Gear Talk: How to select a helmet?

[Kasey]

I have completed the 3 day and an advanced 2 day Skippy school and plan to participate in my first race weekend at Mid Ohio in September. I have used the helmets and suits provided by the company in my schools but would feel more comfortable in a new helmet under racing conditions.

Can anyone please offer advice on how to select a helment mfr and assure size is correct since only way seems to be blind ordering off the web? There is no local retail operation I know of in Cincinnati that stocks multiple brands of helmets for me to try. What criteria have you used in the past to select your helmet? From my days (long ago) of riding street bikes, I understand that a helmet is not the place to try and save money so no issues with my budget. Any other advice regarding equipment purchases prior to first race weekend would be appreciated as well.

Thanks in advance. This is a great site. I have learned tons already just from searching the archives and reading old posts.

Regards,

Kasey