Built for the Fireground
When lives are on the line, your gear can’t be an afterthought. Cairns helmets are engineered for the chaos of real fireground operations—where heat, impact, and split-second decisions define every call. This isn’t equipment designed in a boardroom. It’s protection built from decades of feedback from the men and women who actually wear it into burning buildings.
Proven in Real Conditions
Every Cairns helmet is tested where it matters most—on actual fire scenes. Generations of firefighters have trusted these helmets in the situations that count, from basement fires to vehicle extrications.
Designed by People Who Know
Our helmets are engineered with input from active firefighters, not just lab technicians. That means better balance, smarter ventilation placement, and features that work when you’re wearing gloves in zero visibility.
Durability That Outlasts Your Career
A Cairns helmet isn’t disposable gear. The materials and construction are built to take years of heat, impact, and hard use—which is why you’ll see 20-year-old Cairns helmets still in service across firehouses nationwide.
Built for the Hardest Days
When lives are on the line, your gear can’t let you down. Cairns helmets are engineered for firefighters who face the heat, the chaos, and the unknown—shift after shift, year after year.
N6A Houston Leather Front Shell in White
TFS New Yorker Traditional Shell in Black Medium
N5A New Yorker Composite Shell in Classic White
TFS Houston Shell with NFPA Bourkes in Black Large
N6A Houston Leather Front Shell in Vibrant Red
880 Chicago Shell with NFPA Bourkes in Deluxe Yellow
N6A Houston Leather Front Shell in Matte Black
1010FDB Traditional Shell with 4″ Tuffshield and Deluxe Leather in Black
Got Questions?
This section covers common inquiries about features, care, and choosing the right fit.
A proper fit should feel snug but not tight, with even pressure distributed around the head. The suspension system can be adjusted to accommodate different head sizes and shapes. Most users find that after a brief break-in period, comfort improves significantly during long shifts.
The outer shell can be cleaned with mild soap and warm water using a soft cloth. Harsh chemicals, abrasive cleaners, and petroleum-based products should be avoided as they may compromise the material integrity. The suspension and liner components can typically be removed for separate cleaning according to manufacturer guidelines.
A thorough inspection should be conducted monthly, with quick visual checks before each use. Key areas to examine include the shell for cracks or deformation, the suspension for fraying or loss of elasticity, and all attachment points for secure function. Any signs of impact damage warrant immediate replacement.
Compatibility varies significantly between models and manufacturers. While some universal mounting systems exist, mixing components not specifically designed to work together may compromise safety standards. Checking compatibility specifications before purchasing add-ons is strongly recommended.
Service life depends on frequency of use and exposure conditions, but most manufacturers recommend replacement after 10 years from the date of manufacture, regardless of appearance. Units exposed to extreme heat, chemicals, or impact should be retired sooner. Keeping detailed service records helps track when replacement becomes necessary.
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Gear Built for the Fire Ground
When seconds matter and conditions are unforgiving, your helmet is the one piece of gear that never comes off. We build helmets that firefighters trust when everything else goes wrong—proven on firegrounds across the country, shift after shift, call after call.
Built for the Work That Matters
Cairns has been protecting firefighters since 1836. We started in New York City making leather fire helmets by hand, and nearly two centuries later, we’re still doing what we do best—designing head protection that performs when it counts. Every helmet we make carries forward that same commitment: keep firefighters safe so they can do their job and go home.
We’re not chasing trends or trying to reinvent the fundamentals. Firefighting is hard enough without worrying about your gear. Our helmets are built to take heat, impact, and whatever else the job throws at them, shift after shift. We work directly with fire departments and first responders to understand what’s needed on the ground, then engineer it into products that last. It’s a straightforward approach, but it’s one that’s kept firefighters covered for generations.
The fire service runs on trust, and that’s not something you earn with marketing. It comes from showing up, doing the work right, and standing behind what you build. Cairns helmets have been there for some of the toughest moments in firefighting history—not because we talk about it, but because they work. That legacy drives us, and it’s why we’ll keep making helmets the right way, no shortcuts, for as long as firefighters need them.
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Complete Your Setup
The right accessories and replacement parts keep crews ready and helmets performing at their best. From custom shields to essential components, everything needed to maintain peak protection is here.
660C Metro Standard Shell with NFPA Defender Visor in Black
TFS New Yorker Shell with Bourkes Visor in Red Medium
N5A New Yorker Composite Shell in Bright Yellow
1044 Structural Response Shell in Clean White Finish
Real Firefighters. Real Stories.
When lives are on the line, firefighters trust gear that performs without question. Here’s what crews across the country say about the helmets that protect them every day.
After 12 years wearing the same style, I switched to the Metro 1010 last year. The weight distribution is noticeably better during long calls, and the improved sight lines have genuinely made a difference when I’m working in tight spaces. Worth every penny.
Maria Rodriguez
Our department runs lean, so gear has to last. We’ve been running these for three seasons now through brush fires, structure calls, everything. Still holding up like day one. The suspension system keeps crews comfortable even in our summer heat.
James K.
The goggle integration isn’t just convenient—it’s actually usable in the moment, which most aren’t. I’ve had rookies and 20-year veterans both comment on the balance. It just feels right when you’re moving fast.