Ted in Rochester

Question for the brain trust, specifically those with experience using both white and black helmets. Are the black helmets noticeably hotter in car?

My Cup has closed windows making heat an ever-present concern although I would like to go to a carbon fiber helmet. (I use a Cool Shirt but, that does not help my head and I do not think I am interested in a helmet cooler).

Any comparative experience?

Thanks!

Circuit Motorsports

I've had black helmets in an open wheel car. The issues only ever came up if the helmet was left out in the sun for a while before I put it on. Never noticed an issue otherwise.

Veloce Raptor

Ted, unless you are sitting on grid a lot in direct sun in an open cockpit car, it makes no difference.

dan212

Have had both black and white. No discernible difference. Use whichever you like

Bill Verburg

Physics says, black is a more efficient absorber and radiator of photons of heat and light than white.

So if standing in direct sunlight(absorptive environment), black will absorb more heat than white and temperature rise will be proportionally greater.. If in a radiative environment(no directly impinging photons)rather than an absorptive one. Black will radiate heat proportionally better than white.

Ted in Rochester

Thanks for the feedback, Guys.

winders

http://littleshop.physics.colostate....AndCooling.pdf

Cory M

My current helmet is black, last one was white. I race in hot socal desert tracks. I haven't noticed any difference. I don't leave it out in the sun and my car is closed cockpit, open side windows.

rlm328

There is a lot of insulation between you and the shell.

hf1

If it gets sun, black will be hotter. If it doesn't, it won't. No downside for white/silver/light colors, so they are the clear choice for me. Same for the suit. I'd rather avoid any chance to make my head and body hotter at the track, all else being equal. Low weight (for easing loads on your neck in turns and in an event of a crash) and fit take precedence over color, of course.

Cory M

I wear a black driving suit to hide all of the oil, grease, and dirt stains.

dougdep

is this thread a JOKE!!! you all cant be serious

mark kibort

actually, the black helmet might shed heat better in the car, but the opposite in the sun.

LuigiVampa

It's also racist.

consolidated

A motorcycle magazine actually tested this question and agrees, the 2" of dense foam between the shell and your noggin keeps the heat away.