If you are equipped with some gears that are quite essential to protect different parts of our body, then the need for cleaning is evident. It is often seen that these gears get riled up with dirt and grime due to their complex manufacturing shape. However, the sweat and eventual incidents cause a lot of damage and accumulation of dirt in these.
Helmets are among one of the most vital protective gears that saves your head from any injury. If you are in the military or any sports-oriented work, then the importance of a helmet is irreplaceable. Taking care of the helmet is one of the foremost chores that should be done with proper attention. If you are not getting it cleaned, then it may cause different problems related to hygiene. Adequate cleaning of these gears can provide longevity as well as keep you away from stinky deposits and grimes. Most of the people who own these gears don’t have any idea of cleaning. They find it quite cumbersome.
If you are also equipped with ballistic or non-ballistic helmets, then this excerpt will provide practical help in cleaning. Though the information is also apt for any helmet, we recommend going through the dedicated manual of the helmet that provides all the information regarding the cleaning of each part.
While cleaning it is mandatory to clean the helmet from inside out. For this, you need to strip off the helmet and small parts effectively. Here we will provide all the practical steps that are quite important.
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Tips to remove the vital parts
If you are equipped with a tactical helmet or airsoft one, then it is quite essential to clean them from the inside out. Here the first and foremost thing you should opt for is the removal of small parts. The following are the steps to carry that efficiently. The cleaning of these helmets is going to be against the sweat deposit and stinky smell.
- It starts with stripping the helmet before the core cleaning process. As we all know, tactical helmets are equipped with different accessories such as lights, headsets, counterweights, covers, and other items. So these should be removed to clean effectively. Apart from removing these accessories, some other parts should be retained before cleaning. Those are as follows:
- It is vital to remove the interior pads from their attachments to hooks and loops. After removing the cushion pads and others, you will be equipped with just the shell which provides a clear view of dirt and grime’s accumulation.
- It is crucial to clean the retention system, as well. The dirt accumulated there can irritate. The specific manual with these helmets contains all the removing as well as cleaning of the same. One should take help from there. The stripping of the retention system for various brands is different. The manufacturer instructions are vital as they provide adequate information about the cleaning process.
- Shrouds and rails are the parts that should not be removed as the attachment procedure is clumsy, and you will not be able to fix them fully after the cleaning process. Though if you find excessive dirt, then you can remove them also. The gearup airsoft helmets are equipped with complex structures, shrouds, and rails in their helmets. You will need a soft brush for cleaning them.
These are the core removal processes of the helmet which helps you to keep the accessories separate while cleaning. After these, it is essential to grab the holistic view of cleaning. The cleaning process is divided into different steps that include segment-wise cleaning.
Tips for cleaning the helmet
The following are the points that help you to clean the helmet and the parts associated with it effectively.
- The cleaning process can be subdivided according to the parts of the helmet dismantled. The following are the stepwise tips that can help you to clean them efficiently.
- Start with the cleaning of loops and hooks. The dirt accumulated on these can be removed easily with the help of air pressure. If you are trying to remove them by bare hand, then that is not possible. The small openings and holes are not capable of cleaning through the writing. One needs to use air pressure for that.
- The next step is to clean the shroud, rails, and shells. These parts can be cleaned with the help of bare hands. You can use mild soap and fresh water. One can also use the soft brush for reaching the small openings.
- The next step is to clean the retention and suspension system as they can be cleaned simply with hands. Apart from that, the interior pads can also be washed with the help of synthetic soaps. Try to use specified soaps for fabrics.
If you think that just cleaning is the final step that completes the whole process, then you are wrong. After this, there are some of the essential functions.
- After cleaning every part now, it’s time to rinse them properly. You have to rinse them with fresh water that makes sure of the removal of dirt and soap. It would help if you also tried to squeeze the residue water in the parts for making them dry faster.
- If you are in a hurry or want to get it dried in the minimum time possible, then you should opt for air drying. Keep them away from sunlight and heat.
If you are equipped with any tactical or gearup airsoft helmet gear, then the above cleaning process is beneficial. It is essential to keep these points in mind while cleaning as it helps in gaining longevity as well as hygiene. Apart from that, for maximum life, one needs to inspect the associated parts critically. It helps in changing them if any damages are found.
What aspects matter when selecting a military helmet?
Modern military/airsoft helmets are made with sturdy, yet lightweight materials, such as Kevlar, carbon fiber, and plastic, with resistance to impact. When looking for a tactical helmet, you need to check several elements. Here are the main ones to examine:
Good fit
When the helmet sits too low on your head, it will constantly block your field of vision. It can also alter your eyewear’s efficiency and worsen your agility in the combat field. Shell head measurements commonly come in four sizes that vary amongst various manufacturers. Here are some guidelines for sizes:
- S = 20in and under (54cm and under)
- M = 20in – 22in (50 – 56cm)
- L = 21in – 24in (54 – 60cm)
- Xl = over 24in (over 60cm)
We remind you always to check out the manufacturer’s sizing to see which size fits you the most.
