Five Tips for Buying Climbing Helmets

It's always a good idea to wear a helmet when you go rock climbing. There are a few things you need to consider before buying rock climbing helmets. Some of these include fit, material, and ventilation. This article will give you a few tips for buying rock climbing helmets.

Fit

One of the first things you need to consider when buying rock climbing helmets is their fit. You need to buy a helmet that fits squarely on your head. Avoid buying a design that sits on the back of your head as the helmet can easily come off. Also, you should only wear rock climbing helmets that come down far enough to protect your forehead also.

Material

One of the next things you need to consider when buying rock climbing helmets is the material used to make the shell. Common materials include carbon, plastic, and fiberglass. Plastic rock climbing helmets absorb the energy from an impact through the harness system inside the helmet. Fiberglass and carbon designs break in order to absorb the energy from impacts.

Ventilation

You will also need to think about ventilation when buying rock climbing helmets. The holes used to provide ventilation should be small so that rocks and dirt can't get inside. Some rock climbing helmets have ventilation on top as well as the side. You may also want to look for a design that allows you to plug the vents when the weather gets cold.

Visor

One of the next things you need to consider when buying rock climbing helmets is a visor. The visor is useful when ice climbing as it will keep snow and ice off of your face. You can choose rock climbing helmets that have a clear or tinted visor.

Adjustability

One of the final things you need to consider when buying rock climbing helmets is adjustability. You should look for a design that has an adjustable chin strap. The chin strap is usually adjusted by sliding it forwards and backwards. It is also best to choose rock climbing helmets that have an adjustable harness system.