A protective helmet is provided having an upper section and a lower section, each having an inside and an outside surface. A gap is formed between the upper section and the lower section. Resilient members in the form of a plurality of spaced apart compression struts are provided for connecting the upper section to the lower section. The upper section is movable with respect to the lower section whereby a portion of the force of an impact to the upper section will be absorbed and will not be transmitted to the lower section. A suspension harness is attached to the inside surface of the lower section. The suspension harness is adapted to receive a portion of the helmet user's head and to keep the helmet user's head from contacting the inside surface of the upper section.