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Bottom Line | Quick and easy to install, the HHV Comfort Plus Pads make any helmet much more comfortable to wear especially for all day use. | Team Wendy is known for their aftermarket padding and retention systems. The EPIC AIR pad system really is epic in the sense that it provides users with lots of adjustability and comfort that fits most helmets. | Developed in 1997 for the U.S. Army Special Operation MICH helmet. These pads are simple and effective, but were not as comfortable as most other systems we tested. | These are the standard pads that come in most OPS-CORE helmets. They feature a hard styrofoam type base layer with a softer memory foam top layer. We found these pads to be somewhat hard, especially with the added weight of NVG's, etc. | Were initially comfortable to wear and use, but started falling apart after only a dozen or so hours of use. Does not come with any performance testing info. Not recommended for professional use without actual testing info. | These are the next evolution in tactical helmet pads. These micro lattice pads are not only are the most comfortable pads we have ever worn, but they also outperform any pads we have tested in terms of ballistic and blunt impacts. Created using a process called Digital Light Synthesis â„¢ they conform perfectly to your head. |
Pros | Reasonable price, but still meets and exceeds all standards. The memory foam conforms to the individual user's skull creating a secure and comfortable fit. | Features an impact liner with integrated air channels for air flow and customizable comfort pads in two thicknesses to help get the perfect fit. | Includes 7 helmet liner pads of various sizes, simple to install, and easy to clean with mild soap and water. | They are unaffected by temperature, altitude, or moisture, and come with 8 pads per kit. Easily secures with VELCRO® to just about any helmet. | Cheap and you can buy them on Amazon! Would be just fine for Airsoft or any other use where actual blunt performance isn't needed. | Extremely comfortable and breathable. Easy to install and position inside the helmet. Superior protection during blunt and ballistic impacts. Extreme temperature swings do not degrade performance and are more fire-resistant than standard foam pads. |
Cons | If users are not careful when re-positioning pads, the outer moisture-wicking fabric is easy to tear. Pads take a minute or two to soften up when used in cold temps. | Pad system will take more messing to get the right fit with trial and error. Pads are double in price than other options. Plastic air channels may rub on some users heads, but they do not have to be used. | Simply not as comfortable as other systems we tested | They were comfortable for shorter-term use, but we found the closed cell foam they use for the comfort layer just didn't have enough material to keep things comfortable during a longer period of ware. | Cheaply made, and fell apart on us quickly. No testing data, and would not suggest using for professional use. | Higher cost than most foam-based pad options. It Will leave a funny mark on your forehead but does include a sweatband if you don't like this. |
Testing Data | Tested with HHV ATE Helmet Back-Face Deformation: Less Than 14mm Blunt Impact: AR/PD 10-02 (AVG 72.6G) | Blunt Impact: AR/PD 10-02 *Actual Data Not Published | *No Actual Data Published, but the chart on their website looks to be under 75 g’s with blunt impact. https://www. oregonaero.com/ ballistic-helmet-testing | *No Testing Data for the pads themselves found. | *No Testing Data* | Back-Face Deformation: Averages as low as 4.41 mm over 5 shots Blunt Impact AR/PD 10-02: Averages as low as 49.75G's over 14 drops. |
Each helmet tested was purchased or borrowed, we never accept anything from product manufactureres.
As usual here at Hard Head Veterans, we are naturally partial to our own tactical helmet pads, 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 pad systems 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 set of new pads for your tactical helmet? Make sure to check out our matrix above for 6 different pad options and the pros and cons of each!
If you are looking for additional information about shopping for a pad setup for your helmet, continue reading our shopping guide below.
There are lots of different helmet pad designs out there, but we will break them down into two types. Single-layer pad setups and multi-layer pad setups.
Each pad types have their pros and cons. Multi-layer helmet pad systems will provide a more custom fit, but also are more complex with additional set up time. While single layer ballistic helmet pad systems are quick and easy to set up, but may not give as custom of a fit.
These are advertised for Airsoft and would be perfectly suited for that we would think. Any other use we would recommend against. This is a multi-layer system that we got a pretty good fit with after some adjustment.
The extreme importance of pad performance and set-up is often overlooked by many purchasers and you should not make that mistake. Quality helmet pads have to do much more than just be comfortable, they are the main line of defense during blunt and ballistic impacts after the tactical helmet shell itself. The two major tests we test for and like to see data on are the following. *Note that each pad setup will have slightly different performances with various companies shells, and even more variance if the fibers/layers used in the shell are different.
Up to a 66% decrease in ballistic transient deformation over standard foam pads. Up to a 21.70% decrease in blunt impact accelerations over standard foam pads. Lattice construction allows unrestricted airflow keeping helmets an average of 14 degrees cooler
Every ounce of weight saved means less fatigue on the user over long term use. The OPS-CORE EPP pads excel at being one of the lightest set-ups we tested with their layered LDV closed-cell comfort foam.
That older generations of helmets such as the WW2 M1 helmet didn't even use pads? They used a suspension type system with varying results.
Always try and keep any interior bolts or other hard components covered with your pad and retention system.
During blunt and ballistic impacts you want your skull coming in contact with pads before anything else.
Team Wendy Epic Air pad system takes a multi-layer approach. Systems like this are designed to have the pads layered to get optimal fitment for each individual's head shape. Most companies that offer this type of system include a different thickness of pads for the user to work with.
This single-layer pad system utilizes 3 different layers within the pad itself to achieve premium comfortability and protection for users. Attaching via velcro they are easy to place or re-position.