The 4 Most Popular HANS Devices for 2025: Head and Neck Protection
Safety equipment, February 2025
A HANS or FHR (frontal head restraint) device is one of the pieces of kit most competitors now have to wear. It sits on your shoulders under the harness and is tethered to posts on your helmet, so that in a heavy frontal impact your head is held back with your body.
We sell several makes, but going into the 2025 season four devices make up most of what we sell. Here is what each one is, who it suits, and how the Simpson Hybrid differs from the other three.
- Our four most asked-for devices going into 2025
- Schroth Super Sport XLT, HANS IV, Stand21 Club Series 3 and Simpson Hybrid Sport
- All four are approved to FIA 8858-2010
- The first three are 20 degree devices, suited to upright seating positions
- The Simpson Hybrid Sport rests on the back and shoulders and is sized by chest measurement
Schroth Super Sport XLT
The Super Sport XLT is Schroth’s clubman device and one of the lightest in its price range, at around 800 grams. It is a 20 degree device, which suits most saloon, hatch and rally cars where you sit fairly upright.
It comes with Nomex covered shoulder pads, sliding tethers so you can turn your head further, and two pairs of winglets to keep the harness straps in place. It uses Schroth’s Twist style clips, which are supplied and need fitting to your helmet before use. Sizes are medium and large, by collar size. It is approved to FIA 8858-2010.
HANS IV
The HANS IV replaces the HANS III. HANS says it is about 10% lighter than the III, and it has taller wings to hold the harness straps, foam compound pads and sliding tethers. It is also a 20 degree device, approved to FIA 8858-2010.
It comes in three sizes by collar: small from 13 to 15.5 inches, medium from 15 to 17.5 inches and large from 17 to 18 inches, weighing between 720 and 765 grams with pads.
Stand21 Club Series 3
The Club Series 3 is Stand21’s economical device for club competitors. It is injection moulded from a composite mix with a section removed from the back, which brings it down to about 640 grams. It is a 20 degree device with built-in sliding tethers, approved to FIA 8858-2010.
What people like about it in the car is the wider belt slots and wings, which make it easier to get the harness to sit right. Sizes are medium, 15 to 18 inch collar, and large, over 18 inches.
Simpson Hybrid Sport
The Hybrid Sport works differently. It rests on your back and shoulders, not on your collarbones, and Simpson designs its hybrid devices to protect in frontal, offset and side impacts. It is approved to FIA 8858-2010 and SFI 38.1.
It can be ordered to fit standard HANS posts, or with Simpson's M61 quick release system, which lets you release the device by pulling a cord. That suits rallying, where the helmet comes on and off a lot. It is sized by chest measurement over your racewear, from extra small to extra large.
Standard or hybrid
| 20 degree FHR device | Simpson Hybrid Sport | |
|---|---|---|
| Where it sits | On the collarbones, under the harness | On the back and shoulders |
| Sized by | Collar size | Chest measurement |
| Helmet fittings | HANS posts or the maker's own clips | Standard HANS posts or M61 quick release |
| Approval | FIA 8858-2010 | FIA 8858-2010 and SFI 38.1 |
Both types work with a proper harness, and neither is a substitute for one. Garreth’s advice is to choose with your seat in mind: the device has to sit comfortably with the harness in the right place, so bring your helmet in and try it with the belts where they will be in the car. Our guide on which HANS device you need covers angles and sizing in more depth.
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Are these four devices FIA approved?
Yes. All four are approved to FIA 8858-2010, and the Simpson Hybrid Sport is also SFI 38.1 approved.
What does 20 degrees mean on a HANS device?
It is the angle the device is made for, and 20 degrees suits the fairly upright seating position of most saloon, hatch and rally cars.
How is a HANS device sized?
Most FHR devices are sized by collar measurement, while the Simpson Hybrid Sport is sized by chest measurement over your racewear.
Does my helmet need anything fitted?
Yes. The helmet needs HANS posts or the clips for your device, such as Schroth’s Twist clips, fitted before you use it.
For most saloon and rally drivers a 20 degree FHR device is the right starting point.
Bring your helmet and seat details and we will help you pick the device, the size and the right posts or clips.
