When it comes to bulletproof or ballistic helmets, the number of choices available to you can be daunting, particularly if it ’ s your first fourth dimension investing in one. however, it all comes down to the right priorities for your protective covering .
ballistic helmets, besides known as “ bulletproof helmets, ” exist to protect their wearers ’ heads from receiving injury and damage during battle, active shooter situations, or other kinds of attacks. There are a variety of shapes and materials of ballistic helmets for different needs .
here, we ’ ll aid you become familiar with the kinds of ballistic helmets thus that you ’ ll know how to pick the best one for you.
What is a ballistic helmet?
A ballistic helmet is a tactical helmet designed to protect wearers ‘ head from attacks such as ballistic impacts ( bullet hits ) and blunt impacts ( hits against deaden objects ) .
military or SWAT teams frequently use ballistic helmets in tactical situations not only for protection but besides for mounting communications equipment and other accessories like cameras and lights .
ballistic helmets are much worn with ballistic resistant vests to supply full coverage protection .
Bullet Resistant – not “Bulletproof”
Despite this common term, no fabric or application used in tactical gear is technically bulletproof. If a fastball hits a vest or helmet, that gear is going to be weakened – particularly if a second hit impacts close to the first rap zone .
unassailable gear does n’t make you invincible, but it does give you a fighting gamble. Without it, there ‘s a thoroughly certainty you ‘ll lose your life if shot in the head or vital organs. With it, and your odds of survival are a lot better if factors like outdistance, bullet speed, etc. are in your favor .
How are ballistic helmets rated?
Quality ballistic helmets are tested to National Institute of Justice ( NIJ ) standards and given a rat indicating what type of ammunition they were able to resist .
If you ‘re in the market for unassailable gear, it ‘s important to have a full understand of the NIJ protection levels .
The most common rating for helmets is NIJ IIIA. Anything higher and you ‘re looking at excessively a lot weight unit .
What types of helmet shapes are there?
There are four main types of unassailable helmets in function today, and each has its own fib and trademark invention and shape .
Until the 1980s, soldiers protected their heads with some version of the british Brodie helmet. The US model was the M1917 helmet, or “ M1. ” The M1 was basically just a arduous steel pot that defended against rocks propelled by explosions, and the military wanted something more protective however lighter .
Vietnam era M1 helmet shell—side view
Personnel Armor System for Ground Troops (PASGT) Helmet
The initiation of Kevlar, an extremist strong, whippersnapper celluloid fiber, led to the development of the Personnel Armor System for Ground Troops ( PASGT ) ballistic helmet. The helmet features a protective beat of Kevlar, giving it the nickname “ the Kevlar helmet. ”
By the 1980s, the M1 was out and the PASGT was in. For the adjacent few decades, the Kevlar helmet became the criterion helmet of the United States Marine Corps and other armies around the world .
You can tell a PASGT helmet by its brand shape, which features a lip over the brow and a low cut above the ears. It ‘s not much different in shape from the M1 except for a higher swerve over the temples .
The PASGT is the modern era ‘s original standard when it comes to head protection, but it ca n’t be mounted with accessories without drilling cautiously into the Kevlar, which risks compromising the shell ‘s integrity if not done precisely .
PASGT helmets besides tend to shift forward over the eyes in certain positions, creating a bad distraction and limiting vision .
distillery, a number of PASGT helmets are distillery with US troops in Afghanistan, who are now using an update clean and more comfortable version called the “ Lightweight Helmet ” ( LWH ) .
The PASGT ballistic helmet is best for you if you…
- need good, basic head protection.
- don’t need to mount accessories like night vision goggles (NVG) or communications gear.
- are on a budget.
MICH/ACH Ballistic Helmet
Modular Integrated Communications Helmet (MICH)
The Modular Integrated Communications Helmet ( MICH ) ballistic helmet came about from a indigence to improve on the PASGT helmet in terms of weight and modularity .
A side-by-side comparison of the PASGT and the MICH shows how much more tech-ready the latter is. The presence of side rails across the MICH allows for easy mounting of accessories like communications equipment and an NVG shroud .
There ‘s besides no hilltop brim on the MICH, and the sides are higher than the PASGT ‘s, with a flat lower brim behind the temple. These condition differences result in 8 % less coverage but victor situational awareness and vision .
In terms of defense, the MICH is made of a more advanced form of Kevlar that offers better auspices against pistol rounds .
Advanced Combat Helmet (ACH)
When the US military acquired the MICH, they renamed it the Advanced Combat Helmet ( ACH ) and further developed the design .
