11/4/08 - Two additions to TAD Gear's rapidly expanding line of Merino Wool products are the Brain Case Watch Cap and Proline Neck Gaiter. Both are made from the finest Australian Merino Wool and are available in Black, M.E. Green and M.E. Brown (shown here).

As I've mentioned in previous writeups, I have very sensitive skin and am in the small minority that can find some Merino wool slightly irritating, while most other people won't. To date, I have found all of TAD Gear's Merino wool products to be itch-free and non-irritating, which to me, is a testament to the fineness of the Merino wool fibers used in their construction. Wool is naturally fire resistant and will not melt when exposed to flame which makes these a good alternative to synthetics if that's a concern. Both the watch cap and neck gaiter have a fine ribbed knit and at first glance, I thought they were the same knit. But upon closer examination, they're different, with the ribs a bit finer on the gaiter and the ones on the cap more pronounced. Both bear TAD's Green Label (natural fibers).

Brain Case Watch Cap - The Brain Case is TAD's take on the classic wool watch cap, but refined with an extra fine gauge ribbed knit which makes it lower profile than your normal wool watch cap. It's low profile enough to fit under many helmets. It has an increased stretch ratio for comfort and fit, and a higher resistance to pilling. The Brain Case is 8" wide at the bottom and 9.5" tall, which is more than long enough to cover the ears completely when folded down.

Proline Neck Gaiter - The Proline Neck Gaiter is made from the same ultra fine Merino wool as the Brain Case Watch Cap, and has an extended bias bib design. The front of the gaiter extends down to ensure that the lower part of the neck is covered. I've found that with conventional neck gaiters, the lower part of the neck can remain uncovered or untucked from low collars, so the bib extension is a nice feature to have. The gaiter is 12" tall, not counting the 3" bib extension. It can be worn folded over like a turtleneck or fully extended.

Brain Case cap and Proline Neck Gaiter

Neck gaiter folded in half

Folded over

Neck gaiter extended

Both the Brain Case Watch Cap and Proline Neck Gaiter are extremely comfortable items. They're stretchy and non-restrictive. I especially like the lower profile of the Brain Case vs. a standard wool watch cap as it takes up about half the volume when stuffed or folded in a pocket. The Proline Gaiter is long enough to cover the face when folded over once or extended. It can also be folded over a couple of times for a thicker turtleneck. Worn in conjunction with the Brain Case, you can get complete head coverage with a small slit left for the eyes. With their classic look, these will look and function well whether it be around town or in the field.

12/18/06 - Outdoor Research, more commonly known as just 'OR Gear', is a familiar brand when shopping at outdoor retailers like REI. We've also seen the OR logo on clothing and equipment used by U.S. Military forces in Afghanistan and around the world, especially in colder climates. Less well known is that OR also has a military/government division, with specialty items not seen in the commercial line. They are rapidly expanding the govt line, and featured below are some of their offerings.

PS50 Watch Cap - The PS50 is a lightweight cap made from Polartec Power Stretch fabric, for both warmth and moisture management (wicking sweat away). It can also be used as a helmet liner. It's essentially a skull cap, but not as tight and restrictive feeling as some other athletic brands. It has a comfortable cut, shaped to the head, and the headband can be turned down to cover the ears for a bit more warmth. Since it's not as heavy as a fleece cap, it's suitable for running in cold weather, when it's cold enough to warrant a cap but you don't want to overheat your head when you get going.

Wind Pro Factor Cap - The Factor cap is made from Polartec Wind Pro fabric, which is a hard-face fabric with a low loft fleece inner surface. The cap is shaped with four panels to conform to the head, and covers the ears completely. The sides can be folded up over the ears if desired. The fabric is water and wind resistant - light drizzle will bead up and roll off the surface. It's available in two colours - black, and deep green, which is best described as a dark OD. It's low profile enough to use under a helmet, and the comfortable flat seams throughout won't leave you with imprints on your forehead. The OR logo on the front is reflective.

PS50 Watch cap

Factor Cap

OR is also collaborating with Massif Mountain Gear Company, who specialize in Nomex, fire-resistant (FR) garments to produce OR-designed garments utilizing Massif's proprietary Nomex fabrics. Two of the fabrics used are Cool Knit, a lightweight, wicking Nomex designed for warmer temperatures, and HotJohns, a midweight Nomex for warmth in cooler weather. Both are stretchy and wick sweat away from the skin. The Cool Knit material is extremely lightweight, and thinner than the standard Nomex fabric we're used to that's used for balaclavas etc. The HotJohns fabric is a very soft, medium-weight material. It's also very stretchy. Neither fabric restricts heavy breathing when worn over the nose and mouth.
For now, the Cool Knit is available only in tan, and the HotJohns in black. The only drawback is that the Massif stretch Nomex material isn't cheap. But if you need fire resistant properties as part of your job, it's a small price to pay for the peace of mind and comfort it offers.

FR Ninja Balaclava CK - The FR Ninja Balaclava in Cool Knit tan fabric shown here is a very lightweight balaclava that can be worn a variety of ways. It's lighter weight than the other nomex balaclavas I've had in the past, and also the best fitting. Instead of a flat pattern sewn together in the middle, it's shaped to the head with six separate panels sewn together with flat seams. The cut, combined with the stretch nomex makes it conform better to the head and neck than any other design I've come across - a 'true' 3-D cut for the head. The bib has ample material for tucking into the collar.

