How to Use a Racing Helmet | Fit, Strap, And Safety Basics

A racing helmet only protects you if it stays put. A loose fit or an unsecured chin strap lets the helmet move independently of your head, which is exactly when it fails you in a crash. The correct way to wear one comes down to three things: proper positioning, a firm fit, and a properly fastened D-ring strap. Here’s how to get all three right, plus the standards you need to know before you race.

The Right Way To Put On A Racing Helmet

Putting a helmet on correctly is a specific sequence, not just “pull it over your head.” Bell Racing EU’s owner’s manual outlines the proper method, which starts before the helmet even touches your head.

Grasp the helmet by both chin straps and pull it on over your head. This keeps the straps accessible and gives you control. Once it’s on, position it low on the brow so your eyes sit near the center of the eye opening. The helmet should touch the top of your head with uniform firm pressure all around—no excessive pressure points, no gaps at the temples, brow, or neck.

If you’re between sizes, try the smaller helmet first. A snug fit is the goal, and a slightly smaller size often fits better once the padding compresses.

How To Fasten The Chin Strap Correctly

The D-ring system is the standard for racing helmets, and it only works when threaded correctly. Feed the strap through both D-rings, loop it back through the inner D-ring, and pull it tight so the strap sits comfortably against your throat. The strap must stay snug at all times while the helmet is on.

After fastening, try to pull the helmet up off your head from the back—if it lifts or slides forward over your eyes, it’s too loose. Properly fitted, a helmet should not come off no matter how you tug.

The strap should contact your throat directly, not sit on a cup under your chin.

Fit Checks And Common Mistakes

Your helmet needs to fit like it’s part of your head, not a hat. That low position is critical—many drivers wear helmets too high, which leaves the brow exposed and lets the helmet shift.

The cheek pads should press firmly against your cheeks. One good indicator of a proper fit: when you shake your head, your scalp and skin should move with the helmet. If the helmet moves independently of your head, it’s too loose.

Common mistakes that compromise safety:

• Wearing the helmet too high on the forehead instead of low on the brow.
• Leaving the chin strap loose or not fully looped through both D-rings.
• Buying by label alone without checking the actual fit against your head.
• Using a helmet with pressure gaps or one that can be pulled off from the back.

Also, avoid modifications. Bell’s manual warns against applying paint, stickers, or adhesive tape to the shell or visor—these can weaken the helmet’s structure or obscure your vision.

For a helmet that fits properly, the visor should be operable with one gloved hand, ready for race conditions.

Standards: Which Racing Helmet Rating Do You Need?

The approved standard for a racing helmet depends entirely on your sanctioning body and class. Never assume a motorcycle helmet is acceptable for racing—the rules must explicitly allow it. For karting or race use, standards may include Snell SA, SFI 31.1, or FIA 8859/8860 depending on the series.

The Snell Foundation’s SA2010 standard is a common benchmark. The FIA also publishes helmet guidelines for its sanctioned events. Some series require a manufacturer’s label and a visible date of manufacture on the helmet—check the rules before you buy.

Specific examples for 2025 competition seasons, per the Snell Foundation’s SA2010 standard, include:

• SCCA Solo, RallyCross, Time Trials (Safety Level 1): 2010 or newer Snell rated helmet (K, M, or SA).
• SCCA race experience driver safety gear: Snell SA2015/SAH2015, SFI 31.1/2015 or newer, or FIA 8859-2015 / FIA 8860-2010 or newer.

That’s just one series. Always verify the current rulebook for your class—standards change, and helmets have approval dates for a reason. A helmet that’s out of spec is a helmet that can’t protect you the way the series intends.

If you prefer a classic look for vintage racing, check out our tested roundup of the best vintage racing helmets that meet modern safety standards—style doesn’t have to mean outdated protection.