Any tips on whether to choose pads or suspension, and someone with helmet experience to help me tie it all together would be HIGHLY appreciated. I would be glad to help out with anything that I can do as well.
Hard hat liner vs foam is a personal preference. There was a poll on the FISD and it was two to one in favor of foam. The hardest parts is taking the time to dial it in so it fits properly.
If you haven't checked the FISD it's www.whitearmor.net. All stormtroopers all the time.
What I use for my Fett buckets as well as the TK one I had, was Baseball helmets. Go to target, buy a 10.00 kids baseball helmet, gut it. Once you take out the main parts, it will pop open big enough for an adult. Get some 2 sided velcro and shove it in place. And ur good to go.
I agree with Terrell. It's all personal preference.
What ever you go with, I suggest you install it with industrial strength sticky back velcro. That way it's re-positionable and you can swap out pads for a liner or vice versa. I know someone who is swapping out their helmet liner for pads right now just to try it out. And since he used the velcro for installation from the get go, it's a quick change. If he doesn't like it. It's a quick change back to the liner.
GLG Commanding Officer - 2012-2018, 2020 GLG Captain of the Guard - 2019 ANH Stormtrooper - F.I.S.D. Expert Infantryman GLB X-Wing Pilot - Shadow 77 Snowtrooper Commander - Thunder Snow Assault Squad R2 Builder
I have a hard-hat liner in my MRCE re-mod helmet. That is a much heavier helmet too, and most of the time the top of the helmet ends up on my head, lol. I currently have the hard-hat liner held in with velcro, but I'm going to take the time to make a permanent placement for the clips (hopefully something that can be removed).
I actually bought the same knee-pads for helmet-pads you show in your first picture (shown inside an MRCE helmet), but I haven't decided if I want to try to switch to that. I think the foam pads may work nice, but would possibly just create more heat in the helmet.
I've modified the internals of my helmet so that it fits better, so I think I'm all set for now....well, maybe. Still not sure what I want to do. I found a hard hat liner that I will probably install.
I've also looked into MICH helmet pads, normally used in combat helmets. They use a hook and latch velcro system.
They can be picked up on eBay for around $25 shipped including the velcro.
