Words: Mike Sleeter

The Fly Racing Formula helmet line is recognized as a premium offering on the market in terms of both safety and performance, developed with exclusive technology that ensures you ride with peace of mind and experience class-leading comfort on-track.

Right now, helmet education is at an all-time high. Riders and families alike are more knowledgeable than ever before and Fly Racing has been known for being a brand with great racing apparel for all ages. Today, Tested features the top of the line Fly Racing Formula Carbon helmet, which was released prior to the new for 2021 CC variant.

This Formula Carbon helmet has hit the market with a great response, although personally, I have never worn Fly gear – let alone a helmet – and I take my helmet choices very seriously. Following some further research and a briefing on delivery, I was educated on the features and benefits of the Formula helmet.

Image: Anthony Sansotta.

Fly Racing’s Formula Carbon helmet boasts the Adaptive Impact System (AIS), which is a high-performance ecosystem of structural designs and energy mitigating materials including RHEON Impact Energy Cells that maximize absorption of low-speed linear and rotational impacts.

Featuring a 12K carbon fiber shell that is extremely lightweight at only 1290 grams, as well as Conehead EPS Technology for a softer liner and those cones help manage or absorb an impact force more efficiently. Six critical zones have been fine-tuned for a progressive response to low-speed and high-speed impacts.

Expanded volume EPS means strategic areas of the helmet have more impact-absorbing EPS, while an expanded Polypropylene (EPP) chin bar creates an additional element of impact mitigation. A clavicle shell relief zone is utilized, there’s a custom molded rubber trim with integrated nose guard, lightweight custom visor screws and titanium alloy D-rings, quick-release cheek pads, True Functional Ventilation (TFV), plus a premium helmet garage and extra visor included.

Image: Supplied.

The data and technology of the Formula Carbon are proven in laboratories, but as a rider, the comfort and looks must be at the same standard if you’re to truly feel at one with the helmet. It’s a tick from me and each of the graphics options have a look that matches multiple racewear colorways.

Once I put the helmet on, I was immediately impressed with the comfort and fit. The ear pockets are open and the front and back of my head didn’t have any pressure points, which is quickly evident. One of the best parts of the helmet is how it dissipates noise – having a helmet that reduces sounds is an added value, plus the air-flow is what you’d hope for and it’s definitely light.

Vision is great, but it did take me a minute to get used to seeing the visor while wearing the helmet. Seeing it made me think it was positioned a little low, but when I took it off to check, it was in the correct position. After I put multiple days in this helmet in different brand goggles including Fly’s new Zone Pro, I also noticed the sweat retention was better than other helmets that I have worn.

Image: Anthony Sansotta.

After a few long days on the bike, I was more than comfortable with the Formula helmet. It performs well, no doubt, but thankfully I can’t tell you how it feels when taking a hit to the head – nor do I want to. I can say, however, that the feeling of the helmet gives me as much confidence as Fly’s data provides.

When buying a new helmet, I would recommend trying the Fly Formula helmet on and you will instantly be aware that this is a premium helmet with technology that proves it is an industry leader in safety. There are many premium helmets on the market, but this is one that I can say truly impressed me.

Initially introduced last year, the top of the line Formula Carbon helmet is priced at $649.95, which is the top-level product from Fly Racing following the introduction of the Formula CC model in 2021. Visit the brand’s official website at www.flyracing.com or contact your chosen Fly Racing retailer to learn more.