Climbing helmets save lives. For many years, all climbers have recognized this truth, however the conventional old-school helmets had been so heavy, scorching, and clunky that climbers would solely have a tendency to make use of them in conditions with a excessive threat of rockfall (alpine, massive partitions, and ice routes). Fortunately, fashionable helmets have turn out to be lighter, have higher air flow, and supply safety from not solely rock fall, but in addition aspect impacts. Should you’re nonetheless not offered, then contemplate that these new helmets additionally look fairly cool. With these developments, it’s not shocking that extra climbers are utilizing helmets in all facets of their climbing. In spite of everything, why would you not need to shield your most vital climbing asset?
So, with that out of the way in which, listed here are a few of our favorite climbing helmets for 2024.
Greatest for climbers looking for low weight with out compromising safety
Black Diamond Vapor Helmet
An modern helmet that mixes low weight, glorious safety, and air flow
Black Diamond’s Vapor helmet continues the custom of providing distinctive affect safety whereas remaining on the forefront of ultralight design. Black Diamond begins with a polycarbonate crown and provides an ALUULA Composites insert. This insert is constructed of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) that gives a 44% larger strength-to-weight ratio than the beforehand used Kevlar insert. The result’s a 40% discount within the weight of this part with out compromising safety for the climber. The remainder of the helmet is constructed with moulded Expanded Polypropylene (EPP), offering glorious affect absorption and considerably better sturdiness than historically used EPS. The Vapor’s distinctive lattice-like aesthetic not solely provides a glossy look, but in addition ensures distinctive air flow. A minimalist wire adjustment system simply accommodates a wide range of head shapes, and the replaceable headlamp clips present a safe headlamp attachment level for early morning begins or should you get benighted.
Greatest for climbers looking for a strong helmet with out extra weight
Petzl Boreo Helmet
A time-tested design with distinctive sturdiness
With all the brand new helmet know-how, it’s generally simple to neglect that conventional, time-tested designs are nonetheless a viable possibility for a lot of climbers. The Boreo falls into this class. Constructed with a strong ABS shell and an EPS and EPP liner, the Boreo delivers glorious sturdiness and aspect and high affect safety, all at a really cheap weight. The helmet has a equally well-proven headband adjustment and headlamp clips. Should you’re in search of a helmet to make use of as your day by day driver for cragging, multi-pitch, and ice, look no additional than the Boreo.
https://www.rei.com/product/151974/petzl-meteor-climbing-helmet
Petzl Meteor Helmet
A light-weight and versatile helmet at a extra accessible value
With its large vents and full-coverage form, the Meteor is a superb selection for climbers looking for aspect affect safety throughout heat climate. Petzl delivers these advantages at a really cheap value by using extra standard EPS and polycarbonate development. It’s value noting that this development was just some years in the past thought-about cutting-edge, so that you’re, in essence, shopping for what would have been a premium helmet however at an average-joe value. Different options embody an easy-to-adjust strap system, headlamp clips and a fumble-free magnetic strap closure.
Greatest for big-wall climbers or these looking for most sturdiness
Black Diamond Capitan Helmet
A sturdy helmet for prolonged climbing adventures
Most of the extra widespread present helmets deal with low weight and air flow (security is a given), as these are the components that almost all attraction to the common rock climber. Sadly, these helmets usually are not all the time the only option for multi-day climbing adventures (corresponding to massive wall climbing), the place frequent bumps and scrapes are a part of the sport. It appears that evidently BD clearly understands this sturdiness dilemma, which can clarify their launch of the Capitan helmet. Not like ultralight helmets, the Capitan makes use of a full ABS shell that simply shrugs off the abrasion, bumps, and the minor rock fall usually encountered on longer, extra backcountry-oriented climbing journeys. For affect absorption, the helmet properly makes use of a mix of EPP and EPS foam. The again of the helmet additionally extends additional than some helmets for extra safety. A straightforward-to-use strap system and headlamp clips spherical out the options of this sturdy workhorse helmet.
Greatest for climbers with smaller heads and ponytails
Petzl Meteora Helmet
A light-weight and versatile helmet with a novel headband system
On the floor, the Meteora is equivalent to the Meteor reviewed above. It has the identical large vents, full-coverage form, and confirmed development (EPS with a polycarbonate shell). So, it shouldn’t come as a shock that it provides the identical stage of safety and air flow at a equally low weight. The place it differs, nevertheless, is within the sizing (it sits between the 2 Meteor sizes), and its distinctive Omega headband match system that accommodates ponytails. Whereas this will not be a giant problem for follicly challenged climbers, gals (and guys) with flowing locks will recognize the improved match.
Greatest for climbers on a finances in search of a flexible helmet
Black Diamond Half Dome Helmet
An inexpensive, rugged helmet
In case you are simply beginning out and need a sturdy helmet at an inexpensive value, contemplate the Half Dome. The helmet contains a burly Polycarbonate shell for loads of safety from rock fall and bumps. Inside, BD provides a chunk of impact-absorbing EPS foam for extra security. Black Diamond makes use of an easy-to-adjust dial headband, and the ladies’s model contains a cut-away to accommodate ponytails.
Greatest for climbers looking for high and aspect affect safety with minimal weight
Mammut Wall Rider Helmet
A light-weight, extremely ventilated helmet
Constructed with an EPP foam core that options large vents, the Wall Rider helmet delivers distinctive high and aspect affect safety whereas remaining surprisingly gentle. The highest of the helmet is roofed with a sturdy ABS plastic, which gives extra safety from rocks and the inevitable bumps and scrapes that happen when climbing. A lightweight but extremely adjustable webbing harness system ensures a snug head-hugging match, whereas two clips and a rear elastic wire securely accommodate a headlamp.
Merchandise reviewed on this article:
