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General Climbing Discussion

Topic Date User

Climbing Helmets 14-Jul-2003 At 2:48:58 PM dodgy

Message

Basically suspension type helmets like the the Ecrin Roc and Edelrid ultralights are
better long term.
Soft shell types like the Meteor and Hemisphere are lighter and (often) more comfortable, they are usually a bit lower profile so may be a bit less clumsy in offwidths and under roofs etc. (you WILL get the shits regardless).
Helmets are tested ONCE with a blow that will destroy them. The helmet absorbs the energy of the blow by doing so. Providing the test shows that the crash test dummy wouldn't have been seriously injured the helmet passes. Both types pass the same test, so both offer the same safety.
But in the real world, most helmets are subjected to lots of smaller hits, scraping in gullies, being bashed when hanging off your pack etc.etc. This sort of treatment can destroy a soft shell quite quickly.
Soft shells are not recommended for mountaineering where you are subject to lots a hits, and if you do take a bigger one, and survive, the soft shells are less likely to "get you home".
If you are really only thinking of the one big hit that will kill you (or permanently disable you), and want to protect yourself from that; either will do.
Just remember that you have to look after soft shells better.