Abstract: A rear support of a helmet closure system includes a frame and a pair of arms. The frame has an upper end and a lower end with the lower end including a base member of a reel based closure device. The pair of arms are attached to the upper end of the frame and each arm of the pair of arms includes one or more guides that are configured to direct or route a tension member along a path. A lower end of each arm is typically separated from the lower end of the frame. The rear support also includes attachment means, such as longitudinally aligned grooves or recesses, that are positioned at the upper end of the frame. The attachment means enable the rear support to be coupled with a helmet.