The two look about identical, but the ACH has a slightly larger area for a helmet – a plus for security, but a bite diminishing in terms of vision, as compared to the MICH. In terms of ballistic penetration, ACH is a few percentage points higher than the MICH .
The MICH/ACH ballistic helmet is best for you if you…
- need to mount accessories like night vision goggles or communications equipment to your ballistic helmet.
Enhanced Combat Helmet (ECH)
While the Advanced Combat Helmet and the former helmets use aramid fibers, the Enhanced Combat Helmet ( ECH ) is composed of extremist high molecular weight unit polyethylene ( UHMWPE ) or thermoplastic .
The ECH has a very similar appearance and system of weights to the ACH, but it ‘s compact and offers 35 % more ballistic and fragmentation protection than the ACH. Its “ tactical cut ” style does offer less coverage but makes up for this with better visibility .
The ECH is in the process of phasing out and replacing the ACH .
Can civilians buy the ECH helmet?
not easily at the moment, if at all. Any tactical gear models presently being issued by the US military, like the ECH, are going to be hard for a civilian to come by, and the legality of such a purchase would be questionable .
If the ECH appeals to you for its auspices and design, we suggest going for one of the similar ballistic helmets on the marketplace, like the MICH .
Future Assault Shell Technology (FAST) Ballistic Helmet
The Future Assault Shell Technology ( FAST ) ballistic helmet is distinct from early helmets by its a lot higher and wider ear cut. This explains its nicknames : “ high Cut ” or “ Above the ear ” ( ATE ) .
other key differences are its pause and retentiveness systems and Accessory Rail Connector ( “ ARC rails ” ) that allow for the mounting of gearing like cameras, lights, and a tactical and communications protective arrangement ( TCAPS ) .
With its UHMWPE blast, the FAST ballistc helmet is besides up to 25 % lighter than any other late ballistic helmet. It is used by particular ops forces and police enforcement organizations .
The FAST ballistic helmet is best for you if you…
- need to mount a lot of tactical gear, including cameras or lights.
- want a very light helmet
Bump Helmet
Unlike the PASGT, MICH/ACH, and FAST, a bulge helmet offers no ballistic auspices. Per its diagnose, its officiate is to protect the head from bumps suffered in falls or incurred from objects like rocks or debris falling from above .
tactical find helmets come with a rail system for mounting gearing such as lights, nox imagination goggles, communication headsets, and the wish. Bump helmets are highly light compared to ballistic helmets, coming in at around 24 ounce, the lapp as a bottle of sodium carbonate !
A bump helmet is best for you if you…
- don’t need ballistic protection
- need to mount and carry gear
- want light head protection during natural disasters or while doing risky activities or sports like spelunking, climbing, base jumping, etc.
What colors are available for ballistic helmets?
ballistic helmets now have a across-the-board selection of unlike patterns and colors. Hydrographic films can efficaciously produce camouflage patterns for any environment a wearer could anticipate, from deserts to woodlands to jungles and even urban areas .
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It ‘s besides common for soldiers or users to spray paint a helmet or modify its appearance to fit the environment, so the options are outright !
What kind of materials are used for helmets?
here are some of the main materials for helmets to date :
Kevlar
The most outstanding material for bulletproof products, Kevlar is made of super durable credit card that can withstand ballistic penetration evening better than steel and early materials. In fact, it ‘s 5 times stronger than sword on an equal-weight basis. Kevlar resists heat, has bang-up tensile military capability, and is lightweight .
UHMWPE
Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene ( UHMWPE ), besides called Dyneema, provides a great bulletproof ability when combined with other materials .
While it might not be equally estimable as Kevlar when it comes to creep electric resistance, it has its own advantages such as its much lighter weight and incredible strength- 15 times stronger than steel !
Steel
Steel, a well as early materials, was chiefly used in earlier helmets before former decades ’ scientifically formulated materials appeared .
Nowadays, M1 helmets made of steel are still used by militaries across the universe for different activities such as rescue operations, if not for the battlegrounds .
And more…
ballistic helmets may besides be made from early materials including
- fiberglass – can be mixed in the helmet’s shell
- Twaron – in the same materials family as Kevlar
- carbon fiber – strengthens some helmets by combining with other materials like Kevlar
What kind of accessories can you use on helmets?
Most ballistic helmets allow the flexibility to secure accessories such as :
Side Rails
You ’ ll need side rails if you want to mount something aboard your PASGT helmet. Side rails, with their holes and fastening systems, can interlock devices for unlike purposes, such as communication gadgets and oxygen masks .
