CLEVELAND – When you’ve rolled out three successful helmets for the military in two years, what’s next? The answer for Team Wendy is to take its popular EXFIL helmet line into a space none of its competitors have gone before.
With more than 15 years of experience developing leading-edge products that protect against serious and potentially life-threatening injuries, the Cleveland-based company is launching two EXFIL models for search and rescue personnel and outdoor adventurers—the EXFIL SAR Tactical and EXFIL SAR Backcountry. The two new models are the first search and rescue helmets built to offer tactical accessory mounting capabilities while providing protection that meets key industrial and mountaineering requirements.
“This helmet represents the first true marriage between tactical and professional search and rescue,” said Team Wendy CEO Jose Rizo Patron. “The innovations we’ve developed to support our soldiers will provide the search and rescue and mountaineering communities with a superior level of protection and performance. The EXFIL SAR helmets will have the look and feel—as well as the safety and quality—that Team Wendy has built its reputation on. These are Team Wendy EXFIL helmets through and through.”
The Tactical model is optimized for use with night vision devices and features a machined aluminum Wilcox NVG shroud insert as well as a four-point adjustable CAM-FIT retention system with full chin cup. For users who do not operate with night vision, the Backcountry sports a glass-reinforced polycarbonate shroud insert for mounting cameras and lights, and an under-the-chin retention strap with magnetic closure. Both models are ideal mounting platforms and are compatible with rail mounted accessories, such as the EXFIL Quick Release Adapter and EXFIL Peltor Quick Release Adapter. Additional accessories will be released later this year.
The protection offered by the EXFIL SAR Tactical and EXFIL SAR Backcountry is highlighted by meeting a wide variety of performance standards, including EN12492 European Standard for Mountaineering Helmets, EN1385 European Standard for Whitewater Helmets, and current Advanced Combat Helmet (ACH) blunt impact requirements. The helmet also provides a high level of off-crown shock absorption not seen in many industrial and climbing helmets, meeting this requirement of EN14052 European Standard for High Performance Industrial Helmets.
Both the EXFIL SAR Tactical and Backcountry models are available in the following standard colors: white, red, black and US Coast Guard orange.
The EXFIL SAR Tactical retails for $304.95, while the EXFIL SAR Backcountry is available for $179.99 (without side rails) or $215.94 (with side rails). EXFIL SAR orders are now being accepted, and Team Wendy will begin shipping helmets in February.
The EXFIL SAR Backcountry features a glass-reinforced polycarbonate shroud for mounting cameras and lights. It also includes a sport-style, under-the-chin retention strap with a Fidloc magnetic buckle and a Boa Closure System to dial in precise fit adjustment while providing a single-handed quick release. The Team Wendy SAR Accessory Rail 2.0 System is optional.
Performance
-Meets the requirements of EN12492:2012 Standard for Mountaineering Helmets
-Meets the requirements of EN1385:2012 Standard for Whitewater Helmets
-Meets Advanced Combat Helmet blunt impact requirements (per AR/PD 10-02 Rev A)
-Meets additional off-crown impact requirements of EN14052 European standard for high performance industrial helmets
Features
-High strength Lexan polycarbonate copolymer shell
-High-cut shell design with clearance for ear protection and communications headsets
-Built-in glass reinforced shroud for mounting head lamps and cameras
-Sport-style retention system with Fidlock magnetic buckle
-Boa Closure System integrated directly into helmet liner for optimized stability and fit
-Zorbium foam comfort liners in two thicknesses with Microban anti-microbial treated wicking fabric
-Optional SAR Accessory Rail 2.0 System that is Magpul MOE compatible and includes a pass-through for securing headlamp or goggle straps
-Two removable vent covers
-Compatible with the EXFIL Quick Release Adapter and the EXFIL Peltor Headset Quick Release Adapter; additional accessory items will be released later in 2015
The EXFIL SAR Tactical is optimized for use with night vision devices and features a machined aluminum Wilcox NVG shroud. The helmet also includes a four-point CAM-FIT retention system with chin cup for optimal stability and a Boa Closure System to dial in precise fit adjustment while providing a single-handed quick release. The Tactical model also includes the SAR Accessory Rail 2.0 System, which allows for custom mounting.
Performance
-Meets the requirements of EN12492:2012 Standard for Mountaineering Helmets
-Meets the requirements of EN1385:2012 Standard for Whitewater Helmets
-Meets Advanced Combat Helmet blunt impact requirements (per AR/PD 10-02 Rev A)
-Meets additional off-crown impact requirements of EN14052:2012 European standard for high performance industrial helmets.
Features
-High-strength Lexan polycarbonate copolymer shell
-High-cut shell design with clearance for ear protection and communications headsets
-Includes integrated Wilcox aluminum shroud conforming to the SOCOM SPEAR Program of Record
-Military-style cam-lock sliders for one-handed adjustment and secure fit Boa Closure System integrated directly into helmet liner for optimized stability and fit
-Zorbium foam comfort liners in two thicknesses with Microban anti-microbial treated wicking fabric
-SAR Accessory Rail 2.0 System
-Magpul MOE compatible
-Pass-through for securing headlamp or goggle straps
-Two removable vent covers
-Compatible with the EXFIL Quick Release Adapter and the EXFIL Peltor -Quick Release Adapter; additional accessory items will be released later in 2015
Tags: Team Wendy
The rails can be added later to the Backcountry, correct?
Yes, rails will be available to purchase separately, and can be installed by the end-user.
Thanks.
Fantastic ! Are any other safety ratings pending ? ANSI ?
I wished-guessed $115 for the rail-less Backcountry, $150 for the railed one. Hadn’t thought about the aluminium insert, but it’s a good idea worth more to those that need it.
Its added functionality/modularity certainly warrants a premium over popular helmets like Petzl’s Elios, but it fails to undercut the Ops-Core Basejump Sport – its closest challenger.
With that said, I know how Eric is tired of people whining about the price of things. I don’t want to shoot down the product, if anything I’m glad to see other people taking on the market. Just wish it was at a price point that could be justified to replace the team’s old helmets… but unfortunately it’s not.
With that said I do have to say I’m super impressed by the timeline between the first sneak peak and the release to market. Props!
However is the Ops-Core certified to the same mountaineering standards?
Good question – I actually don’t know. I shall find the answer.
It appears that the Basejump meets military specs CO/PD-05-04:2007, rather that civilian specs. Or at least that’s what understand from the catalog. I sent them an email for detailed info.
The Ops-Core Base Jump has nowhere near the crown stand-off to meet mountaineering or industrial – required standards in most professional SAR communities. If it met those standards, they would be claiming them.
The Ops-Core Base Jump meets no impact standards (at least according to their own website) and uses an in-molded shroud. Apples to Oranges comparison here. As more helmets like these come online, it becomes clear that the Ops-Core helmets benefitted from being first to market not anything particularly special about their helmets. At least their non-ballistic helmets.
Stoked to see red as an option.