OPS-Core SF Helmet Review

Ops-Core has been the industry leader in advanced helmet solutions for the past decade. Their most recent contribution being the FAST SF line of products. This article will focus on the FAST SF Ballistic and FAST SF Carbon helmet systems. This will be directed towards system function, features, how the SF differs from previous generations, how well the SF line integrates with complementary products, and our opinions.  

The Ops-Core SF Ballistic Helmet is composed of a lightweight hybrid composite of the most advanced Carbon, unidirectional Polyethylene and woven Aramid. This allows the helmet to offer fantastic ballistic protection while remaining incredibly lightweight. The size Large FAST SF Ballistic full system weighs in at 2.33 lbs while the previous generation FAST MT Super High Cut full system weighs 2.42 lbs in the size Large. This may not seem like much on paper, but the human head was not designed to carry fixed weight like a ballistic helmet. Therefore, any amount of weight savings significantly reduces the strain on the end user and enables a more enjoyable experience. We cannot stress enough how light this helmet feels in hand and during use. If you are looking to save even more weight and do not need ballistic protection, the Ops-Core SF Carbon Composite has identical features to the SF Ballistic (minus the ballistic protection) but has the added weight savings by featuring a very durable and lightweight carbon fiber shell. Specifically, the size Large SF Carbon has a shell weight of .736 lbs. and a full system weight of 1.53 lbs. This allows the user to have a stable mounting platform for mission essential equipment without the additional weight of the SF Ballistic Helmet. We recommend our customers go with a carbon as opposed to a polymer bump helmet because we believe the added cost is worth it for the rigidity that comes with a carbon helmet. This will be noticeable when manipulating helmet mounted ear protection, articulating goggles, and adjusting helmet mounted lighting solutions. Users do not need to feel like they sacrificed stability or features for weight savings. The SF Carbon has eight ventilation holes along both sides of the upper portion of the shell providing solid airflow to keep the user cool during prolonged use. This is very noticeable during prolonged use and especially during hot summer nights. Both the Ops-Core SF Carbon and SF Ballistic Helmets are compatible with all Ops-Core liners and retention systems, as well as the Team Wendy CAM FIT BOA retention system. We will note when the Team Wendy CAM FIT BOA Retention System may fit your needs later in this article.

The Ops-Core SF line of helmets takes what was amazing about the previous generation and refines the design to accommodate SOCOM’s requests. In our opinion, the most notable changes include a new shroud and rail system. Ops-Core designed the Modular Bungee Shroud to provide active tension and retention for any helmet mounted night vision system. The shroud accomplishes this using a single line of shock cord running through the shroud and retains the users goggle system with a closed loop carabiner on each end. The main benefit to this system is minimizing snag hazards on your system because you are not forced to run an aftermarket retention device on the helmet. This might not seem like a big deal but having something as simple as a night vision retention system built into the shroud makes a world of difference when making your night vision helmet setup as efficient and low pro as possible. When not in use, the bungee retention system locks into a small notch keeping it out of the way. We are huge fans of Ops-Core Modular Bungee Shroud because it allows our end users to buy one helmet that combines what normally would be multiple products into one factory supplied solution at no additional cost. The shroud is compatible with our night vision helmet mount of choice, the Wilcox G24, as well as all mounts that are compatible with a standard three-hole shroud.   

The current production Ops-Core SF line of helmets features the PowerPath ARC Rail, an updated version of the traditional Ops-Core ARC Rails. The Ops-Core ARC Rail footprint is the most widely used helmet mounting style and thus brings the users many more options for accessories than other rail systems. The new PowerPath ARC Rail is purpose built featuring an integrated channel allowing you to route your battery pack cable under the rail system. This further eliminates snag hazards and provides a protective barrier over most of your battery pack cable. We love this because yet again Ops-Core takes users requests into consideration and updates their product accordingly. They do not just manufacture products but rather full systems. 

The Ops-Core SF helmets include a full helmet pad kit that has three different sizes for tailoring the internal pad setup to the end user. We absolutely love this decision because additional customization can be necessary beyond choosing the right size. Everyone’s head is not only different sizes but also different shapes so the ability to adjust the internal pads with the included kit allows further refinement in size and comfort. To further aid in a form fitted experience, the SF line utilizes an adjustable retention system that adjusts via a dial in the rear of the helmet. At the time of this article all current production Ops-Core SF helmets come standard with the OCC-Dial Fit-Band retention system. The OCC Dial Ops-Core retention system is incredibly comfortable and adjustable. One tip that we like to make our customers aware of is the ability to utilize the Team Wendy CAM FIT BOA Retention System in the Ops-Core FAST SF line of helmets. The Team Wendy CAM FIT gives the users more flexibility depending on where you fall in Ops-Core’s sizing chart. For example, if you are on the border between Large and XL and decide to go with Large but need just a little more room you can add a Team Wendy CAM FIT to your helmet. This will add a couple more inches of available adjustment. The same is true for the reverse; if you decide to size up, the CAM FIT will tighten down to a smaller size than the stock Ops-Core OCC Dial. In our experience the OCC-Dial feels slightly more stable, but the Team Wendy CAM FIT wins in range of adjustment.  

The final and most visually noticeable change is the Velcro system. It has been distributed across the helmet in key areas to allow for Velcro mounting points in virtually all areas of the shell. Not only does the new Velcro placement look great but also gives a wider useable footprint for accessories than previous generations and its competitors.  

The SF line of tactical helmets is designed around a complete system and integrates with other key Ops-Core products. This gives the end user flexibility when tailoring their system to their needs. Complementary products include the Ops-Core AMP Communication Headset, SF helmet covers, protective visors, and respiratory masks which all seamlessly mount to both the SF Ballistic and SF Carbon Helmets. The Ops-Core AMP Communication Headset is the most utilized accessory with the SF helmets. They can be ran under the helmet as a headset or connected to the helmet via the AMP Helmet Rail Mount Kit. The AMP Communication headset is extremely modular and allows a quick transition from a headset to the on-helmet configuration. This can be achieved in under two minutes with the use of the Ops-Core Helmet Mount Rail Kit. We love this feature as we understand that not everyone can have multiple comms / ear protection setups. The Ops-Core AMP gives users the flexibility to easily multipurpose the same headset. 

The OPS-Core SF Helmet Cover allows users to quickly alter the appearance of their helmet without permanently altering the base product. It utilizes mesh over the ventilation points on carbon helmets to retain airflow, as well as provide routing points for cable management or foliage. It attaches via Velcro on the front and rear of the helmet. It replicates the same Velcro pattern on the helmet, so users have a nearly identical Velcro layout except for the lack of the small Velcro sections in the front of the helmet cover that the base helmet has. However, in our experience this front Velcro is rarely used.

This all goes to show that Ops-Core has designed a full head borne system for end users to tailor to their exact needs and not just individual products. In the past, when users went to piece together a full helmet setup, they had to source components from multiple different companies that may require adapters or modification. All of this has changed with how seamlessly the current line of Ops-Core products integrate with each other.

Overall, the Ops-Core SF line of helmets rank among our favorites because of how feature rich they are while remaining extremely lightweight and dependable. Ops-Core has cemented themselves at the top of the food chain for modern helmet solutions. For the reasons of how light they are while still offering great protection, modularity, updated features, and compatibility with a host of products we are confident to recommend Ops-Core to our customers.