Go-karting is an exciting pastime. Not only that, it can be great fun for all ages. However, as with any sport, getting the necessary gear can be expensive.
A quality helmet is one of the most critical pieces of equipments a driver can have. There are multitudes of safety equipment for racers, but nothing is as important as protecting your head. That said, a helmet can break the bank if you aren’t sure what to look for.
Some helmets can exceed $500. It is not to say that one does not get what one pays for. That also does not mean spending much money is the only way to get a good helmet.
Before looking for a good helmet, you must know what you are looking for. Who is this helmet for? What does this racer need?
A helmet for a young racer in Junior Dragster probably does not need many extra features. A good helmet for not too much money like this should not be too hard to find. It also can’t hurt to find something your racer will love to look at.
A helmet for a career racer with all the right hardware might be a little harder to land.
Related Article: Best Go-Kart Helmets For Adults
Best Go-Kart Helmets Under $100
Fortunately, we understand that not everyone has the time for extensive research and window shopping. We have assembled the five best go-kart helmets for under $100.
Go-karting is fun and thrilling but can get expensive, just like any other sport. It can be a good idea to count your nickels and dimes once in a while.
ILM 313 Full Face Motorcycle Street Bike Helmet
- 2 Visors Included: Clear + Smoked and 1 Neck Scarf for Winter Use
- Streamlined Aerodynamic Design Reduces Wind Noise and Drag
- Advanced and Lightweight Durable ABS Shell
This helmet is lightweight and designed to reduce drag and wind noise. It has a quick-release strap, and the helmet liner and cheek pads are removable and washable. It also comes in a range of colors and sizes.
This helmet has been rated Amazon’s choice at 4.5 stars with customer 1037 ratings. Keeping an average of over four stars with over one thousand customer ratings has got to mean something, right? At least, we think so.
The ILM 313 is affordable and on our list because people had the most to say about it. Luckily, the vast majority of customers had rave reviews!
This helmet also comes in a matte black finish. This is an excellent option if you want to paint or customize your helmet at home.
Pros:
- This helmet weighs less than 3 lbs. When it advertises lightweight, it is not kidding.
- The ILM 313 meets FMVSS-218 and DOT standards
- This helmet comes with wide-view anti-fog visors.
- The helmet is also roomy. There is enough room to use a mic while racing.
- The vents on the helmet are easy to open and close.
Cons:
- According to some past customers, this helmet and its visors scratch easily.
- It does not come with a whole lot of interior padding. One reviewer said they enjoyed the helmet but wished it was more comfortable inside.
But what else did people have to say? Do not worry; we are still reading the reviews for you.
Vega – Ultra DOT Karting Helmet
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This helmet has a new Sure Seal locking shield that keeps air and water out. The Vega is DOT approved and meets both FMVSS-218 and ECE R22.05.
The lining is removable and replaceable for easy cleaning. The Vega also has several shield options that reduce glare reduction. This helmet is very reasonably priced.
This helmet also comes in matte black for racers who want to use their paint.
Pros:
- This helmet sports an aerodynamic multi-channel ventilation system. The vents are adjustable, so you can be comfortable no matter your driving temperature.
- The windshield is scratch-resistant, multi-position, and has a quick-release pivot.
- This helmet has a thick, high-density, fully vented EPS liner to absorb substantial impacts.
Cons:
- Multiple customers have complained that their helmets fog up when they have come to a complete stop.
What if you need a helmet for a career karter-to-be? That is up next.
WOW Motorcycle Full Face Helmet Street Bike BMX MX Youth
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Not all helmets are created equal, and neither are all racers. Some racers are not old enough to vote and need something to fit their growing heads. That is where this helmet comes in.
This WOW Youth helmet is DOT-approved for many entry-level youth karting events.
It also comes in a broad range of colors that your karter will love. At the very least, he will enjoy running around pretending to be a Power Ranger. These colors are ultra-bright and ultra-glossy.
Your racer will probably get a little grungy while tearing around. Luckily, this helmet also comes with removable and washable padding. It is reasonably priced and has 4.7 stars on Amazon after 109 customer ratings.
Pros:
- This helmet features top and front ventilation control.
- This helmet sports an aesthetically pleasing glossy finish that your kid will love. It comes with a shark design. What kid is not going to enjoy a shark?
- This helmet also has an easy-to-use chin strap that your karter can manage independently. There will not be any fussing with a clasp.
Cons:
- A couple of customers said that the hardware keeping the visor on the helmet was made cheaply. The visor may or may not want to stay where it should be. It may also come or break off while the helmet is in use.
- This helmet only comes in sizes Small, Medium, and Large. There is no broad range for racers with exceptionally small or large noggins.
YEMA Helmet Unisex-Adult Motorcycle Full Face DOT Helmet YM-829
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The YM-829 is sleek and straightforward. It does not come in many colors or designs, but it has a spiffy minimalist look to it. It comes with everything you need out of a decent helmet.
This helmet is aerodynamic and comes with adjustable venting for healthy air circulation. It also has a dual visor design. It has an inner retractable smoked visor and a clear outer shield.
The YM-829 was given 4.6 stars with 97 customer ratings and is very affordable.
Pros:
- This helmet is DOT approved. At this point, that is a necessity.
- It comes in an XX-Large. Sometimes those larger sizes are hard to find, which is excellent if you are after a larger one.
- The inner lining pads are removable and washable.
- This helmet comes with a reinforced chin strap.
- The interior is plush with laser-cut foam.
Cons:
- According to a couple of customers, the ventilation on this helmet seems to be a little wanting.
- This helmet also appears to have some fogging problems during cold weather. It is probably because of the ventilation issues.
- If you want something bright and eye-catching, this probably is not for you. It has a sleek shape, but it comes in black and white. It is the matte black option. However, it may be just for racers wanting something to personalize themselves.
Hard Head Helmets Full Face Helmet
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It is the least expensive helmet on our list, so you might like it if you are on a budget. The HH-901 comes with an average of 4.6 stars after 60 customer ratings.
Unsurprisingly, this is a very basic helmet. It has a quick-release shield and removable cheek pads for easy cleaning. It is also, of course, DOT-approved to meet the FMVSS-218 standard.
This helmet comes in matte white, matte black, and glossy black. Customizing options are endless, especially if you love decals and stickers.
Pros:
- This helmet is DOT approved.
- For the price, many customer reviews say it is a steal.
- It is ultra-lightweight – this helmet weighs 2 lbs.
Cons:
- This helmet seems to run a size small. If you purchase online, get a size larger than you think you need.
- One customer said that the interior foam is low-quality. Another review, however, said that the foam lasts and not flattening over time.
- It comes with a D-ring chin strap, in case a quick-release belt is a deal-breaker for you.
Related Article: Best Go-Kart Helmet for 10-Year-Old
Conclusion
So, what have we learned? That you do get what you pay for. The most expensive helmet on this list has the most reviews and some minor cons.
We have also learned that you do not have to spend $500 on that Bell go-karting helmet. You can make something work for far less than that.
Go-karting is also fun for your children. Do not let a price tag scare you away from allowing a potential racer to tear around the track! A great helmet for your child will keep them safe and sound and does not have to cost a ton.
Goran, an experienced go-kart racer, fuels GoKartLife.com with his passion and expertise. He offers valuable insights and tips for fellow enthusiasts, fostering the growth of the go-kart community. Join Goran at GoKartLife.com and immerse yourself in this exhilarating sport.