It really does look like a 'ninja' hood, hence the name. The eye opening is designed so that it can be narrowed down to a slit or opened up wide without bunching or stretching of the fabric at the sides, like oval-shaped eye-holes on other balaclavas. This design is also more compatible with eyewear temples.

The balaclava can be worn the normal way, with just the eyes exposed. The face portion can be pulled down under the chin to expose the face. It can also be worn as a gaiter by pulling back the head portion, and leaving the face covered. Lastly, it can be used as a neck gaiter. All without overstretching the material. A heavier weight FR Ninja Balaclava is available in HotJohns black.

FR Omaha Neck Gaiter HJ - The Omaha Neck Gaiter is a simple tube of material. Shown here in the HotJohns black, it's also available in the lighter weight Cool Knit tan. It can be configured a number of ways - as a watch cap (the end of the tube can be tucked in, or left open and loose for ventilation); a headover which covers the top and sides of the head, leaving the face open; a face protector; or a plain neck warmer. I commute to work a couple of times a week by motorcycle, much less now that it's winter and it's cold in the mornings. I figured the early morning rides to work would be a good test for the Omaha gaiter, as it's both cold and windy as I ride the motorcycle. Even though the fabric is unrestrictive when worn over the nose and mouth as a single layer, it didn't allow wind to pass through when worn in a double layer around the neck and chin and kept those areas well insulated. I can also honestly say that the HotJohns fabric is one of the softest, most comfortable fabrics I've worn, FR or otherwise.

FR Ninja Balaclava

Worn as gaiter

Neck warmer

Gaiter worn as watch cap

Headover, face protector, neck warmer

Here's the Factor Cap and Omaha Gaiter used on a hike

8/17/07 - FR Ninja Balaclava EL™ - The FR Ninja Balaclava EL is made from Massif® Stretch Nomex® Elements™ fire-resistant fabric to provide warmth when wet, and wind-resistance with full FR protection. As explained in my review of the Massif Elements™ Softshell Jacket and Pants, Massif Elements™ is a softshell fabric that isn't immediately recognizable as the typical nylon DWR softshell fabric. It's actually 'soft', looking more like sweatshirt material than water-resistant fabric. So, people are always surprised when I tell them that it's a windproof/waterproof fabric. Externally, it looks exactly like the other Massif fabrics shown above, only with a slightly finer weave. The Elements fabric a tri-laminate, with an outer face material and interior fleece face sandwiching a fire resistant waterproof/breathable membrane. The face and fleece back are fire resistant DuPont Nomex/Kevlar/Carbon/Acrylic and Lycra which also provide anti-static performance. Elements is a four-way stretch, with more stretch in the width. As a result, it's very comfortable and stretches with the body's movements. Since Elements doesn't have a DWR coating, water doesn't bead up on it and roll off. The outer layer will get wet and soak it up. But that's where the water will stay - it won't make it past the waterproof membrane. Now you have a balaclava that will keep you dry and warm, even when it's wet and cold out.

Like the FR Ninja Balaclava CK, the FR Ninja Balaclava EL can be worn in a multitude of ways - as a balaclava with full coverage, with the lower portion under the chin, as a face mask, and neck gaiter. The EL has an extended bib for tucking into the collar, and that combined with the thicker material makes it a bit tight to roll up as a watch cap. If a watch cap is needed, get the Factor Cap shown above. The Ninja design also minimizes pressure on the temples when wearing eyeglasses or sunglasses. There are midweight HotJohns fabric panels over the ears and mouth. The lighter weight fabric allows unrestricted breathing as the Elements wind-resistant fabric doesn't let much air through. The panels over the ears allow better hearing, and have a port at the back though which ear-bud headphones can be routed. You can stick earbuds in your ears without removing the Balaclava.

Since the EL has the same six-panel shaped construction as the CK Balaclava, it fits very well. I like how there isn't excess fabric under the chin hanging off it like a turkey's wattle, and it follows the contour of the chin to the neck. It's too hot right now to see how it performs, so I'll leave that for when the weather gets colder. I expect it to be no different than the other Massif-fabric items that I've used, which are extremely comfortable and perform admirably.

FR Ninja Balaclava EL

Ear ports (hood shown inside out)

3/27/07 - Rammite Australia is a manufacturer of Australian Merino wool garments and accessories. The military line and the items shown below are offered through MissionPac. For more information on their wool, read my review of their short and long sleeved components of their Merino Layering system here. Featured below are their headwear accessories.

All of the Rammite headgear shown here of double-layer construction using their midweight 100% Australian Merino wool fabric.

Beanie Hat - The Beanie hat is actually a pill-shaped cylinder sewn at both ends, and one half is folded inside the other to form the hat. After washing, the fold line was gone and I thought it'd have been easier to re-fold and line up the inside and outer layers if they were sewn together around the forehead as well, and at the top. Other than that, it fits well and looks good. It's not as thin as a skull cap, and not as thick as a fleece cap - somewhere in between, so it can be worn under a helmet. It has more than enough length to cover the ears - in the photos below I have it folded back on itself about 3" around the head.

