Go-kart driver wearing a custom painted Arai race helmet with a bold teeth design and reflective visor, sitting in kart at the starting grid during a motorsport event.

How to Check Your Race Helmet Fits | Motorsport Helmet Safety & Custom Paint | Race Helmets Ltd

How to Check Your New Race Helmet Fits Correctly (and Keeps You Legal on Track)

So, you’ve just unboxed that fresh motorsport helmet. The paint is gleaming (maybe even a custom painted helmet from Race Helmets Ltd), the visor sparkles, and you’re itching to hit the track. But before you go channeling your inner Verstappen, Hamilton, or Rossi, let’s make sure your helmet not only looks the part—but actually fits, keeps you safe, and is 100% legal for your race series.

Because here’s the truth: a poorly fitted helmet is as useful as slicks in a rainstorm.

Step 1: The Helmet Fit Check

Getting the right fit isn’t rocket science, but it does take a little patience. Here’s your checklist:

  • Snug, not strangling: Your helmet should feel tight all around your head with no pressure points. If it moves independently when you shake your head, it’s too loose.

  • Cheek squeeze: The pads should press your cheeks inwards slightly (think of an overenthusiastic aunt at Christmas). They’ll bed in over time.

  • Forehead & crown: No gaps! A helmet that rides high or lets you slip fingers between padding and skin isn’t safe.

  • The “roll-off test”: Buckle the chin strap, then try to roll the helmet forward and off your head. If it comes off—you’ve just failed the test.

  • Vision check: You should have full peripheral vision without having to strain. If you feel like a horse with blinkers, size up.

Step 2: Safety Standards and Race Series Regulations

Different race series mandate different helmet classifications, so checking the sticker inside your lid is as important as checking tyre pressures.

Here are the main certifications you’ll come across:

  • Snell SA2020: The most widely accepted standard in motorsport. If you’re racing in the UK or internationally, this is often the gold standard.

  • FIA 8859-2015: Common for club-level and national racing.

  • FIA 8860-2018 / 8860-2018 ABP: Formula 1-grade helmets. These meet the toughest standards, including protection against very high impact and ballistic penetration (yes, really).

  • ECE 22.06: Road-legal but increasingly accepted for karting and some grassroots categories.

  • FIA Karting Homologations: Specific approvals for kart racing—always check your championship’s rulebook!

👉 The bottom line? Always read your series regulations. The last thing you want is to fail scrutineering because your helmet is the wrong standard.

Step 3: Brand Breakdown – Who’s Who in Race Helmets

Now the fun part—choosing your lid. We work with all the big players, and here’s our take on the leading brands:

Arai Helmets

The connoisseur’s choice. Arai are handmade in Japan with obsessive attention to detail. They fit slightly rounder heads best and are loved for their comfort and uncompromising safety. An Arai race helmet with a custom paint job? Pure class.

Bell Helmets

Worn by F1 legends past and present, Bell is synonymous with motorsport heritage. Their helmets are lightweight, aerodynamic, and perfect for drivers who want pro-level performance. They also fit oval-shaped heads really well.

HJC Helmets

A relative newcomer in motorsport but a giant in motorcycling, HJC brings cutting-edge technology and value to the paddock. Their motorsport helmets are making waves in karting and entry-level racing. Solid, dependable, and stylish.

Alpinestars Helmets

Famous for race suits, gloves, and boots, Alpinestars have stormed into the helmet game with FIA-approved designs that are ultra-light and aggressively styled. A great choice if you want a head-to-toe Alpinestars setup.

Step 4: Don’t Forget the Paintwork 🎨

Once you’ve found the perfect helmet that fits your head and your regulations, why not make it yours? At Race Helmets Ltd, we specialise in custom painted race helmets—from bold designs to intricate one-off creations. Because your helmet isn’t just safety gear, it’s part of your racing identity.

Final Lap

To recap:

  • Get the fit right (snug but comfy).

  • Check your series regulations (Snell, FIA, ECE—it matters).

  • Pick a brand that matches your head shape and racing style.

  • Then… make it yours with a custom paint design.

The right helmet doesn’t just protect you—it gives you confidence every time you strap in. And when it looks as good as it feels? Well, that’s a win before you’ve even seen the chequered flag.

👉 Ready to get started? Explore custom painted helmets at Race Helmets Ltd today.

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