History Main / CollapsibleHelmet

* Discussed in ''Fanfic/RocketshipVoyager'', where it's mentioned that [[AwesomeButImpractical practical experience]] has caused the {{space marine}}s to replace their fault-prone collapsible helmet with a sturdy AsteroidMiner helmet made of armorglass and [[TonkaTough boron carbide]].

** ''Film/ZackSnydersJusticeLeague'': Steppenwolf wears a collapsible spiky and silvery armor. He collapses the helmet part as well as the upper part of his torso in sign of respect when communicating with ComicBook/{{Darkseid}} via {{hologram}}.

* Franchise/DCExtendedUniverse:
** ''Film/ManOfSteel'': The helmet part of the Kryptonian armors can collapse or build itself from just a collar, as seen when Lois Lane is given one to allow breathing within the Kryptonian environment of the ship. The helmets seem to be made of form-fitting force-fields that can also turn opaque or transparent as needed.
** ''Film/ZackSnydersJusticeLeague'': Steppenwolf wears a collapsible spiky and silvery armor. He collapses the helmet part as well as the upper part of his torso in sign of respect when communicating with ComicBook/{{Darkseid}} via {{hologram}}.

* The protagonists of ''WesternAnimation/CleopatraInSpace'' all have clear space/crash helmets integrated in their costumes, which collapse by pressing a button in the back.

* ''Film/ManOfSteel'': The helmet part of the Kryptonian armors can collapse or build itself from just a collar, as seen when Lois Lane is given one to allow breathing within the Kryptonian environment of the ship. The helmets seem to be made of form-fitting force-fields that can also turn opaque or transparent as needed.

* The player character of ''VideoGame/{{ECHO}}'' wears a spacesuit which includes a helmet that swiftly vanishes or reappears depending on the atmospheric conditions, without her so much as pressing a button.

* The {{Powered Armor}}s used by the protagonists of ''Webcomic/SchlockMercenary'' have collapsible helmets. Of course the armors themselves look like normal SpaceClothes. Especially good soldiers deploy their helmets instinctually or reflexively at [[https://www.schlockmercenary.com/2012-10-14 the first sign of enemy action]]. Especially good or expensive armor deploys a helmet automatically upon sensing common signifiers of enemy action, but against some kinds of enemy action, that [[https://www.schlockmercenary.com/2012-06-01 might not be fast enough]]…

* The {{Powered Armor}}s used by the protagonists of ''Webcomic/SchlockMercenary'' have collapsible helmets. Of course the armors themselves look like normal SpaceClothes.

* ''Videogame/Prey2017'' gives you one as part of your E.V.A equipment. It also comes in handy if you get locked in a freezer...

* "Videogame/Prey2017" gives you one as part of your E.V.A equipment. It also comes in handy if you get locked in a freezer...

* The page image comes from the ''Film/{{Stargate}}'' movie, where the iconic, intricate Egyptian Mythology-inspired helmet/masks of the alien Horus Guards, [[TheDragon Anubis]], and [[BigBad Ra]] fold into themselves in an impressive display of digital effects.

* Discussed in ''Rocketship Voyager'', where it's mentioned that [[AwesomeButImpractical practical experience]] has caused the {{space marine}}s to replace their fault-prone collapsible helmet with a sturdy AsteroidMiner helmet made of armorglass and [[TonkaTough boron carbide]].

* Averted in ''Rocketship Voyager'', where it's mentioned that [[AwesomeButImpractical practical experience]] has caused the {{space marine}}s to replace their fault-prone collapsible helmet with a sturdy AsteroidMiner helmet made of armorglass and [[TonkaTough boron carbide]].

* Averted in ''Rocketship Voyager'', where it's mentioned that [[AwesomeButImpractical practical experience]] has caused Voyager's {{space marine}}s to replace their fault-prone collapsible helmet with a sturdy AsteroidMiner's helmet made of armorglass and [[TonkaTough boron carbide]].

%% Image selected per Image Pickin' thread: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=1378224871090660100
%% Please do not replace or remove without starting a new thread.

* ''Anime/CasshernSins'': Casshern has a helmet that retracts into his collar when not in use. Although it's a downplayed example, because in the entirety of the show we never actually ''see'' it do this, as he's either wearing it or not wearing it but is never shown donning it on or taking it off. We only know thanks to [[AllThereInTheManual development material]].

%%* ComicBook/{{Spawn}}'s Necroplasm suit includes this.
* ComicBook/{{Nova}} has a collapsible helmet. While it doesn't exactly fold into the armor, the usually hard Nova Corps helmet becomes fabric, for easy storage when removed. With a simple "flik", a Corpsman can turn it back into a hard helmet, which can keep them breathing in space, among other things.
* ComicBook/IronMan's helmet, like the rest of his armor, can be collapsed in different ways. Traditionally, it could be depolarized, becoming like cloth (much like Nova's helmet above) for storage in his briefcase. Since implementing a facemask with his first red-and-gold armor, it can usually be flipped up over his head as well (or, in the case of the Silver Centurion armor, flipped up and ''into'' the helmet). And, of course, more recent developments have allowed the helmet (and the rest of the armor) to collapse into ''himself'' when not in use.

