Airsoft helmets can be the finishing touch to your loadout, not only protecting your head from stray shots but also serving as a handy place to carry additional accessories, particularly cameras.
But are they absolutely essential? We understand that refining your loadout can be a labour of love, so here we delve into the helmet conversation – are they worth it?
Are Airsoft Helmets Mandatory?
Unlike some other pieces of key protective equipment (more on this later), helmets are not generally mandatory, although this will depend on the specified rules of individual sites.
Should You Wear an Airsoft Helmet?
While you may not absolutely need to wear one, many regular players often prefer to wear at least some form of protection, rather than going bare-headed. Purpose-made airsoft helmets provide much more robust protection than beanies, boonies, bandanas or caps.
BB hits can hurt, especially if a rogue shot hits you right in the forehead. Airsoft helmets (and other forms of head protection to a lesser degree) deflect those pesky bullets and prevent their sting.
Essential Airsoft Protection
While the choice of a helmet might ultimately come down to personal preference, protection for your eyes and mouth is absolutely essential.
You will need to wear eye protection, usually in the form of airsoft goggles or glasses. These are made from durable materials and will shield your eyes from BBs.
While eye protection is legally required, lower face protection is not. However, most sites will enforce it or at least highly recommend it to protect your teeth from BBs. Mesh masks for the lower face are relatively cheap and well worth wearing to protect your mouth.
Some players may also like to combine these elements with full-face airsoft masks to protect the eyes and the rest of the face in one. DYE airsoft masks are generally considered the gold standard for full-face protection, offering good ventilation, comfort and unflinching protection from BBs.
Full-face masks also have the added bonus of protecting your ears, another sensitive spot you’ll likely want to prevent from being hit directly.
The Benefits of Airsoft Helmets
At the end of the day, a helmet can be a great complement to your essential protective gear.
Protect Against BB Pain
The most obvious reason to wear a helmet is to ensure you don’t take any direct hits to the head. One hit might be okay, but it can start to get old pretty quickly if you’re unlucky enough to take multiple hits. And if you have the chance to take pain out of the equation, why wouldn’t you?
Helmets are usually highly recommended for CQB scenarios in particular, where engagement is close and BBs are fast.
Protect Against Other Hazards
BBs aren’t the only thing you have to contend with. Airsoft helmets can also be incredibly helpful when protecting against environmental hazards. They absorb the shock of inevitable bumps to the head when racing around uneven terrain, past narrow branches or other obstacles. In the heat of the moment, it's easy to slip, knock into door frames or misjudge distances. A helmet prevents these momentary scrapes from becoming injuries.
Aesthetics
Another reason many players choose to wear a helmet is that they just look good. They can help add an element of realism to your loadout, great for milsim enthusiasts and those who are looking to emulate a particular force.
Accessory Attachment
Most modern helmets are also fitted with rails that allow for easy torch, camera and other accessory attachments, along with velcro panels for patches and other tactical gear. Wearing a helmet can also help with goggle stability and keeping them in place.
Types of Airsoft Helmet
The most popular helmet choice for airsofters is the FAST helmet. Standing for Future Assault Shell Technology, these kinds of helmets were originally designed for military and tactical operations. The design is high-cut around the ears, meaning it can accommodate communication devices and hearing protection.
Affordable airsoft helmets may also be known as bump helmets. This means that they are made out of durable, lightweight high-impact polymer rather than ballistic materials. Basically, they are a cheaper, more airsoft-friendly version of the ‘real’ thing.
Thanks to the high-cut design, airsoft FAST helmets work well with full-face masks and lower face mesh, with some modifications to allow for comfort and personal preference.
Ultimately, the choice of helmet or no helmet is down to you. We recommend wearing at least some form of head protection to stop those BBs from doing their worst, even if it is just a cap or a bandana.
If you want to optimise your loadout, we say go for it!
Check out our full range of airsoft protective equipment to help you stay safe out there.