll go next. A lot of what you guys are recommending is what I had in mind as far as my lack of knowledge. Correct fitment. Features I may or may not want or need. Proper rating/certifications. etc. I'll probably go this Friday.
From what I've tried so far...Simpson was the best fit in a large. As one of you suggested, I should definitely leave it on for a while. Maybe play angry birds. Catch up on CorvetteForum gossip. You know...important life stuff.
Regarding HANS devices, for you guys who track often...do you use these? Which ones would you recommend? I saw quite a few different styles and levels of basic Cessna 150 to fighter jet.
I went with a Simpson Voyager 2. I’m only running 2 or 3 track days a year so I didn’t want to go extreme on the cost side but did want a well known brand. I think this one ran about 400 bucks. It’s comfortable and I can wear my sunglasses. No complaints the 3 times I’ve ran with it.
Yep. That one fit really well for me. And the VADOR model. I think both came with other padding to swap out. Or maybe just the VADOR.
I know all of you are on pins and needles...wondering what I chose.
I went with Bell K1 Pro. Gloss white. There was a matt black as well but for some reason it fit a tad bit loose. Same size. So, went with white. Grabbed a pair of gloves and 2 balaclavas.
Sorry, I belatedly saw you already bought, but I'll leave the following in case others might ask, too:
Since this seems to be your first fitment, get professional help making sure it is correct. It is the one piece of safety equipment you do NOT wish screwed-up in any way.
Also, do not get some bargain helmet; trust me, it's not worth it. If you're going to be using it a while, and if you can wait, get the latest possible approval date. If you are going to need it sooner, just no way around it; buy now and later. I've got a shed full of outdated, but otherwise "perfectly good" helmets from decades of racing. All the best, and be safe!
Yes, even for HPDEs you'd be an idiot not to consider some type of HANS device. It's not the speed that can kill you it's the sudden stop.. I really can't believe that they are required...
A medium Impact helmet may fit like a Large Simpson helmet. You need to try them on before purchasing and you need to make sure they fit properly. The brow should cross just above your eyes, the cheeks should fit tightly but not so tight you are biting your cheeks and another person shouldn't be able to take hold of the back of the helmet and pull it forward and off your head when the strap is fastened, if they can the helmet is too loose even though it may be too tight in certain areas.
If you are going to do HPDEs get a helmet with built in speakers so you can hopefully tie into an instructor's intercom without needing to jam a speaker and microphone boom inside your helmet.
Get one with a full face shield. Open face helmets don't cut it on the track. There is a lot of debris that can come in through an open window at 120 mph. At a VIR HPDE a couple of years ago a student lost control of his car going into Turn 3 and hit the tire wall with the passenger side of the car. The instructor sitting in the passenger seat got hit in the face by the passenger side mirror which was torn off the car and thrown through the window into the instructor's face. Luckily, he had his face shield down and it saved him from serious injury.
Bill
All excellent advice, especially the speaker thing - even as an occasional instructor I never considered this but its so obvious now.
I run a tinted shield for three main reasons: 1) the sun can be pretty bright here in FL and I normally drive with sunglasses. 2) at one HPDE my brother (also an instructor) got hit in the shoulder by something (rubber, rock, lose nut?) and it left a nasty mark, a few inches higher and it could have hit his face or worse his eye and 3) I wear contacts so lots of wind and dust bothers me.
Nothing is perfect, but how much do the airbags in a Corvette reduce the likelihood of injury that would be prevented by a HANS?
And how do you mount a HANS with the stock Corvette seats?
The problem I have is the helmet is jamming into the headliner. I'm 6'3" tall, have the seat on the floor but can't recline any more or I won't be able to properly steer the car. Any other tall people have that issue and can recommend a helmet that maybe a little thinner on top with the same level of protection?
On our C5, my head was brushing the inside of the transparent top even with no helmet. I removed some of the "trampoline" springs under the seat, so the bottom cushion sagged a little, that gave me enough room to be comfortable with no helmet and do-able with a helmet.
Not sure if this can be done on a C7, be sure the airbags are disabled if you start messing with the seat.
First time helmet purchase
All the best, and be safe! 
but its so obvious now.
and 3) I wear contacts so lots of wind and dust bothers me.
