Crash Helmet/ Climbing Helmet

My ugly mug needs a new helmet

Which manufactures produce a climbing specific 'crash' helmet?

I've been using this bell skateboard helmet for years since it's what I had. Over the years I glued tabs to it to make it more conducive to use with a headlamp, but they've since broken off and haven't been a good solution. (Also have since adjusted fit on my head since above photo)

I very much appreciate that the helmet I'm using is a 'crash' helmet, and I would like to buy something similar. I am just looking for something slightly more ergonomic, (smaller/ fit inside some of my tighter hoods) and I need it to work really well with a headlamp. After having my light pop-off mid crux yesterday, and then opting to not where the helmet for my last climb (so I could use my light), I'm in search of a better solution.

If you're going to respond, "You don't need a crash helmet, climbing blah blah". My stance here is if I can buy one that protects from falling objects, and is suited for a 'crash'/ myself falling scenario; than I don't know why I wouldn't get one like such. Call it peace of mind, or being extra cautious, if it exists, I'd like to get one.

Does anyone know of one of these? I've been trying to shop online, but I guess I need to go to one of these big stores and see products in person. My previous thought was like the Grivel Salamander, or Air Tech, but looking at the inside, they have significantly less coverage than what I am using. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance

I sometimes use a Sweet helmet for ice, but it dosent have headlamp tabs, love the helmet for ice because of the long beak to protect from falling ice. look at my profile pic .

sweetprotection.com/whitewa…

Look at the Camp Speed. It's got more coverage than your average helmet and is also rated as a ski helmet. I've even used it on my bike, although it's a bit warm for that.
You're helmet appears ill fitting in that picture..

My wife has a BD Tracer helmet. The box said the helmet could be used for climbing and bike riding. I don't think they make it any longer though.

Speed helmet looks like a good option other than being ugly and I noticed that while it's described as a ski helmet its not certified as such, CE (EN 1077).

I guess that gives me a jumping off point of what to be looking for. I'd love to check that Camp Speed in person.

Anyway BUMP

karstsports.com/kosmos-helm…

Ultra light weight helmet designed for multi-sport use. CE certified for Climbing(EN12492), Skiing(EN1077), Skate and Cycling(EN1078). Perfect for anyone looking for a helmet with a high standard of protection that will cross over into a number of pursuits. Inner cap/liner and ear protection for additional warmth available. Not included with helmet.

Why not look at something climbing specific that will protect you if you hit your head.

Grivel and Petzl both make helmets that have foam like a bike helmet and go a little lower over the temples and back of the head. You might not wear it skiing but it'll be vastly superior climbing.

Sometimes multi-use just means mediocre at everything.

I don't understand if by asking for a "crash" helmet you are looking for something different than your standard climbing helmet?

Check out outdoorgearlab.com for detailed reviews.

My $0.02:
-make sure it fits well for all your intended uses (i.e. no hat, hat, etc)
-good protection for your uses or at least you recognize the caveat emptor of helmet certifications, etc.

I like foam helmets i.e. Petzl Meteor because they are light and offer good occiput protection (in theory) during an upsidedown fall. They are less durable than plastic shell helmets. For ice, multipitch and alpine I now always wear a Meteor III (or foam helmet of your choice) because of the comfort, fit, and protection. Unless I'm cragging, I often put my Meteor III helmet on at the car and leave it on all day. I use it skiing as well on trips where I don't want to pack a separate ski helmet. It's also euro approved for kayaking and water sports. The light weight really makes a difference when craning your neck back all day. I also have an Elios (plastic shell style helmet) that I use sport cragging, trad cragging, or when I don't want to beat up on my more fragile expensive Meteor (although lately I've been using the Meteor for these uses more and more).

Bryan thanks so much for the great suggestion. That thing looks like it has what I am looking for. The only pic I found of the inside was a little blurry, but it seems like it has full coverage. My last concern would be that the front headlamps clips look prone to fail, but I might end up with this one.

Petzl doesn't have what I am looking for
Grivel Salamander doesn't have full coverage
Grivel Air Tech looks right, but I'm not sure I understand the headlamp attachment and they received poor reviews.

