We all know that when it comes to protective safety wear, being in a male-dominated sport can have its disadvantages as a woman.   These items are typically designed for men, and there isn’t much information out there on how each of them actually fit and function for women.    After the success of our Women’s Fire Suit Review, we decided to continue the series onto the next critical component common to racers:   Women’s Helmet Review.

We again reached out to our network of fellow female racers and women in motorsports for their feedback on Women’s Racing Helmets.   Each woman provided her input on their helmet’s weight, comfort, quality, and overall satisfaction on a scale from 1-5, with 1 being completely dissatisfied and 5 being completely satisfied.

Bell

Helmet:  Bell RS7 | Snell SA2010 and FIA8858-2010 certified

Reviewed by:  Renee Dupuis |  NASCAR Modifieds Driver

WEIGHT: COMFORT:  QUALITY:  OVERALL: 

Renee’s Comments:  “Fabulous helmet – Bell fits me better than other brands, so I’ve used them exclusively for years.”

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Helmet:  Bell Moto 9 | DOT   Snell M2015

Reviewed by:  Sara Price |  Professional Motocross Supercross Racer

WEIGHT: COMFORT:  QUALITY:  OVERALL: 

Sara’s Comments: “Bell having a long track record with safety on their product, I would never hesitate to choose any of their product! I mainly use the Moto 9 but when I have to use a Auto specific helmet I happily choose the BR1! They are build very well and high end and feel safe with my brain inside one!”

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Helmet:  Bell RS7 Carbon | Snell SA2010 and FIA8858-2010 certified

Reviewed by:  McKenna Haase |  Dirt Sprint Car Driver

WEIGHT: COMFORT:  QUALITY:  OVERALL: 

McKenna’s Comments:  “When I first received my RS7, I felt it was uncomfortable due to the pressure it applied to my forehead. However, I talked to the employees at Bell, and they had me send it back so they could work on it. Within two days, they had reshaped my helmet perfectly and it has fit great ever since. I recently flipped my sprint car violently five times end over end and walked away without any brain injury.”

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G-Force

Helmet:  G-Force Pro Eliminator | Snell SA2010

Reviewed by:  Tarra Springstroh | Asphalt Circle track driver

WEIGHT: COMFORT:  QUALITY:  OVERALL: 

Tarra’s Comments: “Love my gforce helmet! Got a new one for 2016 which is the carbon fiber!”

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Helmet:  G-Force Pro Eliminator | Snell SA2010

Reviewed by:  Krista Elyse | NMRA Drag Racing Driver

WEIGHT: COMFORT:  QUALITY:  OVERALL: 

Krista’s Comments:  “This helmet saved me from severe head trauma during my crash this season that totaled my race car. I walked away with a minor concussion instead of something worse, due to smacking my head so hard on the front of the 10 point roll cage. I am extremely satisfied and would purchase the helmet again. Proof that you don’t have to buy an $800 helmet to be sufficiently protected.”

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Impact

Helmet:  Impact Super Sport | Snell SA2010

Reviewed by:  Sunny Hobbs | Road/Sport/Stockcar Racer

WEIGHT: COMFORT:  QUALITY:  OVERALL: 

Sunny’s Comments: “This helmet fits the bill for me. It’s snug and comfortable, and works well with my Hans. The padding around my face is firm which gives it a good fit, but the fabric is still soft and pliable. My peripheral vision is great. The chin strap rings tend to twist sometimes which is cumbersome,but overall it’s a good quality helmet.”

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Simpson

Helmet:  Simpson Carbon Drag Bandit | Snell SA2010

Reviewed by:  Elaine Larsen | IHRA Jet Drag Racer

WEIGHT: COMFORT:  QUALITY:  

OVERALL: 

Elaine’s Comments:  “Simpson is the best when it comes to fitting women in Motor Sports. They go the extra mile to make sure that the fit is perfect as we don’t fit regular sizes. They do this at no extra charge to the customer. I have had extra padding installed in my helmets as my face is thinner than a man and the strap able to be pulled tighter. They make safety and comfort their first priority. They also make sure you look really good wearing their products.”

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Helmet:  Simpson Outlaw Bandit | Snell SA2010

Reviewed by:  Janette Thornley | Nitro Harley Drag Racer

WEIGHT: COMFORT:  QUALITY:  OVERALL: 

Janette’s Comments:  “In motorcycle drag racing, it’s important to have a larger opening to see through above the eyes. This helmet is sufficient to get the job done but another 1/2″ would be even better. The fit is perfect and feels good when wearing it but again, once on the motorcycle and in the stage position, I have to push the chin part of the helmet up some in order to see the staging tree. At that point, the back of the helmet can pinch my ponytail but once the adjustment is complete I’m set and the helmet is not a distraction and I’ve never had an issue.”

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Helmet:  Simpson Bandit| Snell SA2015

Reviewed by:  Carly Jo Ellingson | Super Pro Drag Racer

WEIGHT: COMFORT:  QUALITY:  

OVERALL: 

Carly Jo’s Comments:  “I love my Simpson Bandit helmet! I feel that it was a very smart choice and I’m happy I made the switch a number of years ago, after making the decision to move up through the ranks of NHRA drag racing! My only complaint would be that after several years of use in the scorching heat of our summer race seasons, I noticed that the padding adhesive was actually seeping through the padding. With that being said, I still recommend the Simpson Bandit to other racers, and I am thankful for its strong build! That helmet saved my life during a rollover accident in 2013, so I will definitely stand by it and represent it as living proof of its excellent quality!

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Stilo

Helmet:  Stilo ST4 GT | Snell SA2010

Reviewed by:  Cindi Lux | Road Racer/Instructor

WEIGHT: COMFORT:  QUALITY:  OVERALL: 

Cindi’s Comments:  “I have worn many different types of helmets over my career. This Stilo is one of the best in all areas. Comfort, safety and features.”

Do you have Comments/Notes to add to this discussion?  Make sure you comment below and give us your feedback!