NVG Shroud
If you need to mount night vision goggles to your helmet, you ‘ll need an NVG ( night vision goggles ) shroud. This gear allows you to attach the goggles at your frontal bone and flip them toward your eyes when needed .
Fitting Mechanisms
different accessories can be incorporated into a helmet to cater to the fit of its wearer. For example :
- Chin straps and retention systems adjust to the circumference of your head to keep the helmet in place.
- Comfort pads serve as cushions and keep the grip of the helmet.
There are besides entire helmet lining systems with features such as fret bands to absorb sweat .
And more…
There are many more helmet accessories that you can try out, like :
- helmet cover – Usually made of mesh, these include pouches to store small items like batteries.
- visor mask and mount – These protect your eyes.
- counterweight pouch – This can help retain your helmet’s balance after being loaded with weighty accessories.
Are ballistic helmets worth it if you’re not military?
They absolutely can be, specially if you work in an environment where you run the risk of a dull impact wound .
Criminal justice workers, for one, are broadly more frequently attacked with impingement weapons and throw projectiles than with firearms. A professorship hitting the head at the wrong point can be angstrom bad as a bullet train .
A ballistic helmet may be a liveliness saver for a person facing these threats ascribable to the blunt impact protective covering these helmets besides offer .
Different Helmets for Different Needs
now that you know about the different types of helmets available today, it ‘s clock time to highlight some of the lead bulletproof helmets from our collection that become a roll of needs !
They ‘re all rated NIJ Level IIIA, so they ‘ve been tested to defeat .357 sig full metallic element jacket flat nose rounds ( FMJ FN ) and .44 Magnum semitrailer jacketed hollow point ( SJHP ) rounds at velocities traveling up to 1450 ft./s .
This high cut helmet provides a rail system that lets you fasten equipment like lights, camera, and communication gadgets. It besides features a dial you can turn to tighten or loosen the helmet .
Best for people who need something…
- durable – Polyrea paint coating protects outer shell against rain, oil, and other liquids; resistant to drops and temperature; reduced back face deformation up to 50%
- lightweight – 2.53 lbs. (1.15 kg.) without accessories
- versatile– rails allow for an O2 mask, lights, camera, night vision equipment, flashlight, weapon sight, etc. and GoPro camera on front shroud.
This Legacy PASGT combat helmet has a simple, plain design for those who need lightweight however high-performance head security .
Best for people who need something…
- protective – multi layer construction of aramid and ballistic polyethylene material defends against ballistic hazards and fragmentation; includes base attachment for optional face guard
- comfortable – foam cushioned leather headband and comfortable chinstrap
- streamlined and light – only 2.9 lbs.
The Legacy MICH is the ideal head auspices for law enforcement/SWAT teams, or military. It has a simple design with a higher cut .
Best for people who need something…
- combat ready – reduced profile & higher cut allow for full special ops coverage with enhanced awareness
- versatile – suspension fixed side rails for shroud accessories; front Wilcox NVG shroud
- protective – increased coverage over ears and back of helmet
Legacy ‘s FAST translation is a broad coverage helmet with better coverage of the ears. It besides features wider side rails, which means more room to attach other accessories .
Best for people who need something…
- versatile – high cut sides for communications devices; side rails for cameras, lights, radios, and more; NVG mounting shroud
- protective – more coverage over ears and back of helmet
- comfortable – light; excellent performance to weight characteristics
Honorable Non-Ballistic Mention
Chase makes a high-performance tactical bump helmet for anyone needing head protection against not ballistic impacts like falling objects .
Best for people who need something…
- protective – but not against bullets!
- versatile – accessory rails for lights, NVG, helmet cams, headsets, battery pack, etc.
- comfortable and secure- padded suspension system with an adjustable 4-point harness
Debating whether you need a ballistic or a non-ballistic helmet ? This is the guide for you .
What kind of ballistic helmet do I need?
To determine what kind of ballistic headgear is right for your needs, you need to choose from the multiple types of helmets intended for different uses .
If you barely want good, basic auspices and do n’t need to mount a distribute of accessories and communications gear, a PASGT helmet could suit you well. On the early hand, a MICH/ACH is the gear for you if night vision goggles and comms equipment are a vital part of your mission. And the FAST helmet is a very lightweight option that allows for mounting a much larger array of equipment.
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Balancing security, function, and mobility is the bottom channel when it comes to picking your helmet .
If this article has you interested in ballistic headgear, you may besides like to check out our picks for the crown 9 ballistic Helmets of 2021 ! Make certain you get the right size for you for optimum security .
Leave us a comment or interview below and let us know what you think about helmets !
