Okay, I want to buy a new helmet with integrated ear muffs and microphone. I am looking at the Stilo ST5 GT Composite and the Stilo ST5 GT Carbon helmets.

What is the weight difference between the two and will I notice it? $1000 is not a small difference and the weight difference would need to be compelling. I have no issues with the weight of my Bell M4.

If the ear muffs work well, I don't see a need to have the option to use ear buds.

I don't need or want the water or air options.

Thoughts?

 

I run the Composite and compared it to the Carbon before I bought it and felt that the weight difference was not worth the price difference. My Composite with the water option weighs 4.2 lbs. I don't remember the weight difference.

 

Look for Apex Performance and Wine Country Motorsports black Friday specials. In the past, they have run 20% off sales.

 

I have the CF model with built in ear muffs, drink setup and attachment for helmet blower. It's a great helmet, light, high quality build and all components work great except helmet blower, it's okay and most effective if cycled.

 

I have a composite with air and water. I got rid of the water right away as it was annoying.

The air is awesome - can't imagine not having it.

Tried on the carbon fiber and didn't really notice the difference especially strapped into a car. Where it will make a difference is in an accident - less weight pulling your head forward. But with a HANS device would it make a difference? I don't know. I also didn't want to spend the extra $1k.

Ear muffs are awesome. With my Bell I used to have to use earplugs or they would be ringing by the end of the day. Clarity of mike is pretty good but something went wrong and I had to get mine replaced.

 

Thanks for all the feedback!! I think I will stick with the composite model.

 

I have the composite, I too could not justify the carbon cost- Air is worthless- I removed the top mount from the helmet and the blower from the car. Went with the Cool-a-Clava- 1000x better. Ear muffs/speakers are great- ALOT quieter than my Arai- Both fit great. Don't forget you can get different cheekpads for a better fit.

 

I too have the composite. Love the built in electronics. Needed a fair amount of fitting help at HMS to get the cheek pads right.
The rubber trim piece (gasket?) Around the bottom of the helmet is crap and has torn away. Chin strap frays too easily but can be fixed.
In total my favorite helmet.

 

Composite here, also couldn't justify the carbon version but I held both and to me i could tell the weight difference of the carbon, just not worth the price difference.

Don't forget about the crown pad...changing the crown pad was what I really needed to make the fit absolutely perfect. Couldn't be happier with mine.

 

I believe it was for Snell 2015 that chin straps aren't replaceable anymore.

 

Hi Matt
Good to know that. Hopefully the issue was fixed subsequent tp mine being made (it is a 2010).
Problem was a fraying tip, which HMS corrected upon request, I believe. I didn't actually have to bring mine back, as Joanie was able to re-sew the tip.

 

Just a note about the integrated ear muff helmets -- at the 2nd to last ELMS round the FIA technical scrutineer told me my helmet was no longer allowed in any FIA events (I have a Stilo Zero w/ integrated ear muffs and water system). Apparently they feel the ear muffs compromise something in an impact. He still signed off on it for that race but told me it wouldn't be permitted at the next and final round of the season. I wasn't buying a new helmet for a single race, so I brought it back to the next round and a different scrutineer didn't even mention it.

Just a heads up, but you may want to double or triple check the wording for whatever series you're driving in to make sure it isn't a problem after you drop a bunch of coin.

Personally, I love the integrated ear muffs. In the event your ear buds become disconnected, you can still make out sound from the ear muffs -- great for endurance races.

Also, one last thing, the ear muffs don't muffle enough sound. If you're racing in a loud car or out on track with other loud cars, I *highly* recommend ear buds or some other form of in-ear protection to keep from causing any permanent hearing damage.

-mike

 

My plan is to eliminate the ear buds and use the ear muffs by themselves. My car, and the cars I race with, are a lot quieter than Cup Cars!!

 

Hello Scott, I don't want to detour you from buying a Stilo but you might also want to look at Roux. It meets all your requirements and also has the CoolX built into the Composite and Carbon models and are at a better price point then Stilo. There worth a look at.

http://www.rouxhelmets.com/autoracing

 

Hi Scott,

I have the carbon version and still find that the ear muffs allow enough noise to enter the helmet. I recommend that you wear in-ear hearing protection. You're already a little deaf and you don't want to be really hard of hearing when you retire.