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Petzl Altios
  • Petzl Altios
  • Petzl Altios
  • Petzl Altios
  • Petzl Altios Under View
  • Petzl Altios Back Closeup
  • Petzl Altios Shield View
  • Petzl Altios Adjustment View

Altios

Rating

My vote: None ( 3.8 avg )

Description

The ALTIOS' hybrid suspension system, composed of a mesh panel and expanded polystyrene liner, makes this helmet extremely lightweight and comfortable to wear. Thanks to this innovative design, the helmet ‘floats' above the head for a near-weightless feeling. The space between the head and the liner allows for effective ventilation with the Climate Control System. Durable ABS shell. This helmet is very ergonomic, adapting to any head shape, and offers two options for attaching a headlamp: a removable ADAPT system-compatible mount, or clips.

Lightweight and comfortable fit, thanks to a hybrid suspension system combining:
- an expanded polystyrene liner for shock absorption
- a comfortable inner mesh liner, which makes the helmet feel weightless on the head
Durable construction: injection molded ABS shell provides protection
Climate Control System: provides ventilation between the inner shell and the top of the head (can be closed in cold weather with the 6 plugs stored in the inner shell)
Removable ADAPT clip, for easy attachment of any Petzl headlamp equipped with the ADAPT system (TIKKA/ZIPKA family)
Removable and washable headband foam and mesh
Easy-to-use molded adjustment wheel quickly dials in the headband size, even while the helmet is being worn
Adjustable chinstrap, nape height and headband for an extremely comfortable fit
Chinstrap can be adjusted forward or backward for added comfort Adjustment buckles are placed to the side, away from the chin
Narrow polyester webbing straps offer improved comfort
Headlamp attachment with 4 optimally placed clips
Compatible with VIZION face shield

Retail price

US$ 79.95

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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.

305 g­
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.

18.90 in - 24.00 in­
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.

­
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.

Yes
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 UIAA, CE
AVG RATING
3.48
( 3.5 avg )
Rating
3.48
( 3.5 avg )

I feel naked without it.

Pros
durable
comfortable
Good ventilation
Sexy
Rides well
Cons
Rides a little high
Disclaimer
I paid full price for this baby in 2011.

I've had this helmet (in gray, of course) since 2011. I'm a little ashamed to admit it, but I have a pin head. No doubt it's crammed full with a dense and incredibly efficient brain, hence the headaches, but it does create a problem when finding helmets that fit properly.

I really hate looking like an 8 year old girl on a barbie bike with handle bar tassels while a bowling ball that's been chopped in half, painted like a ladybug, and passed off as a helmet sits so far back on her head there is actual danger the chin strap might at any moment constrict her esophagus and cause an untimely death. But that is often the case with One-size-fits-all helmets for me. Don't get me wrong, I'm a proud supporter of girls on bikes, even pink bikes, but loose fitting helmets suck. I say loose instead of poorly fitting because I've never really experienced a helmet that was too tight.

The small size in the Altios fits me pretty damn well. The quick-adjust wheel knob deelie works well with one hand when switching between wearing a hat under the helmet and not. I've used the helmet on rock, ice, and glacier and I have been pleased by it's performance, if sitting in one place all day, attempting to not get noticed can be considered a performance. I haven't taken any major falling objects to the head while wearing this helmet but I have been pretty rough with it and it still looks almost new after 3 years. I wish I could say the same for the fading Justin Bieber stickers. The hybrid suspension system is very comfortable and has allowed for more ventilation than non-suspension helmets. I used the past tense for the ventilation because over time the suspension has relaxed/streched and now sits on the foam. I don't notice this from either a comfort or ventilation stand point but I think it's worth noting. The one other thing I'm not super stoked about on the Altios is the side straps that go around your ears do not have any length adjustment. The chin strap does and that buckle works alright, but I've found that the side straps can end up biting into the bottom of my ear over time. It only happens on one side because of course God thought it would be a good idea to make my ears lop-sided.

Overall I would say I've been very pleased with how the Altios has held up over the years and how it only rarely made its presence known over a long day in the mountains. That being said, it's not the lightest helmet on the market and I think, depending on fit of course, I'm going to be looking to a foam helmet in the future. Something like the BD Vapor or the Petzl Sirocco, but only if they change that heinous color.

Watch a tour of Petzl's facilities as they explain all the testing involved

Warning: This video is dubbed in English. If you're getting antsy, skip to section 7:40-8:15 for one of the most interesting parts, where they show a hardware specific camera inspection.