REVIEW: REVISION Caiman Hybrid Helmet System

The Caiman Hybrid Helmet System is a rare find for us. Here we have the Carbon version, known as the "BUMP Helmet". Overall, Caiman is a system that originally comes from REVISION MILITARY, which was presented at SOFIC in 2017, competing for air superiority in the special forces sector, but ultimately lost to OPS-CORE. As a result, REVISION MILITARY refocused on sunglasses and sold the helmet division to the manufacturer GALVION, who continues to distribute the Caiman. It's a great system that we want to introduce to you today.

So, a BUMP Helmet is something that prevents you from hitting your head during your demanding activities. The Caiman protects you with a carbon shell and costs about $1,000. That's reasonable, considering the target audience was US special forces and government contracts.

There are still good things out there and not everything needs to be reinvented. The front of the Caiman uses the Wilcox® L4 Series Shroud as a docking station for the Rhino with night vision goggles or a "Fixed Arm Visor", essentially an insert for eye protection.

Two hooks with bungees to attach and secure the night vision goggles. This is a common feature from other manufacturers. Here you can also see clearly how strong - or thin - the carbon shell of the helmet is.

The bungee cord is fixed to the rail. REVISION followed the concept of the rail but designed their own.

Here you can see the rest of the rail. The shape resembles OPS-CORE, but the rail is flatter and less bulky. And yes, you can recognize them by their ventilation holes. This BUMP also has a very specific hole design that distinguishes it from other manufacturers like OPS-CORE or MTEK.

That's history: "REVISION" is still clearly visible on our GALVION.

Also unique are the loops with bungee cords on the rail, which serve as functional cable tunnels. By the way, we love American high-tech with casting lines...

On the back, you can see the Velcro on the helmet, where various items can be attached. A pragmatic solution for the battery box of the night vision device are the two Velcro strips that secure it at the back of the helmet.

Exciting about the REVISION concept is that you can "upgrade" the Carbon BUMP to a ballistic helmet with the Ballistic Applique. Two plates are simply placed on the Velcro and you are Level IIIA. Although we are not sure if we like the vulnerable spot on the front of the forehead, where the night vision mount is kept clear. But it is certainly practical and better than nothing. However, it must also be said: it turns a $1,000 helmet into a $2,000 makeshift solution.

Flipped over, this is what the inside of the Caiman looks like. It uses the APEX Liner System.

We really like this. There are delicate mesh cushions for fine tuning.

And underneath there is a whole shell of plastic that ensures fit and impact absorption. REVISION/GALVION also focuses on a good fit with the helmet: there are five size options - S, M, L, XL, XXL - compared to other manufacturers who tend to offer two to three sizes (S/M – M/L – L/XL).

Inside the system: Here the helmet can be tightened around the head.

The chin straps fasten at the back of the neck. A classic solution.

Very nice and well-fitting are the plastic beams inside the helmet on the right and left. They are also skeletonized to allow more air to the head.

Tense on the head. Works even with a less than perfect haircut.

In the neck, the system is tightened to ensure a snug fit on the head. Very elegantly solved by REVISION.

Also the sliders on the chin strap carry the REVISION logo. It is a clamping system so that the straps do not adjust easily.

Click. The closure on the chin, on the left bottom, easy to operate with one hand.

Once adjusted correctly, the strap system is symmetrical. If...

This is the fully upgraded Caiman: The BUMP has the ballistic plates on, the visor is an insert for protective goggles, which clicks into the Rhino from Wilcox here, the other one directly onto the shroud. The mandible comes in two versions, a simple mouth guard and a ballistic version. The only thing missing here is the active hearing protection.

There it is. Cool sticker from GALVION with the ballistic helmet system and night vision device and VIP strobe on the helmet.

CONCLUSION: Want to avoid getting a headache? The GALVION Caiman is a wonderful BUMP with a great system included. And it looks great too. Definitely an exclusive BUMP for special forces...

The REVISION/GALVION Caiman Hybrid Helmet System costs $926 from the manufacturer. To have the full system, you need all the accessories.

GALVION online

By the way, this is the very nice image trailer for the ballistic Caiman variant from GALVION.

More CAIMAN on SPARTANAT

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