Helmets Are Cool…Almost!

I wear a helmet on almost every single pitch I climb. Sometimes I take it off if I’m just top roping, but yeah, I’m even one of the three people in Rifle wearing a helmet. Considering that one flying piece of choss could change your life forever, it’s a pretty small thing to wear one as much as possible. I certainly wouldn’t think of skiing without a helmet, and snow is way softer than rocks. (So are trees, in fact.)

Now, I know what you’re thinking, that’s great for you, but I’ve tried and it’s just not for me. And I get it, I do. They can be uncomfortable, and warm, especially for sport climbing. Indeed, this hot summer tested my limits, as there were days when it felt amazing to lower off a climb and take my helmet off so that my head could truly breathe. Thankfully, breathability, along with weight, are two of the main areas helmet manufacturers are attempting improve in order to lure new users in.

In particular, there are three new models on the market this year that all go after a different segment of the non-helmet wearing populace. One is super light, one is super stylie, and one is super functional. Read on to find out which one might just change your mind about helmets.

Black Diamond Vector

Until helmets are as light and breathable as possible, they just wont be adopted en large by the climbing masses. Thankfully, the Vector is a positive step in that direction. The co-molded EPS foam and polycarbonate shell is durable yet lightweight, with the size M/L coming in at 240 grams. Right away you’ll notice how comfortable it is, and even in the heat of this really hot summer, it breathed quite well, thanks to an impressive amount of vents. In fact, this thing looks more like a bike helmet than a climbing one. It’s little bulkier than some of the other lightweight models out there, but you wont really notice that unless you’re checking yourself out in the mirror. The adjustable fit easily allows for a hat under the helmet, which I wear often to keep the sun off my face on all day climbs. Available in two sizes. Retail is $99.95. More info and full specs on Black Diamond’s website.

Mammut El Cap

Leave it to the Swiss to come up with the most stylish climbing helmet around. Appealing to the crowd who doesn’t wear helmets because “they don’t look cool,” the El Cap may just change your mind about that. It also happens to be incredibly comfortable, and breathes well thanks to twelve different vents. The hybrid design features an outer shell covering a foam core, giving you the best of both worlds without breaking the bank. Also, this is a helmet you can wear all day and you wont get any annoying pressure points on your head. We’re probably still a long ways off from the day when climbing helmets will be as popular as skiing helmets, but the El Cap certainly brings us a little bit closer. Retail is $69.95. Weight is 350 grams. More info and full specs on Mammut’s website.

Petzl Elios

Updated for this year, this is the helmet for the year-round climber. It’s highly adjustable, and comfortably fits a wide range of head sizes and shapes. In the summer, keep the vents open, allowing your head to be cooled by the summer breeze, even when your heart rate starts to rise the further you get from your last piece of gear. In the winter, close the vents to keep out the spindrift when you are several pitches up a frozen waterfall and a storm moves in, taking your day to more interesting places. One thing we noticed you had to be careful of was getting it fitted properly, or the plastic on the back of the adjuster band would dig into the back of your neck. When properly fitted, it wasn’t an issue, but when I first put it on, it irritated me all day long until I figured out how to fix it. Also, a small but nice touch on this helmet, the foam inserts that make it comfy can be removed and washed when they get funky. Also, the price on this one is hard to beat, and makes it an attractive option if you aren’t concerned about having the absolute lightest helmet you can find. Retail is $65.95. Weight on size 2 is 330 grams. More info and full specs on Petzl’s website.

Disclaimer: Wait! Do you really need to buy more new stuff? If so, these products are worth a look. In the spirit of full disclosure, they were provided to SplitterChoss.com for the purpose of reviewing. Don’t worry, though, our integrity can’t be bought!