My old Kirby Morgan hat from the 90s still fits better than anything new

I pulled out my old KM-37 the other day and realized how much lighter it felt compared to the newer composite shells I've been using on jobs in the Gulf. Seems like over the last 25 years, the push for cheaper materials made a lot of these helmets bulkier and less balanced on your shoulders. Has anyone else gone back to an older model and noticed the difference in comfort on a long dive?

2 comments

2 Comments

ninah108d ago

Maybe it's just me but I pulled my old KM-16 out of storage a few years back after using a new composite hat for a season. The difference in neck fatigue after a six hour shift was night and day honestly. I think the older shells were just built with a different center of gravity that sits better on your shoulders. I ended up swapping back to the old hat for my regular deep water work and never looked back. There's something to be said for the classic design that just works.

terry_walker9d ago

Yeah, I gotta admit I used to think newer was better but you're making me reconsider.