Your gear is critical to your operations, providing valuable protection and utility for a wide range of applications and missions. One of the most important parts of your loadout is your tactical helmet, which protects your head from harm when you’re in the middle of your operations. However, if you don’t care for your helmet, it won’t be able to do its job as effectively. In this blog, we talk about the importance of taking care of your helmet and provide you with effective tips for routine maintenance and care.

Why It’s Important to Care for Your Tactical Helmet

Your helmet is responsible for protecting one of the most important parts of your body, so it’s the last thing you want to fail you when you’re in the middle of your operations. Tactical or ballistic helmets are frequently exposed to various conditions, including changing temperatures and weather that can alter a helmet’s effectiveness without the proper care. Some of the key reasons you should make taking care of your helmet a priority include:

●Protection: The first and most important thing your tactical helmet is supposed to do is to protect your head from harm. Properly caring for your helmet can ensure all components are in optimal condition, especially the suspension system and padding, so you can trust it’s offering you the best protection.

●Longevity: The better you care for your helmet, the more you’ll be able to extend its lifespan. Preventing exposure to damaging conditions when possible can help extend the life of your helmet, such as extreme temperatures, dirt, and sweat.

●Comfort: You may need to wear your helmet for long periods, so it’s important to make your helmet as comfortable as possible. By properly caring for the padding and straps, you can enhance the fit and comfort of your helmet for long-term wear.

●Functionality: Properly caring for and maintaining your helmet will make it easier for your attachments, such as communication systems or night vision goggles, to stay attached and functional.

●Confidence: Caring for your helmet will give you the confidence to handle high-risk situations since you can trust you’re adequately protected as you head into your operations.

Keeping It Clean

Your tactical helmet will be exposed to various tough conditions, such as rain, dust, heat, cold, mud, and more. Part of caring for your tactical helmet includes cleaning it regularly, especially after spending time in the elements.

Different parts of the helmet will need to be cleaned separately. The outside of your helmet and your accessories, such as the rails, will need to be cleaned separately from the rest of your helmet. You won’t want to use any harsh chemicals or high-abrasive materials. Instead, stick with a soft cloth or brush, clean water, and a mild soap. Use these tools to remove any dirt or debris, and rinse any soap out of the helmet and attachments. You should air dry the outside of the helmet and the accessories, avoiding direct sunlight. While cleaning Kevlar helmets, avoid dunking the entire helmet in water or keeping it submerged for a while as it can damage the resin seal.

Once you’ve cleaned the exterior of your helmet and your accessories, you can move on to the suspension pads and chin strap. First, you’ll need to remove the padding from your helmet. Similar to the outside of your helmet, you only want to use fresh water and mild soap and handwash your helmet. Don’t toss your helmet padding in the washer and dryer with the rest of your laundry. Once you’re done cleaning, squeeze the padding to get rid of any excess water and let it air dry. After it’s completely dry, you can reinsert the padding back into your helmet.

Regular Maintenance

You need to do more than clean your helmet regularly to take care of it. Regular maintenance is also essential to make sure the components of your helmet work properly, which is critical to your safety.

All tactical users should follow the same basic maintenance tasks. First, you’ll want to identify any breakage or damage to your helmet since this can impact its overall function. The main spots you want to look for damage include the chinstrap, side rails, skeleton shroud, and fitband. If there are any cracks or damage to your helmet, it may be time for a replacement since you want a fully functional helmet for your tactical applications. Once you’ve checked for damage, make sure all parts work correctly, such as the buckle latches.

The next step is when you would clean your helmet, following the advice in the previous section. After you clean your helmet, you’ll want to do another round of checks to look for any damage you may not have noticed before. You’ll also want to ensure that all components have returned to their rightful place and are in working order before you use the helmet again.

Our troops will need to perform a little extra maintenance on their helmets than the average user since service members often use their tactical helmets more frequently. With more frequent use, tactical helmets will sustain more wear and tear, and components may need to be replaced sooner. Below is a timeline for replacing different parts of your tactical helmet during your career:

●Exterior velcro and repainted shell every four years.

●Fitband comfort pads once a year or every 100 days depending on usage and damage.

●Hardware, chinstrap, fitband, and EEP every two years.

●Other damaged or worn down components as needed.

Service members should also try to perform basic maintenance tasks around once a week. Since our troops use their helmets more frequently, they will take more wear and tear and be exposed to more damaging elements. Checking for damage and cleaning your helmet regularly can keep it in the best condition possible.

Proper Storage

How you store your helmet is important to its lifespan and functionality. You will want to keep your helmet out of direct sunlight and in a cool, dry place. Avoiding excess sunlight and moisture can help prevent unnecessary damage that would otherwise require you to replace your helmet or some of its components.

Where you store your helmet is only one factor. You also want to consider how you store it. You don’t want to leave it out on the floor or in some random location in your home. Instead, try to find a spot in your home where it won’t accidentally be knocked over or exposed to moisture. A closet is a good option since sunlight can’t get in, there’s usually shelving for your helmet to sit on, and the risk of moisture damage is minimal.

You should also consider storing your helmet inside a helmet bag. These bags are designed specifically for your helmet and often feature padding to provide extra protection. Inside one of these bags, you won’t have to worry about your helmet taking on unnecessary damage in storage.

Your helmet storage bag can also be used to help you transport your helmet to your destination. Whether you’re deploying, going on a mission, or heading out on a tactical adventure, you’ll need to bring your helmet with you. Using a helmet bag to travel with it will ensure it’s protected when you’re on the go.

Military Luggage Company offers several helmet bags to help you keep your tactical helmet protected, whether you’re in the military or a tactical enthusiast. Our helmet bags provide the proper level of protection needed to keep your gear in good condition. Some of our helmet bags even feature extra storage for additional items to assist you with your operations.

Manufacturer's Guidelines

Your helmet may have specific care guidelines provided by the manufacturer, which should be closely followed. They may have recommendations for cleaning, maintenance, and component replacement, which should take precedence over any general advice. The manufacturer of your helmet knows their product best and can provide you with detailed instructions on how to properly care for your helmet. If you don’t have any specific instructions from the manufacturer, you can always use the advice we’ve listed above.

Find the Rest of Your Tactical Gear Here at MLC

On top of our helmet bags, Military Luggage Company offers a comprehensive range of bags, packs, and cases to cover you in your various operations. We personally vet all of our products to ensure they meet the high-quality standards required of our troops and tactical enthusiasts. Shop from a wide range of options, such as assault packs, bugout bags, wheeled loadout bags, and more. Get started by browsing our complete selection or contact us today with your questions.