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Petzl Sirocco Climbing Helmet
  • Petzl Sirocco Climbing Helmet
  • Petzl Sirocco Climbing Helmet
  • Petzl Sirocco Climbing Helmet
  • Petzl Sirocco Climbing Helmet
  • Petzl Sirocco Climbing Helmet
  • Petzl Sirocco Climbing Helmet

Sirocco

Rating

My vote: None ( 4.9 avg )

Description

Ultra-lightweight climbing and mountaineering helmet with reinforced protection.

The SIROCCO is designed to respond to the needs of climbers and mountaineers for reduced weight and for protection. Its head-covering shape, lower in the rear, offers reinforced protection. Optimized volume on the head, along with excellent ventilation, provide maximum comfort.

Description

  • Ultra-light design: 
    - hybrid construction with a shell in EPP (expanded polypropylene) foam and rigid crown injected with EPS (expanded polystyrene) foam
  • Head-covering design for optimal protection against lateral and rear impact
  • Maximum comfort in action:
    - wide holes, for excellent ventilation
    - completely adjustable, thanks to the adjustable headband and chinstrap
    - magnetic buckle facilitates fastening the chinstrap (Petzl patent)
    - compatible with the VIZION eye shield
    - two hooks and rear elastic for attaching a headlamp

Specifications

  • Material(s): expanded polypropylene (EPP) shell, polycarbonate crown, expanded polystyrene (EPS) liner, polyester webbing
  • Product comes with protective storage bag and spare foam

 

Retail price

US$ 114.95

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Weight (g)

Weight (g)

In grams, the weight, as stated by the manufacturer/brand.

If there are differences in weight (due to multiple size or optional accessories) we note those here.

160 g

S/M: 160 g / 5.6 oz
M/L: 170 g / 6.0 oz
(we converted grams to ounces)

Gender

Gender

This is the gender as stated by the manufacturer/brand.

We use the term "Men" and "Unisex" interchangeably, as there is no difference between these types of helmets.

Unisex
Size Range

Size Range

The sizing options of the helmet according to the manufacturer.

19.00 in - 24.02 in

S/M: 48-58 cm / 19-23 in
M/L: 53-61 cm / 21-24 in
(we converted centimeters to inches)

Features

Features

Bike Cert (EN 1078)

The EN certification for helmets used for bicycling and skating. The major difference in testing 1078 involves needs for more head coverage and for the helmet to pass a deflection or 'roll-off' test of the impact force.


Brim

Having a brim on a helmet may be inconsequential to some climbers but they make a great additional bit of protection against sun, rain and falling debris like small rocks or verglass.


Multiple Sizes

This is helpful for those with particularly small or large heads because helmets that come in 2 or 3 sizes cover a broader range of head size. Usually these are denoted as size 1 or 2, though some brands have S/M and M/L.


Face Shield Compatible

Face shields are a part of PPE that could be handy when drilling, developing and cleaning particularly dirty remote routes. Usually only used by work at height professionals.


MIPS technology

MIPS or Multidirectional Impact Protection System is a technology designed to reduce the amount of impact force that makes it to the brain. This is accomplished by adding a low friction cap between the liner and the helmet, allowing the shell to deflect around the head rather than transfer the forces from impact directly to the wearer.  Many bicycle helmets include this feature and it is starting to be applied to sports like skiing, motorcycling and climbing. Many MIPS helmets are also EN1078 compliant.


Ponytail Cutout

So far these are only found in "women's" helmets. It's a cutout / notch area that accommodates a low hanging ponytail hairstyle.


RECCO® reflector

These are used in locating someone missing or buried in an avalanche and are becoming more common in climbing gear due to the increased popularity of ski mountaineering. Though they are more often sold as something to add onto the helmet than being built into one, some manufacturers have begun to build them in.


Ski Cert (EN 1077)

The EN certification for helmets used for climbing and skiing. This test is simpler than the EN/UIAA one performed for helmets in general, but increases the amount of force that a helmet must endure. Likely this to simulate the faster speeds involved with downhill skiing impacts versus rockfall or climber accidents. This cert becoming more common in helmets as SkiMo popularity increases and more climbers are adding backcountry skiing to their mountaineering repertoire.

Multiple Sizes
Face shield compat.
Quick Adjust

Quick Adjust

Quick Adjust refers to the straps of the helmet. Do you want the ability to ability to "quickly" adjust the fit. This could be a dial, or other plastic pieces.

Really, most climbers don't need to change the fit of the helmet often, unless you're climbing with and without hats, or you have big hair that flattens and then requires tightening after climbing for awhile.

No
Vents

Vents

Refers to openings in the helmet body to allow air flow. Commonly found in most helmets these days, but often more so in foam and hybrid foam helmets than traditional hardshell polycarbonate shells.


Learn More

Click here to read more on helmet construction
Yes
Headlamp Compatable

Headlamp Compatible

Many helmets include hooks or clips for holding a standard headlamp in place, which is quite useful for the caver or alpinist. Ask any climber who has been benighted and they’ll tell you just how useful this feature can be.

Yes
Face Shield Compatable

Face Shield Compatible

Face shields are a part of PPE that could be handy when drilling, developing and cleaning particularly dirty remote routes. This feature isn't very common in climbing helmets and usually only used by work at height professionals.

Yes
Certification CE, EN, UIAA
AVG RATING
5.359998
( 5.4 avg )
Rating
5.04
( 5 avg )

Feathers That Protect Your Noggin

Pros
Super Light
Breathable
Cons
Hard to adjust with gloves

Wearing this helmet seems like a joke, but Petzl doesn't make jokes and this helmet is the real deal. This helmet is incredibly light, super breathable and exceptionally comfortable. In winter, under a shell, the helmet keeps your head cozy.

