As individuals starting off on their gear journey, it can be easy to become overwhelmed by the complexity of the market. The differences between bump helmets and ballistic may seem obvious at first; but for beginners, these helmet types have specific characteristics to be aware of. Knowing this can be critical to selecting which helmet fits their individual requirements. In this article, we will examine in-depth the differences between bump helmets and ballistic.

Threat Considerations

The threat environment an individual finds themselves often is the single most decisive factor between selecting a bump helmet or ballistic. The most obvious being that if a threat environment exists wherein there is significant risk of gunfire or shrapnel, then the ballistic helmet is designed to assist in mitigating those threats. Ballistic helmets offer some mitigation against various common battlefield calibers, with the newest ballistic helmets starting to approach defeating rifle caliber threats. Some examples of a setting in which a ballistic helmet is more appropriate would be in conflict zones, specialized training in a small-group setting where live-fire is being conducted, etc.

However, in contrast to environments with the more obvious threat, a bump helmet may offer a viable solution to defray from blunt-force impacts while still allotting for lighter weight and retaining the same functionality of night vision devices and rail-mounted accessories. Examples when a bump helmet would be more appropriate would be night-hunting, snowboarding, dirt bike riding, linear range training by yourself, working in confined spaces where objects may protrude or risk falling on the head, etc.

Safety Regulations

Often less discussed, supporting the development of helmets have been a significant amount of safety regulations (in industry and governmental) that ensure these products meet their intended usage.

Bump: ANSI

From a safety aspect, many bump helmets are designed to meet the same safety regulations as those set forth by Z89.1 of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) for most safety helmets (biking, climbing, construction, etc.). This regulation incorporates aspects of many other safety regulations and is considered the overarching guideline.

Other safety regulations for these type of sport helmets exist, but remain specific to either industry or organization and include:

• AR/PD 10-02; Par. 3.11: Blunt Force Standards of the US Army
• Department of Transportation FMVSS 218 on civilian safety helmets for motorcycles
• European BS EN 1385 Whitewater Rafting Standards for rapids 1-4
• 29 CFR 1926.100 OSHA Standards for helmets related to demolition, construction, and labor workers

Ops Core states “[The bump] helmet provides LIMITED protection for the head and does not offer any protection against neck, spinal, or certain types of brain injuries including those caused by rotational forces. Some hazards can exceed this helmet’s specified ability to provide protection and could cause serious injuries or death. [The bump] helmet is made to absorb the energy of a blow by partial destruction or damage to the shell, liner and the harness, and even though such damage may not be clear, any helmet subjected to severe impact should be replaced. [The bump] helmet is designed to help protect from bumps, scratches, and concussion. This helmet is not intended for use in white water classes 5 and 6 as given by the International Canoe Federation. For adequate protection this helmet must be fit and adjusted properly to the user.”

Ballistic: NIJ

Ballistic helmets are required to abide by an entirely different set of safety standards because of the increased threat profiles faced. Previously covered in our post detailing Ops Core v Team Wendy ballistic helmet comparisons, we noted the old NIJ Standard 0106.01 (dated December 1981) is no longer used, but it established the first threat profiles for helmets. Today the NIJ does not certify helmets, citing the inability to consistently obtain comparable and control testing data along a curved surface and between tests. Manufactuers will cite their helmet as “rated” to a certain threat profile (including some rated now for rifle), but really what that means is the helmet was tested by a non-NIJ laboratory using NIJ Standard 0101.07 testing criteria for body armor. This does not “certify” the helmet where the NIJ is concerned, as body armor (being a flat linear surface) performs differently when tested than a helmet or shield (being curved). In the end, the consumer is taking the manufacturer’s “good word” that the helmet performs at the stated performance level based on their own testing. The consumer should also be aware of what dangers there are when an item (tpyically body armor) is “tested to NIJ standards” vice actually certified by the NIJ. In the end, it comes down to how well you know the company in question and how transparent they are with their testing data.

Helmets can be tested by third-party laboratories against NIJ Standard 0101.06 (regulations governing body armor) to establish probable protective values. This will likely change when the NIJ moves to its future .07 standards.

Design

One of the more important features between bump helmets and ballistic (aside from the obvious element of protection) is the suspension harness. This includes the ensuing harness that is used to hold the helmet to the head, as well as the padding within it to mitigate impact.

