Best Canyoneering Helmet....

[tanya]

I am sending back my pink one. The guys say its ugly. :mrgreen:


So what is a good one? Should be light and safe.....

Was looking at these...

Black Diamond "Half Dome"


Petzl Meteor III Well Ventilated lightweight protection.

[jumar]

I'm a fan of the Petzl Elios. My wife had a half dome, and hated it. The straps were a pain to adjust etc. On the other hand, my sister has a BD helmet and likes it a lot. :ne_nau:

[CarpeyBiggs]

The new elios is really good... I just got a new one, it is nice.

[Bo_Beck]

I am sending back my pink one. The guys say its ugly. :mrgreen:


So what is a good one? Should be light and safe.....

Was looking at these...

Black Diamond "Half Dome"


Petzl Meteor III Well Ventilated lightweight protection.

Stop by OO someday, we have both the Elios and Half Dome in stock. You can see for yourself which is most comfortable. :five:

[denaliguide]

who cares as long as the color matches your eyes. :haha: image is everything.

[marc olivares]

another fan of the elios... :2thumbs:

[ratagonia]

another fan of the elios... :2thumbs:

Count me in on Team Elios. The BD Tracer is also really good, but it has a very small fit range so it only works well if it fits you. And it costs more.

Tom

[Alex]

I have Petzl Roc helmet, it fits me better than Elios :ne_nau:

http://www.rei.com/product/471157?vcat=REI_SEARCH

http://media.rei.com/media/471157_1816Prd.JPGhttp://media.rei.com/media/471157_2393Prd.JPG

[stefan]

i use the BD halfdome.

i got it (a) 'cause it works and (b) 'cause it was $38

it's not the greatest, but it's functional.


i may get another in the near future, since tom keeps making it apparent to me
that i should have more helmets around for others :D

[shagster]

BD halfdome, it works great for me. I have a huge head and that one fit pretty dang good compared to others. Find what fits best and call it good.

[hank moon]

Main thing when selecting a helmet: get one that fits. Do not buy one w/o trying it on. Heads and helmet shapes are all different and "one size fits all" does not apply. Put the helmet on in the shop and adjust it to fit your head. Then do two simple tests: 1) buckle the chinstrap, put the heel of your hand on the brim directly above your nose and push the helmet up and back. It should not *easily* slide back to expose your forehead. If it does, the helmet probably doesn't fit and you should try another; 2) Unbuckle the chinstrap and shake your head from side to side (moving ears toward shoulders), and back/forth, as in saying "yes", and might as well say "no" while you're at it. It's the yes/no/maybe shake test! Uh, anyway, the helmet should not shift around loosely on your head during the shake test; if it does, find one that fits better. There are several other fit issues that might arise while you are adjusting it (Y-strap of cradle too tight under ears, chinstrap position unconfortable on throat). Make sure these can be solved with the adjustment system.

A good helmet to check out in addition to those already mentioned: Edelrid ultralight. Inexpensive and fairly narrow profile - great for those really tight spots.

[stefan]

here are some helmets :haha:

http://bogley.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=98925#98925

the emperor is wearing the Black Diamond Tracer

i especially like the BD Vader :wink:

[Iceaxe]

I just know the helmet police are going to get me for this....

.... my new 2008 helmet.

:lol8:

[jumar]

Here's the orange Elios and a green BD....something-or-other

http://www.my-mania.com/canyoneering/images/khchadjeff2.jpg

[stefan]

... and a green BD....something-or-other


that's the Black Diamond Hemisphere

discontinued if i remember correctly

[Jaxx]

My wife got a Grivel Salamander, pink of course.

(bottom left)
http://s7ondemand1.scene7.com/is/image/MoosejawMB/10037783x1025057_zm?$product475$

[hank moon]

I just know the helmet police are going to get me for this....

.... my new 2008 helmet.

:lol8:

*** HELMET POLICE MEMO *** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ***

RE: BURROWS

[Jaxx]

copycat potential nil

ZING!!!

[Iceaxe]

Hey... at least I was wearing my safety glasses.

http://bestsmileys.com/lol/4.gif

[wiese]

Yea we are all broke, but its a helmet. Its like skimping on a condom or a seatbelt. Yea it might cost 20$ more but how much is your skull worth to ya.
Price should NEVER be an issue.

