looking to buy my own helmet/looking for advice

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Permalink Reply by Todd on June 16, 2009 at 10:59am

I use the Cairns 1044 with Defender visor and it's done a decent enough job., although it's not as comfortable as my old Morning Pride Ben II.

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Permalink Reply by Jim on June 16, 2009 at 11:22am

I liked my old 1044, but I had it installed with the Cairns/ESS goggle. I think they offer better protection, and are great for keeping smoke out of your eyes on brush/grass fire calls.

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Permalink Reply by John E.Bosler on June 16, 2009 at 12:41pm

i am running a 1010 with the bourkes and defender, its a good setup. a little heavy when you have had it on for a bit, but you look good doing it. I miss my 660 when it comes to the weight issue. good luck to ya!

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Permalink Reply by John Sees on June 16, 2009 at 1:28pm

I don't wear tubberware, I have been wearing leather for the last 36 years, so the only thing I can say about a Cairns 1044 with Defender visor is that my chief has one and he likes it a lot. No matter what you buy, don't waste money on Bourke eyesheilds they offer little to no protection.

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Permalink Reply by Cody W. Nelson on June 16, 2009 at 11:47pm

I also use a 1044 with the Defender. Awsome hat! My suggestion would be to get this helmet in the deluxe model. The leather interior will prove to be the most comfortable hat you have ever worn.

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Permalink Reply by MItch on June 16, 2009 at 6:54pm

We are issuing these to everyone now without the Bourkes. Love'em. When we switched I used the "its cheaper in the long run" statement with our board. Instead of switching helmet colors like we used to, now we just change the shield and reflector colors upon promotion. That, and the defender provides better protection than the visors we were using which helped the argument too. Try a plan that involves switching over a few years (depending on how many members you have). Either way you go, the 1044 is a good choice IMO.

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Permalink Reply by Randy Bawks on June 16, 2009 at 10:39pm

Well I want the Bourkes is for the look,and I wanted the tinted for use outside. Thanks for the advice.

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Permalink Reply by The Irons on June 16, 2009 at 10:49pm

After losing my old 1010 during a training burn then the next day ordering another, I wished that I had spent the money and bought a leather new yorker insted after trying a friends on. There is nothing like a leather helmet! I would highly recomend the 1010 insted of the 1044 just because I find that the 44 looks kind of small.

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Permalink Reply by John Sees on June 17, 2009 at 12:58am

Save your pennies till you can buy a leather. When I first started to run I bought a tubberware and
I really liked it till I dropped it on the sidewalk and put a hole in the side of it. The dealer replaced it, but I bought my first leather at that time and have been using leather ever since.

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Permalink Reply by MItch on June 17, 2009 at 3:28pm

IIRC, the 1044 and 1010 are the same size, they just have a different finish ...the 880 is the munchkin helmet.

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Permalink Reply by Marc Quattrocchi on June 17, 2009 at 3:27am

I highly suggest the Cairns 880 chicago its light weight , cheaper and def stands up , ive been in the service for 6 years and thats all I've ever worn, you can pick up the basic helmet with Bourkes around $175.00
this is the same helmet that the Chicago fire department issues

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Permalink Reply by Dustin J. Millis on June 17, 2009 at 4:33am

I've always used a Cairns 1010. It has a nice traditional styling and doesnt lack on comfort or durability. It came with a 4" faceshield but I found that to be awkward and not offer much protection anyway. I replaced it with a set off ESS goggles. Supposedly they are able to stop 22. bullet. IDK if I want to try lol. They are comfortable though, great for MVA's and also keep smoke and dust out of your eyes on larger grass fires

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