What’s New in the Snell SA2025 Safety Standard
The Snell SA2025 certification is officially here, introducing the latest evolution in motorsports helmet safety. While the updates this cycle aren’t drastic, there are critical technical refinements that bring Snell in line with international FIA standards.
Aligned with FIA 8859-2024
The biggest news for 2025 is that Snell’s testing standards now match the FIA 8859-2024 standard. This global alignment means that SA2025 helmets undergo the same rigorous testing used by professional and international racing organizations.
Many of the newest helmets may look nearly identical to their SA2020 predecessors; that’s because many manufacturers had already started building to these stricter FIA standards. But beneath the surface, there are key improvements in impact performance, rotational stability, and fire protection.
Stricter Impact Testing
The impact testing velocity and acceleration standards have been raised to align with FIA regulations, and the EPS liners have been enhanced to better dissipate impact energy and reduce stress on the driver's head in severe impacts- marking this the biggest safety advancement in SA2025 helmets.
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The new first-impact velocities are now 8.70 m/s or 8.30 m/s, depending on the helmet, an increase from the previous standards of 8.50 m/s or 8.15 m/s in SA2020. Each helmet must undergo consecutive testing for two impacts.
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The updated acceleration limits now have a peak g-force of 275.
Rotational Impact Protection
The updated testing also focuses on how helmets behave under rotational (angular) impacts, those glancing blows that can cause the helmet to twist on the head.
To counteract this, many SA2025 helmets were redesigned using advanced CAD modeling. These refinements help the helmet stay centered on the head during side impacts, ensuring that the EPS liner remains in the optimal position to absorb and disperse energy.
Increased Fire Protection
Another area of improvement is heat resistance. During the updated 30-second fire test, the temperature of the padding and liner materials that contact the driver’s head must now remain below 70°C (158°F).
First to Arrive: The New Stilo ST6
Leading the charge into the SA2025 era is the new Stilo ST6 helmet series, now available at OG Racing.
The ST6 delivers everything drivers expect from Stilo - exceptional comfort, aerodynamics, and seamless communications integration - now paired with the latest Snell SA2025 and FIA 8859-2024 certifications.
The ST6 is designed to excel in the most demanding environments, including endurance racing, open-cockpit competition, and high-speed track days.
Shop the first wave of SA2025 helmets
Stay Connected
Stay tuned on our Instagram + Facebook and through our Newsletter for updates as more brands roll out their SA2025 models - including Sparco, Bell, Arai, Schuberth, G-Force, and HJC.
Be the first to know when new helmets arrive, tech updates drop, and safety gear news hits the grid!
