2025 has arrived! The new SNELL helmets were released in October 2025: It’s time to start checking helmet dates again

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Time is almost up for SA2015 helmets.

SNELL 2025 rated buckets were released on October, 1 2025. Per SNELL’s rating cycle, 2020 and 2025 are now considered the two current ratings.

As in previous releases, helmet ratings are released in October of the 5th year. Stock rolls out somewhat slowly, over the next few months and into the next year, more variety rolls out.

Because of the rollout pace, It’s become standard practice that most clubs will allow the retiring helmet rating for the entire following year, so a variety of inventory has the chance to catch up before everyone is forced to replace the expiring helmet.

There are some notable exceptions to this. For Example: In the state of New Jersey, the State Police (for some unknown, incredibly frustrating reason) has full oversight of any motorsports activity, and they publish their own rules. They are as stubborn with their rules as they are arbitrarily strict. One example of this is that motorsports activities in New Jersey cannot give any overlap grace period with new helmet ratings. If you are in New Jersey, Snell 2015 helmets will NOT be accepted at all in 2026.

To sum it up: As we begin the next helmet cycle, 2025 rated helmets started selling in October 2025. Depending where you are running, You will likely be able to finish out the 2026 season with a 2015 helmet.

For this article, I am making the assumption that the club and event you are planning on running with is following Snell’s 2-cycle helmet rule. Some clubs may allow a third cycle for HPDE events, if so, just add an extra rating onto the end of these statements.

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Where CAN you use your 2015 (or older) rated helmet?

• Many Autocross clubs and regions accept helmets for more than the standard two cycles.
• Some track organizations accept an extra rating cycle for HPDE/Track Day use, though I expect this will be accepted less and less.
• Many noncompetitive karting tracks allow snell rated helmets regardless of their date (check your local place before showing up). This is my primary use for old helmets.
• If you are considering Endurance Racing, older helmets are often allowed to be used during fueling and pitstops.
• Garage/Trophies/Halloween, or anywhere you could use it as decoration or a conversation starter.

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How does all this relate those who are using SA2020 helmets?

You are still good for the remainder of the 5 year cycle through 2030 when the SA2030 helmets are released. Then, I would hope most clubs will allow 2031 as a “changeover” year, still accepting the 2020 helmets as helmet manufacturers try to keep up with the demand for their nearly-released lids.

“So my helmet rating is good for 10 years, is 10 years of use even safe?” The rating is indeed good for 10 years from the date of the rating’s release, and as long as The Helmet is in obvious very good condition, it should still protect you for that time. Most likely, you will be buying your helmet at some point during that 10 year window so you’ll usually get anywhere between 5-10 years of accepted life. If you bought a SA2020 helmet on September 30 2025, you should get about 5 years before the useful rating “Expires” after two cycles. If you bought a SA2025 helmet on October 1, 2025 (The Day the SA2025’s were released) you should get 10 full years before the useful rating expires.

Even with the 10 year maximum rating life, the SNELL foundation recommends cycling helmets out after 5 years… or immediately, if they are involved in a serious crash.

“I see 2020 rated helmets on sale. Should I buy one, or are they useless?” The 2025’s were released in October, but there are still a plenty of 2020 rated helmets in stock. Any 2020 rated helmet will be allowed for at least 5 more years (Once the 2030 standard is released+any grace period if applicable). If you are using your helmet constantly, chances are it may be pretty gross in 5-6 years. Many people choose to replace helmets after 5 years… if you are one of those people, buying a 2020 is a great option, waiting a bit for larger sales could be even better. While there are improvements in the safety standards between the rating generations, the differences are miniscule… so you aren’t actually sacrificing anything tangible for safety. Being the the cheap person that I am, I try to get as much time as I can safely get out of my helmets. Making a helmet last 10 years without being compromised or getting gross is certainly possible. A Balaclava can go a long way in keeping your helmets fresh closer to 10 years, after nearly 10 years, my 2015 still looks and smells shockingly decent.

To sum it up… It’s your call. If you can get an especially good deal on a 2020 and you’re someone who is generally hard on gear, go for it. High-Dollar helmets will usually see the greatest discounts, so if you’re looking to really spoil yourself, now would be your time.

Beware purchasing any 2015 Helmets, they are no longer accepted in many places and by the end of the 2026 season they’ll be mostly useless.

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Sources: 2025 Press Release. SMF.org

Want to read up more about helmets and safety gear? Check out my post: The Budget Safety Gear YOU need for Track Days and Racing and OTHER POSTS by No money Motorsports.