Trust me:
1 fractured skull
7 concussions
3 cracked AND replaced helmets

the above probably explains a little to much:(

when you buy your new brain bucket, you might want to put a date on it so you know when to replace it (depending on the type you buy).

Good Luck
EW

[Iceaxe]

Trust me:
1 fractured skull
7 concussions
3 cracked AND replaced helmets


Just curious.... any of these from canyoneering?

I'm not saying a helmet is not a great idea. But I really only know of one canyoneering accident that a helmet would probably have made a big difference in the outcome.

Leprechaun Canyon - Technical Canyoneering Rescue
http://climb-utah.com/Powell/leprechaun2.htm

I'd also like to hear any canyoneering stories where someone believes wearing a helmet made a big difference?

Inquiring minds want to know.....

:cool2:

[wiese]

Just curious.... any of these from canyoneering?

Nope


I'd also like to hear any canyoneering stories where someone believes wearing a helmet made a big difference?

I have said it before, but I dress up like a Power Ranger. I wore a modified motocross suit while running a muck on Maui. If you put up 1st descents in class C, you will find plenty of lose rocks. You also can slide or be launched in areas you don't wish to be when playing with water, I have witnessed it breaking bones. (bone to be more correct) And I know he is glad he was wearing his helmet.

Also because of the goats:) Long stories, involving videos and rock rain.

I think it all comes down to where you are playing and how you playing.

take care
EW

[skianddive]

I'd also like to hear any canyoneering stories where someone believes wearing a helmet made a big difference?

Inquiring minds want to know.....
I believe a helmet has prevented injuries to my cabeza several times here in SoCal, but I can't quantify how "big" this difference was because I have no reference point. I know without it, there would have been blood loss and maybe a possible concussion.

The canyons here in SoCal are notorious for having a lot of crumbly granite, and while I normally take precuations to make sure I am not underneath these sections of rotten rock, sometimes it is unavoidable.

Once upon a time, we were descending a canyon with a couple of newbies, and I was the designated bottom belayer on a particular drop. Normally, we descend right in the water course where there is hard granite, so rocks are usually not a problem, but because the anchor for this rappel was off to one side, the newbies descended through a section of crumbly granite and both kicked off pieces. I was standing off to one side executing the belay, and most rocks fell straight down, but several pieces bounced on the way down and struck my helmet. I know I would have been injured had I not been wearing it.

In addition, many SoCal descents involve scrambling around/in trees and branches, and I know my helmet has saved my noggin several times from being pierced or, worse, impaled. Three weeks ago, we came to a narrow 45' drop in one of our canyons that had a tree sticking up from the bottom - it had toppled over and the roots were at the top. Carrying a handsaw, I was lowered down the waterfall to cut some of the many branches and make a chute, and I'm glad I had my helmet on.

So that should explain why helmets are almost mandatory here in our mountains, but I can understand how some Utah canyons could be done without them when you don't have to worry about falling rocks and branches that reach out and grab you.

[AJ]

Tanya, in your fish animation; both Hank and Stevee are wearing Petzl Elios helmets. Hanks is a newer model.

I'm a fan of the Elios as well. Lightweight, comfy, and you can add a visor for ice climbing.

Shane, I've taken a few rocks off the helmet in canyons, that sure wouldn't have felt good without a helmet. A couple of them were large enough where I'm sure I would have been seriously injured; so I'm a strong promoter of helmets (and I require them for the trips I'm leading...)

Definitely second that opinion that there is a lot of loose rock in CA canyons...


Take care,
A.J.

[stefan]

I'd also like to hear any canyoneering stories where someone believes wearing a helmet made a big difference?


it might have made a big difference in this situation:
http://www.canyoneering.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1038

[Iceaxe]

it might have made a big difference in this situation:

I doubt it..... ya can't fix stupid.

:lol8:

[m cabourne]

Let me echo skianddive's comments. The San Gabriel's are really crumbly probably owing to the proximity of the San Andreas fault. It's quite likely you will knock pretty good chunks of rock down when getting into some of these canyons. Entry tends to be steep and loose as a rule. I have a number of stitches from one such incident. So......leave your helmet off if you want Shane, but you may change your mind if you visit some of our mountains.

