top of page
Search

Headwear 3: Helmets

One part of the RLSH costume that seems to get a lot of attention is headwear.  This is going to be a 5-part series where we explore some different options.  We’ll look at the pros and cons, various examples, how you can improve upon them, and whatever else comes to mind.


Helmets are shell headwear that protects the head. They can be a partial helmet or a full helmet. See pictures below of various types of helmets.

Pros & Cons


Pros

  • Easy to get on and off

  • Unlimited colors, patterns

  • Mobility, depending on material used

  • Line of sight, depending on style used

  • Moderately priced to expensive

  • May or may not protect identity

  • Impact protection

  • Tech can be added


Cons

  • Vision can be impaired depending on style of helmet

  • Tinted eye/face shielding can hinder line of sight at night

  • Impact limits, depending on material used

Improving On The Helmet


Helmets are pretty versatile in style, protection, line of sight, and overall durability. Soft helmets, like a rugby helmet or a leather helmet, have some impact resistance, but not as much as a poly-, fiber-, or metal helmet. If you have possible visual blockage, as we see below with Silver Samurai, the power ranger helmet, and the medieval knight helmet, you may run into issue while moving about. Another thing to be concerned about is weight. A lightweight helmet is going to be easier to maneuver with, while a heavy helmet is going to cause potential neck strain. Helmets can be fitted with additional padding for a more secured custom fit. You don't want them wobbling around.


Helmets do allow for tech to be built in or added to them. This might be communications, a smart visual AI (like smart glasses), lights, cameras, and other such things.


Helmets can also be fairly plain but decorated with paint, fabric, metal, craft items (leather, feathers, etc), and other items - leading to endless designs, patterns, and embellishment ideas.


Examples Of Types Of Helmets

Left to Right

Top Row: Half Helmet, Samurai Helmet, Military Half Helmet, Bike Half Helmet

Second Row: Full Helmet, Safety Helmet, Greek Inspired Helmet, Viking Helmet

Third Row: Rugby Soft Helmet, English Medieval Full Helmet, Open Face Helmet with Eye Protector, Leather 3/4 Helmet

The November "Notes From The Rooftops" will be about "a time you lent a hand" [as an RLSH].  Keep it to roughly 500 words.  If you want to contribute (active or retired RLSH only), please send an email to Raven (raven@herocore.online).  Currently, these are only coming out once a month. Deadline is the end of October.


On an entire other note, if you are an RLSH, please take a moment to fill out this RLSH 2025 Demographics Survey. It's anonymous. Just looking to gather some general information to study (data analysis is just something I like to do). It will end up becoming an article in the future (late-December or early-January).


NEW PROJECT.  I'm starting a new RLSH Annual Comic Book Project. (tabs up top: Resources > Comic Book Project). This is a collection of short RLSH tales in an anthology type of graphic novel. Looking for artists, editors, and RLSH to share their stories. Deadline is Dec. 31.


If there is something you would like to see me discuss here on Herocore, please feel free to contact me.

bottom of page