How to identify your helmet size
You have to know which measurements you have, so follow these steps to find out the size for the tactical helmet:
- Sit up in an upright position
- Ask a friend to measure your head length. They have to begin in the middle of the brows to the back of your head. Write down the measurements.
- You also need to know your head width. Get the widest length between the left and right sides of your skull. Let your friend place the tape measure/caliper above your ears and write down the measurements.
- Get the maximum head circumference by measuring above the bony brow bridges and passing the tape measure above the ears.
Stability
You don’t want your tactical helmet to sit too high because it can become unstable. It’s tricky to know if your helmet gives a loose fit, but it’s essential to have excellent stability. When you cannot focus because of the helmet, you can endanger your life. You have to make sure that the helmet gives the best fit for you. Here’s how you will know:
- Seek that the helmet’s crown pad touches the top of your head
- Most tactical helmets have a four-point chin strap/belt. You need to tighten the belt and see if the helmet feels snug. It shouldn’t be too loose, nor too tight.
- Ask a comrade to check out your helmet’s stability. The front rim should be half an inch on the top of your eyebrows.
- The helmet must stay in place whenever you shake/move your head from side to side.
Comfort
Your tactical helmet has to feel comfortable. A proper helmet will not impede your performance and improve your protection and safety.
What type of military helmet should you choose?
When you look at the military helmets, you will see several types of helmets to choose from.
PASGT: personnel armor system for ground troops
Also known as the kevlar helmet or the k-pot, the PASGT helmets are made of several layers of kevlar fibers. They represent the oldest type of tactical helmets. Since the early-mid 2010s, it’s occasionally been used as US military helmet.
MICH: modular integrated communications helmet
The modular integrated communications helmet (MICH) is made to be highly comfortable, light, and protective. It has been created to be compatible with accessories and is made with a particular Kevlar type.
ACH: advanced combat helmet
As you can tell from the name, the advanced combat helmet is an upgraded alternative to the MICH. It’s used in the US army, even though not as often as ACH II and ECH.
ECH: enhanced combat helmet
The enhanced combat helmet is similar to ACH, so it’s also known as the ACH IIii. It’s not made of ballistic fibers but ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene. It’s made to be lighter than other types of helmets without compromising the protection against rifle projectiles and fragmentation.
FAST: future assault shell technology
It was the ops-core who used the fast helmets for the first time. Unlike the mich, PASGT, ACH, and ECH, the fast helmets have a high-cut design that exposes ears—they’re effortless to recognize. They’re made to prevent water intrusion and retention in the ear cups and their side rails allow attaching various accessories (night vision equipment and communication systems).
What elements should you examine when selecting your airsoft helmet?
Since there are many models of airsoft helmets out there, you should examine several elements when selecting:
Size, fit, and padding
No airsoft helmet will be of any use unless it’s comfortable. You want extra padding to the airsoft helmet
to ensure excellent comfort and protection. If the padding is easy to remove, that’s even better because it becomes more versatile. As with a military helmet, seek that the airsoft helmet fits you perfectly. Your overall body structure, weight, and age will impact the helmet’s head circumference. You will not concentrate on your game if the helmet doesn’t feel comfortable. You want to focus on your game and play for a long time.
Seek that the helmet has ventilation holes to decrease the risk of sweating.
Eye protection
Needless to say, you want your helmet also to protect your eyes. Even if the helmet doesn’t come with eye protection, you should use protection for your eyes when playing airsoft. Helmets with built-in eye protection goggles will spare you the trouble of looking for protection goggles. The best part is that you only need to slide the goggles down from the top of your helmet.
If you’re interested in full-face protection, you can also use a face mask. Make sure you buy goggles if the helmet doesn’t come with built-in ones.
Chinstrap
Even if the chin strap looks small on the helmet, it’s essential for protecting your head. It keeps the helmet in place so that the helmet does its protective job. The strap should come with a tension knob that is easy to adjust whenever necessary. The chin strap is also helpful because it helps add accessories to the helmet.
Ear protection
Airsoft is a challenging and quite risky activity and you should always mind the protection of your body. Your ears can also get hurt when playing airsoft. They’re fragile and bbs hitting the ears can be really painful. The risk of getting shot in the ear is high, so you should always protect your ears with a helmet. Look for one with an ear shield or another protective feature.