Mike C.

[asdf]

mock me all you want but i love pro-tech helmets.
Skate, bike, board, or whatever you want. When copelands went out I pikced up 4 of them to 10bucks each.
http://www.firsttothefinish.com/mmFTTF/Images/fw/thumbs/GTA140S.JPG

[Iceaxe]

I have a number of stitches from one such incident. So......leave your helmet off if you want Shane, but you may change your mind if you visit some of our mountains.

I'm not saying helmets are not a good idea... I was just curious how many folks have first hand experiance.....

Personally, I never used to wear a helmet. Then I had two close calls and started wearing a helmet depending on the canyon.

First Close Call: A partner kicked a baseball size rock off the top of a rappel and it just missed my head. I started thinking that a helmet might be a good idea and started wearing one most of the time.

Second Close Call: Walking through a slot and two bowling ball rocks fell from high up and bracketed us. I doubt a helmet would have save anyone if a direct hit, but it got me to thinking again that a helmet might not be a bad idea.

:cool2:

[ratagonia]

I think it's important who your partner is too... and if you have more than 2 people in your group. It's hard to watch things from all different directions. While it has to be safter to always wear a helmet I think wearing one for every canyon is a going too far. The canyons I did with Shane last weekend --- I saw no reason to wear a helmet, in fact I would have to say that most of the hikes I have done in the boonies have more danger of loose rocks falling on my head than these types of canyons.

What canyons did you do last weekend? Oh yeah, Leprechaun, the canyon in that story where the guy hit his head and got rescued the next day, should have died, should have been a vegetable, but God was nice, that time.

Your skull provides protection from falling rocks and hitting your head in a slip. A helmet provides considerably more protection.

Are there canyons where you cannot imagine hitting your head? I would present this as evidence of a lack of imagination on your part, rather than anything to do with the nature of the canyons.

Tom

[ratagonia]

Why would you have to replace a helmet after a certain date if it has not been damaged?

I suppose what we need in a helmet is:
1. protection
2. ventilation
3. visibility
4. comfort
5. light weight
6. compact - taking little room in a pack

A foam on the inside of some helmets along with a thin shell on the outside, makes some of the newer canyoneering helmets lighter and more compact than some other possible choices --- but then they are not as safe since the thin coating can crack after the first hit.

Is it worth it to get the safer helmet or better to get the lighter more compact ones?

Helmets are produced under a very strict engineering performance Standard. Any helmet that meets the mountaineering standard will provide a lot of protection as long as you are wearing it. Some helmets might provide a little bit more protection. The most important idea is to find a helmet that you LIKE, so you will wear it most if not all of the time (in canyons).

The thin foam design is a hybrid hard/foam design that uses both technologies to make very high-performance helmets. It still provides plenty of protection.

Tom

[Scott Card]

I just returned from two days at a Brain Injury Seminar. I gotta tell ya, it is just plain dumb not to wear a helmet. Even a mild traumatic brain injury is devastating. And for the record. I am glad in many canyons for my helmet. I have stood up too soon under a chock stone or log jam multiple times only to bump my helmet not my head. I have had rocks pelt me multiple times from junk raps like the second one in Heaps, the last one entering Phantom Valley. I wear one. YMMV.

[Iceaxe]

What canyons did you do last weekend? Oh yeah, Leprechaun, the canyon in that story where the guy hit his head and got rescued the next day, should have died, should have been a vegetable, but God was nice, that time.

Yeah... but that was a bit of a freak accident. Heading out to get the mail tomorrow I could slip on the ice and split my noggin. You have to draw the line somewhere.... :ne_nau:

Like I'm heading over to the Lazy Dog Saloon to shoot some pool in a few minutes. The odds of someone cracking a pool cue over my head at the Dog are much greater then a slip in Leprechaun. But I would look really stupid walking into the Dog looking like the red M&M. That would get me a chipped tooth for sure. :haha:

Again... not saying helmets are bad.... just at some point in time you begin to look like you belong on the short bus.

:popcorn:

[Iceaxe]

either your wife or the husbands of the other wives there

Anyone want to take the over/under on this bet.

