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Posted: 8/2/2015 2:55:22 PM EDT
| I am currently trying to acquire all my gear, but being a noob I've flipped through almost all the gear porn and plate carrier picture threads but I know nothing about what helmet to buy. The helmet is for recreational shooting, training and SHTF. I am active duty in the Marines...so I know I don't want the same Kevlar helmet that we get issued. It's heavy and uncomfortable... There are a lot of aesthetically pleasing helmets on the picture threads but can I get some feedback info? Make & model? Protection level? Por favor? |
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Well, ballistic helmets are heavy and hot. It's a fact of life.
It depends on how much you want to spend that will determine what you can get. A standard Army ACH is similar to the USM LWH, but will cost you <$200 used/new on the EE. If you want a mid or high-cut ACH, they will run $350-500 depending on used or new. I really like my Mid-cut ACH. If you want something REALLY lightweight you're going to pay $850-1K. The standard in modern ballistic IIIA helmets (same threat rating as the ACH and LWH) is the Ops Core FAST ballistic helmet. They run $900+ and are the main choice of USASOC, MARSOC, AFSOC, and NSW, in addition to many top level Fed LEAs, and better funded local/regional/state SWAT teams. There's a more expensive "Maritime version" that's lighter, but is significantly more expensive and has a lesser ballistic rating. Another popular choice is the Crye Airframe ($845, same coverage as midcut ACH, NOT IIIA). There is a IIIA version (ATX) but they refuse to publish a weight for it, so the though is it's pretty heavy. Team Wendy EXFIL is getting excellent reviews. It's the lightest IIIA helmet out, but is the most expensive at $960+ Really, for casual or infrequent use, the ACH is the best choice when balancing benefits with budget. I know lots of guys on here have no problem buying a $900+ helmet for sticking in the SHTF gear locker, but for most of us (and I'd bet active duty marines) spending $900 on a helmet we won't use in a professional capacity feels excessive. My final though: There are lots of "FAST style" helmets for sale now not made by Ops Core. While they look like the real thing and are "cool looking" and less expensive they are not built to the standard of the helmets they're copying. Most are chinese made (or sold and presented as American made while made overseas). Here's a couple of threads you should read. https://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=6&f=10&t=442922 http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_10/442830_Real_or_Fake_Airframe_Helmet.html TNVC has a sale right now on the Israeli made Rabintex ACH style helmets (full, mid, and high-cut) for $380. That is about the best price you'll find these types of helmets for new. http://tnvc.com/shop/category/yard-sale/ Own the night also has some mid and high cut ACHs for sale too. https://ownthenight.com/sale.html ETA: Helmet standard protection is IIIA. Brands: Gentex, MSA, Revision, BAE, Protech, Rabintex, ArmorSource all make "ACH" helmets in IIIA and are mostly interchangeable functionally and style-wise. There are minor differences in cuts and sizing, but nothing major. The 3 major non-ACH helmet brands are: Ops Core (FAST Ballistic high-cut and sentry mid-cut IIIA, FAST Maritime "Frag/bump"), Crye Precision (ATX IIIA, Airframe "frag/bump"), and Team Wendy EXFIL. |
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A great deal of how hot and how heavy a helmet feels has to do with the suspension system, very definitely including the chinstrap.
