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Ballistic helmets? Since basic training, in the summer of ’83, I have worn the gamut: the M1 steel helmet, for starters, the PASGT (Personal Armor System, Ground Troops) helmets, and soft armor vests while in West Germany (yes, West, back before the Wall came down).
As the late nineties and early 00s hit, the hotness in helmets on the military side was the MICH – Modular Integrated Communication Helmet – from MSA Gallet. While I can’t recall who made the padding inside, I quickly replaced them with the Oregon Aero option. I believe the late Pat Rogers said wearing that combination was amazingly comfortable, albeit in a far more descriptive phrase.
The EPIC Specialist model with all of the attachments.
One major command in the US military went with those. A couple of years into the Global War on Terror (GWOT), the Big Army chose the ACH—Advanced Combat Helmet—while the Marine Corps bought the Lightweight Helmet, which was visually like the PASGT. Both had pros and cons.
As the GWOT continued, other offerings began to emerge. Among them was the Crye Airframe, a rather unique two-piece design. Other companies traveled different paths to meet certain contractual requirements or bring their vision to market. This included OpsCore’s design, which I used for my last several years with the sheriff’s office and into retirement.
Team Wendy
One of those companies is Team Wendy. Headquartered in Cleveland, OH, they came into existence after the tragic loss of the daughter of the company’s founder. She died because of head injuries suffered in a ski accident. Initially, they made helmets for skiers and Search & Rescue personnel with a focus on impact protection. Only later did they move into ballistic protection.
Looking at the front – the Protector on the left with side rails and the F90 on the right with a night vision mount, rails, and retention bungees – different helmets for different roles.
I spoke with Josh Jackson, Team Wendy’s western regional sales manager.
If you aren’t familiar with Team Wendy, they did not start out in the ballistic protection or tactical space. They got their start trying to develop and market protective equipment for athletes. That was driven by the death of the owner’s daughter – Wendy. She passed away as the result of a fatal traumatic brain injury from a ski accident. Over time, TW has become involved in a significant amount of research concerning neck injuries and high-velocity impacts on the skull.
They now have come to focus on being a complete personal protective equipment (PPE) manufacturer and supplier.
F90 Helmet
Earlier this year, I was loaned a Team Wendy F90 helmet, an early version of their current EPIC helmet line. This has proven to be an exceptionally comfortable helmet (well, as much as any helmet can really be comfortable).
The backsides of the F90 (left) and the EPIC Protector (right). The velcro patches secure more than just patches – they help secure battery boxes, cables, lights, cameras, and more – if you need all of that.
From the F90, Team Wendy developed and expanded its EPIC line. What has been interesting is the tiered approach to products. The EPIC line has three models: the Responder, the Protector, and the Specialist. Within the EPIC line, there are both full-cut and high-cut helmet models.
An EPIC Progression
All of them have the same ballistics package, made from High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene (HMWPE). So, if the ballistics are the same, what differentiates them? The accessory packages.
Consider them this way: Responder – good; Protector – Better; Specialist – best accessories.
Team Wendy’s EPIC Protector – solid and worthwhile life-saving equipment has emerged from the tragedy.
While the Responder model has no side rails, it uses a band-mounted riot shield. It is a baseline patrol helmet with excellent ballistics.
TW sent me the Protector model. It also has the same Cam-Fit chin strap with the Boa tightening headband and EPIC air pads as the higher-end model – the Specialist. The side rails support headsets, non-tactical illumination, and the face shield.
Neither the Responder nor the Protector have exterior velcro patches. While they can be used for identification patches, they also serve a role in mounting battery boxes, routing power cords, and more.
The Cam-Fit chinstraps with the Boa adjustment mechanism and the EPIC pads. While you can’t see it, the bolts do not go through the full thickness of the shell.
Regardless of the model, all the EPIC helmets have moved past mounts that are secured through holes drilled completely through the helmet body. The attachments bolt into, but not through, the ballistic package.
What Needs to be Protected?
A couple of thoughts here: While plate carriers are quite common, agencies do not seem to prioritize ballistic helmets in the same way. Regularly, officers are shot in the head. While we do ok with impact protection with riot helmets, we need to improve the protection their heads have. Additionally, face shields may soon be far more useful for patrol than night vision mounts.
Ballistics
The EPIC line has one of the highest-rated ballistic shells in the industry. TW backs them with a ten-year warranty. All the models exceeded the level IIIA criteria for both velocity (V50 Resistance to penetration) and deformation/back face with a 9mm projectile.
In talking with Josh about this, he referenced a Department of Defense (DoD) study on back-face deformation. They looked at 77 helmets that were struck by gunfire while being worn during the Global War on Terror. If there was a complete penetration of the helmet by a projectile, it resulted. Partial penetration or impact with deformation was survived by all, with only minor injuries and a return to full duty. The study showed resistance to penetration was more important than back face deformation. In multiple caliber testing, the resistance to penetration was the most significant point.
Fellow Gunsite instructor and Norwich alumni Freddie Blish, working outdoors with a carbine and the EPIC Protector – no interference.
Throughout one US military command, everyone is wearing one of three HMWPE helmet designs instead of traditional aramid fabric like Kevlar or Twaron. Significant documentation shows that those helmets defeat rifle rounds.
Final Thoughts
TW is developing other attachments and helmet accessories for L/E.
There is little to dislike about Team Wendy’s EPIC helmet line. Given the realities of the contemporary threat environment law enforcement faces, a ballistic helmet should be on your list.
MSRP on the EPIC Protector is $950
