Helmet and HANS Buying Guide

20 degree or 30 degree? Medium or large? Hybrid or HANS?

When buying an FHR, there are a lot of things to consider, so we've broken down some of the questions we're asked regularly on this subject to create a buying guide.

HANS or FHR?

Effectively, these are the same thing. HANS is a brand name and FHR is the purpose it serves (Frontal Head Restraint) so the term FHR covers all Frontal Head Restraints, whereas HANS, strictly speaking is a brand of FHR which we sell, HANS has become a colloquial term for all frontal head restraints and Head and Neck Restraint devices (HNR).

Which recline?

HANS devices are normally sold in two main recline options, 20 degree or 30 degree, although they are available in 10 or 40 degree options as well for very specialist applications.

20 degree FHRs are the most popular as they are used in a wide variety of vehicles, from rally, GT, tintop, saloon and touring car racing. The rule of thumb is, if the seating position is "upright" then a 20 degree FHR/HANS is correct.

30 degree FHRs are used in single seater, formula cars and prototype cars (in endurance racing) where the seating position is much more laid back. Using a 20 degree device in one of these cars would be uncomfortable and possibly mean the driver is not getting the correct level of protection from their FHR.

It is very important to purchase the correct recline for your motorsport, at Automax, our expert team can guide you through this process.

Medium or large?

This is simply the size of the FHR and is dictated by your collar (neck) size. Stand 21 have a slightly different sizing layout to HANS and Schroth, but all of our FHRs have a sizing guide on the product page to help you buy the right size. When trying an FHR on, never pull it down over your head, but put it on from behind your neck and slide it forward to sit comfortably on your shoulders/collar bone. Simpson Hybrids are sized around your chest measurement, so make sure you measure when wearing your overalls.

Hybrid or HANS?

Simpson, a supplier of safety equipment from the United States, produce a revolutionary head and neck restraint called the Simpson Hybrid, which is a series of tethers which you wear around your upper body, rather than on top of your shoulders. The main benefit is that it provides a head restraint in the event of a side impact as well as a frontal impact. So it is widely regarded as a good device to use in off-road sports such as rallying and cross country events, although they are used in many forms of racing, too. Simpson Hybrid are available in the Hybrid Sport model and the lightweight carbon Hybrid ProLite.

The Hybrid is widely regarded as being the most comfortable device to use providing excellent protection for many applications. The traditional FHR can be more beneficial in a small cockpit environment. Ultimately the choice between the different types will depend on personal preference, comfort and the car and seat setup concerned.

HANS harness or Standard harness?

When using an FHR, you can use FHR specific harnesses or standard harnesses, but they must be a 6 point harness. FHR/HANS harnesses are supplied with 2 inch (50mm) shoulder straps for a better fitment of the belt over the FHR. These have become extremely popular in recent years, we stock them at Automax. FHR harnesses still have 3" straps elsewhere (the waist straps). It is not recommended to use a HANS specific harness without a HANS device.

A 3" (75mm) harness is still fine to use with a HANS/FHR and for rallying, there are no regulations stating you need a particular width of shoulder strap, as long as they adhere to the FIA standard and are a 6 point.

FHR homologation

All of our FHRs we sell at Automax adhere to the only current FIA standard for Frontal Head Restraints - 8858-2010. There is currently no expiry on this standard, so you can purchase knowing your new device has years of life in it.