Helmets - Gear Reviews

[rcwild]

We firmly believe that your most important piece of canyoneering gear is your brain. In an emergency, you must rely on it more than any piece of hardware or high-tech gizmo. It could be argued then, that a helmet is your second most important piece of equipment. Yet so few canyoneers actually use them. What's your excuse? Look kind of geeky? Not so fast. There are some helmets on the market today that will not only protect your head, but have you looking sexier than you ever thought possible.

This is the place to share your gear reviews. Please help us keep this forum organized by posting all of your helmet related reviews as replies to this message (use the "PostReply" button). Ask questions or start a new thread by using the "NewTopic" button. Thank you.

[rcwild]

Submitted by Merijn

"Just do it" Would be the best slogan for helmet use. And why not; don't you think you look like a geek allready when you are running arround in a neopreen suit wearing a harness and a orange back pack??

If you really think that a helmet feels shitty, try the Petzl Meteor. Very light, good fit and you don't look at the helmed when looking up. I use it a lot for climbing and canyoning and I really love it. Sadly it has one big disadvantige; It's a bit fragile, the foam is not very sturdy. So after some use it looks like a mouse nibbled at the edge. Also not build for stuffing in your pack on the aprouch.

Cheap and functional is the Edelrid helmed. They come in stange, yet bright collors. Drawback; The leather finish on the head webbing. Not really nice for water use and it get's smelly when you don't use it in the water.

Very good is the Petzl Ecrin Rock; Sturdy, good fit and nylon webbing. Drawback; expensive and only in white and red. The red becomes invisible in the dark and underwater!

Hope this helps,
Merijn

[gavc0]

Good thing about the Ecrin Rock is that it has the holes for ventilation and drainage. bad thing is that it sits slighty pround of the head and may provide a jarring/uplifting efect when jumping from height. I personally wear a helmet whatever (instructor), usualy a water helmet in the rivere, but this also depends on the environment and the relationship of possible impacts, ie from above/falling rocks or water bourne.
g

[Innerventurer]

Does anyone have an opinion on the Petzl Elios for Canyoneering? It's quite ergonomic and also has drainage/ventilation holes, but probably isn't as tough as the Ecrin Roc.

[hank_moon]

Very good is the Petzl Ecrin Rock; Sturdy, good fit and nylon webbing. Drawback; expensive and only in white and red.

Note: the Ecrin Roc is also available in yellow.

[hank_moon]

Does anyone have an opinion on the Petzl Elios for Canyoneering? It's quite ergonomic and also has drainage/ventilation holes, but probably isn't as tough as the Ecrin Roc.

I use the Elios helmet for most canyons. Very light, fairly robust (but not as tough as the Ecrin Roc). Suits my needs in general. It might not be the "best" choice for whitewater canyons b/c it doesn't offer much in the way of side/ear protection. But...not many climbing helmets do. The Meteor offers a bit of side protection and the BD Hemisphere even more (it's discontinued - but you can find the smaller size HERE (http://canyoneeringusa.com/shop/view_product.php?product=BD50000).

Main thing when selecting a helmet: get one that fits. Do not buy one w/o trying it on. Heads and helmet shapes are all different and "one size fits all" doesn't apply. Put the helmet on in the shop and adjust it to fit your head. Then, do two simple tests: 1) buckle the chinstrap, put the heel of your hand on the brim directly above your nose and push the helmet up and back. It should not *easily* slide back to expose your forehead. If it does, the helmet probably doesn't fit and you should try another; 2) Unbuckle the chinstrap and shake your head from side to side (moving ears toward shoulders), and back/forth, as in saying "yes", and might as well say "no" while you're at it. It's the yes/no/maybe shake test! Uh, anyway, the helmet should not shift around loosely on your head during the shake test; if it does, find one that fits better. There are several other fit issues that might present while you are adjusting it (Y-strap of cradle too tight under ears, chinstrap position unconfortable on throat). Make sure these can be solved with the adjustment system.

Another good helmet to check out: Edelrid ultralight. Inexpensive and fairly narrow profile - great for those really tight slots.

[ratagonia]

I've been using one about 5 years. Love it. It fits much much better than other helmets, mostly because the fit was adopted from Equestrian helmets. Bouncing on a horse is really a difficult problem for having a helmet fit.

Good fit = more comfortable = wear it all the time. It fits well enough that it stays in place with zero tension on the chin strap - usually my complaint against helmets.

I think it fits median head size well. I don't know about other head sizes - I expect it might not be very good.

Bad news? Discontinued. Can still get some of the small size here and there.

Tom

[mtngoat59102]

[QUOTE=hank_moon]
Main thing when selecting a helmet: get one that fits. Do not buy one w/o trying it on. Heads and helmet shapes are all different and "one size fits all" doesn't apply.


Went into a climbing shop looking for helmets with my girlfriend. She had her eye on a helmet she really liked the color of. (who can blame her) After doing similar fit tests that Hank mentioned the one she liked first was not the helmet we left with. I am guilty of scrimping/shopping in an effort to save a buck or two. Gear that I deem life sustaining are not the items I shop for with price as my first consideration.