- Product Details
- Shipping and Returns
- The BPZ Promise
- Why Bulletproof Zone?
The Shellback Tactical Level IIIA Ballistic High-Cut SF ACH Helmet delivers NIJ 0106.01 Level IIIA ballistic protection in a high-cut shell constructed from hybridized Kevlar and UHMWPE Spectra ballistic fibers. Manufactured in the United States, this helmet is built for military, law enforcement, and first responder applications where ballistic coverage must coexist with communications gear and night vision integration. The D3O Trust 7 pad system and Airlink Prime ratcheting harness make it wearable through extended operations, and shell weights start at 2.5 lbs for the Small. Available in Small, Medium, Large, and XLarge.
Who this is for
- Military and law enforcement personnel who require certified ballistic coverage without sacrificing NVG or comms integration in an operational environment
- First responders and tactical teams who need a high-cut shell geometry that keeps ears clear for hearing protection and communications headsets
- Civilian preparedness buyers who want a USA-manufactured, warrantied ballistic helmet with documented test data and modular accessory rails
Threat rating and standard
The SF ACH Helmet carries NIJ 0106.01 Level IIIA ballistic protection, the highest handgun-rated designation under that standard. All ballistic testing is completed by an NIJ-certified laboratory. The helmet stops 9mm FMJ at 1,400 fps, .357 Magnum JSP at 1,395 fps, and .44 Magnum SJHP at 1,400 fps, with 9mm back-face deformation held below 25mm. Fragmentation resistance is tested to MIL-STD-662F methodology against RCC and FSP projectiles from 2 to 64 grains.
This helmet does not protect against rifle-caliber threats. No wearable ballistic helmet currently achieves RF3 or Level IV rifle protection at a wearable weight.
NIJ ballistic test data
| Standard | Projectile | Grain | Velocity (ft/s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| NIJ 0106.01 | 9mm FMJ | 124 | 1,400 |
| NIJ 0106.01 | .357 MAG JSP | 158 | 1,395 |
| NIJ 0106.01 | .44 MAG SJHP | 240 | 1,400 |
MIL-STD-662F fragmentation test data
| Standard | Projectile | Grain | Required V50 (ft/s) | Achieved V50 (ft/s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MIL-STD-662F | US MIL-STD Frag RCC | 2 | 4,200 | 4,415 |
| MIL-STD-662F | US MIL-STD Frag RCC | 4 | 3,475 | 3,211 |
| MIL-STD-662F | US MIL-STD Frag RCC | 16 | 2,475 | 2,346 |
| MIL-STD-662F | US MIL-STD Frag RCC | 64 | 1,750 | 1,755 |
| MIL-STD-662F | US MIL-STD Frag FSP | 17 | 2,200 | 2,221 |
Shell material and construction
The ballistic shell combines Kevlar and UHMWPE Spectra fibers in a hybridized layup that keeps shell weight to 2.5 lbs (Small) through 2.9 lbs (XLarge). The high-cut geometry opens the ear area for unobstructed comms and hearing protection, while loop Velcro panels on the exterior accept patches and accessory covers. The shell ships with ARC-style side rails and accepts the Wilcox or Unity 3-hole NVG shroud mount pattern.
Suspension and retention
The Airlink Prime ratcheting harness provides tool-free circumference adjustment for a consistent, repeatable fit under load. The D3O Trust 7 comfort pad system lines the interior, distributing contact pressure and managing impact energy. Total system weight — shell plus pads and harness — runs from 3.0 lbs (Small) to 3.4 lbs (XLarge).
Mount compatibility
The NVG shroud accepts Wilcox and Unity 3-hole mount patterns, covering the most common night vision mounting hardware in military and law enforcement use. ARC-style side rails are included and accept standard rail-mount lights, cameras, and communications accessories. Loop Velcro on the exterior shell provides additional attachment surface for sensors, IR patches, and identification panels.
Sizing
Measure head circumference with a flexible tape at mid-forehead, approximately 1/8 inch above the ear. If your measurement falls on a size boundary, select the larger size.
