So after my accident at Sebring, I am down to 1 open face helmet. Obviously with the SA2015 helmets being released last week the prices have come down considerably on the SA2010 helmets.

Do I buy a hugely discounted SA2010 that will only be good for 5 years(still a good amount of time) or buy the SA2015 and be good for 10. Thoughts? Some of the prices are 50% off but they are the higher end helmets so that would be a no brainer. Struggling with this decision for some reason.

 

I'm in the same boat as you!


Do you buy for 5 years or 10 years. Depends on cost

 

This kind of question on Snell ratings comes up every five years. Here's my take: a deeply discounted SA10 helmet will be a far better deal than paying near full retail for a SA15. Why?

-The safety standards between the two certifications are negligible. No huge advances in helmet safety this time around.
-Thinking you are saving BIG MONEY by keeping a SA15 helmet around for a decade doesn't make sense. Helmet materials (particularly the liner) still degrade and once the helmet stops fitting tightly, it's time to replace it. In my experience, that happens after about five years.
-Depending on your sanctioning body, you may still be able to use a SA10 helmet after 2020.

 

That's what I was thinking. Makin sure I wasn't missing something obvious.

 

I need to start looking for a helmet soon, mine is a 2005 that I bought in 2007

 

Problem is most the SA2010 are already gone!

 

The price difference in most cases isn't that big from what I've seen. My 2005 is expiring as well, and I plan to just pay an extra $60 or whatever, for 5 more years of use. It's worth it to me.

 

Unless you talk high end helmets, they are going for significant discounts.

 

Touche, yeah - I was more talking the lower end of the $300-$600 range.

 

3-600 is low!?

 

If you're talking about SA (special application) helmets, $200-500 is the low end of the market. SA15 helmets that are custom fit, with microphones, headsets and other options built into a purpose-built shell can run a couple grand for a single helmet. What's more, they're worth it.

 

Just a note to all those who still use SA05 helmets. The latest SCCA GCR notes a change stating that spec will remain compliant thorough 2016, but will expire 1/1/17. So for SCCA racing, time trials and PDX, as long as the helmet still fits tightly, you can run it in 2016.

Most sanctioning bodies seem to follow SCCA's lead on this, but you should check to be sure.

 

I still need a helmet

 

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