If you’re thinking of getting into go-kart racing, you’re probably worried that you’ll have to spend a lot of money to get a certified helmet for your races. That’s not always the case, as the Conquer SA2015 helmet gives you all the comfort and safety you need and is a great mid-range karting helmet.
It’s priced reasonably and comes with a solid build, a really good air circulation design and a sleek look to make it an excellent choice for those on a budget. In this Conquer SA2015 helmet review, we’ll be taking a closer look at what makes this helmet so great.
One key feature of this helmet is that it’s lightweight, meaning that it doesn’t get in your way while you’re racing on the track. It comes in multiple colors and sizes to ensure that you get the exact look and fit that you need to have the best possible races. And all of that without having to spend a fortune!
Specifications
- Brand: Conquer
- Model: SA2015
- Material: Fiberglass
- Weight: 5 lbs
- Sizes: S, M, L, XL
Features
There are plenty of reasons why the Conquer SA2015 is a great helmet for go-kart racing. Here are some of it’s best features.
- Fiberglass composite shell
- Great helmet ventilation
- Fire-retardant materials
- Clear 3mm anti-scratch visor
- Snell SA2015 certified
Build Quality
The Conquer SA2015 Helmet is made from a composite fiberglass shell that is lightweight and durable at the same time. For these kinds of helmets, fiberglass is a great material to go for as it strikes a very good balance between safety and lightness.
The SA2015 also comes with an internal lining that is made of a fire retardant material. This lining adds to the overall feel of the helmet and also provides protection in the event of a fire. It also comes with cheek pads which are removable for easy cleaning.
Comfort
A racing helmet, no matter how affordable, has to be comfortable for it to be useful when racing. If a karting helmet doesn’t feel comfortable while you’re wearing it, it will end up affecting your racing performance by quite a bit. Luckily, the Conquer SA2015 is very comfortable to wear thanks to the soft internal padding. It also makes putting it on and taking it off a breeze.
The helmet is designed with stability in mind and this is achieved by the chin spoiler and the aero ridges. These elements ensure that the helmet stays on tightly, as the airflow is diverted around it efficiently. This is even true at very high speeds and when the wind resistance is pressing against your head.
Visibility
Many helmets in the market come with tinted glass that affects visibility. This one doesn’t have a tinted glass visor but rather one made from a high-quality, anti-scratch clear shield. This is a standard-sized visor that provides a decent amount of visibility in various weather conditions.
Key Visibility Features:
- 3mm anti-scratch visor
- Flame resistant shield
- Tear-off posts
This also means that you’ll be able to spot on-coming karts with minimal head movement. It allows you to keep your focus and let your eyes do the scanning, as opposed to moving your head sideways. That could definitely save you a lot of energy during a race.
It’s also worth mentioning that the Conquer SA2015 is flame-resistant. In the unlikely event of an accident, your head will remain protected. The visor can also be taken off and replaced thanks to the tear-off posts that are used in the design. All in all, you will have no complaints about visibility when using the SA2015 during a race.
Ventilation
Having a good amount of airflow is crucial with helmets that are designed for racing. This is important as proper ventilation promotes efficient airflow into and out of the helmet. With the Conquer SA2015 Helmet, you 5 vents on the chin area, 1 vent on the forehead area and 2 vents at the rear.
These vents ensure that cool air gets into the helmet from the front and hot air leaves the helmet from the back. There are additional vents on the chin area of the helmet to bring in even more cool air, keeping a steady airflow throughout the helmet.
Key Ventilation Features:
- 1 x Forehead Vent
- 2 x Rear Vents
- 5 x Chin Vents
Compatibility
The helmet is fully compatible with HANS devices that are used to provide stability to the head and neck while racing. This compatibility is important for any helmet if it wants to be Snell certified for use in competitive racing. The helmet comes with threaded Inserts for HANS neck brace devices for easy compatibility.
Having a HANS device is important because it minimizes the forward motion of a driver’s head in case of an accident on the track. This leads to a much lower chance of serious injury and is something that every kart driver should be aware of.
Sizing
The Conquer SA2015 helmet comes in four different sizes, ranging from Small to X-Large. Getting the right size ensures that you get the perfect fit no matter what age and what size you are.
Design
Most affordable helmets out there come with tacky designs and bright colors. The Conquer SA2015 is different – it comes with a very clean and aerodynamic design. It also features a very clean and modern style with just the word ‘Conquer’ written on the front visor which looks very sporty. The helmet comes in three colors – Matte Black, Gloss White and Silver.
Certification
For a helmet designed for competitive racing, having Snell certification is vital as it allows racers to use the helmet in certain sanctioned races. The Conquer SA2015 is certified according to the Snell SA2015 Standard. These standards are set by the Snell Memorial Foundation and have become a benchmark in setting quality and safety standards.
Important Notice:
You should always ensure to the check the helmet’s certification label. You can find it pasted onto the interior lining.
Some important factors of this certification include compatibility with tethering hardware such as HANS devices, impact testing for ‘Low Velocity’, and ‘Low Lateral’ impacts. There are many more aspects to the Snell SA2015 Standard but this helmet meets all of them so you can be sure that it is safe to use for racing.
One thing to note is that there has been an update to the Snell Standard from the SA2015 to the SA2020 since October 1, 2020. So while the Conquer SA2015 is still suitable for many types of races and is affordable, there is a newer version of the helmet with the updated certification if you need it.
Another thing to note is that if you’re thinking of taking this helmet out on public roads, the helmet it’s suitable for that. That’s because it doesn’t come with US DOT certification which essentially means that you cannot wear it on public roads but rather only on the racetrack. However, this shouldn’t be a problem, as go-karts are designed to be driven on race tracks.
Conclusion
Not only is the Conquer SA2015 an affordable entry-level go-kart racing helmet, but it’s also packed with some great features. It has great ventilation, a solid build quality, a 3mm visor with tear-off posts, HANS compatibility and is very lightweight.
This karting helmet is great for racers who are newer to the motorsports and wish to take their karting equipment to the next level. If you’re looking for a newer one, you should check out the Conquer SA2020. I hope you’ve enjoyed the Conquer SA2015 review and that it has helped you understand it a little better!