More and more climbers no longer wear a helmet only on multi-pitched tours, but also in the climbing garden. Rightly so. Because this protects not only from falling rocks, but also from the impact on the rock in the event of a fall. Petzl shows you in today's post, what you should pay attention to when choosing your helmet and how to adjust your helmet correctly.
A contribution by Petzl
There's no need for a wild adventure on a rocky outcrop to get serious injuries while climbing. Also in busy climbing gardens there are always rockfalls. In addition to the rockfall, climbing involves a second danger: An unfavorable impact in the event of a fall. An example is provided by professional climber Jorg Verhoeven.
Impact protection as important as protection against falling rocks
Most helmets on the market mainly protect the top of the head, that is, the protection against stone chipping from above aligned.
However, feedback from practice has shown that impacts in the side and rear of the head are just as common. Helmets with the label "Top and Side Protection" offer additional protection against bumps on the sides and in the area of the back of the head.
Choose the right model
First, there are the classic hard shell helmets. They are, as the name suggests, made of a hard plastic and are therefore robust. There are also foam helmets (in-mold construction). Foam helmets are lighter in construction and optimally protected from impact. Due to their lightweight construction, they are somewhat less robust. A third category is the hybrid helmets, which combine the two worlds, that is, consist of a soft foam core with a hard shell.
The distinction between hybrid helmets and foam helmets is difficult, since most foam helmets now have a thin protective layer that protects the foam from dents. Which model is suitable for whom, flat rate can not be said. Foam helmets tend to be lighter but less durable. The following questions / arguments help in choosing the right model.
The following points should be noted:
- Do you also want to wear the helmet for ski tours? In this case, there are helmets that are certified several times (climbing and ski touring). An example is the Meteor.
- For all female climbers, the question arises whether a helmet is worth the pony tail enough space. In that case, that could Model Elia the right choice .
- Depending on the season or application is worth a model that has optimal ventilation. This should not be underestimated when wearing during the approach.
- Do you often secure with prism glasses? In that case, you should test before buying whether you can "look past" the edge of the helmet when wearing the helmet.
- In sports climbing, a lightweight model (in-mold) is certainly worthwhile
- In alpine climbing, the risk of falling rocks is higher than in the climbing garden. When approaching and in the case of wide hook distances there is also a risk of impact. That's why wearing a hybrid helmet is a good choice.
Do not forget: adjust the helmet correctly
In addition to choosing the right helmet and the right size, the correct setting is of central importance. Vivian Bruchez (Petzl athlete) gives tips on how to best adjust a helmet so that it fits perfectly on the head (video in French, subtitles can be set).
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Credits: Cover Picture Petzl / Jan Novak