Waiting on some items to get it fully kitted out:



Rated for 7.62x39 Lead core.

More or less the same weight as the legacy FAST XP, but in an SHC geometry and with FAST SF-family accessories.

~Augee

We will have it/be talking about it at vSHOTT as well, and yes, we will do some more around it, I really like it for what it offers, though I need to get switched out for an MC dipped one personally.



That being said, it's not necessarily complicated.

The RF1 is indeed a a little heavy, but it's designed/rated for steel core 7.62x39 as well as M80 and M193 ball.

Also, heavy is kind of relative too. The FAST SF is awesome, because it almost doesn't feel like a ballistic helmet, with a system weight (with the rails, suspension, pads, etc.) of 2.40 lbs. for a Large.

The RF1 seems like a monster then at 3.51 lbs. for a Large, until you consider that it's the same system weight as the TBH IIIA Low Cut, which not at all dissimilar from the MICH/ACHs many of us came up wearing (ACH was ~3.25 lbs. system weight for Large with no ARC rails). There are still folks now rocking ACHs.

And while I'd not be eager to go back to that in terms of system weight, remember we're still talking about the superior comfort and stability of the Ops-Core FAST SF/FTHS platform, as well as the accessory mounting ecosystem and other enhancements compared to a bare-bones ACH with conventional pads and a 4-point harness or maybe an "H" or "X" Nape.

IMHO, beyond that, if you want/need that level of protection and are willing to the pay the price for the RF1, IMHO, it's not as huge of an issue as the "magnitude" of weight difference between the RF1 and FAST SF would seem to suggest.

Meanwhile, the XR kind of "splits the difference" (and may provide some answer to the "but the FAST SF isn't IIIA..." crowd) between the FAST SF and the RF1.

The XR is slightly heavier than the FAST SF at a 2.81 lbs. system weight (again, Large), however, it's nearly identical, slightly lighter in fact than the "OG" FAST XP's weight (~2.84 lbs. size Large with the Worm Dial) while providing you with rated protection against 7.62x39 lead core on top.

I would remind also that "ratings" aren't an absolute metric either, FAST XPs and MTs have provided protection to guys that have gotten their domes rung by 7.62x39 or 7.62x54R and other rifle rounds--granted, they probably weren't direct, full-on hits in the way helmets are "tested," and I certainly wouldn't rely on them providing protection against those rounds in all situations, however, in real world conditions, having a ballistic helmet is a sure hell of a lot safer than not having one if you're going to be getting shot at, even if your helmet is "only" "rated" for "handgun" threats.

~Augee

Neat. Standing by for youtube gun channel live fire vids.

It's rated for 7.62x39 lead core, and exceeds NIJ IIIA threat protection.

The FAST SF is USSOCOM-spec'ed, which is slightly different from, and not tested/rated against the same threats as NIJ IIIA.

The XR is slightly heavier and more expensive than the FAST SF, slightly different Velcro pattern as well.  

~Augee