A helmet is an excellent protection for your head or skull when riding a bike or fighting a war. We use different helmets for such situations, but most people like to keep both bump and ballistic helmets.
A bump helmet protects your head from injury when you fall on the road because of a sudden bike accident. In contrast, a ballistic helmet is best to consider if you fear getting shot in a war. Most military personnel rely on Ballistic helmets.
A Quick Comparison Table
| Factors To Consider | Bump Helmet | Ballistic Helmet |
| Usage Purpose | To wear while riding a bike or cycling | To wear when you are in a fight or war or have a fear of getting shot |
| Skull Protection | Standard | Excellent |
| Neck Pain | Less Stressing | More Stressing |
| Portability | Lightweight | Heavier |
| Level of comfort | High | Low |
| Pricing Factor | Less Expensive | More Expensive |
| Durability | Less Durable | More Durable |
Key Differences Between The Bump And Ballistic Helmets
- Usage Purpose
The main difference between these two helmets can be determined by knowing the purposes for which they are used.
Talking the Bump helmet is designed for most athletes so that they may wear this one while riding, cycling, and being on the road.
Such a helmet provides better protection when you meet a sudden accident and fall on the road.
Compared to bump helmets, Ballistic helmets are used by most army officers or law enforcement officials.
These helmets are designed to keep your head safe from a bullet shot and prevent a sudden head injury that may lead to death sometimes.
Therefore, the former one is designed to offer needed protection against falling debris. In comparison, the latter one is designed to stop bullets.
Also Read: Differences Between Bell Moto-9 MIPS And Flex Helmets.
- Skull Protection
You cannot interchange the usage of both helmets with each other. You cannot and should not wear the bump helmet where ballistic is required.
Because there will be no safety for your skull if you are in a war and wearing a bump helmet.
At the same time, you will have to deal with severe stress and neck pain if you are wearing a ballistic helmet while riding a bike.
Therefore, with a bump, you will get good Skull protection if you fall suddenly. And a Ballistic will provide extreme protection to your skull.
- Neck Pain
It has been observed that wearing a Ballistic helmet will increase your neck pain if you keep wearing it often or on a ride.
However, with a Bump helmet, the neck will feel less stressed and stay calm wherever you go.
To put this thing in a straight line, saving your head would be better than keeping your skull stress-free when you have a fear of bullets.
- Portability
If you include a helmet in your gear, be more concerned about the total weight.
A ballistic helmet is way heavier than a bump helmet and less portable at the same time.
However, a bump helmet doesn’t come with so much weight that it would be difficult to handle.
Thus, a military man will not feel worried about luggage because he has to keep a ballistic helmet with him while going on the mission.
But he will still consider a bump helmet as an average or off-duty person.
- Level Of Comfort
A Ballistic helmet is more robust and heavy-duty, which lacks the comfort you can enjoy otherwise with the bump helmet.
That’s because Ballistic is used for more streamlined and tactical purposes. Instead, the bump is used to keep you protected on the way.
So, where comfort is lacking, safety comes at a more significant point.
- Pricing Factor
A Ballistic helmet is always more expensive than a bump helmet because it has more material injected into its skull to make it stronger.
While a bump helmet provides you with safety, it comes at a lesser price than a ballistic because it’s a good option for riders, cyclists, or adventurous people.
However, what could a helmet cost when you have to buy it to save the essential part of your body, the head?
- Durability
Both helmets are good at standing with you for more prolonged usage. Since we know that ballistic has a more robust construction, it will show less wear and tear on extended usage.
But a bump may not be as durable as a Ballistic helmet is and may start showing more wear and tear in less time. Therefore, it’s the operations that make things vary in durability.
Overview of Bump Helmet
A bump helmet is a lightweight tactical helmet designed to provide protection from bumps, impacts, and other blunt forces. Unlike ballistic helmets, bump helmets are not designed to stop bullets. They have become popular among military, law enforcement, and civilians in recent years.
Bump helmets typically consist of a lightweight polymer shell lined with impact-absorbing padding. Some key features include:
Lightweight Construction
- Made from materials like ABS plastic or carbon fiber composite
- Weighs less than 2 lbs, reducing neck strain
Impact Protection
- Multi-layer foam pads absorb force from bumps, shrapnel, etc.
- Some meet military impact standards like PASGT
Accessory Mounting
- Attachment rails to mount lights, cameras, NVGs, and more
- High-cut shell for comms and ear protection
Comfort Padding
- Moisture-wicking, antibacterial pads for comfort
- Many offer wheel or cam lock harness adjustments
Pros of Bump Helmets
There are many benefits that make bump helmets a popular choice:
- Lightweight and Low Profile
Weighing under 2 lbs, bump helmets are much lighter than ballistic helmets. This reduces fatigue from long-term wear. The low-profile design also increases maneuverability.
- Scalable Protection
While not bulletproof, they provide potentially life-saving impact protection from debris, blunt objects, shrapnel, and hard falls. Protection level can be scaled up or down based on threats.
