Comfort King
Testers loved the fit of Grivel’s Air Tech V39. A dial at the back of the helmet allows easy adjustments for comfort and keeps this lid firmly in place, no matter the size of your head or if you’re layered up with a hat. One tester at the Teton Ice Park said she loved how the helmet moved with her instead of having a “mind” of its own. Depending on their build, some climbers may find the location of the chin buckle irritating (on a few testers, it landed right where the neck and chin meet), and the buckle is a bit tricky to adjust, especially when gloved up. The Air Tech’s three headlamp clips (one in back and two in front) were more finicky than on other models, but once the headlamp’s band was in place, it stayed put. Sixteen vents cut throughout the helmet, including six metal mesh-covered vents placed on top. Although no breakage occurred, a few testers questioned the strength of these six vents, which flexed when pressed on. According to Grivel, even if they broke, the helmet’s structural integrity should not be affected.
The Air Tech weighs just 10.5 ounces, and its sleek, streamlined design means you won’t have to wrestle a hood up over your head. Plus, you’ll look good—this helmet avoids the bubblehead look plaguing many models on the market.