Neck Warmer - The Neck Warmer is 8" tall and is also double-layered. It works very well in conjunction with the Beanie Hat; when overlapped at the back of the head, the beanie keeps the neck warmer from slipping down. I'd actually prefer it if the Neck Warmer was just a long, single layered tube, instead of being sewn into a double layer, so that I could double it up or use it extended it if I chose to. It'd add versatility to the garment as it'd be able to be used in more ways.

Balaclava - The Balaclava is also double layered, and has the same four-seam shaped crown as the Beanie Hat (some balaclavas are simply two halves sewn together down the middle and don't fit as well). Like the Beanie, I'd like to see the inner and outer layer sewn together at the top. The shaped eye opening is wide enough to accomodate eyewear temples, and I found it easy to adjust. While the wool isn't as elastic as Nomex or some other materials, I was able to pull the eye opening down to expose the mouth.

Beanie Hat

Beanie Hat worn, folded up

Beanie + Neck warmer

Beanie + Neck warmer

Balaclava

As I mentioned in the reviews of other Merino wool garments, I'm on the small minority of people who have very sensitive skin and can find it uncomfortable (prickly). Cold weather combined with dry skin can sometimes make skin feel itchy from the get-go, no matter what fabric you use over it, so take that into account if you know you're sensitive to wool.
Overall, I'm impressed with the quality and construction of the Rammite headwear, but I do feel that the product designs could be improved with a couple of minor tweaks as mentioned above.

3/28/07 - I just got word from Rammite that they will be stitching along the stitch lines to keep beanie aligned after washing, so new runs will have this modification.

1/16/07 - A new helmet retention system for the ACH/MICH is available from Ops-Core, based in Boston. The guys from Crye Precision recommended that I check out their stuff, so I contacted them about the products shown here. Dubbed the Head-Loc Retention System, Ops-Core offers four-point X and H-harness configurations, in Foliage Green and Tan.

Too often, you find harnesses with coarse webbing and exposed velcro that isn't the most comfortable. The Head-Loc uses custom-weaved, 0.6"-wide webbing which is very supple for comfort against the skin. All stiching is very tidy, with the densest bartacks I've ever seen to hold the webbing together. Ops-Core also designed new plastic hardware specifically for the Head-Loc for the lowest possible profile. The adjustment Head-Loc Tabs (triglides) have teeth which lock their position along the webbing when the helmet is in use, and can be used when wearing gloves. They slide easily along the webbing both ways to loosen or tighten the adjustments, and then stay in the position you want. By using these Tabs for adjustment, the Head-Locs eliminate loose ends of webbing, velcro and elastic keepers.
The side-release chin strap buckle is also proprietary, with the female half sewn to the right side webbing. The male buckle is sewn so that it stays lined up with the female end for ease of insertion when donning. The chin cup is made of two pieces of webbing, lined with Novasuede™, a synthetic smooth suede-like material. The padded nape pad is also lined with this material. The Head-Locs are available with the chin strap buckle on the left, or right. Right handed shooter would order the buckle on the left hand side.
The Head-Locs come with ballistic mounting hardware, which don't require tools to install.

X Head-Loc - In the X configuration, the side straps follow the jawline around the neck and cross at the nape, passing through the padded nape pad.

H Head-Loc - Here, the side straps do not cross, but are instead attached to a 6" long padded nape pad. The distance between the side straps can be adjusted along the nape pad, with the maximum spacing about 5".

What's the difference between the two? The H configuration is meant to provide a little extra stability when night vision devices are mounted on the helmet. Other than that, I couldn't really find a different in comfort - they both feel much better than the stock harness. The H configuration might also be a more comfortable if you have a thicker neck. Ops-Core offers a more detailed explaination here.

Foliage green X Head-Loc

Inside

Tan H Head-loc with buckle on right

X Head-loc with buckle on right

Strap anchor and Tab

Attachment to helmet

Installing either configuration was simple. All it requires is removing the standard harness, and replacing it with the Head-Loc. The Head-Loc is supplied with four ballistic screws and mounting hardware (T-nuts). The screw goes through the hole in the helmet, and then the strap anchor then T-nut. The holes on my medium Gentex were smaller in diameter than the MICH or ACH, so I opened them up to fit the Ops-Core hardware. You can use a phillips or flathead screwdriver, or even a coin to install the ballistic screws. I also found that the Gentex TBH rear harness holes are spaced wider and higher than on the MSA/Gallet MICH/ACH, so that I almost maxed out the small/medium X-harness side front-rear adjustment and the spacing between the straps for the H-configuration. So, if you're buying a Head-Loc for a Gentex, get the large X Head-Loc. I've heard reports from others who have found that they maxed out the adjustment on the small/medium harness when using it with a medium sized helmet. To be on the safe side, If you've got a medium or larger MICH or ACH, order a large size harness or refer to the Ops-Core sizing guide on their product pages.

I found the simplified strap geometry and Head-Loc buckles to make adjusting the helmet easier than any other harness I've tried. Before donning the helmet, I loosened up the straps a bit by sliding the Head-Loc Tabs away from the chin cup. I put the helmet on, adjusted the chin straps (up-down) by sliding the adjustment tabs along the webbing down towards the chin cup, and then adjusted either the side (front-back) straps. Then I made minor adjustments individually. When I achieved the desired tension, I let go and the triglides stayed put. Adjustments can be made on the fly; no velcro to unhook and rehook, or tucking loose ends into elastic keepers. If you look at the photos below, you'll notice that the side straps are straight all the way from the back to the front of the chin. The chin strap is also straight when it runs from the side of the helmet and down under the chin. This is the key to the stability of the helmet. If you look at the photos of the Canadian helmet further down this page, you'll also see a straight-line strap configuration.

