Whether you are a military enthusiast, a law enforcement officer, or a practitioner who needs to participate in high-risk tasks such as field search and rescue, choosing the right tactical helmet is key to ensuring safety. But in the face of a variety of models, obscure protection standards and a variety of accessories, many people will fall into confusion: what is the difference between a tactical helmet and an ordinary helmet? Which material should I choose for different scenarios? What should I think of the protection level? Today’s guide will help you understand the core issues of tactical helmets from basic cognition to practical skills.
1. Basic cognition: first understand the core logic of tactical helmets
1. What is a tactical helmet? How is it different from a regular helmet?
Simply put, tactical helmets are head protective equipment designed for high-risk scenarios, with the core goal of resisting lethal threats such as bullets, shrapnel, blunt blows, etc., while being compatible with various tactical accessories. The difference between it and ordinary helmets (such as cycling helmets and construction site helmets) is obvious: ordinary helmets focus on single impact protection, while tactical helmets emphasize comprehensive protection performance and functional scalability. For example, construction site helmets can prevent falling objects from high altitudes, but they have no resistance to shrapnel; Tactical helmets can not only prevent fragmentation, but also be equipped with night vision, communication headsets and other accessories to adapt to the needs of complex tasks.
To give a real case: in an anti-terrorism operation, the tactical helmet worn by special forces successfully resisted the shotgun fragments fired by the gangsters and was only slightly shocked; If you change to an ordinary helmet, the consequences will be unimaginable. This is the core value of tactical helmets in high-risk scenarios – not simple “head coverage”, but “life-saving protection”.
2. The core role and classification of tactical helmets
The core functions of tactical helmets are mainly threefold: first, to resist ballistic threats (bullets, shrapnel) and blunt blow damage; second, adapt to complex environments, such as stability in high-temperature, low-temperature, and humid environments; The third is to support the expansion of accessories to improve combat or mission efficiency.
Common tactical helmet classifications can be divided into ballistic helmets (focusing on bulletproof), collision helmets (focusing on blunt impact protection), high-cut helmets (lightweight, convenient for wearing headphones), PASGT helmets (classic military model, all-wrap design), MICH helmets (modular design, adapting to more accessories), etc. Different types correspond to different scenarios, for example, special forces choose high-cut or MICH helmets, while regular troops may prefer PASGT helmets.
2. Material and Construction: A code of balance between sturdiness and comfort
The core of the performance of tactical helmets lies in the material and structural design. A quality tactical helmet should be strong enough and as light as possible to avoid putting too much strain on the wearer.
1. Mainstream materials: from Kevlar to UHMWPOLYETHYLENE
At present, there are three main core materials of tactical helmets, each with its own advantages and disadvantages, see the table below for specific comparison:
Material type | Core strengths | Insufficient | Applicable scenarios |
|---|---|---|---|
Kevlar | High temperature resistance, strong impact resistance, high cost performance | Medium weight, long-term humid environment is prone to aging | Conventional military and police patrols |
Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) | Lightweight (20%-30% lighter than Kevlar) and excellent ballistic performance | High price, poor temperature resistance (easy to deform over 100°C) | Special operations and field search and rescue (scenes with high load-bearing requirements) |
Composites (Kevlar + Polyethylene) | It takes into account both lightness and high temperature resistance, and has balanced comprehensive performance | The process is complex and the price is medium to high | Multi-scenario universal (peacekeeping, counter-terrorism, etc.) |
2. Key Structure: The importance of suspension systems and liners
Many people choose helmets only based on the shell material, but ignore the suspension system and lining structure – these two parts directly affect wearing comfort and protection. The function of the suspension system is to disperse the impact force and avoid the external force directly acting on the head; High-quality suspension systems, such as the Dial Fit adjustment system, can also be quickly adapted to different head circumferences for improved stability.
The lining is mainly responsible for cushioning and absorbing sweat, and the common lining material is EVA foam or memory foam. Here’s a practical experience: if you need to wear it for a long time (such as more than 4 hours), give preference to a removable and washable lining to maintain hygiene and extend the life of the helmet. In addition, the ventilation design cannot be ignored, in summer or high temperature environments, helmets with multiple vents can effectively reduce the temperature of the head and avoid heat stroke.
3. Protection level and standard: understand the “hard indicators” of safety
When choosing a tactical helmet, the level of protection is the core reference basis. Different protection level standards correspond to different protection capabilities, and the current international mainstream are NIJ standards (USA) and EN standards (Europe).
1. Interpretation of core standards: What is the difference between NIJ and EN?
NIJ standards divide the bulletproof levels of tactical helmets into IIA, II, IIIA, III, IV, of which IIIA and below are soft bulletproof (resistant to pistol bullets), and level III and above are hard bulletproof (resistant to rifle bullets). It is important to note that most tactical helmets are rated IIIA and can withstand 9mm pistol rounds and .44 Magnum bullets, which is sufficient for most police and special operations scenarios.
The EN standard is more focused on the European market, and is divided into B1, B2, and B3 levels under the EN 1063:2000 standard (corresponding to different fragment protection capabilities). Here’s a key statistic: EN B3 helmets can withstand 1.1g of fragments at a speed of 650m/s, and their protection is close to NIJ IIIA.
2. Key Tests: What is V50 Testing?
The V50 test is a core indicator for evaluating the helmet’s fragmentation protection capability, which refers to the fragmentation velocity (unit: m/s) that can withstand a 50% probability. The higher the V50 value, the stronger the protection ability. For example, the V50 value of a certain helmet is 680m/s, which is better than the protection of a helmet with a V50 value of 650m/s.