- Accessory Compatible
Bump helmets allow you to mount and integrate many tactical accessories from lights to cameras to night vision goggles. This modular expandability is a major plus.
- Affordable Cost
Quality bump helmets can be purchased for $200 or less in many cases. This makes them much more affordable than ballistic helmets costing $1000+.
- Comfort and Breathability
Features like moisture-wicking pads, dial adjustment harnesses, and ventilation keep you cooler and more comfortable during prolonged use.
Cons of Bump Helmets
The main limitations to consider are:
- Not Bulletproof
Bump helmets are only designed to withstand impacts, not stop incoming bullets like a ballistic helmet. They offer no ballistic protection.
- Limited Facial Protection
Most bump helmets provide protection primarily to the top/sides of head. They leave the face and front more exposed compared to a ballistic helmet.
- Minimal Collar/Neck Coverage
The low cut design leaves the lower neck and collar area uncovered. This limits protection from downward debris or shrapnel injuries.
- Not Flame Resistant
Most bump helmets provide no protection from extreme heat or flames. Users risk burns and fire-related injuries.
- Reduced Blunt Impact Absorption Over Time
The foam padding in bump helmets gradually degrades after multiple impacts. Their protection diminishes over years of use.
Also Read: Differences Between Hard Head Veterans And Team Wendy Helmets.
Overview of Ballistic Helmet
A ballistic helmet is head protection designed to defend against ballistic threats like bullets and shrapnel fragments. Made from advanced materials like aramid fibers or carbon composites, ballistic helmets are essential equipment for military and law enforcement.
Key features include:
Bullet Resistant Materials
- Aramid fibers like Kevlar® or ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE)
- Carbon fiber composites for reduced weight
Ballistic Protection Levels
- Rated for protection from handgun and rifle bullets eg. NIJ Level IIIA, stops up to .44 Magnum rounds
Additional Blunt Impact Protection
- Inner padding absorbs shock from blows and blunt objects
Optional Accessories
- Mounts for night vision, cameras, lights, mandible guards, visors, and more
Pros of Ballistic Helmets
The major benefits of ballistic helmets:
Stop Bullets and Shrapnel
- Provides potentially lifesaving protection from range of ballistic threats
- Tested to defeat specific projectiles based on level rating
Hard Armor Shielding Vital Areas
- Covers vulnerable head region including brain, facial bones, eyes
- Some models add mandible protection for lower face/neck
Advanced Lightweight Materials
- Aramid and carbon fiber helmets weigh as little as 2-4 lbs
- Reduces fatigue from extended wear vs older steel helmets
Blunt Impact Absorption
- Inner padding protects against blows in close quarters combat
- Some meet impact specs beyond just ballistic rating
Mounts for Tactical Accessories
- Enhances function by interfacing with optics, lights, comms, respirators
Cons of Ballistic Helmets
There are also a few limitations to consider:
Expensive Initial Cost
- Quality aramid or composite helmets often $1000+
- Prohibitive cost for recreational shooters or preppers
Limited Facial Coverage
- Face, neck and sides remain vulnerable to injury
- Add-ons like mandible guards provide only partial improvement
Not Flame or Chemical Resistant
- Materials lack thermal, splash, and vapor protection
- Requires specialized coating treatments or cover
Ongoing Maintenance/Inspection Needed
- Must regularly check for delamination, backface deformation, etc.
- Damaged helmets should be promptly replaced
Heavy Weight Compared to Bump Helmets
- Typical ballistic helmet weighs 3-4 lbs vs 1-2 lbs for bump helmet
- Increases fatigue during prolonged missions
Which Helmet Is Better For You?
If you asked me, keep both helmets at your house. A Ballistic helmet might not require it at all, but you can have it while going for a shot toward the hillside.
However, a Bump helmet will always be needed whenever you are riding a bike, a cycle, or going on a hill trip.
Besides, a military person is the best example of keeping both types of helmets because he can use ballistic while on the mission and bump at home for casual rides. Watch this virtual comparison between the two.
Also Read: Differences Between GT-Air 2 And Shoei RF-1400 Helmets.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
While choosing any helmet between these two will depend on your needs. Go for a ballistic if you are scared to be shot dead by a bullet. And go for a bump when a ride is waiting for you.
A bump helmet is designed with added comfort, so it will not offer such massive protection as a ballistic helmet. Both are used for different purposes.
If that helmet is not bulletproof, it will not be able to stop a bullet. Most bump helmets are good for avoiding injuries from falls, but they are not suitable for stopping bullets.
Military persons use bump helmets when they are cycling. While on a war or mission, they would entirely rely on a ballistic helmet.
Wrapping Up
Having a bump helmet means your rides will be safer, the journeys will be clean from head injuries, and cycling will be smoother. However, a ballistic is always worth considering when you are fighting a battle on the battlefield.
Hence, this states which one is worth choosing and for what purpose between Bump and Ballistic helmets. Always go with what keeps you safer in whichever environment you are currently in.
