NIJ Certified Ballistic Helmet

NIJ Certified Ballistic Helmet

NIJ Certified Ballistic Helmet

Are you looking for an NIJ-certified ballistic Helmet? Well, you came to the right place. Not only do we NOT sell NIJ-certified helmets, but we also know NIJ-certified ballistic Helmets DO NOT EXIST and want to share that with you!

Ready to gear up and dive in? This article aims to bust myths, share essential insights with tactical pros, and guide you in finding the perfect brain bucket for your next mission. Whether you're a seasoned operator or just stepping into the game, we have the scoop you may need to make the right call on your headgear. Be Prepared & Stay Safe! Let's get tech-tactical (Technically-Tactical)!

Note: "IIIA" and "III-A" will be used interchangeably throughout this article, and the following are referred to as:

  • ± (Plus or Minus)

Are There NIJ-Certified Helmets?

As of today, sometime in November 2024, the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) does NOT certify ballistic helmets. This is commonly confused with what the NIJ does for ballistic plates, which are certified by NIJ-certified test laboratories. This distinction often leads to confusion because the NIJ has established related standards—NIJ Standard 0101.06 for Ballistic Resistance of Body Armor and NIJ Standard 0106.01 for Ballistic Helmets. Despite their similar numbering, these standards differ significantly in their application.

Misconceptions

Where can I get a NIJ Certified Helmet?

Ballistic helmets ARE NOT and CANNOT be NIJ-certified.

Helmets can be tested to meet the criteria outlined in 0106.01 (Ballistic Helmets), but this does not make them NIJ-certified. Any manufacturer claiming their helmets are "NIJ certified" is likely providing misleading information, similar to tactics used in ballistic plate marketing, which you can click here and read. Consumers should exercise caution, as such claims may not accurately reflect the helmet's protective capabilities.

Where can I get an NIJ Level IV / Level 4 Helmet?

The simple answer: you can't. Well, what about IIIA or 3A? Technically, you can't get that either. That doesn't make sense—you might say—I always see Level IV and IIIA helmets for sale. Sure, we—RED OpTec—have tested some of these famous Level IV helmets (we won't say any names), and guess what? They are no good; they can't even stop a 9mm FMJ at 1,090 ± 40 ft/s, let alone a .30-06 Armor Piercing (AP) 166 gr at 2,850 ± 50 ft/s. As for IIIA helmets, long story short, their classification is ambiguous, and lots of Band-Aids are tossed at the gap in the NIJ Standard for Ballistic Helmets (0106.01).

NIJ Standard 0106.01 for Ballistic Helmets was last updated in December 1981. Look at NIJ Standard 0106.01 for Ballistic Helmets Chapter 5 (TEST METHODS), TABLE 1—Test Summary. You will find no mention of IIIA or III anywhere in this document. So technically, Helmet Type II (Level II) is the highest rating.

Figure 1

 NIJ Standard 0106.01 for Ballistic Helmets Chapter 5 TABLE 1—Test Summary

Level II According to NIJ Standard 0106.01 for Ballistic Helmets

The highest documented protection level in this standard is Helmet Type II, which addresses the following threats:

  • Higher Velocity .357 Magnum (Section 5.1.3.1)
    • Test Weapon: .357 Magnum handgun or test barrel (barrel length: 6–6.5 inches).
    • Ammunition: .357 Magnum Jacketed Soft Point (JSP) bullets.
    • Bullet Mass: 10.2 grams (158 grains).
    • Velocity: 425 ± 15 meters per second (1,395 ± 50 feet per second).
  • Higher Velocity 9mm (Section 5.1.3.2)
    • Test Weapon: 9mm handgun or test barrel (barrel length: 4–4.75 inches).
    • Ammunition: 9mm Full Metal Jacket (FMJ) bullets.
    • Bullet Mass: 8.0 grams (124 grains).
    • Velocity: 358 ± 15 meters per second (1,175 ± 50 feet per second).

Where can I get an NIJ Level IIIA / Level 3 Helmet?

Again, IIIA is technically not a ballistic helmet rating according to 0106.01 (Ballistic Helmets); however, it is not like a ballistic plate where a vendor might state it's III+++++++++, with the "+" being some made-up additive for their rating—but that's a different story. This is the gap, which can be confusing and subjectively made up—well, factually, actually. Since NIJ Standard 0106.01 for Ballistic Helmets has not been updated since 1981, the use of NIJ Standard 0108.01 Ballistic Resistant Protective Materials has been loosely applied to helmets. If you already own a helmet, such as an HHV, you may notice references to 0106.01 and 0108.01.