• For bump helmets, the harness system is more simplified because it is designed  to mitigate less impact.
• For ballistic helmets the harness system is more robust due to the expectations that the helmet is serving in a combatant role and harsher environments.

The harness system for both bump helmets and ballistic still includes adjustable sizing around the head and chin, and multiple points of contact to the interior of the helmet that anchor it to the head.

Padding placement/design between bump helmets and ballistic differs due to the expected blunt forces involved, and the potential to mitigate back-force deformation from impact. Bump helmet padding is often semi-rigid, foam-based padding (like Styrofoam) that can be adjusted in placement to fit a variety of needs and comfort. In contrast, ballistic padding is often thicker, and a type of softer open-cell foam that likewise can be adjusted in placement.

Materials

The outer protective shell is the single largest physical difference between bump and ballistic helmets. While manufacturers are continually changing designs to match growth in technology, the result is always to meet the same safety requirements established by the government and industry.

Most commonly, today’s bump helmets utilize a carbon fiber outer shell that is more rigid than standard high-density polymer or casted plastic helmets. The advantages to carbon fiber materials are its ability to resist/distribute blunt force impact, extreme light weight, and durability to heat, oil, or moisture. This translates to bump helmets retaining a high degree of mobility while being far less fatiguing on the head and neck muscles.

Alternatively to carbon bump helmets, high density ABS plastic bump helmets (such as by Pro-Tec) offer a more economical alternative with increased durability over the typical sport helmets. In some situations, particularly urban combat or ship clearing, it is recognized that even at close distances ballistic helmets will not afford protection to rifle rounds and individuals opt for the hybrid plastic bump helmets due to their improved visibility and lighter weight. Current versions of these hybrid plastic bump helmets still retain the metal hardware and attachment rails for compatibility with many common accessories.

The outer shell to ballistic helmets is drastically different, intent on mitigating obviously much higher threat profiles. The material and design of ballistic helmets have changed significantly as technology has grown in the post-Gulf War era. Today while many traditional ballistic helmets are still made from a Kevlar formed shell, others are leading with cutting edge technology and made with the latest materials to balance ballistic protection and relatively light weight. The Ops Core RF1 is among the latest of helmet offered with its technology and materials designed to mitigate the impact from common lead-core ballistic threats.

Manufacturing

From a manufacturing aspect, both bump and ballistic helmets share similarities wherein they are designed to give full-cranial coverage while still allotting for high-cut or standard options.

Industry leaders for both bump and ballistic helmets are Team Wendy and Ops Core, where each specializes in their own unique designs and materials. Regardless of the manufacturer, their products are still intended to provide proper safety.

Compatibility

The compatibility of bump and ballistic helmets are broadly consistent, as they both are intended to utilize many of the same aftermarket accessories, such as lights, night vision, hearing protection, etc. Rails for one type of helmet are often the same as the other.

One difference in compatibility between bump and ballistic helmets is the NVG mounting shroud at the front of the helmet. In bump helmets this is often molded as part of the outer shell itself, or utilizes a high-density polymer mount. These are ideal for mounting helmet lights or cameras. In contrast, because of the designed intent to address a combat environment, the NVG mounting shroud is made from a more robust single piece of aluminum.

Pricing

Generally, the cost of bump helmets is less than that of ballistic. This is attributed to the R&D, technology, and costs in manufacturing needed to bring each to market. Regardless, helmets utilizing more recent technology comes at more cost.

So which should you buy?

While it is purely a recommendation, the best approach is to have both a bump and ballistic helmet. This gives an individual the ability to shift their equipment as needed, to properly meet mission and threat profiles as necessary. However, for those starting off, they must each consider the issues raised above that best address their needs now, and then save the latter choice for when time, finance, and feasibility are more convenient. But don’t wait too long, as we have seen over the past few years societal issues, economy, wars can all swing stability and availability wildly. And its better to have what you need when you need it, then need it and not have it.

Disclaimer: The purpose of this series is strictly informational, much like our COVID Chronicles, body armor, or gear guide, this series is not intended by High Ground to sway or convince the reader that one specific brand of helmet or manufacturer is superior to all the others. In the end, this series is intended to provide the reader with a condensed and focused resource—nothing more. It is not to be considered definitive advice nor instruction.

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