Go-kart racing is becoming more popular by the year, especially with younger people. More youths are developing interest in go-kart racing and are joining the ranks by actively participating in leagues and events. In the United States and Europe alone there are already plenty of go-kart classes for youths to participate in. It’s also one of the few motorsports that is easily accessible at a young age and the buildup of interest is therefore well understood.
One of the most important safety equipment for karting is a well-built go-kart racing helmet. Youth karting helmets are essential for driver’s safety and are also a requirement in any type of kart racing league.
In this article, we’ll be taking a look at the best go-kart racing helmets for youths. As there are many of them in the market, we’ll be looking at build quality, comfort, features and ventilation, so that you can make a well-informed purchase decision. Always ensure that you get the right go-kart helmet size. Let’s take a look at the best youth karting helmets on the market!
List of best Go-Kart Helmets for Youths
- RaceQuip PRO15
- Conquer Full Face Racing Helmet
- Zamp FSA-3
- Conquer Aerodynamic Racing Helmet
- Typhoon Racing Helmet
1. RaceQuip PRO15
Specifications
- Material: Reinforced Polymer
- Ventilation: N/A
- Certification: Snell SA2015
- Lining: Nomex
When it comes to finding the best go-kart racing helmet for youths, the RaceQuip PRO15 is the clear winner in this list. It features excellent build quality and is equipped with a wide array for features that are ideal for youth kart racers.
This youth karting helmet is Snell SA2015 certified, which means that it fully complies with modern production standards. The outer shell is made of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP), that is lightweight and robust. This means that it’s able to withstand a substantial amount of impact before any structural damage is apparent.
The inner lining of the PRO15 is made of expanded polystyrene (EPS) that is extremely comfortable to wear. The interior is made of blended Nomex, which has fire-retardant properties and is soft to the touch. The great thing about this helmet is that it’s also light in weight and doesn’t feel heavy when wearing, which is especially important for youths. Additionally, there are also HANS / HNR anchor points that can be attached onto the helmet for neck restraints.
The faceshield of the RaceQuip PRO15 is distortion-free and made of heavy-duty polycarbonate. The eye ports are also extremely wide giving great peripheral viewing angles. It also features ratcheting tear-off posts and an eyeport gasket that helps to seal out any dust, dirt and debris from the kart racing track.
All things considered, the RaceQuip Pro15 is our deserved winner in this list, due to the excellent build quality, materials and features it provides. It’s excellent for youth kart racers and also looks extremely stylish.
Key Features:
- Feels extremely light on the head
- Best pick due to high quality materials and build quality
- Ability to remove interior for easy cleaning
2. Conquer Aerodynamic Racing Helmet
Specifications
- Material: Fiberglass
- Ventilation: Yes
- Certification: Snell SA2015
- Lining: Fire-Retardant
The Conquer Aerodynamic Racing Helmet is another great youth karting helmet that’s equipped with plenty of great features. It’s available in silver, matte black and glossy white. For youths, the small or medium size is recommended.
This helmet is Snell SA2015 certified and therefore meets all higher quality standards. The outer shell of the helmet is constructed with a fiberglass composite material that has a high degree of durability and it’s very light in weight. This is definitely noticeable when wearing it out on the track.
The interior cheek pads are soft and provide a comfortable fit. The great thing about these pads is that they are removable, which means that you can easily remove them after a race, in order to clean them properly. Apart from being soft and comfortable, the interior is also fire-retardant.
For extra strength, the chin strap is constructed with Kevlar and ensures that the helmet is securely fastened on top of your head. There are also HANS threaded inserts if you plan to use any neck supports. You’ll also notice that there are 10 ventilation ports located in the front of the helmet and an exhaust at the rear. This ensures that the helmet is properly ventilated during a race.
Overall, the Conquer Aerodynamic Racing Helmet is a great karting helmet for youth go-kart racers, due to its lightweight construction and comfortable fit. Ensure that you check the right sizing before purchasing.
Key Features:
- Light fiberglass composite material
- 10 ventilation ports and rear exhaust
- Kevlar chin strap for extra strength
3. Zamp FSA-3
Specifications
- Material: Fiberglass
- Ventilation: Yes
- Certification: Snell SA2015
- Lining: Fire-Retardant
The Zamp FSA-3 is another great go-karting helmet that is ideal for youth go-kart racers. Zamp is a very innovative motorsport equipment manufacturer and their youth karting helmets never disappoint.