Again, take a gander at NIJ Standard 0108.01 Ballistic Resistant Protective Materials Chapter 2, para 2.1 Scope:

"This standard is applicable to all ballistic resistant materials (armor) intended to provide protection against gunfire, with the exception of police body armor and ballistic helmets, which are the topic of individual NIJ performance standards[1,2]."

Figure 2

0108.01 Exceptions

With the referring APPENDIX A—REFERENCES:

  1. Ballistic resistance of police body armor. NIJ Standard-0101.02. National Institute of Justice, Department of Justice, Washington, DC 20531.
  2. Ballistic helmets. NIJ Standard 0106.01 for Ballistic Helmets. National Institute of Justice, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC 20531; 1981 December.

Relevance

The NIJ Standard 0108.01 Ballistic Resistant Protective Materials, like the NIJ Standard 0106.01 for Ballistic Helmets, is older, having been published in 1985. So, going down the rabbit hole, NIJ Standard-0101.02 has since been superseded and is geared towards body armor—ballistic resistance—which has no relevance to helmets. Then, of course, the NIJ Standard 0106.01 for Ballistic Helmets brings us back to where we started! So what did we learn? NIJ Standard 0108.01 Ballistic Resistant Protective Materials does not apply to helmets, which—even if it did not state it—perhaps the testing of a flat object with dimensions of at least 30.5 x 30.5 cm (12 x 12 inches), as outlined, does not resemble the ballistic helmets we know about.

Figure 3

NIJ Standard 0108.01 Figure 2 Ballistic test setup

Figure 4

Supersedence of NIJ Standard-0101.02

 

Anyway, this is not to knock HHV or similar organizations. They likely took a noticeable gap and made the best out of the situation, which is subjectively proactive in the absence of NIJ standards for helmet certification.

Are There Issues with Using NIJ Standard 0108.01 Ballistic Resistant Protective Materials as an Additive in Helmet Testing?

Again, the simple answer is yes; using NIJ Standard 0108.01 Ballistic Resistant Protective Materials as an additive in helmet testing has issues. For starters, NIJ Standard 0108.01 explicitly exempts ballistic helmets and police body armor from the scope (Chapter 2, Paragraph 2.1: "This standard applies to all ballistic-resistant materials (armor) designed to provide protection against gunfire, excluding police body armor and ballistic helmets, which are addressed in separate NIJ performance standards [1,2]."). This pretty much states that these processes apply to all these items except ballistic helmets, which raises the question of why they are being used for ballistic testing. 

Another issue is the relevance of the protection standard. The IIIA level is defined using the .44 Magnum, a caliber that has significantly declined in popularity. According to McBride's 2024 article in Legal Reader, statistics from 2022 show that 9mm is the caliber most commonly used in crimes in the United States, accounting for 45% of cases. Moreover, the U.S. military transitioned to 9mm handguns in the 1980s, and several cartridges introduced since then, such as the 5.7×28mm and 10mm, surpass the .44 Magnum in penetration capabilities. Additionally, the .44 Magnum is disproportionately large and impractical compared to modern firearms.

Long story short, in our subjective opinion, while the .44 Magnum is still used today, it is not an ideal threat caliber for determining ballistic armor standards.

NIJ Standard 0108.01 Ballistic Resistant Protective Material

Continuing as if NIJ Standard 0108.01 DID NOT expressly exclude ballistic helmets from its testing procedures. The following as outlined:

  • .44 Magnum (Section 5.2.4.1)
    • Test Weapon: .44 Magnum handgun or test barrel (barrel length: 5.5–6.25 inches).
    • Ammunition: .44 Magnum lead semi-wadcutter with gas checks.
    • Bullet Mass: 15.55 grams (240 grains).
    • Velocity: 426 ± 15 meters per second (1,400 ± 50 feet per second).
  • 9mm Submachine Gun (Section 5.2.4.2)
    • Test Weapon: 9mm SMG or test barrel (barrel length: 9.5–10.25 inches).
    • Ammunition: 9mm full metal jacket bullets.
    • Bullet Mass: 8.0 grams (124 grains).
    • Velocity: 426 ± 15 meters per second (1,400 ± 50 feet per second).

