Belegarth

I still haven't made one for myself, but I'm wondering of those who have what their thoughts are on the tradeoff between protection from arrows versus potentially limited visibility and hearing (and increased heat).

I'm particularly curious how any Uruk-Hai feel, since it seems like they could be more useful when used by a large group together, since the whole band would be less attractive archery targets and might thus draw a disproportionately smaller amount of fire.

I havent used my shiney new helmet at an event yet, let alone fought archers with it. I can say it makes archers shoot at you less if you have a shield, and if it's properly strapped onto your head the vision isnt that bad. Heat is as issue sometimes, but drinking TONS of water and taking breaks helps. Sound isnt really hampered for me, but other designs might be.

Open faced helms still invite the archers to target your head. Remeber the armour is only as good as the area it covers. So open faced helms means archers will still target your face.

Still, it gives you a better chance than going without; at least, if they have to shoot your face, you have a chance to see it coming and duck. No helm/coif/etc., and they can shoot you in the side or back of the head, and then you're out.

Better a small chance than none.

I know that I look for targets with out helments. I try to take out the pole arms first.

hell dopp will shoot you in the head woth a helm! cuase when he hits you, you look at him and his team has a opening to kill you.

I dont know why this is but I notice that I take a lot less head shots when I have my helm on.

i've always thought helms were dope... its just finding the one that works for you and then makeing or buying it... i like to make all my own armor and a helm is no diff, i just gotta finish a face mask and its all good.
two thumbs up for a full helm, shutting archers down shutting em down

See my helm in the pic on the left - 100% visibility, 100% hearing.

There's no tradeoff - and although the face is open, you keep your head down, and with a small brim, the face as a target becomes negligible. I've been wearing it for about 10 years now, and have only been shot in the face twice. Once by Granifar, and once by Kegg.

I have a buttload of helms. I was buying them befor I ever herd of belegarth. Which means most of them look cool but you cant fight in em. The LotR Elven helm for example. I have a bunch that are metal.Heavy and hard to secure and they tend to wobble block vision and heat up real quick except my corinthein helm this has heavy foam inside that holds it in place its also lighter becarse it was never made for SCA.They are about 29.00 to 39.00 on ebay . however for my $$ I prefer leather. Lighter and will mold slighty to your head so it is'nt tipping all the time Since vision is of major concern I sugest an open face. I like a nasil or occular guard they may still call a face shot but you wont feel it. My sons bothe have leather helms sometimes they will wear them mostly not Ian wears a leather version of the Roman Infantry helm ***** and sean has a Viking helm with occulars and neck covering.
I recently had a helm made for me by hunter craft Check buy sell trade I thought iwould be a little gheavy and prehaps tippy when worn. NOT SO it was like I had no helm on at all Save for the horse tail and then only when I triped over the dead and dieing and tried to roll straight back it cought momentarly behind me It also took a few javlin hits I hardly felt em .Thanx alot Aphex. I cant say enough good about the helm its got some kinda of sealer on the inside so it wont warp or soak up water, sweat, urin ect. well thats my views and my lunch hr gotta go!