Best Full Face Motorsport Helmets 2026
Search for “best motorsport helmet” and you will mostly get motorcycle helmets. This guide is about the other kind: full face helmets built for circuit racing, made to FIA and Snell car racing standards, with HANS device compatibility and a fireproof interior, not anything you would wear on a motorbike.
We’ve picked six full face helmets we stock that between them cover club racing on a budget through to a top-tier FIA 8860 lid. Every price and approval below is what’s on the product listing today; check the individual product page before you buy in case a size or colour has moved on since.
For the detail on what FIA 8859 and 8860 actually mean, and how a Snell SA rating differs from the Snell M standard used for motorcycles, see our separate posts on FIA and Snell helmet standards and how to choose a motorsport helmet. We won’t repeat all of that here.
- All six helmets below are full face, FIA-approved, and supplied with HANS posts fitted.
- Snell SA (Special Application) is the car racing rating and is a different scale to Snell M for motorcycles, so a motorcycle helmet's Snell rating tells you nothing about track use.
- FIA 8860 is the higher of the two current FIA full face standards and is required in some top-level championships; FIA 8859-2024 covers the vast majority of club and national racing.
- Prices below are correct on 6 September 2026 and taken directly from the GSM Performance product pages.
The six helmets
These span £337 to £3,215 and four brands, so there’s a genuine budget-to-premium spread rather than six versions of the same helmet.
| Helmet | Price | Approval | Where it fits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sparco Stealth RF Helmet | £337 | FIA 8859-2024 | Entry-level club racing |
| OMP GP-R Helmet | £338 | FIA 8859-2015 | Budget club racing, older FIA standard |
| Bell GT6 Sport Helmet | £415 | FIA 8859-2024 | Popular mid-budget club racer |
| Bell RS7 Pro Helmet | £650 | Snell SA2020 and FIA 8859-2024 | Serious club and national racing |
| Stilo ST6 GT Composite Helmet | £832 | Snell SA2020 and FIA 8859-2024 | National racing, lighter composite shell |
| Bell HP7 Evo IV Carbon Helmet | £3,215 | FIA 8860-2018 | Top-tier, where 8860 is mandated or you want the best available |
Prices and approvals correct on 6 September 2026, taken from the GSM Performance product pages.
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From £415.00 Incl. VATPayPal CreditKlarna ReadySelect options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
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From £650.00 Incl. VATPayPal CreditKlarna ReadySelect options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
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From £3,215.00 Incl. VATPayPal CreditKlarna ReadySelect options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
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From £337.00 Incl. VATPayPal CreditKlarna ReadyTry in-storeSelect options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
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From £832.00 Incl. VATPayPal CreditKlarna ReadySelect options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
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From £338.00 Incl. VATPayPal CreditKlarna ReadyTry in-storeSelect options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
Budget club racing: Sparco Stealth RF and OMP GP-R
The Sparco Stealth RF at £337 is current FIA 8859-2024 spec, which matters if your championship’s regs have moved past accepting the older 8859-2015 standard. The OMP GP-R is a similar price at £338 but carries the earlier FIA 8859-2015 approval, so check your specific championship’s regulations before assuming either one is accepted; some series have already stopped accepting 8859-2015 for new entries.
The mid-range most people actually buy: Bell GT6 Sport and RS7 Pro
The Bell GT6 Sport at £415 is the helmet we sell more of than any other in this list, current FIA 8859-2024 approval at a price most club racers can justify without a second thought. Step up to the Bell RS7 Pro at £650 and you add a Snell SA2020 rating alongside the FIA approval, which some drivers want as extra reassurance even where their series doesn’t require it.
National racing and above: Stilo ST6 GT and FIA 8860
The Stilo ST6 GT Composite at £832 carries both Snell SA2020 and FIA 8859-2024 approval in a lighter composite shell, a step up for drivers racing more often or at a higher level. At the top of this list, the Bell HP7 Evo IV Carbon at £3,215 is FIA 8860-2018 approved, the higher of the two current FIA full face standards. Some of the top single-seater and endurance championships mandate 8860; check your own series’ technical regulations rather than assuming, since requirements vary by championship and change over time.
HANS and in-car communication
All six helmets here come with HANS posts fitted, so you can bolt on tethers without sending the helmet away for drilling first. Communication provision varies by model, some are supplied with a radio or intercom-ready fitting and some aren’t, so check the Communication attribute on the individual product page before you buy if you need to wire in a rally intercom or a track day radio.
Common questions
What's the difference between FIA 8859 and FIA 8860?
8860 is the higher of the two current FIA full face standards, built to a tougher shell and impact test than 8859-2024. Full detail is in our FIA and Snell standards post; the short version is that 8859-2024 covers the vast majority of club and national racing, and 8860 sits above it and is mandated in some top-level championships.
Is a Snell SA rated helmet also good for motorcycle use?
No. Snell SA is the car racing rating and is a different scale to Snell M for motorcycles. A Snell SA helmet is not tested or rated for motorcycle impacts, and a motorcycle helmet's Snell M rating tells you nothing about its suitability on track.
Do these helmets come with HANS posts?
Yes, all six listed here are supplied with HANS posts fitted, so you can bolt on HANS tethers without sending the helmet away first.
Which one should I buy for club racing?
For most club racers we'd point you at the Bell GT6 Sport or Sparco Stealth RF. Both are current FIA 8859-2024 approved and priced for someone racing on a budget instead of chasing a works drive.
Do I need an intercom-ready helmet?
Only if your discipline needs in-car communication, rally co-driving or coached track days being the common cases. Communication provision varies between these helmets, so check the Communication attribute on the product page before you buy.
What size should I order?
Measure around your head just above the eyebrows in centimetres and match it to the size chart on the product page. If you're between sizes, call us before you order instead of guessing.
What we would buy
Our honest picks: for most club racers on a budget, we’d point you at the Bell GT6 Sport at £415. It’s current FIA 8859-2024 spec and a helmet we sell a lot of without complaints coming back. If you want the extra margin of Snell SA2020 alongside FIA approval without going to the very top, the Bell RS7 Pro at £650 is worth the jump. If your championship mandates FIA 8860, or you simply want the best shell available and the budget stretches to it, the Bell HP7 Evo IV Carbon is the one to have.
Final thoughts
If you’re not sure which approval your championship or club needs, check your scrutineer’s regs before you buy instead of after. Call 0115 9893488 and ask for Garreth if you want a hand matching a helmet to your specific series.
