leather helmet opinion

[jd22]

If you live in a state that follows NFPA standards only would you wear a leather that was rated less, such as an OSHA aproved only rated helmet?

[DeputyMarshal]

If I had an option to choose, I wouldn't choose a leather helmet at all.

Function trumps "tradition," IMHO.

[jd22]

Thanks, but that isn't what I was asking.

[DeputyMarshal]

If you're going to wear a helmet, doesn't it make sense to wear one made to the highest standard? Unless, of course, you don't think your head is worth it.

[BULL321]

If you live in a state that follows NFPA standards only would you wear a leather that was rated less, such as an OSHA aproved only rated helmet?

To answer you question, No I would not. The reason being is if you purchase a OSHA helmet like a NA5, and your chief says you cant wear it, then you just wasted $500.00. Go a head and pay the extra money and get you a Sammy and then you have one less thing to worry about. It might be a little heavier than the New Yorker, but you will get use to it. I hope this helps.

[jd22]

thanks bull, i agree. there are many guys in my Dept. that wear the N5a, but I am also looking at the stand point of what if you get hurt while wearing one.

[jd22]

Also if you get a houston w/ bourks does that drop it out of the NFPA rating

[BULL321]

Also if you get a houston w/ bourks does that drop it out of the NFPA rating

No, not as long as you do have a set of goggles somewhere on your person.

[NY911Bowhunter]

No, not as long as you do have a set of goggles somewhere on your person.

Goggles are so useless......other than Beer Goggles...LOL

If you want an NFPA traditional lid - get the Ben 2 Plus witht he NFPA EZ Flips...it aint leather, but it is a damn nice substitute...

[Picc.93Truck]

All of our interior and exterior firefighters currently are wearing N5A's of all different generations. We have personally never had a problem, and I'm not sure how far they are away from being NFPA rated. Now we live in a non-nfpa state, so we don't NEED to comply with the standards. Although in years to come I feel as though we are going to be over-run. If and when this does happen, I will have no problem switching to a sammy or a Ben 2 Plus, as my Spare helmet is a Ben2

[BULL321]

There is nothing wrong with the New Yorker, it is a great helmet. The only difference between the Sammy and the New Yorker is a credit card thick piece of plastic that runs on the inside of the Sammy to "stop" punchers into the wearer's head when the helmet is wet. We can wear the New Yorker here in N.C. but I figured that since I was paying for the helmet out of my own pocket I wanted a helmet that I could wear if/when the State switches over to NFPA regs.