I also put my PVS-7 goggles on the helmet, and found both configurations to feel more stable, with the slight edge in comfort around the nape area going to the H configuration. Without the weight of the NVG's pulling the helmet forward, both felt pretty much the same - more comfortable than the stock harness. In my opinion, the Ops-Core Head Locs set the standard for ease of adjustability, low profile, stability, simplicity and comfort. Ops-Core also offers APO/FPO and international shipping - click here for details.

X installed in TBH

X Head-loc

4/26/07 - 3" CBRN/Gas Mask Extender - Shown here with the Tan X Head-Loc is the 3" CBRN/Gas Mask Extender. This installs to the chin strap buckle, adding 3" of length so a gas mask can be worn with the helmet. I've illustrated it here with a Scott M95 mask. I buckled the extender in, adjusted the straps normally, and that's all it took to acheive a comfortable setup with the mask (as far as wearing a gas mask goes). The extender is easily removed to return the harness to it's normal configuration.

Tan X Head-Loc and gas mask extender

Extender installed

Scott M95 mask

Left hand buckle

M53 mask with right hand buckle

8/21/09 - When Ops-Core introduced their Head-Loc retention system for the ACH/MICH; they set the standard for helmet stability when used as a platform for NVGs and other helmet mounted equipment. Ops-Core is now offering a new helmet retention system for the ACH/MICH, based on the liner and pad system used on their FAST helmet. It's called the ACH Occ-Dial Liner kit, and it's available in Urban Tan (shown here), Foliage Green and Black.

Description - The ACH Occ-Dial kit consists of an adjustable fitband, the pad system, and ballistic hardware for installation in the ACH/MICH 2000 and 2002 Gunfighter helmets. It will NOT fit the ACH/MICH 2001 Special Force Side Cut helmet, RBR helmets, or any helmets that do not match the exact mounting hole size and pattern found on the ACH/MICH.
Note that I have a Gentex TBH, which does not match the ACH/MICH mounting holes. I had previously relocated the rear mounting holes, plus the Occ-Dial fitband had to be modified to make it fit.
From Ops-Core's website, some of the main features of the ACH Occ-Dial Liner kit are:

Occ-Dial Fitband - Instead of relying only on pads to keep the helmet snug and stable on the head, an adjustable fitband is used. The fitband is a plastic band that encircles the circumference of the head that can be adjusted via the Occ-Dial (Occipital lobe dial adjustment system) at the back. 'Occipital lobe' refers to where the dial is located - right over the occipital lobe of your brain at the back of your head. It's not unlike the dial ratchet system on some helmets; a rubberized dial on the rear mechanism is turned to either loosen or tighten the fitband around your head. The fitband can be adjusted in height by sliding on the mounting screws before tightening them completely. It can also be 'pre-loaded' before final screw tightening, to better match the shape of your head.

The Occ-Dial fitband is covered with soft, synthetic suede-like material pads at the front, nape, side and rear. All of them are removable for washing or replacement. An interesting feature of the fitband is that it detaches in the front to allow the headband of a headset or earphone to fit behind it (between the fitband and the helmet shell), rather than pressing the headband against the user's head. The earphones can be left secured in the helmet.

Integrated Head-Loc Retention System - The ACH Occ-Dial fitband has the Head-Loc Retention system integrated with the Occ-Dial adjuster, which provides 4 times the stability than the standard issue ACH helmet suspension/retention system. With the Occ-Dial, it's more similar to the H-configuration than the X Head Loc. The key to the stability of the Head-Loc system is that the side straps are straight, all the way from the back to the front of the chin, while the chin straps are also straight when they run from the side of the helmet and down under the chin. By eliminating the angle or pivot points between the chin cup and straps, the helmet is much more stable on the head than the standard harness. The simplified strap geometry and Head-Loc buckles make adjusting the helmet easier than any other harness I've tried. Note that this particular ACH Occ-Dial kit is fitted with a right-side buckle, as I'm a lefty and normally shoot from the left cheek.

Pad System - The Occ-Dial Kit utilizes the existing velcro discs inside the ACH for the installation of the removable/interchangeable pads. My Gentex TBH used strips instead of discs, but they still worked. There are two top pads, two side pads, and one rear pad. Both 1/2" and 3/4" thick top and rear pads are supplied with the helmet for proper fitting. If a headset with headband is going to be used, the top pads are positioned with a gap between them for the headband, and the side pads are omitted. The front/forehead EPP impact liner/pad is non-removable.

The pads are not the same foam pads supplied with the ACH or MICH. Instead of closed cell foam or Skydex, the pads are made up of firm EPP (Expanded Polypropylene) for impact absorption and soft LDV (Low Density Vinyl) for comfort, neither of which are affected by moisture, altitude or temperature. The pads are curved, not flat, and are molded to the shape of the head.

