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General Climbing Discussion

Topic Date User

Helmets in an era of laissez-faire haute couture 28-Aug-2006 At 5:51:43 PM Ronny

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On 28/08/2006 bluey wrote:
>The arguments for safety are obvious. Which begs the question, is it a
>fashion thing?

Bluey, You seem to be suggesting that there are only two possible reasons to wear/not wear a helmet - safety and fashion. You're saying that as it definitely increases safety, the only reason you wouldn't wear one is for fashion's sake. But there's more to it (which is what i think everyone is trying to say). There's the additional question of comfort and convenience. For everyone it comes down to the question in any particular situation "is the decreased comfort/convenience and possibly decreased fashion, worth the percieved increase in safety?".

The question is the same for any safety device - like a rope. Placing and clipping gear, coiling and unpacking the rope - all a hassle. Climbing's much more convenient without this - but the increase in safety is clearly massive, so most people use a rope most of the time.

And so don't anyone start going on about how it isn't any different climbing in a helmet - it is. It might not be much different, and people's tolerence to it may differ, but it is unquestionably different. And any suggestion that 'one should always...' is bollocks too - different situations throw up different safety and convenience factors to go into the mix.

I wouldn't be surprised at all if there was a bit of fashion/coolness going into the mix for a lot of people (even though many would deny it), but you can't bring it back to simply safety or fashion.

J