Looking for a helmet with all the features, but not all the price? The ATE meets this need and more. Using Aramid Kevlar, the ATE achieves excellent ratings across the board, while still being comfortable and light.
Reasonable price, but still meets and exceeds all standards. Features M-LOK rails, A3S shroud, and 3 part comfort pad system. Designed to be compatible and upgradable with other helmet manufacturers systems and various components.
Shells are slightly heavier between 2.7 -2.9 lbs. Shells are manufactured overseas with US materials.
NIJ Level: IIIA
Back-Face Deformation: Less Than 12mm
Fragment Perfomance: 17gr V50 ≥ 2400 ft/sec (731 m/s)
Blunt Impact: AR/PD 10-02 (AVG 83G) over 14 drops.
Team Wendy is known for their aftermarket padding and retention systems, so it's no wonder their full helmet is excellent. Not only is it comfortable, but you get excellent retention adjustment with their BOA system.
Arguably uses the best retention system on the market with their CAM FIT system along with the super comfy Zorbium Foam Liner with 16 customizable pads. Utilizes a two-hole Wilcox W shroud for night vision mounting needs with shock cord included.
Slightly fewer helmet accessories options available, marginally heavier shell between 2.6 lbs-2.75 lbs
NIJ Level: IIIA
Back-Face Deformation: Less than 25.4mm
Fragment Perfomance: 17gr V50 ≥ 2400 ft/sec (731 m/s)
Blunt Impact: AR/PD 10-02
3M's Ultra Light Weight Ballistic Helmet is precisely that at 1.26 lbs for the shell. They have pushed the envelope in UHMWPE's production with the result being one of the lightest helmets on the market today.
3M makes one of the most advanced and lightest shells on the market and then couples it with the best accessories. Using a Team Wendy BOA system, DOT pads and their own NVG shroud the helmet is a perfect set up for many. Its rail system is ARC Peltor compatible as well.
The price point is high, and there is always a trade-off in some protection for less weight. We would like to see actual blunt, and BFD data.
NIJ Level: IIIA
Back-Face Deformation: Not Published
Fragment Perfomance: 17gr V50 ≥ 2400 ft/sec (731 m/s)
Blunt Impact: AR/PD 10-02
The original workhorse and one of the most common helmets worn by Special Operations around the globe the OPS-CORE Fast High Cut helmet were the first of it's kind and continues to be a great helmet.
The OPS-CORE FAST or High Cut helmet is light 2.5-2.9 lbs, modular, and an industry standard, what more could you want! Comes standard with a rail system, NVG shroud, and multiple types of retention systems (OCC Dial, LUX Liner, Worm Dial, H-Nape).
Lead times and price are a factor with some customers reporting 16 week wait times, after paying 1,400 + dollars.
NIJ Level: IIIA
Back-Face Deformation: Less than 25.4mm
Fragment Perfomance: 17gr V50 ≥ 2400 ft/sec (731 m/s)
Blunt Impact: AR/PD 10-02
The ATX is a revised version of the Airframe helmet to meet IIIA standards. Using overlapping shells, Crye was able to create a helmet that vents passively at the top. Options include side rails and up-armoring components.
Enclose your head in anything, and it's going to get hot. This Airframe ballistic helmet helps solve that exact problem giving you more comfort over long-term use. Its rail system is also compatible with most accessories on the market that use a dovetail system.
At 3.70 lbs the overlapping ballistic shells add some additional weight. The standard chinstrap is average at best
NIJ Level: IIIA
Back-Face Deformation: Less than 25.4mm
Fragment Perfomance: Not Published
Blunt Impact: Not Published
MTEK's long-awaited launch of there FLUX Ballistic Helmet did not disappoint. Crafted using advanced polyethylene fibers,
and a profile designed to cradle the user's head it's the new hottest thing.
The helmet itself is exceptionally light coming in at 2.2 lbs. The helmet's ergonomics follow the natural shape of the head which also gives excellent comfort and stability. 100% boltless shell,meaning no weak spots on the shell itself.
This awesome helmet will set your pocketbook back, and you can plan to wait 12-14 weeks. We would like to see actual blunt, and BFD data
NIJ Level: IIIA
Back-Face Deformation: Not Published
Fragment Perfomance: Not Published
Blunt Impact: Not Published
Each helmet tested was purchased or borrowed, we never accept anything from product manufactureres.
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Models Tested
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Experts Interviewed
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Consumer Reviews
Here at Hard Head Veterans, we are naturally partial to our own High Cut Ballistic helmet the ATE Ballistic, but we will be the first to admit that there are other great products out there. We kept this review as unbiased as possible. The research conducted to analyze and compare these high cut ballistic helmets was in depth and based not only off initial impressions and hard data, but also off of the experiences of numerous Special Operations members, Police Officers, and industry experts.
Ready to head out and purchase a high cut or FAST type helmet? Make sure to check out our matrix above for our top 6 high cut type ballistic helmets and the pros and cons of each!
If you are looking for additional information about shopping for a ballistic helmet, continue reading our shopping guide below.
When it comes to helmets that soldiers and police wear in modern times there are three types you will hear most often, and they refer to the shape or design of the helmet: PASGT, MICH/ECH/LWH, High-Cut/FAST/Above The Ear
Each type of helmet has its uses and purposes. For this review though we are focusing on the High-Cut style helmet also commonly referred to as the FAST helmet, a term trademarked by OPS-CORE for Future Assault Shell Technology. You will hear the words FAST, High-Cut and Above the Ear used interchangeably.
The AirFrame ATX is of the same design as the original airframe with a little more protection up to IIIA. The overlapping shell design creates air vents for passive cooling and can also reduce the effects of explosive blast waves. It's made in the USA from US materials.
One of the most critical aspects of choosing a helmet is making sure it will perform the way it's intended. While we did not submit each of our review helmets to NIJ labs for testing any reputable company should be able to provide detailed testing reports. Here at Hard Head Veterans we random batch test helmets in-house, and also send out helmets annually to a 3rd party certified NIJ laboratory for the following tests which we consider the most important.
Along with the major test's above, some others that should be tested as well are compression testing, and even element testing (hot, cold, wet, salt)
The MTEK Flux Ballistic Helmet is packed with excellent and innovative features. The ergonomics of the helmet alone make for one of the most stable helmets we have ever tried. Undercut in the rear for prone shooting, two sets of comfort pads for a custom fit, and a "bolt-through-less" shell make for nothing short, but an outstanding helmet.
The 3M Ulta Light Ballistic Helmet doesn't even feel like a ballistic helmet when you first don it due to its lightweight design. It's precisely what you would expect from a company that specializes in innovation across multiple industries.
Team Wendy and their EXFIL ballistic helmet come with their CAM-FIT retention system. This is a micro-adjustable dial made by BOA which allows the user to get the perfect adjustment with the helmet. Many other ballistic helmet companies also offer the Team Wendy CAM-FIT retention standard in their helmets as well.
Utilizing USA made aramid kevlar fibers HHV adds a few extra layers to its shells to give the user slightly better protection than most lighter weight helmets. The tradeoff of 4-8 ounces for a few additional layers of kevlar means a vast difference when it comes to back face deformation and blunt impact numbers while also increasing the resistance to penetration with in-house tests defeating .50AE.
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