It features an extremely lightweight fiberglass shell that is built to last. As with the Conquer karting helmet, the Zamp FSA-3 also features fiberglass, which is known to also be robust and durable. The interior of the helmet is made from a fire-retardant material and feels soft to the touch. It’s also apparent that the interior of the helmet is very well-padded, which is especially noticeable during races.
The Zamp FSA-3 has wide eye ports that allow for a large peripheral viewing angle during races. The helmet is also equipped with a 3 mm Z-15 shield that has 12.25-inch tear-off posts. The M6 inserts are conveniently located, if you are planning on using head and neck restraints.
There are 8 vents located in the front of the helmet, 6 lower vents and 2 upper vents. These enable air intake into the helmet and at the same time help to filter out dust, debris and particles. The back of the helmet also contains an exhaust, ensuring good airflow throughout your race.
Overall, the Zamp FSA-3 is a great choice for youth karting racers who are looking for a great balance of function, design and price. It’s available in a stylish white gloss color and in 4 different sizes. For youths, the small or medium size is recommended but ensure to check the exact dimensions before purchasing.
Key Features:
- 6 lower and 2 upper vents for great ventilation
- Great balance between price, function and design
- Extremely soft and well-padded interior lining
4. Conquer Aerodynamic Racing Helmet
Specifications
- Material: Fiberglass
- Ventilation: Yes
- Certification: Snell SA2015
- Lining: Fire-Retardant
The Conquer Aerodynamic Racing Helmet is similar to the Conquer Racing Full Face Racing Helmet, however there are some minor differences. This version of the Conquer lineup has an aerodynamically shaped design that supposedly gives the racer more stability during races. It does this by optimizing the airflow around the helmet causing less drag.
The helmet is made from fiberglass, that gives it a robust and shock-absorbing outer shell for extra protection. Also visible on the exterior are the HANS mounting points for neck and shoulder device attachments.
The Conquer Aerodynamic Racing Helmet also offers the youth go-kart racer great ventilation. As can be seen in the image, the helmet features several chin bar, forehead and top vents that allow cool air to enter the helmet. The rear heat exhaust ensures a complete end-to-end airflow in the helmet.
Also noteworthy is the comfortable interior lining that is well-padded and is constructed with a fire-retardant material. The clear face shield is standard and also includes tear-off posts on each side. This youth karting helmet is also appropriate for regulated races, as it’s Snell SA2015 approved and the actual sticker can be found inside the helmet.
All things considered, the Conquer Aerodynamic Racing Helmet is a great pick when it comes to go-kart racing for youths. It’s extremely comfortable and is equipped with superb features.
Key Features:
- Aerodynamic helmet design for less drag
- Great ventilation throughout the front parts
- Comfortable fire-retardant inner lining
5. Typhoon Racing Helmet
Specifications
- Material: Fiberglass Composite
- Ventilation: Yes
- Certification: Snell SA2015
- Lining: Fire-Retardant
Another great go-kart racing helmet for youths is the Typhoon Racing Helmet, which is available in gloss white, matte black and silver. Apart from looking extremely stylish, this karting helmet offers some great features.
Similar to most of the other youth karting helmets in this list the Typhoon Racing Helmet is made of a very lightweight fiberglass composite shell that is rigid and has the ability to withstand high impacts. It’s also Snell SA2015 certified, meaning that you’ll be able to use this helmet for regulated youth kart races.
Additionally, this helmet features upper and lower air intake vents that provide you with all the required breathability. These ventilation vents feature a metal mesh and protective cloth to keep unwanted elements out of the helmet. You’ll also find HANS threaded inserts for compatible restraint systems. The inner lining is fire-retardant and comfortable to wear. It’s more lightweight and less padded than the other youth helmets. The Kevlar chin strap with D-ring closure ensures that the helmet fits securely.
This full face youth karting helmet is also equipped with a clear 3 mm optically corrected face shield with eyeport gaskets. They ensure that all dust and debris are kept out of the helmet. Additionally, there are also 11.5-inch tear-off posts.
Overall, the Typhoon Racing Helmet is a decent karting helmet for youths. While it is one of the most lightweight helmets in this list, it lacks a little comfort compared to the rest.
Key Features:
- One of the most lightweight helmets on this list
- Great weight-to-strength ratio but interior is less padded
- Large size air ventilation located on lower and upper section