At first glance, the EPP material looks similar to polystyrene. However, EPP is not the same as EPS (Expanded polystyrene/styrofoam). EPP is a very durable yet resilient closed-cell foam and there is no comparison in structural strength. While you can push your finger into a block of styrene and indent it, EPP can absorb energy over and over without denting or breaking. EPS is commonly found in single-use helmets, like motorcycle helmets. The EPS will crush with very little rebound and the helmet will need to be replaced after a hard hit, whereas EPP will recover after a blow and is good for multiple impacts.

The firm EPP makes up most of the volume of the pad. The part that contacts your head is the LDV portion, which is a very soft and pliable closed-cell foam, yet is strong and durable with relatively high tensile strength. During the time I've had my FAST Bump helmet, the thickness of the LDV portion has been increased to provide more comfort, based on user feedback - some of which said that the pads were too hard.

ACH Occ-Dial kit

Supplied pads

Installation - Installation of the ACH Occ-Dial kit into a MICH/ACH is simple. You order the size for the shell that you have. For the issue ACH/MICH, all it requires is removing the pads and standard harness, and replacing it with the Occ-Dial kit, following the very clear included instructions as you go along. The Occ-Dial is supplied with four long ballistic screws and mounting hardware (T-nuts). The screw goes through the hole in the helmet, and then the fitband/liner, the anchor, then T-nut.

The holes on my medium Gentex were smaller in diameter than the MICH or ACH, so for my previous installation of the Head-Loc straps and ACH-ARC accessory rails, I had opened them up to fit the Ops-Core hardware, and had also relocated the rear ones. I found that the front hole spacing on the Gentex helmet also wasn't the same as the ACH/MICH when I tried to install the front pad, so I had to modify the front pad. I don't recommend doing it, as I had to open up the mounting hole in the front pad and cut away a bit of the material, and can't guarrantee that it'll work for other helmets. Stick to issue ACH/MICH helmets.

All the adjustments are made during the installation procedure, as well as pad thickness selection and placement. Donning the helmet is the same as when using the Head-Loc harness, except that the rear dial is tightened first, then the Head-Loc sliders. For more details/info on adjustments, read the FAST helmet writeup.

Installed in Gentex TBH

Observations/Notes - The shell of my Gentex TBH is relatively close-fitting on my head, so I had to use all 1/2" pads instead of 3/4". That's an important thing to note; that there's enough room in the helmet shell to install the kit. If there isn't, the shell you have is probably a too small for your head. Also note that if you have the ACH-ARC accessory rail, that the longer 23mm screws will be needed to account for the added thickness. Normally, the 21mm screws will work.

The Occ-Dial adds a level of stability over the Head-Loc system alone, with the adjustable Fitband encircling the head and the firmer pads. The Gentex TBH comes with a set of dual-density foam pads that aren't as good for shock absorption as the Skydex or OA pads, but are comfy because they're soft. Comparing the Occ-Dial and Gentex pads, I found the Gentex pads to be more comfortable than the Occ-Dial front around the forehead area, because the Occ-Dial front pad is harder, and the curvature is fixed. Even though the Ops-Core FAST Bump helmet uses the same Occ-Dial fitband, I find it very comfortable, and it's not due to the light weight. There must be a subtle difference in curvature between the two. While it's not as comfortable in the Gentex helmet, I don't find it uncomfortable. Everyone's got a slightly different head, so it might fit someone else's perfectly. I think that my Gentex shell size might be slightly on the small side for my head, so if you have the right size shell, you should be fine. The airflow/ventilation offered by the Ops-Core pads is better, as there's more open space. One thing I did notice was that while the synthetic suede material of the Occ-Dial is the same as on my FAST Bump shell, I did sweat more due to the lack of vent holes in the shell. The suede material is absorbant, but it's too thin to absorb a lot of sweat. The result of this is that I'd sometimes get sweat running into my eyes to a greater extent than with the Bump.

When mounting NVGs on the Gentex helmet, the advantage is then realized. It is now much more solid and stable than the Head-Loc system with Gentex pads. The Gentex pads compress over time (which requires the straps to be kept pretty tight) while the Ops-Core pads reach a certain point, then stop at the firm EPP material. The straps don't have to be adjusted as often. Another thing I found was that instead of detaching the fitband at the front so that my Sordin hearing protectors fit under it, it was more comfortable for me to loosen up the Occ-Dial, and just wear the fitband outside the hearing protector headband. The hearing protectors add stability to the helmet by preventing it from moving around, so tightening up the fitband/Occ-Dial wasn't really necessary.

If you desire or need a higher level of stability over that of the Ops-Core Head-Loc helmet retention system, while retaining the ease of adjustability, then the Occ-Dial Liner kit would be a worthy investment for your current helmet.

Gentex TBH with Occ-Dial kit

8/2/08 - The new Ops-Core VAS (Visual Augmentation System) Shroud ™ is the latest product from the Boston-based company as of this writing, following up on their excellent Head-Loc Retention System. It's a low-profile mount that fits any ACH or PASGT with standard three-hole mount pattern that's much more affordable than most of the other mounts out there.

The Ops-Core VAS Shroud was developed as a low-profile Shroud for mounting Night Vision Devices to ACH, MICH, PASGT, and Lightweight Marine Helmets. It was designed to replace the original detachable helmet “hook and strap” mounting system issued for use with the majority of PVS-7/14 systems currently fielded. While the hook and strap mount system is quickly removable, it has drawbacks with respect to weight, stability and snag hazards. The mounting plate of the hook and strap mount is flat, which contributes to its instability as it's mounted to the curved surface of a helmet shell.

