Tony Grist
When it comes to tactical headgear, HardHeadVeterans (HHV) has positioned itself as a leading manufacturer, offering both bump and ballistic helmets designed for military, law enforcement, and civilian use. As of this year, HHV is also branching out into the safety world, with a rated hard hat made from Kevlar aptly called the Kevy. With so much goodness coming from HHV, I knew it was time to take an in-depth look at the HHV Bump Helmet and the Gen 3 Ballistic Helmet, comparing their features, materials, and performance to help you determine which one best suits your needs.
Proudly Made in Sweetwater, Texas: American Quality You Can Trust
Before we dive deeper, let’s talk about something that truly sets HHV Gen III apart, it is manufactured in Sweetwater, Texas. That’s right, no overseas manipulation, or adversarial hands in the pot. From start to finish, these Gen III helmets are designed, tested, and produced on American soil.
In a market where many companies rely on imported labor, HHV remains committed to supporting American manufacturing as much as possible. That means stricter quality control, rigorous testing, and a level of craftsmanship that you can feel the moment you put one of these helmets on. The next-generation aramid fibers in the Gen 3 Ballistic Helmet are carefully chosen to meet and exceed industry standards, while supporting American business.
Not only does this mean you’re getting a helmet built to last, but you’re also supporting American workers and innovation. HHV’s dedication to local production ensures faster turnaround times, better customer service, and a deep-rooted commitment to the people wearing their gear. To speak to that, once my Gen III was ordered, it shipped that same day, and I don’t just mean a label was printed; it was on a truck. When you’re investing in a helmet for protection, knowing it was made with care and expertise in the USA should give you that extra confidence.
HHV Bump Helmet: Lightweight Protection for Training and Impact Resistance
The HHV Bump Helmet is built for those who need a lightweight yet durable helmet for non-ballistic threats. You can find it here.
It features:
- Shell Construction: Made from a polycarbonate blend, offering protection against blunt impacts and debris.
- Padding System: Includes a base impact layer with two sizes of comfort pads, allowing a fully customizable fit.
- NVG Compatibility: Comes with the A3S Shroud, compatible with industry-standard NVG mounts like Wilcox and Norotos.
- Accessory Rail System: Utilizes the Magpul M-LOK system with integrated hook bungees and external hook and loop panels.
- Suspension System: Features the Quick Attach/Detach Magnetic Fidlock system, designed for easy single-handed adjustment, even with gloves.
- Impact Performance: Meets and exceeds EN 1385: 2012 impact requirements with an average blunt impact performance of 83.0 G (third-party tested).
- Modular Design: Compatible with numerous HHV and third-party accessories, including Picatinny rails, communication rail adapters, face shields, and alternate padding and suspension kits.
I’ve had the HHV Bump Helmet as part of my personal kit for over five years, and it’s been through just about everything. I’ve run it at range days, taken it on long hikes and wargaming sessions (fine, it’s more of a LARP in the woods), and even used it during a few training days with Air Force Security Forces units. Through all that, it has held up exceptionally well, proving its durability and reliability time and time again. While it may have a few scratches and dings on the rails from mounting various helmet lights and equipment, the functionality of the system has not failed. Whether I was using it for protection against training rounds or just keeping my head safe from the occasional bump and scrape, it’s been a trusted piece of gear that has never let me down.
The bump helmet is a great choice for training environments, search and rescue operations, and any situation requiring lightweight head protection without ballistic resistance. It’s light enough to forget you’re wearing it, until you take it off and realize how much you enjoy the extra breeze on your dome.
HHV Gen 3 Ballistic Helmet: Advanced Protection with Modular Capability
The Gen 3 Ballistic Helmet is the latest and greatest from HHV, and is designed for those who require protection from ballistic threats while maintaining comfort and modularity. You can find it here.
Key specifications include:
- Shell Construction: Made from next-generation aramid fibers, providing NIJ Level IIIA protection (9mm FMJ, .44 Magnum) and fragmentation resistance with a V50 rating of 2,250 ft/s.
- Padding System: Similar to the bump helmet, it includes a base impact layer and two sizes of comfort pads for a custom fit.
- NVG Compatibility: Features the lightweight A3S Lite Shroud (32 grams), compatible with Wilcox and Norotos NVG mounts.
- Accessory Rail System: Uses the Magpul M-LOK system with integrated hook bungees and external hook and loop panels.
- Suspension System: Upgraded with a ratchet-adjustable Quick Attach/Detach Magnetic Fidlock system, offering single-handed operation.
- Impact and Ballistic Performance:
- Blunt impact performance averages 64.07 G (third-party tested).
- Backface deformation (BFD) test results:
- 9mm @ 1400 ft/s: 8.5mm (crown), 15.3mm (sides), 13.4mm (front), and 8.5mm (rear).
- Additional testing for .40 S&W and .45 Auto.
- Environmental and compression tested in extreme conditions (-60°F to +160°F, dry and wet environments).
- Modular Design: Compatible with additional up-armor rifle-rated plates, Picatinny rails, communication rail adapters, ballistic face shields, and alternate padding and suspension kits.
Now, let’s talk about comfort. I’m 6’2, 240, and I fit a Large, for reference, and I fully expected the ballistic helmet to feel like I strapped a brick to my head, but HHV worked some kind of tactical magic here. My wife can attest to the fact that when I grabbed the box off our kitchen table, the first words out of my mouth were “oh, maybe they sent me a bump on accident.” The comfort is absurdly good. The weight, despite what the numbers say, feels way lighter than it should, and once I dialed in the internal pads to my preference, it felt like this thing was custom-molded for my skull. I could wear this thing all day, if, you know, I had a reason to walk around in full kit all day post DD-214.
Having worn an issued ACH helmet in Iraq that felt like it was made of solid lead, I know the toll a heavy and uncomfortable helmet can take, especially during long operations. Even when I upgraded to a high-cut model back then, it was still a pain to wear for extended periods. The neck strain, the hot spots, and the pressure points were just part of the job, and something that I just assumed went with the territory of dome-protection. But HHV’s Gen 3 Ballistic Helmet? Game. Changer. This thing is so light and comfortable that I actually forgot I was wearing the ballistic model a couple of times. That’s not something I ever thought I’d say about a ballistic helmet, unless I lived out my Warhammer 40k dreams and had a suit of power armor.
Final Verdict: Which Helmet Should You Choose?
Whether you prioritize lightweight comfort or ballistic defense, HHV provides a helmet that fits your mission requirements. And if you go with the ballistic helmet, prepare to be pleasantly surprised, it’s true armor, but it sure doesn’t feel like one on your head. Plus, you can wear it knowing it was crafted right here in the heart of the USA, built by those who understand what real protection should feel like. If that doesn’t make you want to ride a bald eagle while blasting Creed out of a red, white, and blue boombox (God bless you Scott Stapp), I’m not sure what will.
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