We do not get affiliate commissions from Shellback Tactical. Make sure you understand your state laws.
Guide to Ballistic Helmets
- Armor rating?
- Manufacturer?
- MICH vs ACH styles
- “Shroud” mount for night vision goggles or thermals
- Picatinny rails on the side
- Velcro padding for attachments
We do not get affiliate commissions from Shellback Tactical. Make sure you understand your state laws.
Guide to Ballistic Helmets
- Armor rating?
- Manufacturer?
- MICH vs ACH styles
- “Shroud” mount for night vision goggles or thermals
- Picatinny rails on the side
- Velcro padding for attachments
First things first, you want to know the armor rating. Level IV is the best for most ballistic armor chest plates. However, it can be difficult to find Level IV helmets. If you can’t find any Level IV, try a Level IIIA, III+, or just III. It can also be difficult to find NIJ Certified helmets as well.
Luckily, some manufacturers can be trusted because they have armor chest plates that are NIJ certified, so it can be assumed their helmet manufacturing also follows good standards. Certifications by National Institute of Justice are important. They are able to test armor strength and give their official approval. (Full list of armor certifications. The data chart takes up to 30 seconds to load.)
For more details on armor ratings, see this article on Officer.com.
MICH vs ACH? Most often, it’s how high cut the ear height is. ACH leaves open room for the ears, and MICH covers the ears.
First things first, you want to know the armor rating. Level IV is the best for most ballistic armor chest plates. However, it can be difficult to find Level IV helmets. If you can’t find any Level IV, try a Level IIIA, III+, or just III. It can also be difficult to find NIJ Certified helmets as well.
Luckily, some manufacturers can be trusted because they have armor chest plates that are NIJ certified, so it can be assumed their helmet manufacturing also follows good standards. Certifications by National Institute of Justice are important. They are able to test armor strength and give their official approval. (Full list of armor certifications. The data chart takes up to 30 seconds to load.)
For more details on armor ratings, see this article on Officer.com.
MICH vs ACH? Most often, it’s how high cut the ear height is. ACH leaves open room for the ears, and MICH covers the ears.
Is there a “shroud” mount for night vision goggles or thermals? This is extremely important for the modern militia man and woman. (Click here for more info about night vision and thermal vision.)
Are there picatinny rails mounted on the side? This was you can install side-mounted flashlights as well as noise-cancelling ear muffs for hearing protection.
Is there velcro pads along the top and rear for fixing a night vision battery or counter-weight?
Buy a helmet that’s pre-installed with the mount, rails, and velcro. Let the manufacturer handle the precision drilling. If you do it yourself, you could risk compromising the ballistic strength and integrity.
Is there a “shroud” mount for night vision goggles or thermals? This is extremely important for the modern militia man and woman. (Click here for more info about night vision and thermal vision.)
Are there picatinny rails mounted on the side? This was you can install side-mounted flashlights as well as noise-cancelling ear muffs for hearing protection.
Is there velcro pads along the top and rear for fixing a night vision battery or counter-weight?
Buy a helmet that’s pre-installed with the mount, rails, and velcro. Let the manufacturer handle the precision drilling. If you do it yourself, you could risk compromising the ballistic strength and integrity.
OUR RECOMMENDATION
We recommend Shellback Tactical’s Level IIIA Ballistic High Cut SF ACH Helmet. First off, the company sells NIJ Certified Level IV armor chest plates, so that’s a good sign that this helmet is held up to professional testing standards.
Make sure you understand your state laws.
The helmet comes with the night vision goggle mount, side picatinny rails, and velcro padding along the top and rear to fix a night vision battery or counter-weights.
Check out most common helmet accessories!
Can’t afford the helmet? Here’s a cheap Chinese alternative!
If you can afford it, get night vision and thermal vision!
OUR RECOMMENDATION
We recommend Shellback Tactical’s Level IIIA Ballistic High Cut SF ACH Helmet. First off, the company sells NIJ Certified Level IV armor chest plates, so that’s a good sign that this helmet is held up to professional testing standards.
Make sure you understand your state laws.
The helmet comes with the night vision goggle mount, side picatinny rails, and velcro padding along the top and rear to fix a night vision battery or counter-weights.
Check out most common helmet accessories!
Can’t afford the helmet? Here’s a cheap Chinese alternative!
If you can afford it, get night vision and thermal vision!
