sooo, I figured that I'd do a review on this product to offset the fumes the incident that gave me this opportunity generated. And honestly folks how many of us get to test a helmet to it's limit???

weighing in at 12.7oz this thing is light! features include a one hand adjustment and a one size fits all system that covers a large range (lest you be a pinhead or grommet). It also has these groovy little recessed headlamp strap retainers for the slacker or speluenker on your Christmastime holiday list. Also, The padding is super-comfy and after about 2 minutes you forget it's even there, not to mention if it gets nasty and stank it's velcroed in and can easily be replaced. Did I mention that the colors are so hot that Lindsay and Paris would sooo let you be in their entourage?

Ummmm, kinda at a loss for words other than it saved my life and did a damn good job of it. I think the pics kinda say it all...



The rock that did this was about the size of a toaster oven. Notice that it never penetrated the outer shell.


It's hard to really be able to tell how the foam was affected via images (BTW liner is removed here to better showcase the foam), but it is fractured in two spots and no longer firm from th impact. You can basically squish it like a pair of Reef flip flops.

I have this helmet, glad to hear it held up well and that yer o.k! Thanks for posting. I have to ask though, did the impact ring your bell (so to speak) pretty badly? What I mean is, how loud was it? Must've sounded like a gunshot!

Thanks for posting up.

It amazes me that people don't wear helmets more... I've gone through several.

Glad you're ok, Daniel.

I have this helmet and it is comfortable. I always climbed without a helmet until recently. I still will do some ascents helmetless(why?).

Climbing without a helmet is just stupid, period. We all do stuid things of course. But once educated, there is no excuse. I don't mean to insult anyone who climbs without a helmet(I am one of you, only rarely now). It is really just like anything else: unsafe sex, sparse protection, free soloing, no seatbelt, ignoring injuries, not doing homework, eating poorly, not drinking enough water, drinking effluent, etc etc...

Let the ego go and just protect yourself! A few extra ounces and millimeters on the head is worth the trouble!

It is all about reducing risk, never 100% safe, but huge reduction of risk!!!!!!

Congradulations on your correct choice! It saved your life probably, or at least many extra years of climbing!

ps. I almost feel that it is more important for the belayer to wear a helmet though...

Just to add to the review a bit:

I bought this helmet about a year ago. I have invested $$ in my education and felt it was probably a good idea to protect my investment a bit, even though I prefer to climb without a helmet.

But I digress. I have a largish head, and this was by far the most comfortable of the 6 or so helmets I tried. on. It is lighter than some of the older heavy duty petzls. It is a little heavier than some of the really light mostly styrofoam ones, but I felt something like that would get trashed pretty fast getting stuffed in my pack.

It is very easy to adjust, set the straps up one time, and you can dial the headband size with a wheel in back very quickly. Feels pretty light, does not obstruct vision, and rides lower on my head than my old piece of crap helmet so I bump my head much less.

I had this helmet for a few years and it was light and easy to adjust. However, the velcro closure on the headband in the back on my model frequently came loose and the helmet would then shift to the back of my head or all the way off, especially when ice climbing for some reason. I actually broke a good chunk out of the side of it when I sat on my pack during a winter approach. It was inside and I guess the cold made it brittle. I don't think that means anything negative about the safety of the product though, although it does speak to durability. I have a Petzel Erin Roc helmet now. It's heavier, but probably offers better protection, but is just as easy, if not easier to adjust with the little wheels on the side. It's also one of the dorkier looking helmets you can wear, but eh, whaddya gonna do?

I have this helmet and love it. It has saved my noggin a few times from rock fall and just running into things :)

You want to watch sitting on your pack with this helmet inside. They crack. Other than that, nice bucket.

I'm in the market for a new helmet as mine are all ancient. It looks like it might be hot wearing this helmet because of the lack of ventilation holes? Is this the case?