Mount Konsciouzsko, Mount Hotham, Snowy Mountain, Mount Baw Baw, or Abbot Peak: wherever you’re headed next, you need to supply yourself with appropriate protective gear.
Mountaineering and free climbing are two of my favourite sports because you get to spend time in nature.
As beautiful as it is, this sport can also be dangerous, which is why every serious climb-head needs to consider buying a proper protective helmet.
Since there are so many options on the market, I’ve decided to help, and narrow it down to 7 best climbing helmets you can find on the Australian market.
They should be comfortable, adjustable, lightweight, durable and of course: aesthetically pleasing to you.
So grab a pen and paper and bear with me. I’m about to share with you everything I know about climbing helmets based on many years of experience I have in nature and in the mountains (also, I am a helmet freak, they call me Helmet, the Prince of Headmark).
Table of Contents
Top Climbing Helmets
1. PETZL Sirocco Helmet
Here is my personal favourite: PETZL Sirocco. Named after the hot wind that blows from North Africa, through Mediterranean area, to Southern Europe, this ultra-lightweight helmet weighs only 170 grams!
This is a hybrid construction product, with a shell made of expanded polypropylene foam. It has a rigid crown, injected with expanded polystyrene foam that makes this helmet more protective.
It can fit any head size thanks to its adjustable headband and chin strap. PETZL is by far one of the best manufacturers of mountaineering helmets.
This helmet holds one of their authentic patents: a magnetic buckle, designed to facilitate chin strap fastening.
The helmet is equipped with wide holes which provide proper ventilation, as well as a pair of hooks and back elastic in case you want to attach a headlamp.
Pros
- Safety features
- Excellent quality
- Extremely lightweight
Cons
- A bit pricey
Thanks to all the amazing features, PETZL helmets are extremely comfortable and safe to wear. You can use them in various environments: in cold or hot weather, in the forest or under the open skies.
The foam mixtures, used for both the shell and the crown, protect you from sweating and yet, they’re firm enough to keep your head safe from getting hit with a heavy object (where was this helmet in my highschool, am I right guys?).
If you’re looking for durability, safety and comfort, I’d say go for PETZL (or don’t, there are more products on the list).
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2. White Waterproof Multipurpose Helmet
If you’re looking for an all-in-one helmet: high-quality, adjustable, lightweight, with built-in back and fronts lights, this is the best product for you!
Although this helmet is more than twice as heavy than its precursor due to built-in lights it is not a problem. On the back, there is a red light and a white light in the front.
There are four lighting modes you can choose which makes this helmet an ideal partner for hiking, climbing and mountain bike riding (if you’re into helmets, of course. I myself am more traditional when it comes to choosing a partner).
The design itself is pretty lightweight and it’s made of highly resistant EPS and PC foam. The inner side of the helmet shell holds antibacterial, thick, carbon fibre soft pads that you can remove and wash any time you want.
I hiked with this helmet during rainy days and can say with confidence that it’s fully waterproof. Also, its 14 vents keep you well-ventilated during the summer season.
Pros
- Lightweight, high-quality helmet
- Removable and washable pads within the helmet shell
- Great head protection
Cons
- Slightly heavier as the lights are not removable
The front light has a 10m illumination distance, which is enough for speed driving on a mountain bike or during an evening hike. The rear warning light is visible in a 200sqm range.
The light battery has 750mAh that can last up to 10 hours. If you’re camping and need to recharge, make sure to take a power bank with you, as this amazing helmet’s lights are USB rechargeable.
If you’re looking to purchase a safe to use, well-designed helmet, with washable insides and bonus lights-feature, this one is among the best head protective pieces you can get on the Australian market.
3. Triple Eight Helmet with Sweatsaver Liner
If your next trip involves exploring the exciting insides of gloomy caves, then this protective helmet might be the right product to acquire. This is a solid helmet, although not my personal favourite, as it’s slightly heavier than it should be.
However, it does have some advantages such as earmuffs, eyeshade and effective ventilation to protect you from sweating.