:roflol:

[Iceaxe]

It wouldn't be the first time that the hot young stripper wife had beat my ass..... :lol8:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8c/BDSM.jpg/398px-BDSM.jpg

[ratagonia]

Again... not saying helmets are bad.... just at some point in time you begin to look like you belong on the short bus.


How old are you Shane? Still so worried about looking cool?

We've tried to make it un-cool to canyon without a helmet - apparently we have not quite reached the hard-headed crowd. But please don't take Tanya with you - she's got kids that need her!

Can't imagine yourself slipping in Leprechaun, even the East Fork? Again, I see a lack of imagination, rather than a inerrant canyoneer.

Tom

[Wasatch]

I would like to know if this is the consenus of this forum to not wear a helmet? For me, I would not do another canyon without one (been wearing one since 04), too close of a call for me in a couple of instances of slipping and banging my head against the wall a few years ago and had a bunch of rocks fall on me in Birch Hollow last year.

[Iceaxe]

OK, here is my helmet picture....

As I've said.... I'm not against wearing helmet's, I usually wear a helmet, Everyone should own a helmet. My main interest in this thread was to see how many folks had actually used their helmet.

But, I do think the helmet Nazi's sometimes get a little extreme.

You can call me the Red M&M.

http://climb-utah.com/Roost/Files/spur1.jpg

[Bo_Beck]

OK, here is my helmet picture....

As I've said.... I'm not against wearing helmet's, I usually wear a helmet, Everyone should own a helmet. My main interest in this thread was to see how many folks had actually used their helmet.

But, I do think the helmet Nazi's sometimes get a little extreme.

You can call me the Red M&M.

http://climb-utah.com/Roost/Files/spur1.jpg

Nice red color! Matches Tanyas Helmet. Did you try hammering some dead fish against it to see if it passes the test? :2thumbs: :five:

I've had a few near misses when not wearing my helmet, but as the saying goes.."When the going gets tough, wear a helmet". At least they'll have a handle and a bucket to lug you (or me) out of the canyon! :five:

[Bo_Beck]

OK, here is my helmet picture....

As I've said.... I'm not against wearing helmet's, I usually wear a helmet, Everyone should own a helmet. My main interest in this thread was to see how many folks had actually used their helmet.

But, I do think the helmet Nazi's sometimes get a little extreme.

You can call me the Red M&M.

http://climb-utah.com/Roost/Files/spur1.jpg

Nice red color! Matches Tanyas Helmet. Did you try hammering some dead fish against it to see if it passes the test? :2thumbs: :five:

I've had a few near misses when not wearing my helmet, but as the saying goes.."When the going gets tough, wear a helmet". At least they'll have a handle and a bucket to lug you (or me) out of the canyon! :five:

Mine is better! It has a ropes for Rescue sticker on it. :lol8:

I think the helmit befits you well Tanya! plus it makes a whole boatload of people happy that you are protecting that wonderful noggin of yours!

[tanya]

It was not bad wearing the helmet, but I think I need white! Being an insomniac my eyes are always really bloodshot and the helmet makes it worse! I also kept hitting the thing on rocks where I never hit my head. I am not use to that little extra I suppose.

http://www.zionnational-park.com/images/album2/images/yankee-p_jpg.jpg

[Bo_Beck]

It was not bad wearing the helmet, but I think I need white! Being an insomniac my eyes are always really bloodshot and the helmet makes it worse! I also kept hitting the thing on rocks where I never hit my head. I am not use to that little extra I suppose.

http://www.zionnational-park.com/images/album2/images/yankee-p_jpg.jpg

Would be glad to get you a white one when you give me the word! The Ropes that Rescue Sticker will cost an arm and a leg though :roflol:

[tanya]

But I like that sticker!!!! :mrgreen:

[Iceaxe]

But I like that sticker!!!! :mrgreen:

What does it say? I can only read RESCUE.

If you get a white helmet we will no longer match in the canyons. I'll be the last of the red M&M's :lol8:

:popcorn:

[Bo_Beck]

But I like that sticker!!!! :mrgreen:

What does it say? I can only read RESCUE.