Figure 5

 NIJ Standard 0108.01 Table 1. Test Summary

For Armor Type III-A (Threat Level IIIA), as defined in the NIJ Standard 0108.01 Ballistic Resistant Protective Materials, both calibers—the .44 Magnum and 9mm FMJ—must be tested to meet the ballistic resistance requirements. These tests ensure the material protects against the specified threats, with a fair hit defined as an acceptable strike on the material without penetration of the witness plate. Also, it is worth pointing out the difference in the number of hits required: 5 in 0108.01 versus 4 in 0106.01 for Ballistic Helmets. That, for obvious reasons, complicates things with a 25% increase in hits if NIJ Standard 0108.01 is used as a testing standard for Levels IIIA or II.

So, what does all of this mean?

  • NIJ-certified helmets do not exist, unlike NIJ-certified plates.
  • Helmet Type II is the highest rating established for ballistic helmets by the NIJ.  
  • NIJ standards explicitly state that their scope does not apply to helmets, yet these standards are often used for helmets, creating contradictions. 
  • NIJ standards governing ballistic helmets are extremely outdated but remain active as the current standard. 
  • Avoid helmets that claim to be NIJ-certified. 0106.01 is being reworked, but the timeline for changes is unknown.  
  • Consider helmets labeled as IIIA within the context of 0108.01, as helmets differ significantly in shape from rectangular plates. 
  • It is likely that 0108.01 is being used as a guideline alongside 0106.01, but manufacturers may modify these standards without specific helmet standards.  
  • Prefer manufacturers who provide transparent data on their testing practices.  

Make Informed Decisions 

While this topic wasn't covered in depth, avoiding helmets with Threat Protection levels of IV or III is vital. While fabricating such helmets is technically possible, current helmet standards rely on Ballistic Impact Attenuation (Acceleration Parameters) and penetration rather than account for Backface Deformation (BFD). For instance, a helmet stops a 762x39mm round with zero penetration, but the BFD caves the helmet in; more than likely, that's the end of your adventure. These protection levels involve significant force, with Level III designed to stop 7.62mm .308 Winchester FMJ or 7.62×51 M80 Ball rounds and Level IV intended for 30-06 AP rounds.

We have noticed helmers making these claims of level IV, not only incorrectly reference NIJ threats such as "Level IV 7.62x51mm," as the NIJ standard for IV is 30-06 AP, not 7.62x51mm. These helmets tend to be scams. We have tested like products, and they failed to stop 9mm rounds in our testing. Strangely, these helmets are often heavier than legitimate ballistic helmets and are frequently made from plaster composites rather than proper ballistic materials.

Please note the following organizations, which we have identified as engaging in one or more practices: being untruthful, misleading, errors, or engaging in potentially fraudulent activities.  The following observations are based on a detailed review of publicly available information on these manufacturers' websites.

  • Host Helmet [Notes: 1, 2, 3, 4]
  • Wing Helmet [Notes: 1, 2, 3, 4]
  • TacHelmet Helmets [Notes: 1, 2, 3, 4]
  • TactiHelmet [Notes: 2, 3, 4]
  • TopHelmetFan [Notes: 1, 2, 3, 4]
  • HelmetBro [Notes: 1, 2, 3, 4]
  • ShopHelmetPros [Notes: 1, 2, 3, 4]
  • USAHelmetClub [Notes: 1, 2, 3, 4]
  • HikePros  [Notes: 1, 2, 3, 4]
  • CompassArmor(BodyArmourShop)   [Notes: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]

Notes:

  1. Claims NIJ Certification for Helmet Standard 0106.01 — The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) does not certify helmets.
  2. Claims Rating Exceeds Standards Outlined in NIJ Standard 0106.01 — Unsupported claims regarding ballistic helmet performance.
  3. Rating Mismatch — Incorrectly associates performance ratings (e.g., claiming Level 4 protection equates to defeating 7.62x51mm rounds) inconsistent with NIJ standards.
  4. Document Discrepancies — Testing laboratories referenced are not listed among NIJ-approved testing facilities.
  5. Reference Incorrect NIJ Standards —(e.g., NIJ Standard-0101.06 for Ballistic Resistance of Body Armor instead of 0106.01 for Ballistic Helmets)
  6. Reference Non-Applicable NIJ Standards (e.g., 0105.01 for Crash Helmets)

This is based on our opinions and observations. We encourage you to research and make informed decisions based on your findings.  We assume no liability for this information and aim only to provide insights, which may be inaccurate..

Stay Safe and Be Prepared!

Disclaimer

This information is intended for educational purposes only and does not serve as a recommendation or endorsement of any specific ballistic helmets or manufacturers. While we strive to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the content presented, readers must conduct independent research when selecting ballistic protection. Neither RED OpTec LLC nor the author(s) are liable for any decisions based on this information or for any use or misuse of the content provided. Always verify the certification and claims of any products through trusted sources before purchasing.

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