After having used a modern suspension system--and chinstrap, I wouldn't think of using the old GI leather sweatband and nylon top-of-head rig, and that goes double for the original two point chinstrap. The difference in comfort factor has to be experienced to be believed. Besides, if one has over-the head earphones/comms, a channel, or tunnel can be made by re-arranging the suspension pads (pucks) in the new systems. Note that this is most easily done when using kits with lots of small pucks, as opposed to kits using fewer, and larger pucks. Even the original PASGT helmet is greatly improved by ripping out the OEM suspension, and installing a modern suspension and chinstrap. YMMV, but I wouldn't sneeze at a good PASGT helmet set up properly with a new-style suspension system and 4-point chinstrap. Note that the original PASGT offers the same level of ballistic protection vice most of the newer helmets, and with greater coverage overall. Most of the newer helmets have decreased coverage to save some weight. There is a trick to buying a helmet, and that is buying the right size helmet for your individual head. Do some research, and make sure of return if the fit is NG with 1" pads. Using 1" pads in the summer gives the greatest amount of stand-off from the user's head, and also allows the widest air channels between the pucks. Some folks buy the correct size helmet for their head, and also buy two sets of pucks. One set is 1" thick, and the other is 3/4" thick, the latter being used in conjunction with head cover/insulation in winter. Again, YMMV. Where the older PASGT--and very similar-- helmets come up short is the non-availability of side rails and state-of-the-art NVD device attachments, which are mostly focused on the newer (and far more expensive) helmets. Even so, the owners of PASGT--and similar helmets can find ways to make things work, although doing so might take some digging. |
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Quoted:
I am currently trying to acquire all my gear, but being a noob I've flipped through almost all the gear porn and plate carrier picture threads but I know nothing about what helmet to buy. The helmet is for recreational shooting, training and SHTF. I am active duty in the Marines...so I know I don't want the same Kevlar helmet that we get issued. It's heavy and uncomfortable... There are a lot of aesthetically pleasing helmets on the picture threads but can I get some feedback info? Make & model? Protection level? Por favor? Brother PM me if you want to discuss in depth. Bottom line is helmet certifications are lagging way behind plate and concealment panel certification. Can expound when we talk. Regardless of the rating scheme unless you go to a rifle rated helmet (expensive, uncommon, and heavy) or add a VS SLAAP plate you only have pistol round (and maybe frag rated depending on the helmet)protection on your melon. Vr AT |
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Side by side of my different helmets. Top left is a mid cut ach, top right is an old kevlar, bottom left is a standard ach, bottom right is a Crye airframe. My favorite is the airframe. It's the most comfortable and lightest. It's also the most expensive. I like high cut helmets. They work better with comm headsets. All I think are 3a armor. Hope this helps. |
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Quoted:
http://<a href=http://i653.photobucket.com/albums/uu253/jeran_stevens/th_1317055932.jpg</a>" /> Side by side of my different helmets. Top left is a mid cut ach, top right is an old kevlar, bottom left is a standard ach, bottom right is a Crye airframe. My favorite is the airframe. It's the most comfortable and lightest. It's also the most expensive. I like high cut helmets. They work better with comm headsets. All I think are 3a armor. Hope this helps. PASGTS are Level II The Airframe is NOT Level IIIA |
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If you'll be spending a lot of time hunting etc... with helmet mounted NVG then the bump helmet combo with be much lighter and comfortable over time.
Quoted:
Okay okay see this is what I'm talking about I am eventually going to dive into night vision you guys are saying a bump is recommended over the ballistic? |
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Quoted:
Okay okay see this is what I'm talking about I am eventually going to dive into night vision you guys are saying a bump is recommended over the ballistic? More so they compliment each other. I like my bump (OC FAST BASE) for general use when I'm just walking around or doing other stuff with NODs. When I use my ballistic (TC2002 Mid-Cut ACH) its paired with a plate carrier and plates. |
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Quoted:
Okay okay see this is what I'm talking about I am eventually going to dive into night vision you guys are saying a bump is recommended over the ballistic? Go with bump protection first cause you'll actually use it If it's shtf and I feel like I'm going to have to wear a ballistic helmet I'll find a new spot to frequent |
How ornery is your CoC (I know you're a Marine, but still  )?
From everything I know/have heard, the MICH/ACH is a once again better and more comfortable than the USMC LWH, especially if you put a simple Ops-Core suspension system in it. Something to consider - particularly if you're AD - wouldn't you have a high likelihood of being with your unit if "S" ever did "HTF?" If you're looking for a better helmet for work and/or to train for work, and you think you can get away with it, I'd look at a MICH/ACH. If you just want a cool helmet to wear with NV, I'd look at a bump helmet. If you want to improve your current helmet, I'd look at some of the pad and suspension upgrades currently available. ~Augee |
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