Best Climbing Helmet
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I am in the process of looking for a new brain bucket and just wondering what others feel is the best on the market. I know differences exist for type of climbing preferred, but for a general all-around helmet, what is the best? Thanks. |
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I've the Grivel Saly. I like it, though it may serve better as an alpine & ice noggin coffin; trad'n is dang hot. |
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The best helmet is the one you'll actually wear. (I read that somewhere, and it rings true in my case.) I have hated helmets all my life, starting with the original Joe Brown helmet that was probably strong enough to break a windshield, but too heavy to wear. |
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I'm partial to the Petzl Ecrin Roc helmet. Though I think it's way overpriced, it's very comfortable, light and easily adjustable. |
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I wouldn't consider the Ecrin to be light (it's one of the heaviest helmets on the market at 17ozs) but they are pretty bomber and easy to adjust. Saxfiend had a buddy break a rivet on an Elios. I broke a rivet on my Ecrin. YMMV. It was easy to repair and the helmet is still in service after about 8 years of wear and tear. |
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Jed Pointer wrote:I'm ready to just start wearing my bike helmet.IMO a bike helmet is not well suited to climbing. The main reason for wearing a helmet when you climb is to keep falling rocks from killing you. Bike helmets are not designed for top impact. Bike helmets have large ventilation holes on the top that could allow rocks to go through and hit your brain. Please, wear a helmet that is designed for climbing (aka top impacts, etc...) If you go to your local gear shop they will have plenty of experienced people that should allow you to try on as many helmets as you want. I like the Ecrin Roc for a good all around harness. I've had mine for 8+ years, and my brain is still rock free. |
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I just have the standard BD Halfdome and it works (a little heavy) - however my advice is to not buy anything colored - stick with WHITE!! My helmet is blue and it bakes my brain in the sun............ My fiance has the new Petzl bike-type helmet dealy with the airvents - it looks completely dorky, hahaha, but it is really light (it's also white) and it seems to stay on straight as compared to the Halfdome which is always falling to the side when I wear it.... Maybe I have a misshapen head, who knows.... |
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I agree w/ James that if you're into anything ice or alpine, stick w/ a hardshell helmet like the Ecrin Roc. The foam lined helmets (elios, half dome, etc) aren't designed to accept multiple impacts. I own both the BD Half Dome and the Ecrin Roc. Yes they are both a bit on the heavy side but both offer good ventilation and are pretty comfortable. When you pick out a new lid I think you should wear it around the shop for a bit to see what it's like after 5 to 10 minutes. You may feel a bit awkward doing that but I've found that some helmets really start to dig in after having it on for a bit after feeling comfortable at first. Or, if you don't want to do that, just buy the helmet at REI and if you don't like it, return it! Ha! |
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James Beissel wrote:I wouldn't consider the Ecrin to be light (it's one of the heaviest helmets on the market at 17ozs)You're right, I should have stated that differently. It's not the lightest by far, but it's light enough to where the weight doesn't really bother me. JL |
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Joe Brown. |
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Mike: Helmet choice is obviously much like rock shoe choice, ie a "hot" shoe isn't for you if it fits poorly (btw I agree bike helmets generally have a superior fit...). I've owned many climbing helmets over the years, old Joe Browns, Petzls, etc. The latest which I really like is the BD Tracer. It has a reasonably hard shell with a foam backing so it fits closer to the head than the pure hard shell with a webbing suspension. I like it, others of course may not. It also comes in sizes vs. some which are a one-size-fits-all shell, and it's also adjustable within a size. One thing I noticed between the Tracer and the new Petzl Meteor (which I tried, also a fine helmet) is that the Tracer seemed to be shaped for a more oval head, while the Petzl is sized for a rounder head. It just fit me better. Good luck. |
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Hi I am Matthew Montes. I really love climbing and I know the importance of having a good head protector. That is why I just wrote an article about the best climbing helmets. You may read this if you are looking for a helmet that suits for you. |
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I've been using the singing rock penta for 2 years now multiple times a week 52 weeks a year for ice, rock, alpine and it's held up amazingly well. It's starting to get some small dents from the ice battering and general wear and tear but I would say it's got another year in it. http://www.weighmyrack.com/Helmet/Singing-Rock-Penta I tried my buddies beal alantais and it was pretty sweet it's another one of the new generation of lightweight foam helmet with a thin plastic shell for puncture protection. Get a light weight helmet that you wear all day every day. Whether you are climbing or belaying; sport, trad, or ice. It does no good if you're not wearing it. |
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Matthew Montes wrote: you resurrected a 10yr old thread for this.......nice! |