Portwest height endurance vented helmet???

[hoehlenforscher]

Has anyone used one of these for caving? It has been hinted that my 30 year old Petzl Ecrin is probably past its best. Now at most I get undergound about twice a year these days so after a cheap and cheerful replacement. Anyone used the above, which seems ridiculously cheap at about £13.

Portwest Height Endurance Vented Helmet

Height Endurance Vented Helmet designed to be used when working at heights offering extra air flow. 30 years in business. See more.

www.workwearexpress.com

If unsuitable then any better suggestions that won't break the bank?
Cheers

 

[hoehlenforscher]

Answering my own question after some research....

What Is The Difference Between EN 397 And EN 12492? - Clad Safety

What is the difference between EN 397 and EN 12492? A common question when an organisation requires head protection and are confused by the safety standards.

cladsafety.co.uk

 

[shotlighter]

There's wear in that Ecrin yet - are you made of money!

 

[ChrisB]

Interesting comparison. The insistence that wrong type of chinstrap is dangerous seemed a bit overstated, but on reflection, when I worked on construction sites nobody ever used the chinstrap unless it was very windy, whereas I've never seen a caver intentionally not use one.

 

[georgenorth]

Answering my own question after some research....

What Is The Difference Between EN 397 And EN 12492? - Clad Safety

What is the difference between EN 397 and EN 12492? A common question when an organisation requires head protection and are confused by the safety standards.

cladsafety.co.uk

I think that article (written by AI?) can be summed up as a crock of shit. EN 12492 helmets are routinely used on civil engineering sites (for non work at height), because they’re generally a much better product. The extra protection provided by it actually staying on your head, far outweighs the risk of you being strangled by the chin strap imo.

My experience of cheap helmets (for work), is that they’re a false economy. The adjustment mechanisms are fragile and break (who knew).

This might be a touch controversial, but if I needed a ‘new’ caving helmet and money was tight, I’d probably be looking at buying a quality second hand one.

 

[PeteHall]

my 30 year old Petzl Ecrin is probably past its best

I may be wrong, but I thought that an Ecrin was still OK, if it hadn't taken a knock and been physically damaged.

I'm more than happy with my old Ecrins and hope I've got enough (2 ecrin roc, 1 ecrin best, and 1 explorer) to see out my days of caving.

I'm yet to find a helmet that I find half as comfortable.

 

[badger]

Using an very old helmet, there could be a detoriation of the material used in it's manufacture, there could be un seen damage. Its up to you to determine whether it's safe to use.
Alternatively Decathlon sell climbing helmets under 30.00, or you could decide to look for a nearly new ecrin, and hope it's as described.

 

[hoehlenforscher]

I have been happy with my helmet, but others in the SMWCRT team suggested I night be better off with an "in date" helmet...

I did have my eye on one of those Decathalon climbing helmets. Think I will take a punt

 

[Tim Pickering]

I have been happy with my helmet, but others in the SMWCRT team suggested I night be better off with an "in date" helmet...

I did have my eye on one of those Decathalon climbing helmets. Think I will take a punt

I have an Edelrid Ultralight III in white you can have for £30. It's brand spanking new and never been worn. It's too big for my peanut head. I bought it to comply with HSE stuff for cave leader training (as my usual lid is an Ecrin so it's over ten years old). DM me if you're interested.

 

[JoshW]

I have been happy with my helmet, but others in the SMWCRT team suggested I night be better off with an "in date" helmet...

I did have my eye on one of those Decathalon climbing helmets. Think I will take a punt

Check lifespans on the decathlon helmets. Sure there was a thing about decathlon kit having a shorter max lifespan.

For 50 quid you can pick up a brand new Petzl boreo- have used one of these for caving for the last year or so and finding it absolutely grand. Even managed to remove the shell to drill and attach my Rude Nora.