Best Climbing Helmets In 2022

In the previous iteration of the Black Diamond Half Dome, the interior foam had a habit of interfering with airflow. That’s been corrected on this latest model. What hasn’t needed correction is the overall fit, which was outstanding before and continues to be even with the above-mentioned tweaks to the interior layout. The adjustment wheel is conveniently located and easy to use even when you’re sporting gloves and the overall weight of the helmet is in line with the best climbing helmets out there.

The acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) outer shell will stop most stones and small rocks, as long as they don’t have too great a head of steam. And the inner EPS foam – although cut back a bit to facilitate ventilation – still does a great job distributing impact stresses. Find more great climbing products like this by checking out our guide to the best climbing ropes.

If you’re looking for a slick, tough, reliable climbing helmet for men that works equally well on rock and ice and in winter or summer, the Mammut Skywalker 2 should be on your list. Like most climbing helmets it’s touted as being one size fits all. But unlike a lot of helmets that make that claim the Skywalker actually delivers on it. It’s easy to adjust and none of our testers, regardless of their head size, found it floppy or too tight.

While the Skywalker 2 is a little heavier than we normally find ideal that extra weight is put to good use providing you the degree and quality of coverage that will protect you from most angles. The vents are effective and the shell as a whole has a much more substantial feel to it than was evident in the earlier iteration. Though it costs a bit more than some other helmets it would be hard to go wrong with the Skywalker 2, our Premium Pick.

The Fusion Meka Work Climbing Helmet lives up to its name as it looks like something you’d see on a construction site rather than on a mountain. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. We love the way this helmet sits on the head, how easy it is to adjust the sizing band, how firmly it holds the headlamp and how light it is.

On the other hand, the industrial design isn’t going to please everyone, the vents on top seem a bit poorly considered and the adjustment band material is a little harder than we’d like to see. On balance though this is a very effective, light, easy to adjust helmet that’s probably going to serve you better on rock than on ice, where those top vents could allow too much-falling snow and ice in. Now all you need to do is find the best climbing spot and start your adventure.

If you spend lots of time hiking into more remote climbing locations you know that carrying along a full-sized helmet can sometimes be a pain. Well, Edelrid has felt your pain and devised the Madillo, which is purported to be the world’s first folding helmet. Now, to be sure it doesn’t fold down to the size of an apple or anything. But the back panel does fold inward when you’re done and that will save you both hassle and space in your backpack.

Some folks will find the profile of the Madillo to be a bit too minimalistic. But for those who are inclined to head up using little or no climbing protection, this might be the helmet that finally helps them see the wisdom of protecting their head from stones, small rocks and chunks of ice that could turn them into a vegetable in the blink of an eye.

The final item on our list of best climbing helmets is this beauty from Black Diamond. It’s comfortable, extremely light, attractive and features easy one-handed adjustment. So why isn’t it at the top of our list? Because it continues the poorly considered trend toward ever more topside exposure, which pretty much rules it out as an ice climbing helmet for men. And for the price of the Vapor you want to be able to wear it anywhere, anytime, under any conditions.

That said if you are new to rock walls or stick mainly to clean granite ascents you’re going to love the way this helmet feels, the way it vents heat, the simple effective adjustment mechanism and the style. Because let’s face it. It looks great. If you’re the multi-sport type you’re also going to find the Vapor makes excellent white water or kayaking helmet. This also makes a perfect gift for rock climbers.

When you’re in the market for a climbing helmet, safety is always the most important consideration. That’s why it’s the first thing we check out when we’re reviewing a product like this. The Tontron Rock Climbing Helmet has been put through multiple impact energy attenuation tests to ensure that it can keep your head safe in a severe impact. The shell is made from ABS and is designed to partially break upon impact. Then, the interior is lined with EPS foam for added protection. 

Once you’ve ensured that a helmet can protect your head, you can look at the other important things like comfort. This lightweight helmet is the most padded on the inside but it’s still relatively comfy. It’s also lined with air vent holes, which let airflow around your head and keep you cool. For the perfect fit, it has a tension adjustment knob at the back and an adjustable chin strap.