Permanent helmet mounts are usually attached to the helmet via one or three hole patterns. Some require custom holes to be drilled. While there are other 'permanent' NVG mounts on the market, most are very expensive and require the user to replace the issue arm with a proprietary one. Many are actually heavier than the detachable helmet mount, and while they have addressed the stability and snag issues, the extra weight must be borne at all times even when the NVD isn't attached due to the permanent mounting.

The Ops-Core VAS Shroud is constructed of aluminum and weighs a scant 1.2 oz (34 grams). It comes in DG2 Urban Tan, 504 Foliage Green and Black. It's in the shape of a pentagon, with a slot in the middle for the standard U.S. Army Mount Arm #A3256368. The VAS Shroud attaches to the helmet with the standard 3-hole pattern with screws and ballistic T-nuts. It has no sharp edges or protrusions to snag, and is snag free for HALO, HAHO or static line use. It's shaped to conform to the curvature of a helmet shell, which ensures a stable platform.

Tan VAS shroud

Side view

Top view

With standard NVG helmet mount

Front view

PVS-7 mounted

If you have a PVS-7 or 14, and use the Standard U.S. Army Mount Arm (#A3256368), do yourself a favour and ditch your old hook and strap helmet mount or single-hole MICH mount. The Ops-Core VAS Shroud is a must-have upgrade that delivers the increased performance of other high-end mount systems at a fraction of the cost (it's under $100!). Not only does it resolve all of the deficiencies in the original hook and strap design, but it is also the lightest, lowest profile and least obtrusive “permanent” mounting solution currently available. Contact ops-core directly for purchasing information.

9/6/08 - The new Ops-Core ACH-ARC (Advanced Combat Helmet-Accessory Rail Connector) is an accessory mounting system for the ACH and TC2000 series of helmets from MSA. The ACH-ARC kit is designed and manufactured by Ops-Core, and sold by Ops-Core and MSA. The ACH-ARC system consists of two rails that mount on each side of a helmet, that will accomodate the use of various mounting accessories to hold lights, helmet cameras, IR illuminators etc.

Description - The ACH-ARC kit as it comes from Ops-Core consists of left and right rails, mounting hardware (longer screws and T-nuts), two picatinny adapters and two wing-loc adapters. The kit as packaged by MSA does not include the T-nuts or wing-loc adapters.

Rails - The rails are made of glass-reinforced nylon, and are shaped to fit the standard ACH shell, or the TC2000 series of helmets from MSA (TC2000, TC2001 and TC2002). They may not fit other brands of helmets unless they are manufactured to ACH specifications. They did fit on my Gentex TBH (shown here), but I had to relocate the rear mounting holes as the TBH does not have the same hole pattern as the ACH. The rails attach to the helmet using the existing front and rear chinstrap mounting points. Longer screws are supplied with the kit. There are two holes at the rear of the rail to accomodate S/M and L/XL helmet shell sizes. The rails are relatively low profile and have no sharp corners or edges to minimize clearance or snag hazards. They are also light weight - the kit weighs only 7oz. A dovetail slot into which accessory rails are slid into is molded into each rail. There are vertical locking slots and outer detents molded into the rail as well. When mounted, the dovetail is horizontal, as will be all accessories mounted to it unless a swivel adapter is used to angle them up or down.
Installation consists of removing the existing screws on the helmet and replacing them with the longer ones supplied with the kit. MSA has a pdf instruction sheet showing how to install and use the ACH-ARC. The ACH-ARC can be installed over a helmet cover, or custom helmet covers are available from Ops-Core.

Accessory mounts - Two types of mounts come with the Ops-Core kit. The picatinny adapter provides a short rail that will accomodate any picatinny-compatible accessory. The adapter is slid into the dovetail and a small tab engages a vertical locking slot. To further affix the adapter to the ACH-ARC rail, a screw can be tightened down that prevents the tab from disengaging. The wing-loc adapter is a small, flat platform with three holes on it for making your own mount or attaching something to it with screws. It has two 'wings', which engage the detents above and below the dovetail to lock it in place. Both adapters are made of polymer, and as a safety feature, are designed to break away/pop-off from the main rail system under stress to minimize injury to the end user if an accessory is snagged or caught on something. They shouldn't pop off accidentally, as it does take quite a bit of force before they come out.

Extra mounting accessories will be/are available and can be purchased separately. This includes circular single (22mm) and dual (21mm) camera and light adapters, and a SureFire X200/X300 adapter that will allow pivoting up and down. Ops-Core and several other companies are currently in the process of developing additional products and accessories that will attach to the ARC system. This includes LED lights and strobes, eye protection, lower mandible protection, and detachable COMs headphones. The ARC system uses a shared "open architecture" design approach (a systems design approach that promotes interaction between designers, suppliers and end users through common standards, modularity and open specifications for interfaces), so if manufacturers would like to design and manufacture their own accessories for the ARC system, Ops-Core will provide the manufacturer with the CAD drawings for the rail and adapter geometry free of charge.

Ops-Core ACH-ARC kit

Side view

Front view

Rear view

Picatinny adapter

Wing-loc adapter

Contact ops-core directly for purchasing information or an MSA dealer.

