REVIEW: HCS Helmets

From HC Soldatenausrüstung (HCS), there is a helmet series that has been manufactured in South Africa for five years and successfully distributed in Germany through HCS. The models offered by HCS do not experiment and rely on the well-known US helmets MICH and the CVC series as the patterns. We have taken a look at the MICH 2000 Helmet (with large ear/flank protection), a MICH 2001 (lacking ear/flank protection), and finally a CVC Helmet (lacking ear/flank protection, temples of the wearer unprotected) for you.

All these models have their pros and cons. While the 2000 helmet offers a high level of protection (protection area only 8% smaller than that of the BW combat helmet) and can also be comfortably worn with, for example, Peltor ComTac, it still restricts movement compared to the 2001 model (popular among US Special Operation Forces) and is less comfortable. The CVC helmet, on the other hand, is certainly not the leader in protection area among the models, but offers a significant advantage. Due to its generous cut, it is also compatible with bulky BV systems and provides very pleasant ventilation, certainly a good solution especially for tank crews or troops engaged in mounted and dismounted combat.

As for the quality and workmanship, the HCS helmets are at least equal to the "originals" (it's hard for me to talk about originals, because the HCS helmet is not a counterfeit and does not violate any patent rights) from BAE and others. After all, the helmets distributed by HCS are certified according to the German protection class 1. We opened the protective coating of one of our test specimens and were not disappointed, the first look under the epoxy paint revealed the first layer of Kevlar and no cheap filler material.

The wearing comfort of the helmets is vastly superior to the BW combat helmet. Even during physical exertion, no hotspots formed and the wearing stability of the helmets is extremely convincing, once adjusted, the helmet fits like a glove.

If you plan to acquire an HCS helmet, it is important to know your own head circumference for sizing. Simply measuring with a tape measure is sufficient, nothing needs to be converted or added. In addition to the available colors (sand, olive, and black), HC Soldatenausrüstung also provides two different carrying systems. One is the known Pad System (seen at the top of the image: attachable foam pads, similar to those used by US Armed Forces). The other is a Net System (seen at the bottom), which uses only two wide pads at the front and rear and a net for load distribution. In terms of wearing comfort, the choice between net and pads is surely a matter of taste, but especially in terms of ventilation, the net solution is my favorite. After some research, I found studies and newspaper reports on the internet in which deaths of soldiers caused by blast injuries as well as by collisions allegedly involved the use of pad solutions. At least the US Army uses pads.

HCS uses an H-strap in their own helmets, which distributes the weight of the helmet comfortably. However, we do have one real criticism about the strapping. The quality of the straps definitely leaves something to be desired, a polyamide solution would have been much better. However, initially, due to the relatively small Fastex closure and the soft webbing, there are problems with quickly putting on the helmet. Another matter of taste is the choice of a soft plastic chin guard, it would be advantageous to have the option to remove it. For those who want to switch, among Americans, the chin straps from Ops-Core (H-Nape or X-Nape) are almost the rule now.

Otherwise, the modularity of the helmet leaves nothing to be desired. From rail systems for mounting lights and cameras to adapters for active hearing protection and helmet covers, HC Soldatenausrüstung offers a lot of accessories in their own shop.

CONCLUSION: What makes a good helmet? In my opinion, it is the balancing act between wearing comfort, protection area, protective effect, and weight depending on the assignment. All three of the tested helmets excel in this balancing act in their own way. The HCS helmets are proven protection concepts at a fair price. The quality and reliability are more than top-notch. When it comes to protective equipment, one should certainly not skimp, but here you get a certified helmet with outstanding wearing comfort and high modularity for your money. The American helmet models are also locally available.

The price of the HCS ACH is 329 euros, the Gunfighter, Special Forces, and Crewman models each cost 299 euros. There are also various accessories available such as rails. The HCS helmets can be purchased directly from the manufacturer HCS Ausrüstungs GmbH or for example via Camostore.