Parasport Z1 or Bonehead Mamba

[MarcusS 0]

Is there anyone out there with experience of both the Parasport Z1 and the Bonehead Mamba?

I'm looking to buy a full face helmet, and although the vast majority of people I know seem to jump Z1 (which has got to tell you something!?), the Mamba looks much better to me, particularly ease of operation of the visor latch.

I've never jumped a full face, so this would be my first. Any first hand experience out there would be appreciated. Thanks.

[diablopilot 2]

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I'm looking to buy a full face helmet, and although the vast majority of people I know seem to jump Z1 (which has got to tell you something!?), the Mamba looks much better to me, particularly ease of operation of the visor latch.

The Z1 has been around for 10 years, the Mamba for maybe 2. The Mamba is a signifigant improvement on the Z1, in terms of quality of build and materials used in construction. Bonehead is a US manufacturer based in Perris, CA, and for all those reasons I'd sugest the Mamba.

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You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.

[tso-d_chris 0]

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Is there anyone out there with experience of both the Parasport Z1 and the Bonehead Mamba?

I'm looking to buy a full face helmet, and although the vast majority of people I know seem to jump Z1 (which has got to tell you something!?), the Mamba looks much better to me, particularly ease of operation of the visor latch.

I've never jumped a full face, so this would be my first. Any first hand experience out there would be appreciated. Thanks.

The helmet I feel looks the best and the helmet that fits me the best are two different models. This is the case for many jumpers. The best plan is to get the helmet that fits the best. Which of these two that is dependent upon the shape of your head. Try each one before you buy.

Aside from fit, I feel the Mamba is better suited for opening the visor with thick gloves, while the Z1 is better suited for opening the visor with a single hand.

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[MarcusS 0]

Thanks for that. the Mamba certainaly appears to be a more advanced design.

The country of manufacture doesn't really come into the equation for me, as I'm in the UK

[MarcusS 0]

Hi Chris. Thanks for your relpy. I've tried both helmets on (in shop), and to be quite honest I couldn't really say that one fitted any better than the other. The deciding factor for me now is how they perform....ease of use, noise levels, misting, all the issues that I'm not going to discover until the first time I jump one.

The one handed visor opening on the Z1 is a good point though. That does have advantages (although the one I tried on the ground seemed tricky to open even with 2 hands and a mirror to look in to - practice required I think!!)

[bob.dino 1]

I've done about 400-450 jumps with my Z1. The first 3 or 4 times I opened the visor under canopy I fumbled a bit, but now it's automatic; it takes no more than a second. Don't practice with a mirror - you won't have one under canopy! It's a feel thing. My Z1 has never misted up on me, but I don't close the visor until a couple of seconds before exit. The liner comes out nicely for washing, and the IAS version makes dealing with my Pro-Track a breeze. All in all, no complaints. I'd happily buy another one.

I've no experience with the Mamba, but all the yanks here on dz.com seem to love it.

Try both on & see what kind of peripheral visibility you get. Can you see your handles with both?

[AggieDave 6]

How big is your head (what sized hat do you wear) and what shape is your head?

Myself, I have a very large round noggin, 7 3/4 hat. The other full face helmets on the market tend to fit smaller narrower heads, but Bonehead's Mamba fits me like a glove. I got to borrow one from a friend that has a Mamaba size XXL. Holy crap, that's what a helmet is supposed to feel like. I normally do NOT like full face helmets, in the sky or on a motorcycle, but I could still see very well and it was very comfortable. Needless to say its on my list of gear to buy this year.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[justinb138 0]

I've got an XXL and I absolutely love it.

Great fit, easy to open visor, and it's never fogged up on me once.

[MarcusS 0]

I've no idea what size my head is, although I know for sure that it's on the large side. I take a 58cm motorcycle helmet, and normally have to go for L or XL where helmets are sized as such... I'll measure up later.

I'm told that the Mamba lining can be custom shaped to your head (by heating, putting the helmet on and letting it cool down to set), as is is manufactured from some kind of memory foam. Sounds like you can really get a perfoect fit from that.

I seem to get positive views of both helmets, so I guess its up to my preferences on fit and function. Decisions...decisions!

Thanks for your post

[MarcusS 0]

Hi Bob,

That Z1 certainly has a following. I know loads of people who use them, and no-one who uses a Mamba. I guess it's because the Mamba is so new.

LOL.. I wouldn't practice with a mirror, it's just that the only time I put one on and tried to open the visor (with gloves on)......I struggled, failed, then went to a mirror to see what I was missing. Even with the mirror It wasn't particularly easy. I nearly bought the Mamba there and then as a result, until the salesman (a Z1 user) managed to persuade me that it's really not that difficuly after a couple of practice runs!

Good point on the handles / peripheral vision. I just assumed that wouldn't be a problem. I'll have another play. Thanks, Marcus.

[micro 0]

you are correct about baking the liner for memory fitting. i just did that to my mamba the other night. the xl is a little small on me but it still feels pretty great. and i have pretty big hands and so I can open the mamba viso one handed (took a little practice though). And the carbon fiber just looks trick (holy shit that was an '80's slip, wasn't it?)

never tried the other helmet you referred to... but i'd say you won't go wrong w/ the more modern mamba.

I miss Lee.
And JP.
And Chris. And...

[mnealtx 0]

I've not had any experience with the Z1, but I recently bought a Mamba.

The deciding factor for me was the sizing. I knew that the Bonehead helmets would fit me (like Dave, I have a huge noggin) and that I could further customize the fit further down the road by baking the liner.

With that said, the Z1 looks to be a well-made helmet and a popular one. I think you'd be well served by either.

Mike
I love you, Shannon and Jim.
POPS 9708 , SCR 14706

[Travman 6]

I've done about 40 jumps with my Z1, usually wearing gloves. Never had a problem opening it under canopy. Though I had a freefall collision to the back of the head strong enough to open the visor once!

[MarcusS 0]

Thanks for all your replies. The most positive feeling I've picked up from these posts, is that no-one has any particular dis-likes of either helmet. Z1 owners love their Z1s, Mamba owners love their Mambas.

I know what's going to happen.... I'll probably end up in the shop trying on both helmets, 50 times over, and pick one at random. (I'm not too good at making decisions - you should see me with a restaurant menu!)

Thanks again everyone.