Helmets

[gyselinck]

I am in the market for a new helmet. Does anyone have anything good or bad to say about black diamond's half dome. I've heard only bad things about it. The reason I was looking at that vs. the others is that I get good deals through my job with bd.

[DirtyHarry]

The Grivel one looks cooler.

[minx]

half dome--imo--pros-i like it b/c it's comfortable and i can see out from under it better than my petzl helmet. cons-it seems to crack easily if dropped from short distances or packed slightly askew. i don't wear mine as often as may be prudent.

[glacier]

I've got a half dome and like it - although my first one cracked after inadvertantly being stepped on. My biggest requirement for safety gear is not noticing it when I'm wearing it, which makes me more likely to don it in the 1st place. So I'd say try on a few side by side to see which one feels best/has better vision, etc.

[Nick]

Petzl Elios fits my head better and seems sturdier. With all the dough you can save on great hardware with your job at bd you should be able to afford whatever helmet actually fits your head.

[John Frieh]

If it fits your noggin well pick it up...

 

What negative about it have you heard?

[Blake]

If it fits your noggin well pick it up...

 

What negative about it have you heard?

 

Word is, Layton wears one...

[Dr_Crash]

Half dome works. One saved me when hit by a pretty good size rock. My only gripe with it: the velcro to adjust the fit. I prefer dials like on Petzl helmets; but that's pretty minor. I've got an Elios now.

 

drC

[andrewbanandrew]

the main reason why I didn't buy a half-dome when I got a helmet was that it didn't feel comfortable to me. a minor reason was the velcro used to adjust the fit, which just seemed kind of annoying. I like my elios and it has already saved my ass once.

[underworld]

half dome velcro fix: poke a hole near the end of it and then tie a loop of chord thru it (like a knotted zipper pull).. then you can easily adjust it. even with gloves on.

[Rat_In_Training]

Edited for content!!

[catbirdseat]

I've got a half dome and like it - although my first one cracked after inadvertantly being stepped on.

Yikes! A helmet should be strong enough that you could could jump up and down on top of it. I am certain you could do that with the Ecrin and it would be no worse for wear.

[jmace]

Ecrins Heavy! I wore one for years and no problems recently upgraded forget the type but its so light I dont notice it and didnt realize how heavy and uncomfortable the Ecrin was.

 

Ithink its all about fit, their cheap enough to replace if they wear out ealrier than other modles

[Nick]

If a helmet breaks after being stepped on I wouldn't call that "wearing out". What if your helmet "wears out" when you are half way up Rockfall Peak?

 

I found the Ecrin to uncomfortably heavy also. The Edelrid Ultralight seems to me the most comfortable of the old style bucket helmets and it's not too heavy at 14 ounces.

 

The Petzl Elios is lighter still, fits closer to the head, seems tough enough to withstand repeated blows, and best of all it seems to protect better against side impacts than the older buckets. This is because (on my head at any rate) it seems to fit much more snugly; the straps seem to support better against side forces, and the foam probably adds an extra degree of force absorption.

 

The half dome seems similar to the elios but doesn't fit my head anywhere near as snugly, and the shell seems to be less robust.

[John Frieh]

I found the Ecrin to uncomfortably heavy also. The Edelrid Ultralight seems to me the most comfortable of the old style bucket helmets and it's not too heavy at 14 ounces.

 

The Petzl Elios is lighter still, fits closer to the head, seems tough enough to withstand repeated blows, and best of all it seems to protect better against side impacts than the older buckets. This is because (on my head at any rate) it seems to fit much more snugly; the straps seem to support better against side forces, and the foam probably adds an extra degree of force absorption.

 

The half dome seems similar to the elios but doesn't fit my head anywhere near as snugly, and the shell seems to be less robust.

 

I have smashed 2 petzl elios either on the approach or on route in the past year... didn't take a lot of force to do it either. With that said I still climb in them as I too find them comfortable.

 

With that said I think Twight said it best in his how to book... he argues that though lighter those style helmets (elios, half dome, etc) absorb the energy by deforming/exploding where as the Ecrin/older style helmets will keep its shape after most hits. I believe he recommends a Ecrin or something similar.

[Geek_the_Greek]

I am in the market for a new helmet. Does anyone have anything good or bad to say about black diamond's half dome. I've heard only bad things about it. The reason I was looking at that vs. the others is that I get good deals through my job with bd.

 

I have a Half Dome I will sell you for $10 if you want. It's been used maybe 6 times - minor cosmetic scratches, nothing more (I'm serious). It just looks dorky on me, and my principle requirement of a helmet is that it not look dorky... I've reverted back to my old Ultralight, and am moving soon, so getting rid of unused shit.

 

PM if interested.

 

EDIT: Helmet has been sold.

Edited February 27, 2006 by Geek_the_Greek

[Blake]

HB carbon fiber is lightest and strongest, and most 'darth vader' looking.

[crackers]

i feel 35 feet or so and grounded on my carbon fibre HB El Cap helmet. I walked away, sent the helmet in and they were like "eh, cosmetic blemish, no problem."

[dt_3pin]

i feel 35 feet or so and grounded on my carbon fibre HB El Cap helmet. I walked away, sent the helmet in and they were like "eh, cosmetic blemish, no problem."

 

[crackers]

oh, they sent me the X-Ray or whatever it was with the thing...the impact just mussed the epoxy!

[mike1]

more...

 

older thread

 

After this thread I picked up the HB El Cap. No complaints.