1. No Helmet, no Climb
No matter what, a climber should never be on a climb without a helmet. If there is an accident, the helmet is the only thing between your head and the hard ground or rock. There are three main types of materials used to construct the shell of the helmet. These materials are carbon, fiberglass and plastic. Plastic shells, which are best for rock climbing, are the most common type due to their combination of being lightweight and durable. The fiberglass and carbon helmets are heavier but tend to last longer and are best for ice climbing.
2. Helmet Features
Adjustability, fitness and ventilation are other important features of the climbing helmet. The helmet should have an adjustable chinstrap along with a circumference harness system. You should try on different helmets until you find the one that fits the best. The fit should be tight but not to the point of discomfort. A climber should feel the pressure of the helmet on all of the contact points on the head. Finally, you want a helmet that has proper ventilation for those hot summer climbs. These ventilation holes should be small enough to prevent dirt and rock from entering the helmet and provide plugs for the holes during an ice climb.
3. Weighty Issue
The weight of the climbing helmet is also an important concern. Picking a helmet that is too heavy can make for an uncomfortable climb. Therefore, before you purchase a helmet, wear it around the store. If they have a climbing wall in the store ask if you can take the helmet out for a test climb. The usual helmet weight is between 10 to 17 ounces; however, there really is no specific weight guideline. It is more about personal preference, comfort and neck strength.
4. Certified Safe
Before picking any climbing helmet, you need to verify that it has proper certification for safety by a climbing authority. The three major compliance entities are Union Internationale des Associations d' Alpinisme (UIAA), American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and Community European (CE). If there is no certification then leave that helmet on the shelf.
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