Stilo ST5 vs Simpson Carbon Devil Ray

The one that fits...

 

I love the look of the Stilo carbon helmets but when I tried one on it fit me horribly! Seriously unwearable. That made it much easier to decide and I got a Sparco. You have to try them on.

 

its my understanding that the different manufacturers fit different head types. My ugly mug fit best in a simpson.

Not something id buy without trying it on first

 

Safety ratings are the most important thing, and then find one that fits you.

Unfortunately it seems few people and few dealers take the time to MAKE the helmets fit, as most makers have multiple cheek pieces (thicker/thinner) that really can get the fit perfect.

Fitting on the crown of your head is key; so when I fit a helmet I take the cheek pieces and neck pieces out. If that fit is good, we then work to find the best combo of other pieces to make it comfortable and stable on the head. Even if you do "mail order", talk to the dealer about getting a mix of sizes and pads, fit it properly, then return the extra ones.

Even though I live in the US, I've purchased my helmets it Europe for past 7 years, since availability and access to the extra parts seems much easier. It's understandably very difficult for most US retailers to stock every combination. Buying a new helmet you should probably plan for a few "try and return" cycles to nail the fit. OTOH, several of the US-based dealers I've worked with have been super gracious about working with us to get the right fit/parts.

As for internal comms and features like that, it's all good, but comms and drink systems are easy to fit afterward (do NOT drill the helmet!). Most of the time your dealer can install easily and professionally (eg. on Arai helmets)

 

Fit is an issue for me with Stilo as well. I got a XXL Stilo, and it still is a bit tight on the upper forehead. Sparco is the most comfortable for me by far, better than Bell, which is #2 for me.

 

I have both those helmets. I like them both. You can't go wrong with either. I buy the latest spec sa2015 and replace every 5 yrs with the new spec. My devil ray is 5yrs old and held up perfect and better than my stand 21 super expensive worthless helmet. The st5 is new. It has stock ear pockets removeable and are supposed to act like ear muffs. They don't work. I still need earplugs. The ear pockets can also take a earpiece to crew communication. I dont do that so I don't know if that works. I'm not sure if I am a fan of the positive visor lock around the nose. I also don't like the sticky antireflection antifog coating on the inside of the visor. It attracts dust and coats the inside of the visor like your glasses are dirty. You can see just fine but dirt on my glasses is annoying. It is also difficult to clean the visor. Best cleaned by taking visor off which is a hassle and rinsing in water to prevent you scratching the soft touch goop on the visor. In store you are fooled because there is a post it note type sticky clear visor protector. You don’t notice the antireflection film until you clean the visor the 1st time. The verdict is still out on the st5 visor film.

 

Oh another thing the st5 has hans anchor fixed in the helmet. You screw the m6 studs in and that is it. But I like both anchors to be faced the same way front to back so I can slide off the lock on the hans web strap easily. You screw in the st5 and have to over tighten if you will to get the orientation of the studs right. My old devilray is drilled for hans but you have to slide the hans anchor up the helmet inside. The advantage is you screw in the studs to where you want and tighten them from the nut inside the helmet. I hope that makes sense.

 

I have spent a few days inside a new st5 and love it. Haven't tried the Simpson. I had it fitted with dual electronics, and the earphones are great/loud and reduce a lot of sound by themselves. I have a small head, thought I would be a medium, and ended up being a large. It was still tight when it first went on, and has broken in great.

 

I wanted a Stilo but once I tried it on I wasn't comfortable. I then went back to Pegasus Racing supply and tried on several helmets. I ended up liking a Bell's fit the most and am very happy with its purchase- although the Stilo still looks cooler!

 

I have the st5 Carbon, and really like it. As Ben (entropy) says, fit is paramount, my dealer spent a good amount of time with varying pads to get it right.

Not something I'd buy mail order.

 

Have had this Sparco for a few years and love it... Like the look of the Stilo though... recently added the mirrored face shield and add-on aero devices(chin and rear of helmet spoilers) when I started driving an open car.
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