How tight is a racing helmet supposed to be? I've never received any guidance on this other than if its too tight it'll give you a headache. The one I'm wearing on my head right now feels kind of tight but bearable, but not giving me a headache yet. Anyone have some insight?

I dont know how tight a racing helmet should be sorry.

Measure your head and then see what size it is and then order the helmet that fits that measurement.

That goes against all advice I've received thus far. Try the helmet on in a store and then order it online.

My problem is I found a Pyrotect medium helmet and tried it on locally and ordered it for a steal online. I can always sell it, but to upgrade to a Bell which seemed much more comfortable in a medium, I'd have to pay another $150 more over the money I could get from selling the Pyrotect. The Pyrotect is pretty snug, but not so snug that I get a headache wearing it. The Bell I tried on was lightly snug but way over the price I want to pay. I might have to give up and pay that price, but I just want to know really how snug is too snug.

I have a Large and it fits snug. You want it to fit snug where it isn't going to move around on your head. Helmets have a measurement guide just like fitted baseball caps do.

Usually you want it snug enough that with it strapped on, you can't easily move the helmet around on your head and make it shift position etc. The problem with trying on helmets is that sometimes you have to have it on for 30mins+ before you run into discomfort. It's really nice if you have a gokart track that has helmets and you can use one of them for a few sessions and see how well you really like it. One thing I just got was a foam neck brace and it made a world of difference as far as neck muscle strain goes. My helmet is only a midrange HJC however, so technically it's just barely suitable for duty inside a car, but it was one of the few brands I could try locally.

Adult Helmets
Size Inches CM Hat Size
XS 21 1/4 - 21 1/2 54 - 54 3/4 6 3/4 - 6 7/8
S 21 3/4 - 22 1/4 55 7/8 - 56 3/4 7 - 7 1/8
M 22 1/2 - 23 1/8 57 1/2 - 59 7 1/8 - 7 3/8
L 23 1/4 - 23 7/8 59 3/4 - 60 3/4 7 1/2 - 7 5/8
XL 24 1/4 - 24 1/2 61 1/2 - 62 1/4 7 5/8 - 7 3/4
XXL 24 7/8 - 25 1/4 63 1/4 - 64 3/8 7 7/8 - 8

This is why you should get a properly sized helmet and remember to strap it on!

http://videos.247drifting.com/video/0d58f19f-f84f-4180-954b-9a2500fe0933.htm