LiveNupe

For those of you who’ve invested in carbon fiber/lightweight helmets, I have a couple of questions:
1) what prompted your purchase? did you expect a functional benefit? Or did you buy it for the cool factor?
2) If you expected a functional benefit, a) what did you expect? b) did the helmet deliver?
3) Knowing what you know now, would you do it over again?
4) Any particular brand/model that you’d recommend purchasing? Avoiding?

Veloce Raptor

Light weight. A huge benefit when you're in a car all day. And yes it delivered. Stand 21 for me currently

LiveNupe

What was the benefit? Less neck fatigue?

Matt Romanowski

My Stand21 wad the beat helmet. Unfortunately they don't make any right now

ProCoach

When I'm pulling up to a sustained negative 1.7g in braking and sustained lateral of over 2g, that means my head weighs more than double pulling on my neck. Worth every penny.

I have a couple, the use of which depend on what car I'm driving. Stand21 like VR, or a Schuberth. Very please with both, with a slight nod to the Stand21 for comfort and the Schuberth for ventilation and better aero in an open car.

dan212

I just bought a Schuberth SP1: Love it.

1) what prompted your purchase? did you expect a functional benefit? Or did you buy it for the cool factor?
I wanted comfort. And I treated myself to a no compromise choice

2) If you expected a functional benefit, a) what did you expect? b) did the helmet deliver?
Absolutely: Super comfortable. The light weight is immediately noticeable and in long term. Every time I put it on I am surprised by how much I like it.

3) Knowing what you know now, would you do it over again?
YES! I wish I had gone this way before. Absolutely would go again

4) Any particular brand/model that you’d recommend purchasing?
Its all about fit. Different brands have different fit. I have always had a "Bell Head". Tried other brands and never got the right fit. Until now:
In this last purchase, I tried Bell and Schuberth. The Schuberth just fit MY HEAD better.
Seems cooler while wearing.
I also liked the visor design, but that wasn't the deciding factor.

Recommendation?
I love my Schuberth, but try also Stilo, Bell and Stand21.
Noticed recently that Stilo has some crazy discounts right now.

fatbillybob

This will be my next helmet assuming it fits my head. https://rouxhelmets.com/collections/pininfarina-helmets

I use the coolclava now and it is a must under my helmet. The pinninfarina helmet has the cool jacket built in. Also built is is the emergency helmet removal system which is basically a wrap a fabric over the top of the head. You pull it at the ears and the helmet lifts off your head with zero torque on the neck for emergency helmet extraction.

Personally, light weight is welcome but I use a full containment seat and many formula guys now have better containment too like the SRF3 guys all using headwings. I try and relax in the seat and let G's take me where they want using the seat to hold me in place including the head wings. Anyone investing in safety should be starting with full containment seating. I think I feel what the car is doing better when I'm not deathgripping everything and stay relaxed in the seat. I also don't get out of the car all out of breath. Maybe a 2+ g formula car is physical but I don't think my 1g car should be a physical contest. Also the HANS mitigates helmet weight in a frontal impact because HANS straps are the limit and head+helmet weight are way under the HANS strap break point.

Mahler9th

I went from a Bell M3 to a CF Bell M8. No difference in functionality based on weight for me.

Might be different in an open car.

The primary reason I bought the Bell M8 CF was fit. The composite version came only in S, M, L, but the CF version came in hat sizes.

The CF M8 has a secondary benefit-- FIA rating.

LiveNupe

@Mahler9th I’m assuming your comment means that the helmet complies with FIA standards? Fair to assume FIA standards are more rigorous than SNELL?

ProCoach

FIA 8860-ABP is the highest
FIA 8860 next
FIA 8859 next
Snell SA2020

RossP

1) My previous helmet was SA2010 so it was time to get a new one.
2) I expected my new helmet to be lighter. It is.
3) Yes 100%. The less weight you have pulling on your neck the better, especially in worst case scenario. Additionally helmets are certified for 10 years and have zero issue last that long if properly cared for. So even the most expensive helmets are reasonable when you amortize the cost over that timeframe.
4) I have always had Bell as their helmets fit my head shape the best. My advice is to buy the best helmet you can afford that FITS your head.

Kein_Ersatz

1) weight - to go faster add lightness... (on your neck - Instructor / Endurance) and invest in safety first.
2) less stiff neck, yes it did.
3) yes and go even lighter.
4) went with Stilo, but will shop for lightness to replace across know brands and will try on for fit - since it is time to replace in 2025.

Jas0nn

'Cause it looks cool ...

stownsen914

It's touched on briefly in one post, but in addition to reducing neck fatigue in a high g car, honestly my main reason for having a lightweight helmet is to minimize the chance of neck injury in an accident.