* ComicBook/CarolDanvers has one of these in her Captain Marvel costume as designed by Jamie [=McKelvie=].

* ''Anime/SaintSeiyaLegendOfSanctuary'': Helping HelmetsAreHardlyHeroic, the helmets are retractable, so unlike the anime they can be snapped into and out of place reflexively -- no need for characters to constantly have them punched off or removed. The heroes actually put them on and off at various times.
* ''WesternAnimation/TheLEGOMovie2TheSecondPart'': Rex Dangervest's spacesuit helmet splits in half and folds away when he introduces himself.

* The page image comes from the ''Film/{{Stargate}}'' movie, where the iconic, intricate Egyptian Mythology-inspired helmet/masks of the alien Horus Guards, [[TheDragon Anubis]], and [[BigBad Ra]] fold into themselves in an impressive display of digital effects.
* In ''Film/TronLegacy'', the helmets worn by [[BigBad Clu]] and [[LoveInterest Quorra]] fold back at proper times for a DramaticUnmask. [[TheHero Sam Flynn]]'s costume also automatically generate the appropriate helmet for the Disc Wars or the [[CoolBike Light Cycle]] match. Justified in this case, as this is in cyberspace where you don't have to obey physic laws nor keep track of extraneous objects.

** ''Film/AvengersEndgame'': Beyond the usual suspects (Ant-Man, Iron Man, War Machine, [[spoiler:Black Panther, Spider-Man, Star-Lord, The Wasp, and the unusual ones like Pepper Potts in her "Rescue" armor]]), the quantum suits are made from nano-tech and can fully collapse. The helmet parts are the first to come off after a trip, even if the rest of the suits stays. This allows the protagonists to [[MarqueeAlterEgo show their faces at almost all times]], except when the helmets are absolutely necessary, [[spoiler:i.e. during trips in the Quantum Realm]]. Owing to the difficulty of applying this trope to users with long hair, in the case of Thor once more having long hair [[spoiler:and now a shaggy beard as well]], the movie cheats by only showing him with helmet either already on or off, never forming like the others. Likewise with Rocket, due to being an alien raccoon.
** ''Film/SpiderManFarFromHome'': Mysterio's iconic FishbowlHelmet joins the long list of superhero headgear that disappear into the collar of the costume in a blink of the eye. [[spoiler:Subverted in that, unlike the others, the fishbowl exists solely as part of Mysterio's holographic disguise.]]

%%* ''Film/{{Outlander}}'': Kainen wears one in the opening scene. It never shows up again.
* ''Film/{{Spaceballs}}''. Dark Helmet has a [[Franchise/StarWars Vader]]-esque faceplate that slides up and down (often at the [[FailedAttemptAtDrama worst possible moment]]).
* ''Film/ManOfSteel'': The helmet part of the Kryptonian armors can collapse or build itself from just a collar, as seen when Lois Lane is given one to allow breathing within the Kryptonian environment of the ship. The helmets seem to be made of form-fitting force-fields that can also turn opaque or transparent as needed.

* ''Literature/RieselTalesTwoHunters'': Ramy's helmet is not able to be put on in the conventional sense: it emits from the collar of the suit as a series of ribbons that weave around her head and solidify.

* Commander Kaagh of the Tenth Sontaran Battle Fleet, from ''Series/TheSarahJaneAdventures'' story "The Last Sontaran". Strangely, there don't seem to be any other Sontarans in the Franchise/{{Whoniverse}} who do this.
* ''Series/TheOrville'': Krill soldiers have helmets that retract at the push of a button. It's eventually revealed that they have an extreme sensitivity to light, which is why they need the helmets and why they don't use them during an indoor firefight.
* In the ''Series/{{Arrowverse}}'' crossover ''Series/CrisisOnEarthX'', Dark Arrow, Overgirl and Reverse-Flash's facemasks can dematerialize with the push of a button, as if they were holographic. This come handy for a DramaticUnmask when they reveals their faces to their {{Good Counterpart}}s.
* ''Series/SpaceAboveAndBeyond''. In "Who Monitors the Birds", Hawkes tries DressingAsTheEnemy by putting on the helmet of a Chig soldier, which is a partial version of this trope as gill-like neckpieces deploy and seal shut the helmet the moment he puts it on, forcing Hawkes to wrench it off again before he chokes to death.

* ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsBirthBySleep'': Vanitas' doesn't so much collapse as it does melt away. However, a previous scene shows him putting the helmet on normally.
* While not straight-up helmets, almost all cyborgs in ''VideoGame/MetalGearRisingRevengeance'' have a face plate that snaps on over their eyes and/or mouth, Raiden included, although his can be done manually in VR Mode.
%%* Zero from ''VideoGame/AnarchyReigns'' has one of the flip-up faceplate variety.
* In one of the trailers for ''VideoGame/DarkSector'' that looked [[TrailersAlwaysLie very little like the game]] [[DevelopmentHell that eventually came out]][[labelnote:*]]...but very much like its SpiritualSuccessor ''VideoGame/{{Warframe}}''[[/labelnote]], the PoweredArmor used by Hayden Tenno [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nl8890-C2w&t=5m58s has one.]]
* ''VideoGame/MystIVRevelation'': The spiritual masks that the Protectors wear while "Dreaming". Apparently they also vanish entirely when removed.

* ''VideoGame/MassEffect'' has helmets like this on all armor. Mostly it's noticeable for having it only seal when entering hostile environments while still having a faceplate that stays up, but if you want to more easily see characters' faces you can set it to fully retract during dialog.
* ''VideoGame/Halo4'': The Didact's Helmet takes this a step further by assembling from free floating pieces, along with the rest of his armor.
* The head coverings for the {{Hazmat Suit}}s in ''VideoGame/DeathStranding'' come on and off automatically when needed. This is more plausible than many examples as they're simply thin hoods to protect from ([[WeirdWeather deadly]]) rain, not thick plates to defend against attacks.

%%* The version of [[Comicbook/AntMan Hank Pym]] from ''WesternAnimation/TheAvengersEarthsMightiestHeroes'' has one of these.

* Dark Helmet has one in ''Film/{{Spaceballs}}'', with a [[Franchise/StarWars Vader]]-esque faceplate that slides up and down (often at the worst possible moment).

Even if it could be done in RealLife, this would probably still be a bad idea. The multiple moving parts would certainly weaken the helmet and compromise its protective value in a fight or a crash. Not to mention you wouldn't want to accidentally hit the switch at the wrong time. Or that some stray hair get caught between two pieces. Thus, this trope falls fully under AwesomeButImpractical.

%%* [[spoiler: Ur-Didact]]'s suit in ''VideoGame/Halo4''.

** ''Film/CaptainMarvel2019'': Kree body armor can manifest a helmet at will, allowing the suit to serve as a life-support system underwater or in space. The titular heroine has one of these, just like her design in the comics.

** ''Film/AvengersEndgame'': Beyond the usual suspects (Ant-Man, Iron Man, War Machine, [[spoiler:Black Panther, Spider-Man, Star-Lord, The Wasp, and the unusual ones like Pepper Potts in her "Rescue" armor]]), the quantum suits are made from nano-tech and can fully collapse. The helmet parts are the first to come off after a trip, even if the rest of the suits stays. This allows the protagonists to [[MarqueeAlterEgo show their faces at almost all times]], except when the helmets are absolutely necessary, [[spoiler:i.e. during trips in the Quantum Realm]].
*** Owing to the difficulty of applying this trope to users with long hair, in the case of Thor once more having long hair [[spoiler: and now a shaggy beard as well]], the movie cheats by only showing him with helmet either already on or off, never forming like the others. Likewise with Rocket, due to being an alien raccoon.

*** Owing to the difficulty of applying this trope to users with long hair, in the case of Thor once more having long hair [[spoiler: and now a shaggy beard as well]], the movie cheats by only showing him with helmet either already on or off, never forming like the others.

** ''Film/AvengersEndgame'': Beyond the usual suspects (Ant-Man, Iron Man, War Machine, [[spoiler:Black Panther, Spider-Man, Star-Lord, The Wasp, and the unusual ones like Pepper Potts in her "Rescue" armor]]), the quantum suits are made from nano-tech and can fully collapse. The helmet parts are the first to come off after a trip, even if the rest of the suits stays. This allows the protagonists to show their faces at almost all times, except when the helmets are absolutely necessary, [[spoiler:i.e. during trips in the Quantum Realm]].

** ''Film/AvengersEndgame'': Beyond the usual suspects (Ant-Man, Iron Man, War Machine, [[spoiler:Black Panther, Spider-Man, Star-Lord, The Wasp, and the unusual ones like Pepper Potts in her "Iron Man" armor]]), the quantum suits are made from nano-tech and can fully collapse. The helmet parts are the first to come off after a trip, even if the rest of the suits stays. This allows the protagonists to show their faces at almost all times, except when the helmets are absolutely necessary, [[spoiler:i.e. during trips in the Quantum Realm]].

** ''Film/AvengersEndgame'': Beyond the usual suspects (Ant-Man, Iron Man, War Machine, [[spoiler:Black Panther, Spider-Man, Star-Lord...]]), the quantum suits are made from nano-tech and can fully collapse. The helmet parts are the first to come off after a trip, even if the rest of the suits stays. This allows the protagonists to show their faces at almost all times, except when the helmets are absolutely necessary, [[spoiler:i.e. during trips in the Quantum Realm]].