Important reminder: When buying a tactical helmet, be sure to confirm that the product has formal certifications (such as NIJ certification, EN certification), and avoid buying “three-no products” – the protective performance of such products cannot be guaranteed and may be life-threatening at critical moments.
4. Accessories and extensions: make the helmet suitable for more scenarios
One of the core advantages of tactical helmets is the scalability of accessories, which can adapt the helmet to various needs such as night combat and communication cooperation by adding different accessories. The following is a summary of the functions and applicable scenarios of common accessories:
- Guide rail system: basic extension accessories for mounting flashlights, masks, etc.; Prefer standard M-LOK or Picatinny rails for better compatibility.
- Night vision mount: adapted to night vision devices, used for night combat or search and rescue; When choosing a stand, pay attention to matching the helmet model to avoid shaking.
- Communication headphones: divided into two types: passive noise cancellation and active noise cancellation, active noise cancellation models can filter ambient noise and amplify speech at the same time, suitable for noisy scenes (such as counter-terrorism operations).
- Bulletproof Mask: Enhanced face protection against splinters and splashes; It is recommended to choose a model that can be quickly removed to facilitate switching between different scenes.
- Camouflage cover: used for concealment, adapted to different environments (jungle, desert, etc.); Choose breathable materials to avoid affecting the ventilation of the helmet.
5. Brand and model: cost-effective choice recommendation
There are many tactical helmet brands on the market, both international brands and cost-effective domestic brands. Here are several mainstream models at different price points based on purchasing experience:
1. International brands: Ops-Core and Team Wendy
The Ops-Core FAST series is the mainstream choice of special operations forces around the world, made of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, light weight (about 1.2kg), strong compatibility, suitable for high-intensity special operations scenarios; the disadvantage is that the price is high (about 5,000 yuan or more). The Team Wendy EXFIL series is known for its comfort, excellent suspension system design, long-term wear is not easy to fatigue, suitable for long-term tasks such as peacekeeping and search and rescue.
2. Domestic brands: FAST PJ and QGF03
Domestic brands have developed rapidly in recent years and are cost-effective. The FAST PJ model is a classic model imitating Ops-Core, made of Kevlar material, IIIA level protection, and the price is about 2,000 yuan, suitable for users with limited budgets. QGF03 is a helmet installed by the People’s Liberation Army, with balanced comprehensive performance, protection level IIIA, and a price of about 1,500 yuan, suitable for military enthusiasts and ordinary law enforcement scenarios.
6. Wearing and maintenance: practical skills to extend the service life
1. Wear it correctly: sizing and adjusting the center of gravity
The first step is to choose the right size: measure the head circumference (circle 1cm above the forehead), and then choose against the brand’s size chart (for example, head circumference 58-60cm corresponds to size M). When worn, the helmet should cover the entire forehead and back occipital area, without shaking or pressing the eyebrows; When adjusting the center of gravity, the center of gravity of the helmet is adjusted to the center of the head through the suspension system to avoid leaning forward or backward – leaning forward will affect the line of sight, and tilting back will reduce the protection effect of the occipital part.
2. Routine Maintenance: Storage and care points
- Cleaning: Wipe the shell with warm water and neutral detergent, the lining can be removed for cleaning, and avoid using corrosive solvents (which will damage the material).
- Storage: Keep in a dry and ventilated environment, avoid direct sunlight and high temperature (exceeding 60°C will accelerate the aging of the material); Do not press the helmet hard to avoid deformation of the shell.
- Replacement criteria: The service life of general tactical helmets is 5 years (from the date of manufacture); If it has experienced a severe impact (such as being hit by a heavy object or withstanding a bullet), it must be replaced immediately, even if it looks intact.
7. Yigu (purchasing agent) point of view
As a practitioner of long-term docking tactical equipment procurement, I recommend that you choose tactical helmets and follow the principle of “scene matching + certification first”. If ordinary users use it outdoors or for collection, the IIIA model of domestic brands is more cost-effective; For professional law enforcement or special operations personnel, it is recommended to choose an international brand or a domestic brand with regular NIJ certification. In addition, when purchasing, be sure to confirm that the channel is legitimate and avoid buying refurbished or counterfeit products – the protective performance of such products cannot meet the standard. Finally, it is reminded that tactical helmets are life-saving equipment, do not compromise core performance in order to save money, and do a good job of daily maintenance to ensure safety at critical moments.
8. FAQ: FAQ
1. Are tactical helmets resistant to rifle bullets?
Most conventional tactical helmets are Class IIIA, which can only protect against pistol bullets, not rifle bullets; Helmets that can protect against rifle bullets are level III and above, and need to be equipped with hard bulletproof inserts, which weigh more than 2.5kg and are suitable for specific combat scenarios.
2. Can tactical helmets be worn for extended periods of time?
Yes, but it is recommended to take a 15-minute break every 4 hours. When choosing a helmet, give preference to lightweight (less than 1.5kg) and well-ventilated styles, and adjust the suspension system to effectively reduce fatigue.
3. 国产品牌和国际品牌的差距大吗？
In the low-end models (Class IIIA, daily scenarios), domestic brands are very cost-effective, and the protective performance is not much different from that of international brands; However, in high-end models (lightweight, multi-scene compatibility), the craftsmanship and design of international brands are more mature, suitable for high-intensity professional scenarios.
4. Can the accessories for tactical helmets be universal?
Not necessarily, you need to look at the rail standard and helmet model. Preferentially choose helmets with universal rails (M-LOK, Picatinny) for stronger accessory compatibility; When purchasing accessories, it is best to use the same brand as the helmet to avoid the problem of mismatched installation.