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The U.S. fire truck food truck we are building had a couple of lockers that we didn’t really have a use for. So we decided to fill them with fire fighters equipment to create a a bit of an interesting display. In truth the lockers would have contained equipment so its in keeping with the theme.

One of the items we acquired was a traditional Cairns fire fighters helmet. I had a helmet shield made to replace the missing one, and we put it in the display.

The thing is, its bloody heavy. I mean when you nod your head you feel like your neck might snap. How the hell anyone runs up and down ladders and hauls pipes about whilst balancing something with the weight of a small car on your head beggars belief.

Euro Style Helmets

It made me wonder if other countries helmets were the same. A quick look on Google came up with the Gallet F1, which it seems is a popular model for European fire services. Comparing the weights it seems that the American option is around 33% heavier than the Euro model (actually if you go for the even more traditional leather helmet its about 50% heavier), additionally some of he euro helmets have integrated accessories such as lights which are an additional weight on the U.S. version. Over an eight hour shift that would be felt.

One aspect that the Euro model does fall down in is looks. The U.S. helmet is definitely sexier.

So U.S. Fire Fighters Helmets, are the looks worth the weight.