Helmet liner questions

[mattharper]

For the guys who wear helmets for work...

We just got issued new 3M high cut helmets. I love the style of it and the integrated comms are great. My only issue is the liner and suspension system. The pads are fairly dense, and even after configuring them every different possible way, I can't get it comfortable (not that they're supposed to be all that comfortable in the first place). About 30 minutes causes the kind of headache that just doesn't quit.

I've done a little research and my first inclination is to go with the Team Wendy epic pads and cam suspension, but I figured I'd check and see if you guys have any other recommendations. Or if you use the TW setup, what is your opinion of it?

 

[softcock]

Not sure if you can retrofit the team wendy Pad Kit to that brand of manufactures Helmet ? , as far a sticking them to surface . they give a lot of different shapes and size in the pad kit, and You don't use half of them . but it was best thing I ever did .

I did buy that full pad kit that they makes, and it turned a helmet into a piece of equipment that I can wear for as long as I want with 'absolute zero' discomfort . There Pads in my opinion are Great . there 4-point harness is comfy also when you get it all broke-in .
I bought the Oregon Areo gel-Pad system several years back for a helmet and they nice comfy . But I think Wendy pads are more comfortable also to theirs and I got a more detailed fit to my shape with wendy pads .

I just arranged the padding to my craniums weird shape that I attribute to my mom squeezing my out and doctor dropping my head on the table . pisses me off that all helmet manufactures send there helmets out generic pad shape to people, thinking everyone's heads are the shape of round bowling ball . All humans craniums are odd shaped and it take a lot of personal hours to truly make a helmet custom for that perfect fit, so that you can wear a helmet for long hours .
.

 

[shoobe01]

The usual issue pads are hard, but are memory foam sort of things. If the helmet is not comfortable after a few minutes on your head (more in the cold; they have to warm up) then it's just not fitted right. I wear helmets all day (sometimes) and they are very comfy.

Try to pay more attention to what is uncomfortable. I bet you have oversized pads, and could simply get smaller ones. Smaller means thinner, so more room for your head. You can replace them all, OR if between sizes just a few of them.

Also, try pushing them around. As stated, heads are odd shaped, so maybe you have a pad or several on a lumpy bit. May be as simple as re-attaching a pad 1" to the right to solve all your issues.

 

[SolidCopper]

I used a Team Wendy pad kit for an old MICH helmet and liked them very much. There were several different "layers" of padding included in the kit which resulted in a very customizable fit. I would not hesitate to buy another kit from them.

 

[mattharper]

Yeah the pads and suspension system will work in mine. Thinner pads are exactly what I'm aiming for and the team wendy set offers 2 different thicknesses. My old MICH was just mildly annoying, like any helmet will be I guess. This one is much more functional. Just got to get it to fit better. The pads that come in the new one are damn near 3/4" thick, so I've stripped all but 3 pads out of it just to get it to not feel like a vice.

I too have to wear it for extended periods of time. Just trying to get it where I dont get distracted by it, trying to lift it off my dome every few minutes.

I appreciate the responses, guys. Think I'm gonna give em a shot and see what happens.

 

[Crazy1323]

Can you get one size bigger?

 

[shoobe01]

Yeah... the other thought is: Are you sure your actual helmet shell is the right size? LOTS of folks wear the wrong size and it's as bad for comfort as the wrong pads, plus has secondary effects like earpro doesn't work under them, and of course: less ballistic protection as deformation distance is not in spec and you are more likely to be injured even if the helmet officially protects you.

I was in an L forever, until someone else figured out I need an XL. Makes getting the go-faster covers hard, but it does fit me better in every, every way.

This may or may not be right, try to find the size chart for your make/model:
Small......up to....6 7/8
Medium.....7........7 1/8
Large......7 1/4....7 1/2
XL.........7 5/8....and up

 

[fastfwd]

Three ideas:

1. For proper sizing, you need to take into account not only the circumference, but also the shape (as viewed from above) of your head -- the more oval-shaped your head is, the larger a size you need. 3M has a procedure that involves measuring front-to-back and side-to-side with calipers, but you can also just sit in a chair and have a buddy take a photo of your head from directly above, then measure on the photo. Here are the Combat Helmet Sizing Instructions in case you haven't seen them:

http://multimedia.3m.com/mws/media/1026563O/3mtm-ballistic-helmet-sizing-chart.pdf

2. The helmet's User Manual may be helpful, too; you can get it from the 3M website. Here's the manual for the N49 helmet:

https://multimedia.3m.com/mws/media/1374237O/3m-ulw-bbh-n49-user-manual.pdf

3. 3M is known for its extremely good customer service. If you still can't get a comfortable fit, try talking to one of their Technical Specialists at 800 367-8905.

Good luck.

 

[Primus]

Team Wendy is anti ammerican communist shit stains. Don't spend a penny with them.