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Providing ultralight, low-profile protection, unparalleled ventilation and a secure and super-comfortable fit, the Black Diamond Vapor helmet is a go-anywhere cragging lid that proves helmets aren't just for multi-pitch trad climbs and big alpine faces. We engineered a sheet of Kevlar and a series of carbon rods in between co-molded EPS foam and a polycarbonate shell to keep the weight at a minimum while keeping you protected. The Vapor's ratcheting suspension tucks into the helmet for compact storage in your pack or haul bag, and removable headlamp clips secure your light on pre-dawn starts or when rapping after dark.
Co-molded EPS foam with polycarbonate shell is lower profile than the Vector
Geometric, open-air design provides unparalleled airflow
Ratchet adjuster with molded push buttons
Headlamp clips are removable for reduced snagging on slings and clothing
We don’t know where you can buy this item online in the US. We’ll continue to check all the major retailers and will update this page as soon as we find one.
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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. | 186 g S/M: 186 g / 6.6 oz |
GenderGenderThis 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 RangeSize RangeThe sizing options of the helmet according to the manufacturer. | 21.00 in - 25.00 in S/M: 53-59 cm / 21-23 in |
FeaturesFeaturesBike 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. BrimHaving 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 SizesThis 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 CompatibleFace 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 technologyMIPS 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 CutoutSo far these are only found in "women's" helmets. It's a cutout / notch area that accommodates a low hanging ponytail hairstyle. RECCO® reflectorThese 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 |
Quick AdjustQuick AdjustQuick 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 |
VentsVentsRefers 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 CompatableHeadlamp CompatibleMany 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 CompatableFace Shield CompatibleFace 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. |
No |
| Certification | CE |
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.
The Black Diamond Vapor is a lightweight molded foam helmet featuring great ventilation and a comfortable fit. The Vapor is a popular option for rock climbers seeking out a super light helmet that can be worn all day and not weigh down their packs on long approaches while mountaineers will appreciate the great ventilation.
The Black Diamond Vapor Helmet is at home climbing sport or trad, picking away at ice, climbing remote peaks, and even ski mountaineering. It’s comfortable, breathable, and ultra-lightweight. I think it’s one of the best helmets currently on the market, even though it is expensive.
The Vapor is a very well ventilated helmet that sacrifices durability and adjustability for weight savings. It is expensive and offers almost no advantage over other slightly less expensive helmets.
The construction of the helmet is fairly unique as well. The outer layer is composed of two sheets of Kevlar -- the same stuff that bulletproof vests are made with. Below the Kevlar layers you have a polycarbonate shell that holds the Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) foam. The foam itself contains a matrix of carbon rods for stability and strength. Given all the technology jammed in this headgear it's pretty remarkable that it only weighs 6.6 ounces. When you're wearing the helmet it feels thin, not bulky or dense -- and it certainly doesn't feel like there's a four-ingredient sandwich of protective tech on your head. An interesting note is that the Black Diamond Vapor passed the CE safety rating tests but did not pass the UIAA tests. I am not sure this is practically important, but I am curious why BD didn't spring for the extra material/R&D to make it pass. However, they have correctly assumed that I just don't really care that much.
The clever construction of the Vapor Helmet allows the lightness to be achieved. A combination of Kevlar, carbon rods and EPS foam all covered in a polycarbonate shell, means that the helmet is strong but actually fairly robust for a helmet of this type. I’ve actually cracked other similar lightweight EPS/polycarbonate designs dropping my pack on the ground (careless I know)! The only downside of this clever construction is that it hikes up the RRP and at £120, the Vapor Helmet is not cheap. But what price would you put on your own head?
The Vapor features an EPS foam liner molded into a polycarbonate shell. You'd expect a featherweight helmet like this to sacrifice something, but we're still searching. The fit is perfect, low-profile and over the ears. A ratcheting crown band has these very cool pinch-grips that allow you to tighten or loosen with no screwing around - seriously, you have to try it. Once on the Vapor has the best feel of any climbing helmet we've ever worn, more like a very expensive biking helmet.
In use, what can you say? Most of the time you don’t know it’s there; it's incredibly comfortable due to its light weight and the ventilation works well; certainly much better than the first generation lightweight helmets like the original Petzl Meteor. In fact, a friend recently suggested you could quite happily wear it on the walk-in using it as an alternative to having to take a sun hat, it's that unobtrusive.
I’ve been using it all year, and can say it’s by far the most comfortable and well ventilated helmet I’ve ever worn. A couple things to note, this is not a good choice for alpine climbing, as it’s not designed to take a repeated, large impacts. For sport and trad cragging however, it’s hard to beat. Also, it’s a bit pricier than other models, at $140, so you’ll have to decide if the added cost is worth giving yourself one less reason to not wear a helmet. Retail is $139.95,
My concern is durability. At nearly $140, the Vapor is the most expensive helmet made, and the one most likely to get dinged up. Already, mine has a nice dent from when I tossed a pair of crampons on top of it. If you are rough on gear this probably isn’t the helmet for you. Lack of a UIAA certification is also something to think about. While the Vapor passes the CE tests, the UIAA requires that the maximum force transmitted to your head be 2 kN less. In the real world I don’t know if this would make a difference, simply because there’s no body of data about helmet use, accidents and injuries.
Black Diamond says that they made the Vapor light and low-riding because they wanted a helmet that climbers would wear all the time. To that end they have succeeded. Until now I’ve never worn a helmet for rock climbing. The Vapor has changed my ways.
All around view of Vapor helmet, this video highlights the key features of Vapor helmet.
How to use Vapor, inspection, warnings, care and maintenence with instructional pictures.
