The helmet is one of the basic elements of military equipment, because it can protect the head from bullet and fragmentation wounds, which often lead to fatal accidents. The government provides our soldiers with the necessary equipment as much as possible, but sometimes it proves to be heavy and uncomfortable. If you or your acquaintances are going to join the ranks of the AFU and help protect our borders, it is better to take care of your own comfort and find a reliable and lightweight helmet yourself. In this material we will tell you about what you should look for when choosing a helmet.

General properties of a quality helmet

Usually helmets for military personnel are made of UHMWPE, para-aramid or impact-resistant plastic and more - there are many variations. The approximate weight should be 1.5 - 2 kg, and the shelf life is limited to 5 years. Some dishonest sellers try to sell goods that have already been expired. Be careful: a helmet that has expired may be less effective.

Don't forget the cover

No helmet can be without a cover (case). This fabric protects the plastic cover from fire and precipitation, as it is made of a fireproof and moisture-proof material. This is a very important nuance, because on the front line there is a constant danger of ignition of clothes from enemy weapons. Protection against water is needed due to the fact that when the helmet gets wet it triggers the process of delamination of paraaramide - the same protective material.

When choosing a helmet cover, it is best to choose double-sided variants. Such covers can be changed depending on the terrain and time of day.

Covers with straps and loops are considered particularly convenient. Thanks to them, the soldier can attach a natural disguise to his head, such as branches.

The most important thing when choosing protective equipment is its level of protection. For its part, it depends on the type of ball that the opponent uses. It is known that the most common shells among Rashists are 5.45x39 mm caliber shells (for an AK-74 assault rifle) with a heat-strengthened steel core in bimetal. According to the Ukrainian state standard, in order to hold such a ball, the helmet must be at least III class of protection. This is NIJ - III A by American standards. It is the highest level of protection available for a military helmet. Pay attention to the purpose of the product so as not to accidentally purchase an item for airsoft.

Documents

Each product being military equipment, the store must issue a separate certificate of level of protection. It must contain the following information:

• photo of the shots and text explanation of model testing;
• the name of the manufacturer and the recipient of the certificate (must be the same);
• the name of the institution that issued the permit (must be checked on the Internet);
• signature and stamp of the organization

The absence of the above documents indicates that the helmet was scrapped or resold to you with a huge markup by dishonest people.

It is obvious that a military helmet should not only be well protected, but also comfortable, because the soldier will have to spend many days in it. In order to avoid discomfort while wearing it, it is necessary to choose the correct size. Here is how it can be done:

• Measure with a centimeter the length of the head from the back of the head to the point between the eyebrows;
• Measure the width of the head from the lines just above the ears;
• Place the measuring tape above the ears and eyebrows to find out the parameters of the maximum circumference.

This information should be given to the manager of the store where you intend to purchase the helmet. The approximate size can be obtained from the maximum head circumference:

If the military helmet does not obstruct your view, is the right height, fits snugly on your head and allows you to wear tactical goggles, you've made the right choice.

Price range

Approximate cost of military helmet in Ukraine ranges from 10 thousand hryvnias and can reach 25 thousand hryvnias. It all depends on the protection level, protective materials and shelf life of the product.

How to get a helmet?

Today, when there is a war in the country, you can find many ads on the Internet for the sale of military equipment. But this does not mean that all such goods are of proper quality and with a full package of documents. In addition, many scammers make a profit on the defense sector and send ordinary rags instead of the necessary plate carrier and helmets, taking a full prepayment. All of these nuances should be considered.

Buy the gear from trusted stores or seek help from foundations or volunteers. Charity fund «Pryame vklyuchennya» specializes in delivering high-quality, certified equipment to defenders. Remember that responsible and proper selection of ammunition saves the precious lives of our heroes!