Climbing

Summary: Camalots are strong, versatile, and always reliable. Part of their high performance comes from the patented double-axle design, which lends extra strength, acts as cam stops, and gives these units the widest camming range on the market. However, the double axle makes each unit roughly 20 percent heavier than most other brands.
A large, textured thumb catch and trigger bar give slip-free placement and allow for independent cam manipulation. The large sizes have wide heads for..." go to full review

Summary: A pioneering hybrid design, the Black Diamond Half Dome offers great overall protection, with a large cap of polystyrene in the interior. The cinching, hook-and-latch adjustment system is a bit dated, however, and doesn’t measure up to the fit delivered by other hybrid models. Ventilation is also an issue: heat — and sweat vapor — like to rise, not go out the sides, which is where the Half Dome’s vents are located. Headlamp compatibility is excellent, with the four simple latches..." go to full review

Summary: The Edelrid Ultralight has been a staple in the climbing-helmet market for well over a decade, and for good reason. It’s light, comfortable, well-ventilated (for a suspended-shell lid), and won’t wallop your wallet. The suspension cinches down with a minimum of effort and is well padded. Comfort should be even better this year, as Edelrid has added more padding. Unlike many longstanding designs, the Ultralight’s hook retention system works quite well with most headlamps.
Pros..." go to full review

Summary: “Straight out of Milan” is how one tester described the Kong Scarab’s appearance. This bike-hemet-style polystyrene model was easily the most exotic-looking lid in the test — the helmet’s well-shrouded vents do indeed remind one of a scarab. Aside from the excellent ventilation, the Scarab also earns top marks for comfort, with a generous — but not chunky — layer of padding inside, and a padded chin strap. While the fit system was very easy to adjust, there were occasional problems..." go to full review

Summary: Like the Edelrid Ultralight, the Petzl Ecrin has been a staple in the suspended-shell helmet market for many years, and for good reason — it’s very durable, well ventilated, and easy to adjust. It is showing its age, however, lacking in padding, especially on the chin strap, and the vents aren’t shrouded or protected. Those with narrow heads may experience side-to-side fit issues, and ponytail wearers may experience a little discomfort from the rear straps’ plastic connection tab...." go to full review

Summary: One of the new-generation hybrid models, the Petzl Elios has one of the trimmest silhouettes of any helmet we tested, an asset in tight spaces. It’s also very light; one tester forgot he was wearing it and cooked up dinner at camp before he realized he still had it on. The fit system is one of the best in the test — all that’s needed is a quick twist of the ergonomic dial. On the downside, the helmet could do with a bit more padding in the rear of the suspension (it’s bare plastic)..." go to full review

If you’re looking to buy a hardshell helmet these days, pass on the
yesterday’s-news, salad-bowl models. There are now several better-fitting, more ergonomic models, including Kong’s new Spider helmet.
The Spider’s centerpiece is its fit-adjustment “Run System,” which changes the fit via a dial located on the back of the helmet’s suspension. Some dial-based adjustment systems I’ve used have left me with a nagging pressure point right on the back of my head; the Spider, however,..." go to full review

QUIK-CLIK SIZING
Handily adjust front-to-back volume using the two thumb-shaped, ergonomic buttons at the back of the helmet, which refine head-cradle fit.
A CLEAR DIFFERENCE
Snapping easily over the EPS shell, this ultralight (5.7oz) protector is your head-saving friendo on snow, ice, or highstonefall rock climbs. It secures via three attachment points, which lock and unlock with a coin or the provided tool.
BUCKLE UP
The quick-release Nexus Acetal chinstrap..." go to full review

OH, MEGA!
Petzl’s patented OMEGA headband system is contoured in the back to rise up and over a ponytail. It’s also exceedingly comfortable and makes helmet on/off easy.
EASY SLIDER
On the ELIA’s sides are quick clicking adjustment buttons, allowing for on-head, on-the-fly size tweaking, ensuring optimal fit.
CLEAN COMFORT
Inside the lightweight, injection-molded ABS shell and the expanded polystyrene liner are a set of removable, leaf-shaped, soft foam pads for..." go to full review

Black Diamond has made major upgrades to its popular Half Dome helmet, all of which are bound to be well received when the helmet hits store shelves in July. This suspension helmet’s Velcro adjustment strap has been replaced by a large dial. The chinstrap adjustment, which took a lot of futzing to get just right on previous models, has been replaced by a buckle that adjusts with a single pull. Vents are larger throughout the helmet, and the new headlamp clips are much easier to use. Black..." go to full review