I still have my old Cairns New Yorker I bought in 1979 for about $80; got to use it off and on for 25-years. She's a shelf queen now, since I left the fire service when my health went to hell. "Leather forever!"

I DIDN'T KNOW THERE WAS DIFFERENT STYLES OF FIREFIGHTER HELMETS THIS IS VERY INTERESTING

The 880 is a good helmet. A little lower profile than several other traditional helmets and has that classic Chicago look to it. I know several guys wearing it and they like it.

Thank you. It about God Damn time someone made this video! Leather Forever!

Just saw this video, and the NYer has a faceplate that is Engine 2 and badge number 222 under it. I had a friend in Yonkers Fire Department that had that same shield on his. He is long retired, and E2 was closed and disbanded years ago. I was just thinking of him this week. Wild coincidence and great memory. Thank you.

Good video! FYI Houston fire department also issues MP Ben II and issued the N6A Sam Houston in the 70s & 80s.

Enjoyed the Video ! Ya'll should do a video on HOW to strip and repaint a Leather ! Keep up the Good Work Fellas!

Not sure what all the hate for traditional leather helmets is for. From what i've seen and heard they are just as reliable, durable and safe as any of the newer euro style helmets. No need to change something that still works flawlessly.

Great video brother. I enjoyed it very much. Like rfhall58 said, Would be great if you would do a vid on stripping and repainting on the leathers.

@CRW91383 Thanks, glad you enjoyed it.

We did not personally try all of the adjustments but in general the helmet fits a little higher than the others. You can always adjust a helmet to fit more properly for any brand. Basically, Paul Conway made a lower profile helmet which in turn makes it harder to sit low on your head... Kind of a double edge sword of Helmet Manufacturing.

@NFDFirefighter1 Sure, thanks for the compliment

Once again you might want to check. The Cairns 1010 helmet with Bourke Flip down eye protection and Defender Visor is compliant to NFPA 1971 2007 standard. But the helmet is not compliant to NFPA 1971 2013 standard. Even on Carnes is website they state that the helmet is not compliant to the 2013 standard of NFPA 1971. This is why our department has not purchased them. I even tried to contact Cairns to ask them if they would be making a Defender helmet with Bourke Shields that would be NFPA 1971 2013 standard compliant, never heard back from them. The only helmet I could find on the market that met the 2013 standard for NFPA 1971 was the Ben 2 made by Morning Pride and it has flip down eye protection.

Good video and good descriptions on each. I've worn the Cairns 880, 1010, 1044, and N6A. Of course my favorite is the N6A and people can act as tough as they want and say it doesn't matter but I'll admit one of the main reasons I like it is it LOOKS BAD ASS lol. I love leather because they last a long time if you take care of them and when refurbished can look brand new and of course easy to change colors if your department changes colors by rank. All of the cairns composites to me seem to be about the same. I do like the flip down shield because it's way better than having a bulky visor shield the size of a windshield and it's easier than having to carry goggles or safety glasses. With my leather I always carry safety glasses in coat I find easier and more comfortable especially for extensive extrications. And on a final note of this essay lol I would urge people to not overlook the cairns 880 if they are in the market for a composite (of course leather is always better). The 880 was my first helmet I bought out of pocket as an explorer (jr fireman) when I was only 14. I wanted the 1010 but getting your hands on $250 at 14 when you're not spoiled can be tough. So after mowing a lot of yards and saving birthday cash I had enough for the 880 and couldn't wait any longer so I bought the 880. To me they look a lot alike and the 880 is a little lighter and not quite as big, so if you are in the market for a composite helmet or a helmet just for live burns and training to not put the leather through any unnecessary fire, which I highly recommend. If you have the money to buy a leather out of pocket spend a little more if your department doesn't give you a composite helmet then spend the money and buy a "training helmet", you can find used ones online or by word of mouth in your area and if a 880 is a option check it out I love mine and having a training helmet will get more life from your leather. Although they are great helmets and can easily be refurbished like new but fire especially training fire isn't good for any material especially gear. I loved having a full extra set of training gear, it may not have fit as well or been as good as the gear I have in service at the firehouse but definitely saves my gear especially my helmet I paid out of pocket for

I just upgraded to the N5A I origjnally had a 1044 which was departments standard issue totally worth it but I thing the N5A is far more comfortable and just looks way better while also being very durable and safe

Very informative video. I have personally used the Paul Conway composite and leather and I currently use the Phenix TL2. Of course my favorite is the TL2! I've had it for probably 3 years now and it's holding up great. I had the same issue with the earlaps though! I hated the detachable one and finally mustered up the money to get the leather upgrades and the sewn in earlaps. I think you guys were being generous with the Conways though. My department issues these and honestly I hate them. They seem so heavy especially after hours on a fire scene and the "leather" one was even worse! I had mine for about 4 months before I sold it for my Phenix.

Have to agree with Juan C I prefer the Drager or Gallet. The rear of the American style tend to bump into stuff when your in close quarters.

what about the Chicago 880? I hear good things from it!

@crashdown903p Thanks, That shield came from Captain Steve's Sheilds. He is a captain in California near San Fransisco I believe. He hand tools and paints the shields. Takes a long time to get one but I think they are really nice.

can moderns have department shields

Deciding between the Cairns 1044 and the Bullard UST Traditional.. How do they fit and does one of them accommodate a larger head size than the other? Any input is welcome!

For NFPA compliant leather, Phenix or Cairns?

Nice ! As Dutch-man i seek a traditional american helmet. It would be nice as you can make a video about the europeans as the MSA Gallet.

Like the reviews. But please update. Effective 8/30/2013 Cairns/MSA helmets manufactured with Defender & Bourke combinations do not meet the 2013 NFPA standard.

Bullard USTs are garbage. I ordered one and within a year the inner impact cap started moving around in the shell. Contacted bullard about it and their only solution was to take velcro strips and put them between the impact cap and the shell. I said screw that and bought a Cairns 1044 and couldn't be happier

Which bend is that on the TL2? Thinking about ordering one but can't decide which bend to go with.

leather neck leather head for ever eg601

แจ่มคับ

Pacific

I have the bullard ust and the morningpride ben 2 plus an honestly the ben is really a much nicer helmet

i think that europens helmet like the Gallet are waay much better.

My favorites are the rosenbauers and draguer, eurpoeans are much better,

------NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNO..LES ENETNDÍ..NI MMMMMM..... NADA--- JEJEJEJEJE ESTÁN HERMOSOS LOS CASCOS PERO NO ENTENDÍ NADA---JEJEJE