| Size | Hat Size | Head Circumference | Shell Weight | Total Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small | 6 5/8 – 6 3/4 | 21.1" – 21.9" | 2.5 lbs | 3.0 lbs |
| Medium | 6 3/4 – 7 1/8 | 21.9" – 22.7" | 2.6 lbs | 3.1 lbs |
| Large | 7 1/4 – 7 1/2 | 22.7" – 24.0" | 2.7 lbs | 3.2 lbs |
| XLarge | 7 1/2 – 7 7/8 | 24.0" – 26.0" | 2.9 lbs | 3.4 lbs |
Specifications
- Brand: Shellback Tactical
- Model: SF ACH Helmet — High Cut
- SKU: SBT-SO501HC
- Protection level: NIJ 0106.01 Level IIIA
- Fragmentation standard: MIL-STD-662F
- Shell material: Hybridized Kevlar and UHMWPE Spectra ballistic fibers
- Shell weight: 2.5 lbs (S) / 2.6 lbs (M) / 2.7 lbs (L) / 2.9 lbs (XL)
- Total weight: 3.0 lbs (S) / 3.1 lbs (M) / 3.2 lbs (L) / 3.4 lbs (XL)
- Cut: High Cut
- Pad system: D3O Trust 7
- Retention system: Airlink Prime ratcheting harness
- NVG shroud: Wilcox or Unity 3-hole
- Side rails: ARC-style (included)
- Exterior Velcro: Loop Velcro included
- Ballistic warranty: 5 years
- Country of origin: United States
- Sizes available: Small, Medium, Large, XLarge
Frequently asked questions
Can this helmet be shipped to my state?
It depends on your state. Body armor cannot be shipped to New York or Connecticut due to state restrictions. Under 18 U.S.C. § 931, anyone with a federal felony conviction for a crime of violence is prohibited from purchasing or possessing body armor. Contact us if you have questions about your state's restrictions before ordering.
What does NIJ 0106.01 Level IIIA mean?
NIJ 0106.01 is the ballistic standard specifically written for ballistic helmets, parallel to the better-known 0101.06 body armor standard. Level IIIA under 0106.01 covers high-velocity handgun threats including 9mm FMJ at 1,400 fps and .44 Magnum SJHP at 1,400 fps. All testing on this helmet was conducted at an NIJ-certified laboratory.
Will this helmet stop rifle rounds?
No. This helmet is rated to Level IIIA, which covers handgun threats and fragmentation. No wearable ballistic helmet currently achieves rifle-rated Level IV protection. The SF ACH Helmet significantly reduces risk from handgun rounds and fragmentation but does not provide protection against rifle-caliber ammunition.
How do I measure for the correct size?
Wrap a flexible measuring tape around your head at mid-forehead, approximately 1/8 inch above the ear. Match your circumference to the size chart above. If your measurement lands exactly on a boundary between two sizes, select the larger size. Contact us if you are between sizes and want a fit recommendation.
Does this helmet accept NVG mounts and ARC rail accessories?
Yes. The helmet ships with a Wilcox or Unity 3-hole NVG shroud and ARC-style side rails already installed. These accept the most common night vision and rail-mount accessories used in military and law enforcement applications, including lights, cameras, and communications gear.
What is the ballistic warranty on this helmet?
Yes, this helmet carries a 5-year ballistic warranty. The warranty applies to normal intended use and does not cover everyday wear and tear, modifications, alterations, or improper use. Contact us to initiate a warranty claim.
Bulletproof Zone will ship orders as soon as possible. For example, if you purchase three items, they will be shipped to you based on lead time and availability. This way you get as much of your order as soon as possible, which means that your order may come in separate packages, especially if you order products from different manufacturers.
We will bear the shipping cost for products returned because of product defect, misrepresentation, or false description. Afterward, we will initiate a full reimbursement should you decline an offer to replace the item with the same item of equal value and assured quality.
Order Confirmation:
As soon as you place your order with Bulletproof Zone, you will receive an order confirmation e-mail. This means that your order has been logged in our system and your credit card has been pre-authorized for the purchase. Afterward, we contact our suppliers to confirm the availability of the product you are ordering for immediate shipment. If your item is on backorder or unavailable, we will cancel the pre-authorization and duly inform you via e-mail.
Order Shipment:
Orders are shipped within five business days from the date of your order unless specified otherwise on the product page. The product page will contain the most accurate estimate on shipping and lead times. Shipping and lead times provided on the product page are our best estimates based various factors including order volume, information from our manufacturer, raw material fluctuations, etc., and may vary due to these factors.
You will receive an email containing the tracking information of your order after the order has been shipped to your location. If you do not receive tracking information from us within seven business days of the lead time specified on the product page, feel free to follow up with us at orders@bulletproofzone.com.
Bulletproof Zone is not responsible for lost or stolen packages. A tracking number will be provided when the package is shipped. It is the buyer’s responsibility to provide a safe place to receive mail. Once an item has been marked as delivered by the carrier, the seller is not responsible should that item go missing.
Some of our products are carried by manufacturers in various countries. Due to the nature and cost of the products that Bulletproof Zone sells, you may be charged additional import duties upon delivery. Our support team can help in investigating abnormally high import duty charges but we are unable to cover the cost of any import duties.
Damages:
We take full responsibility for any obvious damage to your product caused by wrong packaging or delivering an already defective product. Please inspect the packaging of your item(s) when they arrive, if you notice any damage, you should document it when signing for delivery. If the item(s) contained in the package arrives damaged, please send photos to support@bulletproofzone.com, and we will process an insurance claim on your behalf.