If you get a white helmet we will no longer match in the canyons. I'll be the last of the red M&M's :lol8:

:popcorn:

"Rescue me first and we'll talk about the ropes later" :lol8:

[tanya]

You and Bo would still match since it's his SAR helmet. :lol8:


That could be a dangerous sticker to wear on my helmet. Make me one okay. :haha:


This is probably the best one to read the sticker since there is no flash on the helmet.

http://www.zionnational-park.com/images/album2/images/yankee-zf_jpg.jpg

[Bo_Beck]

You and Bo would still match since it's his SAR helmet. :lol8:


That could be a dangerous sticker to wear on my helmet. Make me one okay. :haha:


This is probably the best one to read the sticker since there is no flash on the helmet.

http://www.zionnational-park.com/images/album2/images/yankee-zf_jpg.jpg

No problem! If you want to match Ice though...just keep the red helmet and buy me a new one someday. I really dislike the helmet I wore sunday, and had to use yesterday on the rescue :cool2:

[Iceaxe]

"Rescue me first and we'll talk about the ropes later" :lol8:

:roflol: :roflol: :roflol: I want one!!!

Oh wait.... I forgot we are supposed to be serious.... no funny stickers allowed on canyoneering helmets. :haha:

Jumar has a Bullseye paint on the top of his helmet. I like that one also....

:five:

[oldno7]

ahh helmet stickers(sorry for the blur)

[Iceaxe]

That's awesome :2thumbs:

[Bo_Beck]

ahh helmet stickers(sorry for the blur)

Now I understand why you like that Camo pack! You should have told me! Freedom! Yeah Baby!

[Bo_Beck]

"Rescue me first and we'll talk about the ropes later" :lol8:

:roflol: :roflol: :roflol: I want one!!!

Oh wait.... I forgot we are supposed to be serious.... no funny stickers allowed on canyoneering helmets. :haha:

Jumar has a Bullseye paint on the top of his helmet. I like that one also....

:five:

[tanya]

I'm a fan of the Petzl Elios. My wife had a half dome, and hated it. The straps were a pain to adjust etc. On the other hand, my sister has a BD helmet and likes it a lot. :ne_nau:


I think Bo had sticker envy :lol8: and took back the red helmet. Now I am stuck with the half dome one too. :ne_nau: ~sniffle~ I will check it out in the next canyon we do and give it the pain review or the thumbs up. :popcorn:

[accadacca]

Bringing up an old thread that is applicable to the question I am going to ask. Because I ain't a forum noob! :lol8:

Is this a good helmet? It is listed in this thread and looks like an affordable solid option. FWIW, it is the #1 top seller on Amazon :ne_nau:: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000EWWZRU/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=bogloutdcomm-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=B000EWWZRU

*Still looking for contest prize options...

[Brian in SLC]

Yep, the BD half done, uhh, I mean half dome is a great helmet. Just ordered one m'self.

If I could afford to consume helmets, I'd wear the disposible Petzl Meteor III for sure.

[tanya]

But please don't take Tanya with you - she's got kids that need her!


Tom


Sometimes Tom can be so sweet! :hail2thechief:

[accadacca]

Best Canyoneering Helmet.... (http://www.bogley.com/forum/showthread.php?p=462185&page=3)
The one Tanya is wearing. :mrgreen:

[ratagonia]

Yep, the BD half done, uhh, I mean half dome is a great helmet. Just ordered one m'self.

If I could afford to consume helmets, I'd wear the disposible Petzl Meteor III for sure.

Now that it is fully done...

I like the Petzl Elios better. It seems to fit my head better.

On sale at Moose Jaw might be previous-year's version, which do not have as nice an adjustment mechanism.

Tom

[Sandyfeet]

Shane, there is a good example of my dumb ass mistake right in your own book "Canyoneering Tales" called Behunin Fall, that was my last canyon without a helmet other than Little Wildhorse with the kids and canyons like them Peekapoo and such.. Getting seven staples in my noggin during spring break in St George was brutal. I slipped down an incline and hit my head several times as I tumbled down, 10 years later I still hear the knocks on my head.. kind of like a car wreck you remember the sound like the one from when I was 8 years old.. If I had a helmet on I would have just done a few summersaults got up and moved on.. I had no other injuries except the spilt in me head... I have 5 different helmets for my hobbies and always wear them.