Level III

For what?
-mounting NODs? Maybe
-rock climbing? Not
-Stopping bullets? Yes
-Anti headbumps? Maybe
-Motorcross? Not
-Staying warm? Not/Maybe
-...

I'd trade my ballistic for a bump helmet in a heart beat for most things.  Only time I want a ballistic is if we're gearing up for a raid/DA mission

 

Totally concur. Only wore mine for DA ops (old CVC helmet) or my MICH when operating as a turret gunner on a GMV. Dismounted/sniper/recon missions wore a pro-tech at night w/ NVG, boonie in the daytime.

My experience is limited to the PASGT "Kevlar" type helmet I was issued. No way in hell that thing would stop more than frag or maybe a pistol bullet. It was not worth the weight in our eyes at the time.

Boonie or 8pt cover would have been my desire 100% of the time. I just used the head harness when using NV.

I now see the utility of the bump helmet as a platform for NV and protection. I have started doing a lot of night hiking and one of the things I don't go without is eye protection. Luckily I have to wear glasses anyway and I have some prescription clear lens Oakleys that I wear. I am way more likely to fall in the dark or like last night slip on some wet and slippery bare granite and bust my head.

Get a proper helmet for whatever activity you plan on doing. If that requires multiple helmets, it's worth it (within reason).

When i first came in we had the old steel pots, I used to bitch about how useless the damn thing was until it saved me from splitting my skull open. I staggered away with a stove up neck and a slight concussion but at least my brains were still in my head. Never bitched about the old girl again.

They are like anything else you need the right one for the job you are doing.

How important is a helmet?

It's not important.  Till bullets or fragments are heading for your head.

After a shitty bicycle crash a while back, helmets took on a new importance for me.  Think of it as "minimum safety gear for the activity."

Very important if you have a tendency to walk into things or fall down a lot