Pros
- Fine for cave exploration, rock climbing, or hiking
- Comes with an eyeshade and earmuffs
Cons
- High price for the quality
- Not the best quality helmet you’ll find on the market
This particular helmet is great for cave exploration thanks to its well-positioned, controllable front lights divided into four parts. It also has a hook and soft loop support pad inside the shell, making it comfortable and safe to wear.
Just like many other solid quality helmets, this one has a shell that is built with a combination PC and ABS material.
4. Fusion Climb Meka II Helmet
Here’s another solid piece suitable for all kinds of outdoor sports. Thanks to its 10 ventilation areas, you won’t have to worry about overheating.
It’s a bit heavier than regular helmets, as it weighs around 350 grams. In case you need hearing protectors, there are two available slots for them.
Pros
- Long durability
- High-quality materials provide appropriate head protection
Cons
- Slightly heavier than
This product is highly adjustable thanks to its soft head straps.
It’s manufactured using PC and EPS materials, providing excellent impact shielding and solid durability. On the inside, it’s pretty soft as the foam provides great cushioning.
5. Black Diamond Half Dome Helmet
Black Diamond Half dome is among the most durable helmets I know. It’s a multi-use and will provide you with the best head protection during all sorts of outdoor activities and expeditions.
This model is an improved version with a better head fit, custom-designed wheel adjuster and is 40 grams lighter than the previous model.
Pros
- Great quality, long-lasting piece
- Suitable for a variety of outdoor activities
Cons
- Available only in two colours
- There are better products
Just like some of the previous models, this model has EPS foam on the insides, making it comfortable to wear and resistant to a range of heavy impacts. You can also fit a headlamp on the clips.
6. CAMP Titan Climbing Helmet
Here’s another solid quality piece built from PC and light EPS foam, providing you with safety while you enjoy the great outdoors.
This is one of the helmets I’d recommend to beginners and people who don’t plan on using it very often. It has a decent ventilation system and comes in three colours.
Pros
- Cheap, yet acceptable for the cost
- Pretty comfortable and safe to wear
Cons
- Questionable durability
- Not for pros
Another advantage is that this is the cheapest piece in this review but this fact comes with a price: it’s not as comfortable nor has the extended durability like the previous helmets.
However, it can handle a variety of heavy impacts (please don’t test this claim by doing crazy things, leave that to the pros).
7. Tontron Hiking Climbing Caving Work Helmet
Personally, I don’t find this one so great, yet, other people have found it very good so far. I find the price too high for the quality it offers, as this is one of the most expensive helmets you can buy in this review.
Pros
- Comfortable to wear
- Solid quality
Cons
- No special trademarks
It has some good attributes, such as large vents for better airflow, headlamp clips and it’s highly adjustable.
You can fold the backside belt for compact storing. Also, it’s built with solid materials: PC on the outside and EPS foam on the inside (for additional comfort and safety).
Things to Consider When Buying a Climbing Helmet to Protect Your Head
In this section, I’ll sum up some of the most important things to consider when buying helmets for climbing and hiking.
Comfort
Most people buy helmets for prolonged outdoor activities, so the most important attribute is that it’s comfortable. They should have some kind of foam within, as it protects you from heavy impacts while providing maximum comfort [1].
Weight
There’s only one rule regarding this characteristic: the lighter the better. If your helmet’s not light enough, it won’t be comfy to wear either. Anything below 250 grams is considered light enough.
Material
I recommend expanded polystyrene for the main body with a thin polycarbonate exterior. The inner foamy mixture should be able to absorb any kind of heavy impact [2].
FAQ
Do You Need a Helmet for Rock Climbing?
Yes, absolutely. Don’t practice this sport without adequate protective equipment. Hiking is the least dangerous outdoor mountain sport, yet, I’d recommend protective head equipment even for that occasion.
How Much Is a Climbing Helmet?
It can cost anywhere between $30 and $200. Some highly professional models might be even more expensive. However, I think that an excellent helmet can be found for as much as $100 (plus/minus 10 dollars).
The Bottom Line
I hope this review gave you all the info you need, and that now you’re ready to select your helmet and close the deal and order it online now!
References
- https://helmets.org/general.htm
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/229186376_Evaluating_the_Performance_of_Helmet_Linings_Incorporating_Fluid_Channels
