Which Open Face Helmet?

[WatchYourStep 0]

Well I'm getting ready to purchase my 1st helmet. I was able to jump in a Mindwarp this weekend and it was very comfortable, but haven't tried the other 2. Right now I'm leaning towards the Mindwarp because I know the right size and it was a comfortable fit, but I thought I'd get some other opinions.

For instance is there any huge drawback to the Mindwarp that a newbie might not see or notice for a while?

Any help would be appreciated.

Edited to add:
If you pick other please list your recommendation.

"You start off your skydiving career with a bag full of luck and an empty bag of experience. The trick is to fill the bag of experience up before your bag of luck runs out."

[tso-d_chris 0]

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Right now I'm leaning towards the Mindwarp because I know the right size and it was a comfortable fit, but I thought I'd get some other opinions.

I would not choose a different model unless you have the oppurtunity to try it on and find that it fits even better. Not all helmets fit the same. It is generally not so much which helmet is best so much as which helmet fits best.

Bonehead makes a fine helmet, as do other companies. If it fits well you will likely be happy with it.

For Great Deals on Gear

[IanHarrop 42]

I like my Minwarp no question about it.

BUT the question has to be asked (not just about a Mindwarp but all of the higher end open face helmets) - Does it offer more protection than a Protec?

If I had it to do over again, I might just buy a Protec. The Classic Full Cut Protec provides good protection and a place for your audible. Price $40 USD at most of the major skydiving suppliers.

"Where troubles melt like lemon drops, away above the chimney tops, that's where you'll find me" Dorothy

[WatchYourStep 0]

I thought the same thing recently. I wear a Protec now, and I thought it felt good. However this weekend I borrowed a Mindwarp and it felt really good plus it was very quiet. I think it's like a lot of things when you compare them. For instance cars. A $10K and a $50K both do the same thing, get you from point A to B, but the $50K does it with a better feeling, or something like that.

"You start off your skydiving career with a bag full of luck and an empty bag of experience. The trick is to fill the bag of experience up before your bag of luck runs out."

[councilman24 37]

But that Protec actually gave more protection than the MindWarp. Also if you add Oregon Aero's replacement foam you have an even better helmet. A little colored duct tape over the ear holes helps with the sound.

I have been trying to find something besides a protec for several years and still haven't found one I like.

I'm old for my age.
Terry Urban
D-8631
FAA DPRE

[wmw999 2,534]

The only helmet I've found to replace the Protec is the FreeZr. Because of the whole head-protection thing. I've only been kicked in freefall once in a way where a fullface helmet would have helped, and all it cost was a black eye.

I broke a helmet on an airplane door once, and I've known or known of too many people whose main injury was a head injury. A good helmet won't necessarily prevent that, but it might just make it better.

Wendy W.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[WatchYourStep 0]

Why is the Protec safer than the Mindwarp? I'm not saying it is or isn't just curious about the statement.

"You start off your skydiving career with a bag full of luck and an empty bag of experience. The trick is to fill the bag of experience up before your bag of luck runs out."

[wmw999 2,534]

It has better padding. Firmer in the right places. It will protect better from shock, not just from a sneaker hitting it.

Wendy W.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[Peej 0]

Dude, like tso-d chris said, don't buy anything you haven't had the opportunity to try on. Bonehead make a great helmet, think seriously about buying one.
On the other hand i own an Evo that i jumped a lot before i started jumping camera and it's a sweet helmet.
I ordered mine without trying one on though and i think they fit a size smaller than the manufacturer recommends cos when mine got here it was TIGHT. But it seems to have stretched a bit now or my head got used to it.
It's also really quiet and seems strong but i think that Bonehead's Caron fibre is a little stronger. (Judging by the feel of the Evo vs my Optik Camera helmet.)
To close, i actually jumped a Protec this wknd cos i left both my helmets at home and the wind noise in my ears was very distracting.

Take care
PJ

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[GravityGirl 0]

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It has better padding. Firmer in the right places. It will protect better from shock, not just from a sneaker hitting it.

Wendy W.

Exactly right for the pros. The only cons that I am aware of are:

Not low profile. (Catches more air)
Scores low on style points.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Peace and Blue Skies!
Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear!

[councilman24 37]

Not to mention the broken pieces of a protec won't cut your scalp like the carbon fiber.

I'm old for my age.
Terry Urban
D-8631
FAA DPRE

[AndyMan 7]

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Scores low on style points. Wink

I disagree. Pro-tec has come out with some very cool lines of helmets.

I may pick one up as a replacement to my aging Velocity.

_Am

__

You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

[Zep 0]

I like my Gath video only, All other jumps Frap hat, But I'm an old fart.

Frap hats seem to have gone out of style.

Gone fishing

[BBKid 0]

I've got a Pro-tec at the moment, and my Z1 fullface is in the post as we speak. I'll be keeping the Pro-tec because it fits me better than my old openface (Aviator), and because I can hear better under canopy, which will be useful when I start doing Crew.

Nick
---------------------------
"I've pierced my foot on a spike!!!"

[ZigZagMarquis 9]

I jump wearing a Pro-Tec... have for most all of my 2700+ jumps... its cheap and I figure gives me about the same amount of protection as the other "cool", but much more expensive open-face designs on the market today... of course, I've also got about $1000 worth of dental work that I probably wouldn't have had to pay for if I had switched to a full face years ago... DOH!

[Squeak 17]

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Frap hats seem to have gone out of style.

Frap hats were NEVER instyle, there was just a lot of unstylish people wearing them

You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky)
My Life ROCKS!
How's yours doing?

[Superman32 0]

I also have my trusty Protec. I covered the ear holes with electrical tape, which is the same color as the helmet (virtually invisible from even a short distance) it has a great spot for the Pro-Track. All you need is a couple os stickers to make even a Pro-tec look a little more cooler

Inveniam Viam aut Faciam
I'm back biatches!

[Travman 6]

Get a hookr from fibrezone!
Very comfy and mine saved my head when I met a fence. The guy that makes these is a skydiver himself, at my DZ every weekend.
http://www.fibrezone.com.au