Durability wise, it holds up pretty well squished in a backpack. On the downside, the magnetic buckle is sometimes finnicky and the rear size adjust is difficult to use with gloves on.

Rating
5.04
( 5 avg )

Great head protection

Pros
Light
Cons
Hard to adjust
Familiarity
I’ve used it a ton

Super light weight, you forget you are wearing it. Magnetic buckle can get dirty and not close properly, but you just need to store the helmet with the buckle snapped together and it is not an issue. Best helmet out there. Can be Annoying to adjust with gloves on. 

Super light weight, you forget you are wearing it. Magnetic buckle can get dirty and not close properly, but you just need to store the helmet with the buckle snapped together and it is not an issue. Best helmet out there. Can be Annoying to adjust with gloves on. 

Rating
6
( 6 avg )

Does it get any better?

Pros
Lightweight
Comfortable
Great Ventilation
Nice harness system
The updated headlamp strap
Lower profile than previous version
New colors
better protection on the back and sides
Cons
The magnetic buckle can occasionally get stuck
Familiarity
I’ve used it a bunch
Disclaimer
I received the helmet for free from Petzl during a promotional event they had in Ouray - but I have not been paid to say this and my opinions of the helmet are not influenced by not paying for it. I would pay full price for it.

I've worn this helmet primarily ice climbing and I absolutely love it. Still super light (although roughly 5 grams heavier than the old version) and even more comfortable than the orange version.

Lower profile so you don't look like a falic symbol and the ventilation I think is even better than before. Seriosly, I don't know if it's possible to make a better helmet and I have at least 6 currently including the Vapor, Vector, Stealth, and Penta. Maybe the Mammut Wallrider, but I haven't used it so I can't comment. The ONLY downside I see is the price... and it is expensive AF, but you're getting the best helmet on the market for the money that you spend, IMHO.

WeighMyRack Gear Review no rating given just a review

The Most Wanted helmets tend to be lighter, like the Sirocco and Vapor and/or are some of the better looking helmets. The Most Owned helmets tend to be those that are readily available at all the climbing shops, like the Black Diamond collection which dominates this list.

Alpinist Gear Review rating 5/5

When it's all said and done, however, you can find bird feathers heavier than this thing, so if you need a lightweight helmet, the revamped Sirocco is an impressive piece of equipment. I'm honestly not sure where helmet design can go from here, besides some kind of force-field generator that is powered by a chip implant in your neck. But until that dystopian day arrives, the Sirocco is a top offering for a comfortable, lightweight helmet that also (finally!) looks good.

Northeast Alpine Start Gear Review no rating given just a review

I’m not sure what more I can say here… I love this helmet. Seriously my onlycomplaint is that Petzl decided to keep the same name. The 2013 Sirocco was great. The 2017 Sirocco is even better and pretty drastically different. Constructed of three materials instead of just one, totally different profile/shape, different ventilation scheme… it just seems like this re-design would have been worthy of a new name, or at-least a (Plus or Two) added to the name similar to the GriGri legacy.

Outdoor Gear Lab Gear Review rating 5/5

The Petzl Sirocco is the lightest and most comfortable climbing helmet you can buy. These reasons alone make it worthy of our Editors' Choice award as the best overall, and it is also our top scorer. If you can afford the slightly elevated price tag, we don't think there is any reason to look further.

The Alpine Start Gear Review no rating given just a review

The new Sirocco also ups its overall protection rating through the use of two different materials for shock absorption. The outer is the same, soft, expanded polypropylene that seems to bounce back from impacts and has proven extremely durable in the original orange. I’ve crushed mine into packs, have been hit by ice or rock countless times, and though it has the battle scars to prove it, the Sirocco has never let me down (and over the time I’ve had it, I’ve managed to crush a BD Vector and a Singing Rock Penta, while the Sirocco continues on).

Peak Mountaineering Logo no rating given just a review

You've probably guessed it - I really like everything about the new Sirocco.  Petzl have continued to evolve their innovative product range and with this new version I really can't think what I would change to make it any better - I'm afraid my Meteor will be largely resigned to the gear cupboard from now on. In reviewing a product like this I have no way to say how well it would cope in an impact, but it has obviously been tested to meet all relevant standards and I am confident it will perform as well as others tested to the same standards.

 

UK Climbing Gear Review no rating given just a review

The latest SIROCCO is very light, looks good and fits well - a major improvement in appearance compared to the original giant tangerine. And thanks to its hybrid construction there's been a welcome reduction in overall size too. I wouldn't want to stand on it or drop a heavy bag on it, but despite appearances it has proved solid and durable. Whilst using the SIROCCO for trad and sport throughout the UK I've hardly noticed that it's on my head. If you're looking for a helmet that's light, breathable, and stylish then I'd highly recommend it.

2017 Climbing Helmets
Sirocco Helmet Details
Sirocco Helmet Review
Sirocco Helmet

How to use the Sirocco, various instructional photos of Sirocco including inspection and techniques.

The UIAA equipment standard provides a baseline for equipment performance in a test lab under controlled conditions on new equipment. Although these test conditions are relevant to the conditions encountered climbing, conditions encountered at the crags and the condition of the equipment are equally important. This recommendation from the UIAA member federation The British Mountaineering Council (BMC) provides vital equipment information that is NOT explicitly addressed in the standard, particularly failure modes of the equipment and recommendations for the use, inspection, maintenance, and retirement of equipment.