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Which helmet really gives you the best protection? To be completely honest i don't know!! I have never owned a leather helmet but would like someday. Right now i currently own a Bullard UST6 with eyeshields, and i love it! So is a composite helmet giving you better protection or leather? And thanks for inviting me to the group!!!!

I have been torn over this question many times, I was once quite fond of the leather, but for me here in california with our urban interface response , I wear the Phenix first due, it is quite light works well for multiple things. I teach technical rescue so I often wear my helmet for most of the day. One of our nearby departments wore the traditional style helmets until the chief started to notice how often his guys were taking them off every chance they had. Like during MVA's the paramedics would have to remove their helmets to get better access the patient. So the department changed to the Phenix as well. I personnally don't like having to carry a wildland helmet with my gear in addition to the rest of the crap I have to carry. My father who is a retired Firefighter wore the traditional style helmet for his career was a little jealous to see the lighter style helmets we wear. Nothing looks as good as a weathered leather helmet, though.

kary

i do not know ither but i do know as far as names go. when it comes to a structure fire helmet you can not go wrong with a cairnes. they are awsome. we use carnes at my dept. a fellow firefighter was running tanker shuttle on a call this spring. he sat his helmet on the ground next to where the drop tank was set up, and forgot were it was. when the tanker returned to drop its load of water it backed over the helmet. it did no shatter, it did not crack. under the weight of the truck it burried it in the soft ground up to its top. i think i have a picture somewhere i will look. if i find the pic. it will be posted in my photos.

I think that it's just personal preference. I've used Composite and Leather.

At my home department we have Phenix Leathers(CRAP CRAP!!!!) and they're the worst leathers I've ever encountered, I don't think that they would protect you at all.

However out at college I had a Cairns 1010 and it was alright, as far as composites go I think that it's one of the best, it's light weight and has a low profile. I just bought a Paul Conway American Heritage Leather and I love it, it's a little bit heavier but that's to be expected with a leather.

It really comes down to what you're department does, if you wear your fire helmet for things other than just firefighting(rescues, forestry, ropes, ect) then you might want some thing lighter. If you don't mind the weight and you want some thing more traditional then a leather is great.

I have actually worn both and I have to say that I like Both..  Every Fire Helmet goes through the same rigorous Testing weather it be a Modern Traditional or Leather style ..

The Only Problem with the Leather Helmet is its very very heavy And if You have to wear one for a long period of time You had better have some strong neck muscles lol ..

I prefer the Paul Conway Helmets for Leather.. and For My Money Bullard Makes a Fine Traditional Composite Helmet and So does Cairns

Just My Two Cents and all

Sgt. Bobby J. King

Firefighter Rescue Tech.

Madison County Div of Emergency Services

I have Bullard USTM6 traditional and a Morning Pride Ben 2 both are composites. I havent worn a leather but all the leathers I've ever seen were very heavy. I perfer the Ben 2 with the EZ Flips it is really light and very comfortable. I perfer composite but hopful when i become an officer my dad will pass down his red Paul Conway leather

if you have to ask that question you won't appreciate the answer - it's all about the leather.  damn heavy, damn solid, damn cool, damn fine. :)

I have only ever worn a leather helmet.  I think they are great protection. Knock on wood. Hasnt failed me yet.  As long as you take care of it, repainting every couple of years. It should hold up. 

LEATHER RULES NO QUESTION HERE.  All composite helmets are different shaped urinals, vomit bowls with dribble brims

My two cents, and you know what they say about opinions.

Leather forever.  I personally have had three leathers in 21 year career as a volunteer, replaced one because after I dropped it off a three story house during a job, the wire was exposed. One got stolen and I am now on number 3 for the last 10 years and it has seen about 200-300 jobs since I started wearing it.  I have even worn it for rope rescue, vehicle rescue, but I will not for hazmats, because I am not carrying that methylethyl bad shit around on my helmet for another 10-15 years till it gives me brain cancer and I DIE.

I have been in the volunteer fire service for 25 years. I remember we had leather New Yorkers back then and then NFPA wanted helmets to have the impact caps in them. After a few years we got all new Sam Houston's to meet the new standards with the impact cap. I wore my Sam Houston and then we started wearing 66oC Metro's. After a few years I decided I would rather wear my old Leather. The Chief accidentally drove over my leather and it bent but didn't break. After a short while it went back into shape with only some cracks in the paint. Now I continue to wear my Sam Houston. Remember the phrase "Leather Forever"