Bullard's New UST LowRider Traditional Fire Helmet
The UST LowRider traditional structural fire helmet is a new release by Bullard. The UST LowRider, which is based on the tried-and-true UST Lightweight platform, offers the same lightweight performance that firefighters depend on. However, it has undergone targeted design modifications based on feedback from firefighters.
The riding height lowering is the biggest change. This reduction makes the helmet feel more comfortable while moving around the fireground by enhancing stability and balance while still being compatible with SCBA masks and packs. "We knew we had something different," says Matt Plunkett, principal engineer at Bullard, about the company's most recent helmet invention. Because of its much lower riding height, which cups the back of the head, the helmet feels comfortable without requiring a lot of adjusting. Most significantly, this ergonomic "cupping" provides the ideal blend of comfort, tradition, and mission-critical safety by keeping the helmet stable during vigorous movement without upsetting the SCBA mask and tank.
Additionally, general comfort and fit have been improved. In order to improve general wearability without creating pressure spots, the redesigned headband adjustment is made to fit comfortably above the ears. Firefighters can alter their fit using 36 different settings while using Bullard's own U-Fit technology. The UST LowRider now comes equipped with the FireFit Comfort System, which helps distribute pressure evenly over the head for constant comfort during extended operations. Additionally, FireFit's one-piece soft good within the helmet makes the decontamination process easier. With weights ranging from 49.3 ounces (1.4 kg) to 54.4 ounces (1.5 kg) to help lessen fatigue, the UST LowRider is still among the lightest conventional fire helmets available despite these improvements.
“When we put the UST LowRider in the field with firefighters, their feedback helped refine a helmet that rides lower and feels more balanced and secure in real-world use," Bullard's Fire Helmet Product Manager Robert Gonzalez says.
An longer chinstrap with a high-visibility buckle, intended to enhance usability in low-visibility situations, is one of the additional functional improvements.
The UST LowRider comes with integrated features including the TrakLite integrated lighting system, which has forward-facing LEDs and a rear buddy light, and the ReTrak visor, which supports eyewear and enables one-handed operation.
It is approved in accordance with the 2025 edition of the NFPA 1970 Standard on Protective Ensembles for Structural and Proximity Firefighting, Work Apparel, Open Circuit Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) for Emergency Services, and Personal Alert Safety Systems (PASS). With these upgrades, Bullard enhances a reliable platform with thoughtful modifications that maintain the lightweight feel firefighters need while improving fit, comfort, and balance.
Go to www.bullard.com to learn more about the UST LowRider Traditional Series fire helmet.
About the Author
Ryan Baker
Associate Editor
Ryan Baker is a writer and associate editor with prior experiences in online and print production. Ryan is an associate editor for Firehouse with a master's degree in sciences of communication from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. He recently completed a year of teaching Intro to Public Speaking at UW-Whitewater, as part of his graduate program. Ryan acquired his bachelor's degree in journalism in 2023 from UW-Whitewater, and operates currently out of Minneapolis, MN. Baker, also writes freelances for the Ultimate Frisbee Association (UFA) in his free time, while also umpiring baseball for various ages across the Twin Cities Metro Area.