Is it time to replace your race suit? Let’s get you track-ready. Our Top Track Day Helmets For 2026
Helmets are where every track day kit list starts, and for 2026 we have picked the six from our Sparco and OMP shelves that we would actually hand over the counter. Every one of them is on display in the showroom, in the colours and the size runs, so you can try before you decide.
These are track day lids: built for casual circuit use and karting, priced accordingly, and not FIA homologated, so they are not for competition where the regulations demand homologation. For everything else, they are the sensible money. This page covers the six picks, what each one is best at, and the open or closed face decision that sorts most people before the brand does.
- Six picks from Sparco and OMP, £88.80 to £174.00 inc VAT
- Track day and karting use: none of these are FIA homologated, and casual circuit driving does not need them to be
- Closed-face works in every car; open-face belongs in closed cockpits only
- All six are on display in the showroom to try on before you buy
Track day helmets explained
Track day helmets are designed for casual track use and karting. They are not FIA-approved, so they cannot be used for competitive motorsport where FIA homologation is required, and that is exactly why they cost what they do. For track day drivers they offer the essential protection without paying for a homologation the day does not ask for.
Plenty of drivers choose them over full competition lids because they are lighter on the wallet, available in more colours and sizes, and just as comfortable across a full day of sessions. For anyone enjoying non-competitive driving, they are the right balance of protection and value.
The 2026 shortlist at a glance
| Helmet | Face | From, inc VAT | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sparco X-Pro | Closed | £106.80 | The straightforward do-everything closed-face |
| Sparco Club X1 Carbon | Closed | £174.00 | Lightweight carbon for long sessions |
| OMP Circuit Evo 2 | Closed | £108.00 | Ventilation on hot days |
| Sparco J-Pro | Open | £101.40 | Visibility and airflow in closed cockpits |
| J-Pro Gulf and Martini editions | Open | £126.00 | The same helmet with heritage liveries |
| OMP Star | Open | £88.80 | The simple, affordable open-face |
Prices checked 25 August 2026, everything in stock on the day. The two liveried J-Pros wear the classic Gulf and Martini Racing colours over the standard J-Pro shell.
Sparco X-Pro Helmet
The X-Pro is the closed-face we point first-time track day drivers at. Reliable protection at an accessible price, a clean modern shell with good aerodynamic shaping, and a padded lining that stays comfortable across long sessions, which matters more than people expect: a helmet that pinches at lunchtime is a distraction by the last session.
- Design: closed-face with clear ventilation channels.
- Colours: black or white.
- Sizes: small to extra-large.
- Best for: drivers who want a straightforward closed-face that does everything.
Sparco Club X1 Carbon Helmet
For drivers who want something more refined, the Club X1 Carbon brings a high-end finish to the track day range. The carbon shell is not just for looks: it takes weight out of the helmet, and the difference shows up as less neck strain in long sessions and better comfort under higher G-forces.
- Design: carbon fibre full-face with a premium gloss finish.
- Colours: exposed carbon weave.
- Sizes: wide range for a precise fit.
- Best for: drivers who want the lightweight lid with a motorsport finish.
OMP Circuit Evo 2 Helmet
The Circuit Evo 2 is the closed-face for hot days. OMP built it around airflow, with channels that pull heat out of the helmet, which earns its keep on summer track days and long stints. The smooth outer shell pairs easily with visors and accessories.
- Design: full-face with enhanced airflow and padded interior.
- Colours: white, matt black or fluorescent yellow.
- Sizes: multiple options for a tailored fit.
- Best for: drivers who run hot and want a ventilated closed-face.
Sparco J-Pro Helmet
The J-Pro is the open-face of the range, built for ventilation and visibility. It is particularly popular with karting drivers and anyone who prefers a less enclosed feel, and the open face makes talking to an instructor between corners actually possible, which is why it turns up on so many tuition days.
- Design: open-face with padded lining.
- Colours: white or black.
- Sizes: wide range for different head shapes.
- Best for: maximum visibility and airflow in a closed cockpit, and karting.
The Gulf and Martini editions
Same J-Pro underneath, two of the most recognisable liveries in motorsport on top. The Gulf edition wears the blue and orange, the Martini Racing edition wears the stripes, and both offer everything the standard J-Pro does with a finish that stands out in any paddock. These are the helmets people pick up first in the showroom, every single week.
- Design: open-face J-Pro shell with official livery finishes.
