Which is Better for Your Safety, a Ballistic Helmet or a Plate Carrier?
A question that often gets asked among gun enthusiasts and other tactical professionals is which one of these two body armor pieces provides more protection, the Ballistic helmets or the plate carrier? While the answer to this question will ultimately vary from person to person based on their use of these pieces of gear, it’s important to consider all of the factors before deciding which one works best for you and your needs. Here are some things to think about when considering this question.
Ballistic Helmet Benefits
Ballistic helmets were designed to provide protection from ballistic threats like bullets and shrapnel. They are usually lightweight, but if you plan on using one as protection against bullets or shrapnel then it’s important that it fits properly so that it can absorb force properly. If you wear a ballistic helmet, be sure to have proper body armor underneath in case you come under fire. Ballistic helmets can range anywhere from $25-$500 and some of them even come with accessories like ear covers and visors to make wearing them more comfortable.
Plate Carrier Benefits
The advantages of a plate carrier are obvious: increased protection against things like knives and bullets. Ballistic helmets offer minimal protection to your head (they’re mostly designed to deflect shrapnel) and protect only part of your face; I actually love them but understand their limitations. However, when it comes to comfort (and some tactical scenarios), there’s no comparison—the plate carrier reigns supreme. Ballistic helmets can also get very hot depending on how you wear them so they’re more suitable for situations where you don’t have to move around too much.
Things to Consider When Choosing Between Ballistic Helmet & Plate Carrier
Pistol Accuracy
Pistols are by far more accurate than AR-15 rifles. A pistol’s accuracy will suffer with a load of ammunition and accessories on it. The same thing applies to that same amount of gear being added to an armored vest. One less vest option you’ll have if you use a vest without side armor options. Not only that but vests without side armor can help get in the way when using certain pieces of equipment, causing you not to be able to properly grab your magazine pouches and utilize them easily. Obviously there are tradeoffs to everything when it comes down to choosing between armors/vest but it’s always important to take these small considerations into account.
Use Cases for Each Item
Ballistic helmets are primarily used by military personnel who need head protection while being in combat. They can provide protection against small-caliber bullets and shrapnel as well as some explosive materials. These helmets have an outer shell made of hard materials such as Kevlar, Ceramic, Fiberglass and Steel. For example: FAST Ballistic Helmet. These helmets usually weigh under 2 kg (4 pounds) and have a 4-point chinstrap in order to keep them stable when worn on one’s head.
How To Wear Each Item
A Plate Carrier is typically worn over other equipment (for instance, body armor and a shirt) but can be an outermost layer if required. While it’s often lined with ceramic plates for protection, you can wear them with just soft inserts called SAPI that help spread impact over more of your body. There are also made of high-quality nylon with kevlar stitching.
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