Returns and Cancellation Policy:
We back all our products with a customer satisfaction guarantee, so we created a fair return and cancellation policy.
All sales are final. No Refunds, No Cancellations. In most cases, once the order is processed, it is final and not cancellable. We may allow exceptions due to an order error or wish to return your order after delivery for any reason other than a product defect or misrepresentation. Any cancellation request is subject to an administration and cancellation fee equal to 10% of your order with a minimum of $35, whether order shipment is successful or not.
All sales are final on all closeout items and for custom manufactured bulletproof clothing once the manufacturing process has begun or not returnable unless there is a product defect or misrepresentation. Applicable to brands such as MC Armor, Israel Catalog, BulletBlocker, Tacticon Armament, Wonder Hoodie, and others.
Before returning any product, you MUST obtain a return authorization from our customer service representative. We can only process AUTHORIZED returns for items.
To make a Return or Exchange:
- Obtain authorization for return or exchange by emailing us at support@bulletproofzone.com explaining the reason for the return or exchange.
- Please use or indicate your order number as attention
Return or exchanges request submission must be within 14 calendar days upon receipt of shipment unless noted otherwise on the product description page. Your return must be in original packaging and unused.
We encourage using USPS flat-rate shipping in returning products to receive a shipping expense refund. Buyers must ensure all returned parcels delivery receipt AND signature confirmation. We highly recommend insuring your parcel as we cannot issue a refund for an item that we do not receive back should it get lost/damaged during transit.
Refunds:
Should an item be returned because it was defective, misrepresented, not as described, etc., Bulletproof Zone will issue a full refund and will reimburse the customer for all shipping expenses associated with the return.
Please allow 5-10 business days from the time the item is received to process a refund. Refunds will only be issued to the original credit card that you use when placing your order.
We stand behind our products 100%!
By purchasing any of our items, the buyer certifies they have read and agree to our shipping, return, and privacy policies.
The Bulletproof Zone Promise
When you buy body armor, you're buying your safety. We don't take that lightly. Here's what every order from Bulletproof Zone includes.
1. Authorized dealer of every brand we carry
Every plate, vest, and carrier we ship comes from the manufacturer directly to our warehouse. We don't sell gray-market product, surplus, or returns. That means factory-fresh stock, the full manufacturer warranty, and real after-sale support — the kind only an authorized dealer can offer.
We maintain authorized-dealer relationships with America's leading body armor brands, including Spartan Armor Systems, AR500 Armor, RMA Defense, Shellback Tactical, Caliber Armor, DFNDR Armor, Protection Group Denmark, BulletSafe, BulletBlocker, and over 40 more.
2. Best price, guaranteed
If you find a lower price at another authorized dealer of the same product within six months of your purchase, we'll refund the difference.
Why the "authorized dealer" requirement? Because gray-market and surplus armor may not be genuine, may have a compromised supply chain, and almost never comes with a manufacturer warranty. We won't price-match against products that may not actually protect you.
3. Free fitment consultation
Body armor only protects you if it fits. Email us a photo and your measurements before you order, and one of our specialists will help you size your carrier and plates correctly — at no charge, no obligation.
4. Trusted by thousands of customers
Bulletproof Zone has been a trusted authorized dealer of America's leading body armor manufacturers for over five years. We have over 4,000 verified Trustpilot reviews from real customers across all 50 states.
Price Match Guarantee — Terms
- You must have purchased the item from our website before requesting the price match.
- Discounted items and "free with purchase" items are not eligible.
- The item must be in stock on the competitor's website at the time of your request.
- The price match is valid for six months from the date of your purchase.
- The competitor must be an authorized dealer of the product. Auction sites (eBay, Overstock), discounters, and gray-market resellers do not qualify.
- The competitor must operate an online store. Brick-and-mortar-only retailers do not qualify.
- Price match applies to the item price plus shipping. Sales tax is excluded.
To request a price match, email us a link to the product on our site and the same product on the competitor's site within six months of purchase. We'll process the refund.
Why Bulletproof Zone?
At Bulletproof Zone, we are passionate about protecting lives. Every piece from our catalog is designed and rigorously tested to provide the highest quality of protection you need from firearms, explosives or even close quarters combat.
We’ve partnered with various manufacturers that operate within the United States under a strict set of guidelines both on a national and corporate level so that when you shop with us, you will be able to select from the highest quality body armor, ballistic plates and tactical gear available on the market.
Whether you are a military service member looking to find your own gear, a professional that operates in the security field, or an avid firearms enthusiast that capitalizes the importance of safety when shooting, our tactical gear will provide you the level of protection you need.
Any questions or concerns? Please call us at (408)-909-4938 or email us at support@bulletproofzone.com and a member of our professional support team will be in touch with you as soon as possible.