- Colours: Gulf blue and orange, or Martini Racing stripes.
- Sizes: multiple sizes, same fit as the standard J-Pro.
- Best for: drivers who want the classic racing look on a track day budget.
OMP Star Helmet
The Star is the classic open-face done simply: lightweight, clean styling, easy to wear all day. It stays a favourite with casual track drivers and karters who do not need a fully enclosed helmet, and at £88.80 it is the cheapest way into this whole page. Sometimes less genuinely is more.
- Design: open-face with a smooth shell and soft lining.
- Colours: white, matt black or fluorescent yellow.
- Sizes: small to large.
- Best for: the simple, affordable open-face.
Open or closed face
Closed-face: works everywhere
A closed-face helmet is the most versatile option and can be used in every scenario, closed cockpit or open-top. Full coverage of the face and chin means better protection against debris, fire and high-speed airflow, and it is the safest choice if you want one helmet that covers every car you might drive.
Open-face: closed cockpits only
Open-face helmets earn their place on airflow, visibility and being able to hold a conversation, which is why karting and tuition days love them. The hard rule: they are not safe for open-top use. If your track car is a convertible or an open kit car, buy closed-face and do not look back.
Shop the 2026 shortlist
All six picks in every colour we stock, priced inc VAT. Tap through for the size runs, or come and try them on the shelf first.
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£103.27 (No Tax)PayPal Credit0% pay-in-3Amazing valueSelect options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
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£70.21 (No Tax)PayPal Credit0% pay-in-3Amazing valueTry in-storeSelect options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
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£70.21 (No Tax)PayPal Credit0% pay-in-3Amazing valueTry in-storeSelect options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
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Full Face Track Day Helmets, Full Face Karting Helmets, OMP Helmets
£86.73 (No Tax)PayPal Credit0% pay-in-3Amazing valueTry in-storeSelect options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
£82.61 (No Tax)PayPal Credit0% pay-in-3Amazing valueTry in-storeSelect options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
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Full Face Karting Helmets, Full Face Track Day Helmets, Sparco Helmets
£90.87 (No Tax)PayPal Credit0% pay-in-3Amazing valueTry in-storeSelect options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
Full Face Track Day Helmets, Full Face Karting Helmets, Sparco Helmets
From £174.00 Incl. VATPayPal Credit0% pay-in-3Amazing valueTry in-storeSelect options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
Common questions
Can I use these helmets for racing?
Not where the regulations require FIA homologation, which is most organised competition. These are track day and karting lids, priced for exactly that. If you are entering a series, tell us the class and we will point you at the homologated range instead.
Which one works in my convertible?
A closed-face, and only a closed-face: the X-Pro, Club X1 Carbon or Circuit Evo 2. Open-face helmets are not safe for open-top use, however good the weather looks.
Are these any good for karting?
Yes, karting is half the reason this range exists. The J-Pro and the Star are the karting favourites for airflow and visibility, and the closed-face options work if you prefer full coverage. Check your kart circuit's own helmet rules before you travel.
How do I get the size right?
Come and try them on. Every helmet in this guide is on display in the showroom in its size run, and a helmet that fits properly should be snug on the cheeks without pressure points on the forehead. If you cannot get to us, ring 0115 9893488 with a tape measurement around the widest part of your head and we will size you over the phone.
Which one helmet covers everything?
A closed-face, because it works in every car and every scenario in this guide. The X-Pro at £106.80 if you want the sensible money, the Club X1 Carbon at £174.00 if the weight saving is worth it to you.
What we would buy
One helmet for everything: the Sparco X-Pro at £106.80. It is the straightforward closed-face that covers every car and every day, and nobody has ever brought one back wishing they had spent less.
Long sessions or a hot neck: the Club X1 Carbon at £174.00 for the weight, or the Circuit Evo 2 at £108.00 for the airflow. Closed cockpit and you value visibility: the J-Pro at £101.40, and the Gulf or Martini editions at £126.00 buy the same helmet with a livery you will not lose in a busy paddock. Tightest budget: the OMP Star at £88.80 and change left over for fuel.
Final thoughts: try them on
Helmets are the one product where the showroom genuinely beats the website, because fit decides everything and heads are not standard. The full range is under track day helmets, split into full-face and open-face.
Ring 0115 9893488 or call in, try the sizes, and walk out with the right one first time. If you are kitting out for your first track day, say so and we will sort the whole list while you are here.
