My grandson age 14 is looking at Zamp helmets. Would like a helmet for him. He will be doing Gas Rental Karts and Electric Rentals with some testing on real gas race karts. Which are good ones from Zamp that are current certification. That you would recommend he wears a X-Large Adult Helmet. Would like to get one for the cheapest price of course..
Zamp’s stuff is fine from a quality perspective but I personally don’t like the big goofy chin bar most of their stuff has, as I think it is more likely to contact the collarbone in a flip. The quality and fitment and design etc all are a step below Bell/Arai/Stilo/Schuberth, but not everyone needs the nicest of the nicest stuff.
Most important is how it fits. I strongly recommend trying on a few brands to see which fits your grandson’s head best. Each brand has a slightly different interior shape.
Unless there is a specification for the helmet safety rating any full-face motorcycle helmet will work. Key is fit. New, a helmet should almost be too tight. If the helmet can move on the head it is to big.
Safety and fitment (which is part of safety) are the two most important factors. I have not used ZAMP, but they do look to be an affordable option. Check into BELL as well. I have one of their motorsport helmets with an oversized face shield that gives a lot of visibility.
Brands I have used in the past for karting include BELL and SIMPSON and I think both of those have affordable options. A “cheap” helmet to me is anything under $500 though fyi. Anything under around $300 I am skeptical of in terms of quality.
I’ve been a Zamp user since I started racing in 2016. Good helmets for the price, as TJ said earlier the chin bar is an interesting feature, but some models definitely have it more pronounced than others. Their dirt-focused models (RZ-65, 67) in particular use a big chin bar, but it gets progressively smaller as the model number goes down. I personally like Zamp because of the fit around the ears and the modular interior, but I don’t have a ton of experience with other helmet brands to definitively point out differences in fit, quality, and features.
All 3 in my family are using Zamp. I find the fit good, especially for junior sizes. I wear a 59 and mine is great, not heavy. I have had no issues with the chin bar. I think we need new ones in a year as we had the older certification ones
I find HJC to be a good value proposition…so much so that I became a dealer when I was actively painting helmets… YMMV.
We started with Zamp. Ok helmet. There are some quality issues that have come up after 4 years of use. Have had to replace the soft pads inside once. Have had issues with visors cracking at the hinge. The screens over the vents look like they were just hot glued inside the helmet, they have come loose during year 4. We have put 60 plus race weekends, lots of wet sessions, and I don’t know how many practice sessions/hours in with that helmet.
Next helmet will be my son’s purchase and not mine, he is looking at the Bell line. I know the folks at Driven Racing have some pretty good pricing right now. @Max_Martinis can assist you on any product questions you have. We have been more than pleased with the other custom gear we have gotten through them.
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Hi Chuck! Thanks for the recommendation 
As many know, BELL is the global leader in racing helmet technology — all helmets are built at their Bahrain facility, where over 80% of the F1 grid, plus many NASCAR and IndyCar drivers, use Bell.
As Chuck mentioned, we currently running the final sale of the SNELL SA2020 and FIA 8859-2015 BELL AND B2 racing helmets (These Helmets are good to Use at least until 2030), and we’ve now started offering the new SA2025 and FIA 8859-2024 models as well.
→ FINAL SALE -30% of SNELL SA2020, K2020 & FIA 8859-2015 - Bell & B2 Racing Helmets for Karting & Auto
Please dont hesittate to contact us at [email protected] or Call/Text: 1(469) 694-0810
Best,
Max Martinis
We have been happy with the Zamp helmets. We have owned 4. As mentioned he fit is the most important part.
My son had a bad wreck a few years back and Zamp gave us 50% off the replacement helmet and visor (we had changed it out for a tinted one). The discount sure helped since we needed to replace the suit, gloves and neck guard that were also damaged.
I’m a Zamp only guy, been through two or three zamp helmets that I’ve really enjoyed. I’ve always had the SA versions, and next year I have to get a new one as mine will be out of date at the end of the year. They do have different models with and without the extended chin.
Never owned a Zamp Helmet, but considering Zamp - ZR-72 Helmet… Or Zamp - RZ-57V HelmetI want to go SA Rated incase I do any Champ Car Races. My Current helmet, BELL, expires this year.
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When you consider Price, quality, and fitment ZAMP is really good In my opinion.
We are on the second Helmet from them, with a good pricetag compared to others we Can afford to change it more often
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I’ve been using a Zamp helmet for three years and have had no issues. It fits well, I feel safe.
I would go for the lightest helmet you can afford.
If he will be racing in cold, or damp environments, consider one with Pinlock support. Zamp doesn’t have Pinlock support but they do sell an insert which attaches to the inside of the visor to create the same result.
As someone said to me when I was buying my first helmet, “$10 melon, get a $10 helmet”. Note, I am not suggesting a Zamp is for a $10 melon. I don’t know much about Zamp other than they seem to be often at concession kart tracks.
I have owned lots of different helmet brands and thought they were all good until I tried on an Arai. It was love at first fitting. I will probably only buy Arai from now on. They have different shapes for different melon shapes. Check out their website.
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A Arai is also 40% more expensive, so its not for those on a budget.
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I feel like Werner Herzog telling his film students to steal the camera equipment if, that’s what it takes to get the film made. Same rule applies to SK-6. Get one by any means, they are that well made. I swear my arai faceshield could stop a .22.
You can really say that about any of the big 4 helmet manufacturers: Schuberth, Stilo, Arai, or Bell. The 8860 regs are tough and their helmets are held to a crazy high standard which includes the visors. They have to withstand a 1.2 gram pellet at 500 kph and not allow penetration into the helmet. I haven’t seen anyone differentiate between standard and 8860 visors so I imagine every visor from those brands meets the 8860 regs.
As far as Zamp goes, they’re decent. I never liked them myself but I was also always in a position to spend more on a helmet than needing to find a budget option. You can grab an SA2020 helmet for a little over $300 right now. It’s good deal but you’ll find yourself needing a new one at the end of 2030. You won’t be worried about safety with a Zamp, they’re good enough for that, but like everyone else said I would make sure the fit is good before buying one.
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I’ve always lived by this philosophy as well, Paul, which is why I’ve stuck with Arai. I do not have experience with Zamp either, but fortunately have never put the Arais to the test in a significant manner.