Tactical Helmet ATE® Bump

Everything I am about to say should be taken with the knowledge that I have never used a bump helmet before. I chose this helmet as I did not want to spend hundreds or more on a ops-core or team wendy, but I did not want to cheap out on some Chinese sweat shop option either. This helmet seemed like a good "middle of the road" option. The shell of this helmet seems ok. I have not subject it to any impacts but I have no reason to believe it would break, but it does not inspire me with confidence either. The blunt force is another thing, it does not seem like it would absorb and disperse blunt force, just transmit it directly into your skull. The only saving thing may be the padding, which is its own problem.

I ordered an XL helmet as I have a larger head. The helmet comes with a set of pads installed in it, with extra pads besides. I assumed these pads were "instead of" the installed pads, but according to HHV youtube video about pad installation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGz-v8XuMac, the included pads are to be installed ON TOP OF the pre-installed pads via a system of sticky hook and loop backers. Sticking adhesive onto cloth pads to hold more pads, that's not a good idea right? Well it isn't. The adhesive hook and loop pads do not hold onto other pads and they fall right off. Idk who came up with that but... yeah.

Anyway on to the chin strap. You would assume ordering a XL helmet, one would have a XL head and as such, need a chin strap with a lot of slack. Well the chin strap included was not big enough for me, even adjusted all the way out to the extreme. I contacted customer service regarding this issue and was asked if I would like an XL chin strap mailed out to me. I ask, if there is an XL version of the chin strap, why not make it standard on the XL helmet? but no matter, I was offered the XL chin strap and I said "yes I would like an XL chin strap mailed out to me", problem solved right? Well after I accepted, I never heard from customer service again and never saw the strap.

Also the latch on the chin strap is magnetic. Which is good in theory, but do you know what a lot of other stuff in your tactical kit is made of? Steel. Knifes, Magazines, Guns, insides of vehicles, it all has steel, and this little clasp, if not secured around your chin, will attach to anything steel and get caught. These two things led me to ditch the chin strap entirely and rely on the ratcheting back part as well as clamp on ear pro to hold the helmet in place.

Anyway, I have never owned a helmet so I have no prior experience. I asked some former military friends about it and was told these things are the norm. No one asked me but if they did, I feel this whole concept could be drastically improved. The system does not seem or feel like it was well thought out but more hastily thrown together to get something on your head. If I had any advise is maybe go with a brand that is more well known and used by more people. It might be more money but the frustration saving is worth every penny.

Tactical Helmet ATE® Bump

The best thing I can put on my head.

This bump helmet is really amazing I've been messing around with it for about 2 weeks and I truly love it I mean the fit the hardware are all amazing so im pretty darn happy with it.

I just jumped with Phantom Airborne Brigade for the Airborne Day anniversary on August 16th with a DJI Action 4 camera attached to your bump helmet which was attached to my noggin. Since this was a water jump, I needed a bump helmet, not a ballistic, that met flotation requirements. Tough to find, but you guys list it in your spec.

Pros:
- Solid. I had complete confidence in the helmet going in, and that hasn’t changed one bit after. It stayed in position when I hit the water. I will jump with this helmet again, hopefully soon.
- Aluminum shroud is well machined and problem-free. Secure mount point. No issues with shaking or jitters (the camera mount, that is - I won't comment about my physiological state before exit).
- Grommets in retention straps made a good place to clip my homemade camera retention cable and the elastic NVG cords kept the cable out of my face.
- Good Velcro coverage and placement. Plenty of places for my patches (17 pieces of flair were not just required, but in fact a moral imperative) and still kept the M81 God’s Plaid pattern visible for all to bask in its glory and have a glimpse of the glory of God.
- I’ve been wearing the helmet on rucks with the cam to get used to it so it wasn’t a distraction on the jump. The helmet has proven through use to be comfortable and secure. Both sweat and lake water have dried quickly and not left any residue of funk. Whatever you made the pads out of seems to scare away the odor-causing germs.

My only recommended areas for improvement:
- The inner comfort pad attachment can use some work. The adhesive dots don’t stick well. I wrapped Velcro cable ties around the shell pads and stuck the inner pads to the Velcro. Much better.
- On your advice, I wrapped a Velcro cable tie (no one had a rigger band handy) around the chin strap buckle magnetic closure. If there was a little slot in the female side of the closure to run a Velcro strap through, I could see that being really handy.

Bottom line: I chose well on this purchase and I have no regrets whatsoever. I would and will purchase gear from you guys again. Thank you for making these helmets and especially for the advice you gave me about safing the chin strap buckle. Just responding to my message shows y’all care about your customers.