BpS12 512 Posted November 24, 2013 Report Share Posted November 24, 2013 (edited) So what's everyone's thoughts on helmets for SHtF? I prefer my boonie hats, but I'm 6'2" in boots and tend to bounce my head around a bit just walking around our house/barn/yard so am on the fence about a "bump cap" for SHtF. And then a friend kicked in with "If you're gonna wear a helmet, it might as well be ballistic, right?" So what's your alls preferences? Edited November 24, 2013 by BpS12 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Shandlanos 1,470 Posted November 24, 2013 Report Share Posted November 24, 2013 Not used to wearing one, not planning to go out looking for a fight, so... Bare head. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
EthanM 514 Posted November 24, 2013 Report Share Posted November 24, 2013 None. Like shandlanos I am not going to be trying for a fight so no helmet it is. Just something else to carry when your not using it. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nailbomb 10,221 Posted November 24, 2013 Report Share Posted November 24, 2013 Israeli are light, and can be gotten cheaply. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
patriot 7,197 Posted November 24, 2013 Report Share Posted November 24, 2013 (edited) A couple of suggestions: Just kidding. Seriously, A decent surplus US, German or Israeli ballistic helmet would be the way to go if you really needed proper ballistic protection. SG has a nice German one for ~80 Edited November 24, 2013 by patriot 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Odd Man Out 1,283 Posted November 24, 2013 Report Share Posted November 24, 2013 Used to wear helmets a lot in my old job -- it was mandatory and I found them to be a PITA.... I'll go with a ball cap to shade my eyes. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ruffian72 548 Posted November 24, 2013 Report Share Posted November 24, 2013 (edited) Steel pot, was 1st issued before Kevlar in early 80's was good for cooking. Metal canned rations before MRE's with new Kevlar sucked. Edited November 24, 2013 by Ruffian72 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DogMan 2,343 Posted November 25, 2013 Report Share Posted November 25, 2013 I'm not eager to wear anything that makes me appear to be an aggressor. That includes camos, tac vests, or anything else that I don't absolutely need. I think that stuff is just as likely to get you shot dead in any circumstance where there are a lot of nervous people on edge. There will be some people who won't be in the mood to ask questions first. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mullet Man 2,114 Posted November 25, 2013 Report Share Posted November 25, 2013 I heard the UN helmets are a nice shade of blue. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Capt Nemo 882 Posted November 26, 2013 Report Share Posted November 26, 2013 I'm not eager to wear anything that makes me appear to be an aggressor. That includes camos, tac vests, or anything else that I don't absolutely need. I think that stuff is just as likely to get you shot dead in any circumstance where there are a lot of nervous people on edge. There will be some people who won't be in the mood to ask questions first. Till you get into the situation you need them! I almost found out the hard way! My unit was setting up for night ops, and I left my "silly shit" (LBE/helmet/gas mask) in the ops tent cause it was a pain in the ass while carrying a load of aircraft landing marker lights. Just got the last beanbag down, and I kicked something silver in the grass. It was a HAND GRENADE!!! I reached down and grabbed it, and the cardboard holding the spoon crumpled in my hand, and the pin also fell out! So now I was stuck with a ARMED LIVE GRENADE!!!! Hanging tightly to the grenade, I searched the grass and found the pin. Some ID10T had straightened the pin so it would fall out easy. I replaced the pin and bent it tight. Once it was safe, I then took a look at it. It was a civie bursting type CS grenade with a frag danger zone of 5 meters. And I left my helmet and gas mask back in ops!!! MORAL: Keep your brain bucket and gas mask with you AT ALL TIMES!!! The grenade later came in useful during deer season at the base that year. CS gas is a wonderful tool to drive all the deer out of the artillery impact area and back into huntable terrain! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Odd Man Out 1,283 Posted November 26, 2013 Report Share Posted November 26, 2013 (edited) Also good for flying shell fragments but I doubt that I will be confronted with either during my day to day activities, and if I am I will make sure to vacate the area asap... Generally helmets are indeed a PITA. Edited November 26, 2013 by Odd Man Out Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DogMan 2,343 Posted November 26, 2013 Report Share Posted November 26, 2013 I'm not eager to wear anything that makes me appear to be an aggressor. That includes camos, tac vests, or anything else that I don't absolutely need. I think that stuff is just as likely to get you shot dead in any circumstance where there are a lot of nervous people on edge. There will be some people who won't be in the mood to ask questions first. Till you get into the situation you need them! I almost found out the hard way! My unit was setting up for night ops, and I left my "silly shit" (LBE/helmet/gas mask) in the ops tent cause it was a pain in the ass while carrying a load of aircraft landing marker lights. Just got the last beanbag down, and I kicked something silver in the grass. It was a HAND GRENADE!!! I reached down and grabbed it, and the cardboard holding the spoon crumpled in my hand, and the pin also fell out! So now I was stuck with a ARMED LIVE GRENADE!!!! Hanging tightly to the grenade, I searched the grass and found the pin. Some ID10T had straightened the pin so it would fall out easy. I replaced the pin and bent it tight. Once it was safe, I then took a look at it. It was a civie bursting type CS grenade with a frag danger zone of 5 meters. And I left my helmet and gas mask back in ops!!! MORAL: Keep your brain bucket and gas mask with you AT ALL TIMES!!! The grenade later came in useful during deer season at the base that year. CS gas is a wonderful tool to drive all the deer out of the artillery impact area and back into huntable terrain! I promise I'll wear my helmet whenever there are any grenades in the area. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
read_the_wall 614 Posted November 27, 2013 Report Share Posted November 27, 2013 this 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Conscript 99 Posted November 27, 2013 Report Share Posted November 27, 2013 Seriously guys?....You're gonna run around with a fuckin K-pot on your grape? To each his own I guess but unless you're gonna shell out the big bucks good luck against anything above ~500FPS, like any centerfire rifle ever made. Or are we planning on incoming mortars? Think you'd suffer the same amount of damage with one of these: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nailbomb 10,221 Posted November 27, 2013 Report Share Posted November 27, 2013 No helmets are all that effective at a civilian price point against rifle rounds of any kind. Type 2 or 3a are the best you'll find. I went with a type 2 Israeli due to price, and likelihood of never needing it. Weigh your own paranoia and wallet out yourself. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BpS12 512 Posted December 2, 2013 Author Report Share Posted December 2, 2013 Thanks for the input guys. I've come to the conclusion that I will likely get a ballistic helmet sooner or later. Not for "running about the woods" so much as part of a "last stand" kit at home base where defense may be more important than mobility. And/or as part of a vehicular kit where an extra few pounds wont hurt. I did read a bit in Popular Science about a helmet similar to the composite plates mentioned in the armor thread. Very light and rifle(308, etc) resistant. I do agree that milspec gear is detrimental to "blending in". Unless everyone else is geared up too, lol. And may not be much use in a short term SHtF situation, but in the possibility of a long term situation with an extreme lack of RoL, it may prove invaluable. Esp in a defensive situation. Since the later is less likely, I'll do what I can on the less expensive side and upgrade after more immediate concerns are addressed. Still considering a good "bump cap" though. I've done enough head knock'n shit to come to value at least minimal protection; construction, rock climbing/caving, riot control/SCA fighting, etc. Besides, it'd give me more territory to mount tacticool crap, lol. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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