Helmet Recommendations

[bagpuss]

Looking to replace our caving helmets in the near future. Has anyone purchased one in recent times and what would you recommend? Apologies if this has already been covered, I did search the forum but couldn't find anything. Interested to hear comparisons between the Vertex, Boreo / Elderid Ultra Light.

 

[mikem]

The new edelrids are nothing like the old design and DON'T fit a wide range of people

Someone else did recently suggest the CAMP rockstar as a good cheap alternative

 

[bagpuss]

The new edelrids are nothing like the old design and DON'T fit a wide range of people

Someone else did recently suggest the CAMP rockstar as a good cheap alternative

What's the issue with the fit, too big? I had also seen the Camp rockstar recommendation, wondered how good if would be for such a budget price.

 

[mikem]

The chinstrap is set too low on the large version, and the plastic on the back of the small sticks into people's heads when fully tightened.

There is this discussion from a couple of years ago that mentions all those you listed:

H

Thread 'Helmet recomendations'

Sep 4, 2023

I'm in the market for a new helmet and looking for recommendations. Nothing wrong with my current helmet, other than it's now more than 10 years old and so outside of the manufactures recommend life span. As it's an Ecrin Roc, I'm sure it still has years of life left in it but the rescue team I'm a member of says all ppe must be within age limits.

I've recently tried on a Petzl Boreo, a Petzl Vertex Vent and an Edelrid Ultralight III. They were all comfortable (for a minute in the shop and without the weight of a lamp, at least.) The Boreo has lots of foam and looked difficult to bolt a...

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[Pete K]

The Petzl Vertex often comes up in these threads and people do point out that it is rather large. I don't see many mentions of the Petzl Strato, which is a more compact version of the Vertex. They are comfy and tough, plus have some replicable elements which is useful. I have a couple of these (1 for caving and 1 for work) and really like them. There are certainly cheaper options for helmets though. I thing the Petzl Panga is a brilliant helmet and have a dozen in the stores for caving groups and used to use one myself before I got the Strato.

 

[marsrat]

CT Galaxy is good, haven’t used anything else.

 

[phizz4]

Looking to replace our caving helmets in the near future. Has anyone purchased one in recent times and what would you recommend? Apologies if this has already been covered, I did search the forum but couldn't find anything. Interested to hear comparisons between the Vertex, Boreo / Elderid Ultra Light.

I've recently swapped from the Edelrid to a Black Diamond Half Dome and am very happy with this. Action Stash have them at a good price at the moment.

 

[Jhowarth1]

Petzl Panga, i have used one for a couple of years caving and loads of group work and have been really impressed.

 

[JoshW]

Looking to replace our caving helmets in the near future. Has anyone purchased one in recent times and what would you recommend? Apologies if this has already been covered, I did search the forum but couldn't find anything. Interested to hear comparisons between the Vertex, Boreo / Elderid Ultra Light.

For group use the panga is difficult to look past.

The cradle can be replaced if damaged (better longevity).

It can also be adjusted to go to a super small size whilst also retaining front/back balance (the cradle removes and adjusts with some easy poppers).

Reasonably bombproof as well.

 

[JoshW]

For group use the panga is difficult to look past.

The cradle can be replaced if damaged (better longevity).

It can also be adjusted to go to a super small size whilst also retaining front/back balance (the cradle removes and adjusts with some easy poppers).

Reasonably bombproof as well.

If for personal not group use, it’s very much worth trying a few on.

I upgraded from an old Ecrin roc to a boreo and the weight difference is delightful. (Harder to mount a rude Nora to though, and probably at some point I’ll switch out the light for a fenix type thing with a sticky mount - but that’s a different post).

I tried on a few - I get access to v cheap Petzl kit so I leant towards the boreo over alternative brands. Tony (starless river) is normally pretty good at letting you test your heads in helmets, can definitely recommend

 

[Tritim230]

I've got a CT Stark which is nicely adjustable, not big, and very comfortable

 

[bagpuss]

I've got a CT Stark which is nicely adjustable, not big, and very comfortable

We were watching one of the Redhouse/Symonds Yat videos and were trying to work out which one you had