Why the cut matters
Most modern ballistic helmets are moulded from many layers of aramid or UHMWPE. The shape of the shell, usually called the cut, decides how much of the head is covered, where the ears sit and what can be mounted on the helmet. A lower cut covers more of the head but weighs more; a higher cut leaves room for communication headsets and hearing protection.
PASGT: the full-cut helmet
PASGT stands for Personnel Armor System for Ground Troops, the U.S. Army programme that introduced an aramid helmet in the 1980s. Its full cut covers the forehead, the sides including the ears, and the back of the head, which gives it its familiar profile with a short brim and a flared rear.
The PASGT shape offers the largest coverage of the three types. In exchange it is heavier and less convenient with headsets and when firing from the prone position. It suits users for whom maximum coverage matters more than mounting accessories. Our PASGT Helmet is listed at NIJ Level IIIA with a weight of 1.55 kg.
MICH and ACH: the mid-cut helmet
MICH stands for Modular Integrated Communications Helmet, a design developed in the United States for special operations forces around 2000. The best known version is the MICH TC-2000, which is why buyers often search for "MICH 2000". The U.S. Army adopted a derivative, the Advanced Combat Helmet (ACH), in the early 2000s as the successor to PASGT.
Compared with PASGT, the brim is removed and the sides are trimmed so that headsets fit over the ears, and the helmet uses pads and a four-point retention system. Coverage is slightly lower than full cut, but the balance of protection and practicality has made this shape a standard combat helmet. Our MICH 2000 is listed at NIJ Level IIIA, 1.5 kg.
FAST and other high-cut helmets
FAST originally named the Ops-Core "Future Assault Shell Technology" helmet; today the word is widely used for high-cut helmets of the same shape. The shell is cut high above the ears so that active hearing protection and headsets can be worn freely, and it usually carries a front shroud for night vision devices and side rails (ARC rails) for lights, cameras and other accessories.
High-cut helmets are the lightest of the three types but cover less of the sides of the head. They are typical for special operations and tactical teams that work with night vision and radios. Our FAST Cut Helmet comes with NVG and ARC rail interfaces, NIJ Level IIIA, 1.35 kg. For special operations users we also offer the ÖKK Helmet, NIJ Level IIIA, 1.4 kg.
The three cuts compared
| PASGT | MICH / ACH | FAST / high-cut | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cut | Full | Mid | High |
| Ears | Covered | Partly trimmed | Free |
| Headset use | Limited | Good | Best |
| Accessory rails, NVG | Rarely | Often added | Usually standard |
| Head coverage | Largest | Medium | Smallest |
| İpek model | PASGT Helmet, 1.55 kg | MICH 2000, 1.5 kg | FAST Cut Helmet, 1.35 kg |
Protection level and testing
Helmet shells are usually specified against handgun rounds at NIJ Level IIIA; rifle-rated helmets exist but are heavier and less common. Many military specifications also ask for a fragment test, in which the V50 velocity against fragment-simulating projectiles is measured, and for limits on back-face deformation inside the helmet.
The level of each İpek helmet is the level stated in its product data. Ask us for the test method and report of the model you are evaluating. Our NIJ protection levels guide explains what Level IIIA means.
How to choose
- Mission: night vision and radios favour a high cut; maximum coverage favours a full cut; MICH/ACH sits in between.
- Weight: a few hundred grams make a real difference to neck fatigue over a long shift.
- Fit: sizing, pads and the retention system decide whether the helmet stays stable when the user moves.
- Accessories: check compatibility with your NVG mounts and rails, for example our NVG Mount Pro and ARC Rail Kit.
- Colour and finish: match the helmet to the rest of the user's equipment.
İpek ballistic helmets
Our helmet models with the protection level and weight stated in their product data.
Frequently asked questions
Is MICH the same as ACH?
They are closely related. The ACH is the U.S. Army's derivative of the MICH design; both are mid-cut helmets with pads and four-point retention.
Is a high-cut helmet less protective?
The protection level depends on the shell material and is tested on the shell. A high cut covers a smaller area of the head, so the protected area is smaller.
Can I fit rails to a PASGT helmet?
Some full-cut helmets can take accessory rails, but the shape is not designed around them. If rails and NVG are essential, a high-cut or mid-cut helmet is usually the better choice.