REVIEW: Ideal AirFrame Helmet

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The AirFrame Helmet by Crye Precision is charismatic and revolutionary head protection. Crye has taken a completely new approach in design and designed a helmet that consists of two bolted shells, made of innovative materials. 20 percent lighter than a MICH, 20 percent more bullet-resistant. However, the fabric, shape, and name come at a (high) price. The helmet here is a classic China clone from a manufacturer called "Ideal". It is also a ballistic head protection, supposed to have Level IIIA. We took a look at it for you.

There is nothing to complain about the shape of this AirFrame. Well done is well done. The helmet comes in a very light paint, reminiscent of "Sand Dune" by Krylon. But it can also be dipped in Multicam or AOR1. The Chinese manufacturer is active in professional helmet and protection plate production. Upon inquiry, there is also a ballistic assessment from a Chinese institute available for this helmet, confirming that Level IIIA - resistant up to and including 9mm Para - is requested and present. And the helmet seems to be manufactured only for the Chinese market: it is only available in size Large, corresponding to hat size 57 to 64.

The magic of the Ideal Airframe is that it merges Crye and MICH. When viewed from the back, the trained eye can hardly tell - but someone who has checked with a measuring tape will see it - that the gap appears slightly larger. In the original, the shell is about five millimeters thick, as is the gap. Here, it's almost twice as much, both together amounting to 1.8 centimeters. However, the screws seem to be sized in such a way that they are as long as in the original. Therefore, when screwed together here, they do not go all the way through the nut. The secret of this AirFrame is that it has a shell of MICH quality. So slightly thicker and less ballistic protection than the high-end piece by Caleb Crye.

What is a helmet without a mount for a night vision device? In the original, Ops-Core VAS Shrouds are more common. Ideal has opted for a clone of a Wilcox "W" Three Hole Shroud, usually found on Team Wendy helmets. The mount is well done: the inner part is made of aluminum, the outer part plastic. Metal nuts secure the shroud to the WARCOM hole.

Here, the genuine Crye Rail - actually an adaptation of the Ops-Core Rail - and the replica meet. The replica lacks the original markings (see fold). Otherwise, it is no worse in dimension and fit. It also has the bungees - elastic straps with hooks - designed to pull and secure the mounted night vision device towards the back.

Our friend says it's the inner values that count, so we don't want to withhold them from you. Connoisseurs immediately notice the difference, as the genuine AirFrame - HERE our presentation of it - has a carbon look on the inside. However, this helmet is painted on the inside same as outside, consistently sand-colored. The pads resemble the genuine ones but are also replicas and completely foliage-colored.

A genuine pad compared to a replica from the helmet. The latter is slightly smaller and monotone. The genuine pad has two colors and labeling. A significant difference: the genuine ones are noticeably firmer, likely due to shock-absorbing properties.

Crye also didn't want to reinvent the world with the strapping, so they used Ops-Core H-Napes. Here, replica (light) and genuine (darker) compared. The markings are missing again. Otherwise, the difference is not so big. The stitching is solid, but not quite as perfectionistic as the genuine strap.

Regarding the buckle (left the replica), the difference is noticeable. Ops-Core is perfectionistically "crisp". The replica does not want to. The secret: it has casting burrs. If you file them down, it fits too.

CONCLUSION: Here again the entire helmet in a front side view. Ideal delivers a ballistic helmet that matches MICH in quality but looks like an AirFrame. We acknowledge the assessment (and have not conducted a personal Test like with the FMA Ballistic Maritime). This means it is heavier and thicker than a genuine AirFrame from Crye Precision, but not more than a MICH. The workmanship is good, with minor weaknesses in detail. However, the helmet costs only a fifth to a quarter of the Crye original. The biggest weakness of the Ideal AirFrame is the gap: it is larger. The shells are thicker. The two middle screws are too short: it would be interesting to know how that affects the helmet if it is thrown or hit. The gap at the back has sparked discussions since the presentation of the Crye helmet. What if a fragment comes from behind? Here, the gap is even larger than the real helmet. However, the advantage of the gap is ventilation. And in case of a impact, the head is not completely under the dome, but has better pressure distribution.

You can find the Ideal AirFrame Helmet on Ebay.com or Aliexpress with fluctuating prices between 250 and 400 dollars (excluding shipping).