Helmet discussion...

[TroyV]

I bought a helmet back in the spring when I bought my HANS. It is an HJC AR10 (SA2005). I like the helmet, and it is comfy, but has no ventilation near the mouth, so I continually fog my glasses up, even when the visor is flipped up. It is annoying. The problem eventually goes away when I'm out on track and there is air flow in the cabin. I brought that helmet to one autocross this season, and there wasn't enough airflow to keep my glasses from fogging.

My old helmet is a G-Force Hybrid (SA2000). For autocross I had switched back to using it. It feels like the G-force is quite heavy, and even with the kart neck brace, I'm quite a bit more fatigued after a typical autocross with it, than I was using the HJC.

I'm kind of feeling like I want a new helmet that has mouth vents, but also would like to find something lighter. The CF helmets out there seem gimicky, quite expensive, and I can't seem to find any data on how much lighter they are over the standard models.

Has anyone on the list done any research on helmets to this end?

That said, I'd be willing to let go of my AR10 (size medium) with or without HANS mounts. It'd probably be great for a person that uses contacts when driving, or doesn't need glasses..

[breakaway500]

My full face Simpson Stingray CF (size L,is 3lbs,which is 10oz lighter than my G-force full face.It was about the lightest I could find without spending BIG money.I got a deal on mine off Ebay for $600. Try an anti fog treatment on your visor.I find it works wonders! Maybe run with the top down on your Miata for more air...

[TroyV]

Sorry, but my Miata is not a convertible, and never will be.

I'll take a look at the stingray.

[6PAK72]

Troy, this sounds weird but it works. I used to race and ride motorcycles, and it's a constant problem.

The issue is you breathing through your mouth, not your nose. All the moisture from your lungs just vents. Try breathing through your nose. Hard to do.

Second, I drilled 6 holes 3/16" across the bottom of my plastic face shield and it helped a lot.

Third, Breakaway is right - try RainX on the inside of the shieild, but put it on a day before you use the helmet, or get ready to drive high!!!

Good Luck!

[TroyV]

Thanks for the tips.

I guess I'm a mouth breather...

[breakaway500]

Every Miata ever made has been a 'vert. Just because some decide to put a shell on the car does not make it a coupe.
Do you need to use a face shield? I use a 3/4 helmet (SA 2005 approved) and no shield in my Miata, top down mostly,no problems. I don't even wear glasses. The Atom requires full face shield.

[Mick]

[breakaway500]

^That person needs some sun!

[StephanAlfa]

If you find that breathing thru the nose is too hard perhaps you can invest in a snorkel, cut it short to fit and put it downwards.
I like Micks suggestion

All kidding aside: I wonder if your helmet has a section of padding just below the visor that can be removed (or shrunk down somehow) allowing more space for air.

[Stynger]

Thanks for the tips.

I guess I'm a mouth breather...

http://www.ascycles.com/detail.aspx?ID=1520

phpBB [video]

[Dave_G]

I continually fog my glasses up, even when the visor is flipped up.

All the visor treatments in the world aren't going to keep his glasses from fogging up, which I understand is the main problem. I also drive with glasses, though I haven't experienced fogging issues. FWIW, my helmet is a Simpson Voyager, but I don't think there's anything particularly significant about that.

While I haven't had this problem driving, I battled with it for years while skiing. My goggles were fine, but my glasses were constantly fogging up. The main thing you need is ventilation to carry your moist breath away from your glasses. Try turning the ventilation fan on high and pointing it at your face. For skiing, I eventually broke down and got contacts, which was the only thing that really solved the problem for me.

[Stynger]

Thanks for the tips.

I guess I'm a mouth breather...

You need a breath gaurd. I don't think your helmet has that option, maybe you could design something?

http://stores.sportbiketrackgear.com/Detail.bok?no=2321

[brucesallen]

Since I have a topless, windshield-less car and race in the rain I tried all of the techniques above to little avail until I found Fogcity last year. Wonderful- for $20. I won a National race at Mosport last year in heavy rain- especially on the start, mainly because I could see. (only one spinout)

[962porsche]

over the 30 years plus i have been airbrushung helmets .i do know that almost all helmet manufactures also offer breath diffusers (deflector) for people that wear glasses . check out pyrotect part #12000005 . they do work quight well from what i'm told .

[John F]

Try cleaning your glasses with a drop of Dawn dishwashing soap. That's what fishing boats use on the inside of the windshield. I do it on my diving mask and it works well. There is also some anti-fog stuff sold at dive shops that I've tried, but Dawn works just as well. My glasses don't fog up unless I leave the visor down on a moist day.