So I guess that gives me a few options
Camp Speed
Kong Kosmos
Grivel Air Tech

I'll keep my search going and maybe stumble across some more...

I would like that Orange Petzl helmet, the Sicorro I think it's called. I read the Polyurethane can take multiple hits. The big minus is you could buy a bike helmet and a Elios and have enough leftover for Flatbread and Frontside Grind..

How about a Joe Brown helmet. That is about as "crash helmet"(y) as it gets!

The Petzl Meteor III+ is rated as a bike helmet as well as a climbing helmet IIRC.

evo.com/helmets/sweet-prote…

Tom Sherman wrote:(Also have since adjusted fit on my head since above photo)

Good, 'cause in that photo the helmet isn't doing much, if anything, for you at all.

I have/had a BD vapor that has the thin shell (with fancy kevlar thingies in it) and a foam liner. Took a fall (stupid) in the alpine that dropped me from vertical terrain to a slab (protect early and often, durp). Landed on my feet, flipped backwards and smacked my head really good in the fall. The shell deflected and did it's job, no concussion. I'd probably be dead without a helmet, concussion for sure with one of the old plastic rock deflectors.

It's actually comfortable enough that you truly do forget that you are wearing a helmet, that's a nice change.

I put thought to the Vapor & Meteor, but they both look so open (venting) I got turned off.

I'm really leaning towards that Kong Kosmos if I don't get any other options on here in another day or so.

My thoughts:
Kong Kosmos: Great coverage, great headlamp attachment (possibly chinsey), poor venting, weird buckle system
Kong Scarab: Good coverage, Headlamp attachment looks inferior
Grivel Air Tech: Good coverage, Headlamp attachment looks inferior (received bad reviews)
Grivel Salamander: Not enough interior padding??? (Hardhat style constr. with addn'l padding at rim, Superb headlamp attachment
Petzl Meteor: Too open (venting), weird back of head adjustment, not enough back of skull protection, good headlamp attachment
BD Vapor: Too open (venting)
Sweet helmets: None with headlamp compatibility???
Camp Speed: Great coverage, not certified for skiing, good headlamp attachment (possibly chinsey), haven't gotten a look at interior padding yet, needs to be spray painted/ sinfully ugly.

Anyway just throwing around my thoughts and giving this one more bump before I buy that kosmos. I think I might regret it (look like it might get hotter than my clunker that I wear), but if I do I'll just end up as one of those asshats who have a ice-specific helmet and a rock-specific helmet. (Kidding)

Also for any that care, seem to have found good documentation on the kosmos. The interior without winter padding looks like it could be a little less cushey, guess I'll have to see how this affects sweating but also comfort, linky:

Kong Kosmos Picture Review

Steep and cheap currently has the camp pulse on sale for 50% off. Rated as ski and climb with nice headlight tabs.

Tom Sherman wrote:...but if I do I'll just end up as one of those asshats who have a ice-specific helmet and a rock-specific helmet. (Kidding)

Asshats? Most people I know own 2, 3, or even 4 sport-specific helmets. That includes distinctions between what they wear for sport climbing, alpine climbing, ice climbing, skiing, and biking. Yes, the Kong and others advertise as multi-sport, but so far all of those seem to be a bit lacking when compared to something sport-specific. And as I mentioned by implication up thread, if you fit it they way you did in your photo in the OP, it's basically cosmetic and doing you no good.

Marc801 wrote: Asshats? Most people I know own 2, 3, or even 4 sport-specific helmets. That includes distinctions between what they wear for sport climbing, alpine climbing, ice climbing, skiing, and biking. And as I mentioned by implication up thread, if you fit it they way you did in your photo in the OP, it's basically cosmetic and doing you no good.

I`m one of those, I where a Petzl Sirocco, Mammut Elcap or Sweet Strutter depending on what I do or feel .

Marc801 wrote: Asshats? Most people I know own 2, 3, or even 4 sport-specific helmets. That includes distinctions between what they wear for sport climbing, alpine climbing, ice climbing, skiing, and biking.

Yup I have the vapor for summer alpine and rock (where I NEED the venting). I have a M/L in the vector to fit hoods under for winter. Then I have a separate helmet for splitboarding. Then ANOTHER ONE for my snowmobile (full face).