Climbing helmet recommendations...

[treesmith]

I'm in the market for a new helmet and wondered if there are any recommendations. I confess that I climbed for years in a ball cap, and I still believe the ground personnel are in greater need of protective headgear than the climber, but it's definitely advisable for all personnel to wear it. That said, LJ Carl, (not to be confused with LL CoolJ, regardless of resemblance), was a positive influence on me in that regard. I have a Rockman helmet with chin-strap, but I mounted my cam to it, and therefore, if I'm not filming, I don't want to wear it. I currently have a Stihl hardhat, but I'm looking toward a dedicated climbing helmet. I'm eyeing the Petzl Elios, considering black in color, as white/orange/etc show scuffs something awful. Thoughts, recommendations? Anybody here rocking an Elios?

 

[MasterBlaster]

Black would be hot down here. I rock a Petzl vertex vent, myself. The Alveo looks interesting!

 

[treesmith]

Scratch the Elios....just noticed it has a foam liner rather than suspension. I guess it's down to the Ecrin Roc or the Vertex Vent.

Butch, the Alveo has the foam liner as well. Which would you prefer, foam or suspension?

 

[MasterBlaster]

The foam's the part I don't like: I'm thinking it'll be hot.

 

[treesandsurf]

I had the vent for a few years and have been wearing an alveo the last year and I would definitely go with the alveo. The vent sits pretty high on the head and as a result seems to move around a lot especially here in Hawaii with the heat and sweat IME. The alveo is really light weight, stays put and is just a great all around climbing helmet. I also used the kask for a while but the liner kept coming apart in the humidity.

jp

 

[treesmith]

So you prefer the foam over the suspension? I was thinking it would offer less protection.

 

[Burnham]

I'd go with the Ecrin Roc if you don't want to wear ear muffs with it, the Vertex Vent if you do. The Roc is the most comfortable, imo, but doesn't mesh well with muffs.

 

[treesmith]

Thanks for the input guys. I wish Petzl made one with a little bit of a visor. I guess visors are low on the value feature list.

Maybe I ought to just start a poll of foam-lined vs. suspension?

 

[Burnham]

Suspension here. There are little generic add-on visor thingies available, I think I've seen.

 

[emr]

I have to vote for Pacific Helmets. I have used Petzls in the past and they never seemed big enough for me. I have had the Pacific helmet with a brim and I really like it. One knock I hear against them is that they are heavy or hot and I don't see it. I guess they last longer than the plastic type helmets as well.

 

[canadianclimber]

Treesmith, Check this link out, visor for the petzls. Not sure how it all fits with earmuffs. I currently have a vertex with muffs and mesh screen. Hoping to pick up an alveo later this year. I have an elios that I use for pruning when I know I won't be using a chainsaw, don't even notice it's on my head.. The visor should fit the elios. Look at the rei link I posted. Notice the small hole near the ear on the blue helmet as opposed to no hole on the white. Something to look for before the purchase.

http://www.treestuff.com/store/catalog.asp?category_id=315&item=1865
http://www.rei.com/product/830889/petzl-elios-climbing-helmet

 

[bonner1040]

Petzl makes the visors for their helmets.
https://www.treestuff.com/store/catalog.asp?category_id=315&item=1865

The Elios is not ANZI rated for treework. If that sort of thing matters to you.
https://www.treestuff.com/store/catalog.asp?item=1912

Kask, and any of the helmets with vents are not E rated/class for electrical hazards and cant be worn for line clearance.
https://www.treestuff.com/store/catalog.asp?category_id=273&item=1752

The Petzl Vertex Best is E-rated
https://www.treestuff.com/store/catalog.asp?category_id=273&item=1740

The foam is supposed to deform absorbing impact, its a toss up. Both are safe. I really liked my Petzl vertex, it was light, comfy, cool... no complaints really. THe foam helmet I had before for rock climbing, sat way high on my head and I didnt like it much. The Kasks are designed well and sit low especially for a foam job.

The Kask I have now has a great visor, and its really comfortable. The suspension system falls down behind your head and hugs your head really well, very different from the other helmets I have worn. I dont wear ear muffs but the Kasks are now sold WITH the adapters so no extra cost. Mine is black and its awesome.

The pacific kevlar helmets look really nice and ALL of the guts can be bought separate form the helmet, so you can replace everything
in dividually. + I hear they last a LONG time. I have thought about getting a brimmed one for ground work.
http://www.sherrilltree.com/Professional-Gear/Helmets_2/Wide-Brim-Helmet_2

If you want to get really fancy you can order a Pfanner Protos from europe. There is a thread in the gear forum about those.
http://www.pfanner-austria.at/?m=site&s=index&mid=73

 

[HolmenTree]

Pacifac Kevlar helmet for me,love it.

 

[NickfromWI]

I've used the ROC for years. It was the first helmet I ever used, in fact. I never liked how heavy it was and it seems wobbly, too.

Lately I've been using either the Petzl Meteor III (which is definitely ANSI approved) or this one

The Petzl Altios. Also not ANSI approved, but I like the hyrbrid foam/mesh/strap suspension. You get more airflow than the foam helmets, but less wobble and weight than the standard suspension type.

So I'm considering an Alveo so that I can keep Aunt nANSI happy.

 

[treesmith]

Thanks for all the replies, everyone. Thanks for the detailed reply, Nick(s). I went ahead and ordered a Roc, so if I don't like it, I can give it to Carl for his birthday... When I said "visor", I meant brim, as in like a cap, as I put my cap on as I go out the door, and frequently don't take it off all day. I like the shade it provides, and I've noticed many of the climbing helmets lack one. I suppose I'll get over it.

 

[bonner1040]

A Petzl Ecrin ROC? Thats a classic helmet, from caving and mountaineering. It has stood the test of time for sure and is popular across a lot of disciplines. Good luck with it.

 

[bonner1040]

Hey, That petzl Altios other nick likes.. its only $55! n sale.

http://www.rockcreek.com/petzl/alti...&utm_content=altios-helmet&utm_campaign=petzl

 

[Page]

I got a petzl vent, seems fine. My co-workers have kask and they like them well enough, when they wear them. To be honest I usually wear a leather wide brimmed hat. never hit my head once. started wearing a helmut and I feel like I'm constantly getting hit with sh*t. I am aware of the importance of a helmut, but seriously I think I'm in more danger now!

 

[MasterBlaster]

Welcome to theTreeHouse, Page!

 

[bonner1040]

Welcome to the house page! I hit my head more in a helmet too, it is cause your head is bigger and your brain isnt used to it I think. I def dont do it as much as when I first started wearing one though. I have hit my head/gotten hit enough times to learn though.

 

[NickfromWI]

...started wearing a helmut and I feel like... I'm in more danger now!

Nah- you're more likely to bump your helmet now, but less likely to end up in a hospital.

Either way, welcome to the Treehouse!

 

[tophopper]

If you work within MADs of powerlines, you really should wear a class E helmet. The only helmet mentioned above that meets that requirement is the Pacific.

Ive been wearing Pacific helmets for about 10 years now. I also like the added protection of a brimmed helmet. Those fancy rock climbing helmets are just that, fancy.

 

[Burnham]

It's a personal thing, I know...but a brim interveres with vision overhead to such a degree that I cannot abide one on a climbing helmet.

 

[MasterBlaster]

I'm just the opposite. I like a bill for sunlight / sawdust deflection. Alas...

 

[Burnham]

Valid points, Butch.