Editors' Choice Classic: Petzl Meteor Helmet

In 1997, the Meteor was the first helmet on the market to use expanded polystyrene (EPS) as its primary means of absorbing impact. The big benefit for climbers? Comfort gains and weight savings—two key influencers for climbers wearing a helmet. It’s been through several evolutions since, and remains one of the best-performing and most popular lids out there. While the original version looked like a child’s bike helmet, the current version is sleek and easy to wear, with more than a dozen vents for breathability. It weighs only 7.8 ounces—not the lightest, but it’s close—and it has a nice array of features. “When a helmet is this comfortable and airy, there’s no reason not to always be wearing it.” It offers ample top, front, back, and side protection, and the sliding-ratchet harness system makes the Meteor super-simple to adjust for a variety of head shapes and sizes.