12/21/08 - Tactical hats have flooded the market over the past few years. It seems like just about everyone offers their own tactical hats, which are basically unstructured ballcaps with the top button removed and some velcro ID patches sewn onto it. Most are variations of the same hat, but once in a while, someone comes up with something a bit different from the rest. The Blended Operators Hat from 215 Gear is one of those.

Description - The Blended Operators Hat is made in the U.S.A. and is a six-panel unstructured ball cap that has all the standard features seen on tactical hats with one major difference: the side panels are made of mesh instead of fabric. Mesh caps are nothing new; we're all familiar with the mesh back trucker/baseball caps with plastic rear adjustment strap with holes, but to date, I haven't seen anyone incorporate mesh panels into a tactical hat. Rather than the entire back being made out of the thin nylon mesh, the Blended Operators hat uses the sturdy mesh more commonly seen on the inside of body armour and vests, than the thin stuff. It's thicker, but softens with use and is very comfortable. The mesh side panels offer greater breathability over fabric panels, and increase ventilation to your noggin. This is one of those things where you go 'how come someone didn't make this sooner?'

There are 3" x 2" loop velcro patches for flags etc. on the front and back of the hat, with a 1.5" x 1.5" square on top for an IR patch, instead of a button. Adjustment is via the rear velcro closure, which is embroidered with '215 Gear'. The underside of the bill/brim is lined with black velcro-compatible fabric (same thing that Crye Precision did on their shooter's cap). This provides a black, non-glare surface to shield your vision when shooting, and also as a mounting surface for a small bite or keychain LED light (not included). I've illustrated it here with a small keychain light with hook velcro stuck to the back. Mounted in this position, it provides hands-free lighting for close-up tasks in darkness. You can also use the underside of the brim to store an additional patch or IR squares. The Blended Operators Hat is available in Khaki and Crye MultiCam.

Khaki hat

MultiCam hat

Rear adjustment

Inside view

Underside of brim

Fit etc - The Blended Operator's Hat has a nice, rounded profile. I have a medium sized head (on the smaller side) and it fits the same as most other tactical caps that I have, which is slightly on the large side for me (it goes below the tops of my ears if I press it down). So, it's standard sized and designed to fit medium or larger heads. The only one I've found that fits a bit snugger my original HSGI ballcap - later ones were looser. The only things I'd like to see different on the Blended Hat is the rear velcro closure replaced with an adjustable one, like the HSGI or SKD caps. Adjusted just right with a little tension around the head, it keeps it in place better if it's windy. When wearing over-the-head hearing protectors, it's a non-issue of course. The other thing I'd like to see 215 Gear offer is a slightly darker version of the Khaki hat (like the HSGI cap featured in the review below this), to better match the mesh and velcro and reduce contrast between the different materials. Right now, you get a bit of a two-tone effect, and I'd rather it be more uniform. (Note: this has been changed - see update below). This is purely personal preference. On the MultiCam hat, the mesh blends in perfectly. One other thing that I wouldn't mind trying out is a hat made completely out of the mesh, with no fabric panels at all. If it's feasible, that might be the ultimate hot-weather tactical cap. Some things to find out would be if the mesh provides enough protection from the sun, or if you end up with a funky mesh-pattern suntan on your forehead.

I got the Blended Operators Hats just before the weather turned cold, and I found them to be very nicely made. The mesh does make a difference. I went running and could feel the air against my top of my head. At the range in the photos below, it turned out to be a cold day ironically, and when the wind blew, I could feel it cooling my head through the mesh panels. My head didn't get too cold, though, as it does provide more protection than a bare head. But when hot weather returns, this hat will be my go-to hat.

4/29/09 - If you want to shade your eyes from the sun with a hat, but don't really want to cover your entire head, then 215Gear might have just the product for you. 215Gear has introduced a Visor for the tactical crowd.

215Gear Visor - The 215Gear Visor is made from lightweight brushed cotton or ripstop nylon depending on the colour. It's available in Coyote (shown here), Desert Digital, Crye MultiCam and UCP. It's essentially the brim from a hat, sewn to the headband portion. It is lined on the inside with a black headband and adjusts via the velcro strap at the rear which is embroidered with '215Gear'. At the front is a 3" x 2" patch of loop velcro for patches. The underside of the Visor is plain - without the black velcro-compatible material that the Blended Operator's Hat has (see above review).

I find myself reaching for the Visor more and more when I'm going out, when I might normally reach for a hat, for jogging or otherwise. The main reason I like it is that I get a cool breeze flowing through my hair and I don't get 'cap hair' when I take it off (unlike in the photos below, which were taken after wearing a hat on my head for half a day). If all you need is a bit of shade, then the Visor will give you that, in military/tactical colours.

Coyote Visor

Coyote Blended Operators Hat - In the previous review above, I mentioned that my only small complaint with the Khaki Blended Operator's hat was that the fabric was a lighter than the mesh, creating a two-tone hat. Preferring a darker, more uniform hat, I was happy when 215Gear informed me that they were now offering the Blended Operators Hat in Coyote, with the fabric now matching the mesh material. All other features remain the same. The lighter two-tone Khaki hats have been discontinued.

Coyote and Khaki hats

I've been wearing my original Khaki Blended hat since I got it, and I think that it does make a difference in hot weather. I was out in the desert on a very pleasant day and wore the new Coyote hat under a Viper ghillie hood. The mesh hat provided some ventilation and it'd have been warmer under the hood if not for it.

