What to Consider Before Buying a Tactical Helmet

Both the EXFIL^® Ballistic and the EXFIL^® Ballistic SL are rated to NIJ Level III-A, exceed ACH Blunt Impact Protection requirements and have the same unique EXFIL^® shell geometry. The key differentiator is weight: the Size 1 EXFIL^® Ballistic has a complete system weight of 2.6 pounds, while the Size 1 EXFIL^® Ballistic SL boasts a complete system weight of 2.2 pounds.

Slightly less than half a pound might not seem like much, but the weight compounds when you mount night vision, helmet communications or a camera. And when it comes to mounting accessories, the EXFIL^® Ballistic SL comes standard with the EXFIL^® Rail 3.0 system, which is compatible with the EXFIL^® Ballistic Visor and the EXFIL^® Face Shield. The EXFIL^® Ballistic comes with your choice of the EXFIL^® Rail 3.0 or the EXFIL^® Rail 2.0, which features two T-slots for DIY custom mounting. Both helmets provide backface deformation of less than 1”, but the EXFIL^® Ballistic has a better performance rate at 9mm FMJ RN at 1,400 feet per second vs. the SL at 1,195 feet per second.

And if you’re just training or running drills, the EXFIL^® Carbon or EXFIL^® LTP bump helmets allow you to run all the equipment you need without the extra weight of a ballistic helmet.

Our tactical helmets are rated to different safety standards and feature different shroud and accessory rail options. The EXFIL^® LTP and the EXFIL^® Carbon can be ordered with your choice of the EXFIL^® Rail 2.0 or EXFIL^® Rail 3.0 accessory mounting systems. The EXFIL^® SAR rail includes a quick release mounting slot, webbing slot and EXFIL^® SAR Visor mount.

However, while the SAR Tactical meets the standards for both mountaineering and whitewater helmets (BS EN 12492:2012 and BS EN 1385:2012, respectively), the LTP and Carbon only meet the requirements for whitewater helmets. Both the Carbon and the SAR Tactical meet ACH Blunt Impact Protection requirements.

It’s also important to make sure your helmet fits your head properly. The Carbon and LTP come in Size 1 (M/L) and Size 2 (XL) and have rearrangeable comfort pads. The SAR helmet comes in a single size with a set of both thin and thick comfort pads.

While all three are capable of running NODs, the Carbon features the Wilcox^® W Shroud and is compatible with a retractable lanyard system. The EXFIL^® LTP, used by the U.S. Coast Guard Rescue Swimmers, is often used in maritime environments. If you’re climbing or face the threat of something falling on your head from above, the SAR Tactical is your best defense.

Both the EXFIL^® SAR Backcountry and the EXFIL^® SAR Tactical meet the requirements of BS EN 12492:2012 Standard for Mountaineering Helmets, BS EN 1385:2012 Standard for Whitewater Helmets, Advanced Combat Helmet (ACH) blunt impact requirements and additional off-crown impact requirements of BS EN 14052:2012 for high-performance industrial helmets. When it comes to choosing between the Backcountry and the Tactical, it depends on what and how much you’ll need to mount to your helmet.

The EXFIL^® SAR Backcountry comes with a glass-reinforced polycarbonate shroud insert meant for mounting cameras or lights. The EXFIL^® SAR Tactical comes with a machined aluminum shroud insert meant for mounting night vision devices. The EXFIL^® SAR Backcountry can be purchased with or without accessory rails, whereas the EXFIL^® SAR Tactical comes standard with them. The Backcountry comes with a sport-style retention system with a magnetic Fidlock buckle, but the Tactical comes with a 4-point retention system to help stabilize the helmet when heavier accessories are mounted (e.g. NODs).

Simply put, if your duties require more than the usual backcountry accessories like a camera or light, the EXFIL^® SAR Tactical is the better choice for you.

While the EXFIL^® SAR meets the penetration and drop test standards of ANSI Z89, it doesn’t meet all of the requirements, and it is not approved by OSHA. A large part of the no-go is that ANSI/OSHA have a force transmission threshold of 55 joules, and the EXFIL^® SAR meets the 95-joule requirement of EN 12492. ANSI is also restricted to crown impact.

OSHA also requires electrical protection from 2,200 volts, while the EXFIL^® SAR does not offer protection against electric hazards. Full ANSI Z89/OSHA approval also requires that the helmet can be worn both forwards and backwards. Our SAR helmet was really designed for search and rescue environments.

Every product page on our website lists standards and certifications and includes a downloadable technical data sheet. You can also find a comprehensive list within our Science and Technology section.