Ops-Core FAST SF Gen II vs PGD ARCH GEN3: Which High Cut Helmet to Buy

We carry two high cut ballistic helmets: the Ops-Core FAST SF Gen II and the PGD ARCH GEN3. Both are rated NIJ Level IIIA, both have a front NVG shroud and side rails, and both take the same kind of accessories. The real differences are weight, the accessory system around the shell and price. This guide puts them side by side so you can pick the right one for how you will use it.

The Short Answer

Pick the FAST SF Gen II if weight comes first: long nights under night vision, a full NVG and battery setup or a helmet you will wear for hours at a time. It is the lighter system and the current version of the original FAST. Pick the PGD ARCH GEN3 if you want the same IIIA rating and a rail and shroud setup for about a third of the price, or if you want the liner and shroud upgrades built into the helmet you order.

Side by Side

Weight: Where the FAST SF Gen II Wins

Weight on your head turns into neck strain over a long night, and it gets worse once you hang NVGs, a battery pack and a counterweight off the shell. Gentex took 10 to 15 percent off the system weight of the first FAST SF with the Gen II, depending on size, and kept the same ballistic protection. A complete size Large system is 2.09 lbs. The ARCH GEN3 is listed at 2.98 lbs.

If you mostly wear the helmet for a few hours on a range or in a vehicle, that gap matters less. If you run night vision on long nights, it is the reason to spend more.

Fit and Retention

The FAST SF Gen II comes in four sizes, so it is easier to get a close fit if you are between sizes. Its LockDown Liner uses pads you place where your head needs them, and the conformable nape pad with the cable Occ-Dial grabs a larger area at the back of your head, so the helmet stays planted under a full NVG setup instead of rocking forward. The Head-Loc Flex chinstrap has a convertible chin cup you can wear under the chin or over it.

The ARCH GEN3 comes in two sizes, Medium/Large and X-Large. You choose the liner when you order: the standard PGD 10-Pad liner or the D3O Halo liner for better impact protection. Some buyers find the ARCH shell shape fits their head better than American shells. For retention, the Helmet Dial Retention System is the upgrade we recommend most often.

Night Vision and Accessories

Both helmets take a front NVG mount and side rail accessories. On the FAST SF Gen II, the PowerPath ARC rails carry Ops-Core headborne accessories and add a channel behind the rail to route NVG cables out of the way. The Modular Bungee Shroud cuts down on snag points, and its carabiner clips hold your NVGs steadier. Balance the front load with the Ops-Core Helmet Counterweight, which is built for FAST helmets and carries five removable 70 g weights.

On the ARCH GEN3, you can order the Unity SUMMIT Shroud in place of the stock PGD shroud for tighter NVG retention. For a rear counterweight on helmets other than the FAST, our ArmorSource Counterweight gives you the rear-balance pouch. Either helmet works with the Wilcox G24 Night Vision Mount.

For covers, the Ops-Core FAST Helmet Cover is cut for FAST shells and our Helmet Cover With Retention System is our universal cover. We make the FAST cover in Knoxville.

Protection

Both helmets are rated NIJ Level IIIA, which covers common handgun threats. PGD states the ARCH GEN3 is lab tested to stop .44 Magnum and .357 SIG. Neither helmet is rated for rifle threats. If you need rifle protection on your head, reach out and we will talk through special order options.

Price

The FAST SF Gen II is $1,800 in Black, Ranger Green and Tan 499 in sizes Medium to X-Large. MultiCam and 2X-Large cost a little more. The ARCH GEN3 starts at $599 in Black, Coyote and OD Green, and MultiCam and the D3O Halo and Unity SUMMIT upgrades cost more. A fully upgraded ARCH is still well under half the price of the FAST SF Gen II.

Which One Should You Buy

• Long nights under night vision, or the lightest system you can get: Ops-Core FAST SF Gen II with the Ops-Core Helmet Counterweight.
• Your first ballistic helmet, or IIIA protection on a budget: PGD ARCH GEN3.
• Department or team purchase: either works. Call us for quantity and government pricing.