#5 - Must-Have Helmet Accessories for Track Days

Once you’ve chosen your helmet, the final step is outfitting it with essential accessories to improve comfort, communication, and safety.

One of the most important additions is a head-and-neck restraint anchor system. Many SA2025 and FIA helmet regulations require compatibility with these devices in competitive environments like NASCAR and IMSA.

Other popular upgrades include:

• Tinted or mirrored visors for glare reduction

• Helmet air kits for cooling

• Communication systems (common in WRC and endurance racing)

• Helmet bags for transport protection

• Tear-offs for wet or debris-heavy track conditions

It's More Than Just Bells and Whistles

In addition to top-level safety, many helmet manufacturers integrate features such as communications, forced-air, driver hydration, and helmet eject systems into their helmets. These are "good to have", but not "must have" attributes that add functionality, comfort, and, in some cases, a wider margin of safety.

These integrated features make some helmets more than just safety devices. With myriad option combinations, let’s take a look at some features and when you might consider a helmet with them.

Built-In Comms

Doing track days (HPDE) and routinely have an instructor with you? Built-in comms can make life much easier. Make sure you have a few different adapter cables on-hand for the most popular in-car intercom systems such as Chatterbox or Trac-Com.

In racing, having comms is a must. Any time you’re working as part of a team, the ability to communicate info regarding flags, cautions, and pit stops becomes integral to your success. It’s equally important for the driver to communicate issues with the car back to the team.

The most popular helmet on the market for built-in comms is the Stilo ST6 GT Composite. It also comes in very lightweight carbon fiber, all of which share the ability to integrate communications features directly into the shell. This makes plugging/unplugging comms a breeze, and leaves nothing dangling from your helmet when not in use.

Hydration and Forced Air Cooling

Overheating leads to dehydration, which contributes to a loss of reaction time and attentiveness. This can lead to bad things happening. Integrating a drink tube and/or forced air into your helmet can go a very long way in mitigating these effects, even when temperatures aren't particularly hot. Any opportunity to stay focused is an advantage you should take. Many manufacturers build hydration and/or forced air accommodations into their higher-end helmets.

Helmet Eject System

This system makes your helmet much easier to remove in an instance where you are unconscious or have possible head or neck trauma. Typically triggered by track emergency personnel, they require the emergency crew to have the appropriate tool to inflate the eject system. Check with event organizers or track operators about the availability of this equipment to their emergency crews.

For HPDE helmets, comfort accessories can dramatically improve your on-track experience. Proper airflow reduces fatigue, while comms systems help instructors guide you during sessions.

Investing in quality accessories ensures your track day helmet evolves with your driving — from beginner instruction to advanced motorsport competition.