Ballistic Helmets

A ballistic helmet is a type of protective headgear designed to withstand impacts from projectiles, such as bullets or fragmentation.

The purpose of a ballistic helmet is to provide protection to the wearer's head from gunfire, fragments from exploding devices, or other threats.

There are several types of ballistic helmets, including ACH, ECH, MICH, and FAST helmets. The choice of helmet type depends on a number of factors such as the intended use and level of protection required.

The level of protection offered by a ballistic helmet is commonly measured by its NIJ (National Institute of Justice) rating. NIJ ratings range from level IIA (which provides protection against 9mm rounds) to level IV (which provides protection against high-powered rifles).

Learn more about Helmet ratings and testing.

The most common types of Ballistic helmets are made of a woven aramid material such as Kevlar™ or Twaron™, or of a composite woven aramid + polyethylene blend. The choice of material depends on the level of protection required, the intended use of the helmet, and weight requirements.

Other materials used in ballistic helmets include:

• Carbon Fiber
• Ceramic
• Graphene
• Fiberglass

Ballistic helmets are tested to the safety standards set by the NIJ (National Institute Of Justice). The testing is done by the manufacturer or in one of 3 independent, NIJ-certified labs in the United States. 

For more information on the N.I.J., their testing methods, and requirements click here. 

Include an option to download PDF on N.I.J. process and requirements.

A ballistic helmet should fit snugly and securely on the head, without any excessive movement or shifting. The helmet should also be adjusted to the correct size using the sizing pads or adjustment system provided. It is important to note that although the fit should be snug, the padding should not be over-compressed, as the padding exists as a safety feature to protect from backface deformation.

Yes, a ballistic helmet can be used with other protective gear, such as body armor, eye protection, and ear protection, to provide a comprehensive level of security.

A Level IIIA ballistic helmet is used by individuals who are at a high risk of being exposed to ballistic projectiles, including law enforcement officers, military personnel, security personnel, and private citizens who may need personal protection. These helmets provide protection against high-powered handgun rounds and fragments from explosive devices.

Since 2015, Ballistic Armor Co. has been a leading retailer and trusted provider of ballistic helmets for law enforcement agencies and military personnel in the United States. At home and abroad our products compete at the highest level for comfort and protection, at prices tenable for outfitting the entire department, field office, or the individual. Our product value is rivaled only by our philosophy on customer service: the customer is always right.

Our Ballistic helmets are made with aramid such as Kevlar® and Teijin® to provide the type of protection you expect when purchasing a Combat helmet.

IIIA ballistic helmets are designed to protect the wearer from fragments, shrapnel and handgun ammunition. Some brands of helmet falsely claim to offer a IIIA helmet that will stop a rifle round, but these claims are false and misleading, and should never be trusted. While some IIIA helmet designs may exceed the NIJ minimum specifications for a IIIA helmet, thus providing some degree of protection against certain types of rifle ammo, users should be aware that these helmets should not be relied upon exclusively for protection in those situations.

Most orders placed before 12 pm Pacific Time ship the same business day. Learn more about shipping times here.

The Bastion™ ballistic helmet is pressed in Ohio and trucked to our White City, OR production facility where it is assembled with American materials. The Bastion™ retention is currently sourced from Israel.

The Gen 1 ballistic helmet is pressed in China to Ballistic Armor Co. specifications, and independently tested by an NIJ-certified lab in the United States. Unlike many products made in China, our ballistic helmets are produced using American materials and tested to the same rigorous standards as American-made helmets.

The Gen 2 ballistic helmet was discontinued in 2023 due to concerns about its true country of origin.

Yes. Please note that shipping to a military base or U.S. embassy overseas is still considered an export, so it is subject to the same ITAR/EAR constraints as a regular export. However, in most cases it is not a problem shipping to deployed military.

If there is any further information needed to ship your product then a customer service representative will reach out to you directly.

We love to support our military (veterans included), police, and first responders. Please click here to get your personalized discount code. This offer does not stack with other discounts.

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