1/14/11 - When 215Gear came out with their Bended Operators Hat, which has mesh side panels for ventilation, I thought "It'd be great if they made an ALL-mesh hat" and suggested that back in December '08 in the Blended Operators hat writeup above. Well, they've finally come out with one. It's called the Operators Hat, ELW (Extremely Light Weight) and promises to be most breathable tactical hat yet.

Description - The ELW is made in the U.S.A. and is a six-panel unstructured ball cap that has all the standard features seen on tactical hats with one major difference: it's made completely of light weight mesh instead of fabric. The Blended Operators hat has two side mesh panels for extra ventilation in hot weather, and it's been pretty much all I use in the summer. With the ELW made completely out of mesh, I expect it to be even more airy. The ELW was designed with maximum breathability and light weight in mind. The mesh fabric is soft, light weight, yet sturdy-feeling. It weighs only 2-1/2 oz and is currently only available in coyote.

Like the Blended Operators hat, there are 3" x 2" loop velcro patches for flags etc. on the front and back of the hat, with a 1.5" x 1.5" square on top for an IR patch, instead of a button. Adjustment is via the rear velcro closure, which is embroidered with '215 Gear'. A difference between the ELW and the Blended Operators hat is that the underside of the ELW bill/brim is not lined with black velcro-compatible fabric; it's left as mesh.

ELW

With patches

Fit etc - The ELW has the same nice, rounded profile as the Blended Operator's Hat and fits exactly the same on me. I have a medium sized head (on the smaller side) and it fits the same as most other tactical caps that I have, which is slightly on the large side for me (it goes below the tops of my ears if I press it down). So, it's standard sized and designed to fit medium or larger heads. The only one I've found that fits a bit snugger my original HSGI ballcap - later ones were looser. I did throw it into the wash and dryer and it shrunk very very slightly and fit my head better. So, if it's a bit loose on your head, you can do the same. If it fits, then don't put it in the dryer and let it air dry

One of the things I wondered about with a mesh hat was whether it'd provide enough protection from the sun or cause a funky mesh-pattern suntan on your forehead. I needn't have worried about that, because while the mesh is 'open', the holes are very small and aren't large enough to allow enough direct sunlight in.

I just got the ELW, and immediately took it out to see if the mesh makes a difference. Like the Blended Operators hat, it does. The difference is actually more immediately noticeable in winter when there's a chilly wind blowing. It's still winter right now, and I went out with a regular fabric hat and the ELW, swapping both while walking around. I can feel the wind pass through the ELW where I can't with the regular hat. The mesh also dries faster than a cotton fabric hat. Anyways, when the weather starts warming up, I know which hat I'll be grabbing. Summer, I'm ready for you.

2/25/06 - High Speed Gear, Inc. based on popular demand, has come out with their MultiCam boonie/jungle hat. Gene took a poll to see what people wanted in a boonie, and many liked the features of the USMC boonie, but not the wide, floppy brim. So, this is the result. It has a soft, wicking coolmax liner inside the top and brow. The brow band really adds to the comfort of the boonie. The brim is about 2-1/2" wide, which is the prefect width, in my opinion. Wide enough to provide shade while not too wide to get in the way. The side profile is tapered slightly from the front to the back. A 3/4" band of webbing encircles the outside of the boonie and there are two screen vents on each side. The HSGI logo is embroidered on the top. It's a very well-fitting boonie (not too deep or shallow), and 'droops' nicely.

Top of boonie

Inside

Front view

Side view

Rear view

4/8/06 - High Speed Gear's Tactical Ballcap is the best-fitting cap for my head I've worn. I've got a lot of caps, and none of them fit exactly the same. Seemingly minor differences in shape or dimension can make a large difference in how it feels or looks on my head (I've got a medium sized head). Sometimes the cap is too deep, so it overlaps the top of my ears. Sometimes it's too shallow. Sometimes the brim doesn't look right etc. Well Gene's cap fit's my noggin perfectly, and looks good to boot. It's an unstructured cap that's soft and conforms to the shape of the head. There's no button on top, making it perfect for wear with hearing protector headbands. There are 2" x 3" velcro patches on the front and back, and a 1.5" square on the top. Subdued HSGI logo on the right temple and U.S. flag on the left. The original version of the cap had an elastic strap at the back, which kept the hat snug on the hat. It worked just fine for me, however, some people wanted to be able to adjust the tension. Gene came up with an adjustment for the elastic strap (far right photo) and all new HSGI caps will come with that. I prefer this elastic strap to standard strap backs as the cap stays put in high winds and running around. The cap is available in MultiCam, OD and khaki.

Multicam and Khaki

Elastic adjustment

3/10/07 - SKD Tactical is offering a sterile version of the HSGI ball cap seen above, from the same hat manufacturer. Basically the same cap but without any logos. There's no button on top, and 2" x 3" velcro patches on the front and back, and a 1.5" square on the top. The rear elastic band is adjustable. The rear velcro patch is placed slightly lower than the HSGI one. The cap is available in MultiCam, OD, black and khaki.

Black, Multicam, OD and Khaki

Elastic adjustment

5/17/07 - UCP and Blaze Orange are now available. The velcro strap also also been lengthened for a more secure adjustment.

UCP and Blaze Orange added

Velcro adjustment in band