Best Climbing Helmets of 2026
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Climbing helmets are an essential piece of equipment for anyone who enjoys scaling mountains or rock climbing. They provide protection for the head against falling debris and impacts from falls. Climbing helmets come in different styles and materials to cater to various climbing activities. Some helmets are designed for sport climbing and are lightweight, while others are made for mountaineering and are more robust. A good climbing helmet should fit well and be comfortable enough to wear for extended periods. It should also meet safety standards and have features such as ventilation and an adjustable chin strap.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 Climbing Helmets
BLACK DIAMOND Half Dome Climbing Helmet
The BLACK DIAMOND Half Dome Helmet is a reliable choice whether you're new to climbing or an experienced adventurer. Its sturdy design protects you during various climbing activities, from gym sessions to mountain expeditions. You can easily adjust the fit with its low-profile suspension and chin strap, ensuring comfort throughout your climb. The helmet’s lightweight build and large ventilation openings help keep you cool, making it perfect for warm days or long climbs. With this helmet, you get dependable protection and comfort that adapts to your needs.
Petzl Vizir Eye Shield for Vertex/Strato Helmets
The Petzl Vizir Eye Shield offers a handy, tool-free clip system that easily attaches to your Vertex or Strato helmet, saving you time and effort. It provides strong eye protection against flying debris and dust, meeting strict safety standards to keep your vision safe while still allowing you to see around you clearly. The shield pivots smoothly from covering your eyes to resting on top of your helmet, so you don’t have to take your helmet off when not in use. Plus, it comes with special anti-scratch and anti-fog coatings, helping you maintain clear sight even in tough weather or humid conditions.
PETZL Vertex Vent Helmet
The PETZL Vertex Vent Helmet is a comfortable ventilated helmet designed for climbing activities. It fits headband sizes from 53-63 cm and weighs 490 g. The helmet is certified by CE, EN 397, EN 12492, ANSI Z89.1 Type I Class C, and EAC.
KASK Zenith X2 Air White
The KASK Zenith Helmet offers a lightweight polypropylene shell that provides excellent impact protection, especially in cold conditions, while resisting yellowing over time. Its adaptive fit system ensures comfort throughout the day with an easy-to-use dial for size adjustments and ergonomic side wings for a secure fit. The helmet features a new self-adjusting hinge that moves with you, enhancing comfort and stability. Additionally, the eco-leather chinstrap can be adjusted from the back, allowing for a personalized fit that works well even when wearing earmuffs. These features make the helmet both comfortable and practical for extended use.
Black Diamond Capitan Helmet
The Black Diamond Capitan Helmet is a durable and reliable climbing helmet designed for your safety and comfort. With its EPP + EPS + 2-piece ABS shell combo, this helmet offers ultra-durability, ensuring that you are protected from any impact. It also features increased side and back protection, providing you with extra coverage. The low-profile suspension system guarantees a secure and comfortable fit, allowing you to focus on your climb without any distractions. The integrated headlamp clips make it easy to attach your headlamp, ensuring visibility in low-light conditions. Additionally, the removable/reverse Velcro pads allow you to customize the fit and keep the helmet clean. Weighing only 295g for the S/M size and 325g for the M/L size, this helmet is lightweight and won't weigh you down. The Black Diamond Capitan Helmet is the perfect choice for climbers looking for a reliable and comfortable helmet.
Pfanner Protos Integral Arborist Helmet
The Pfanner Protos Arborist Helmet is designed with your safety and convenience in mind. It meets high safety standards, certified to EN397 and EN 12492, ensuring reliable protection during climbing and arborist work. You can easily operate all its functions using just two fingers, making adjustments quick and effortless even when you're focused on your tasks. This helmet stands out by providing extra protection on the sides and back, which is not common in most arborist helmets, giving you better overall safety. Additionally, you can control the airflow with adjustable vents, allowing you to stay comfortable by opening or closing them based on the weather conditions.
Pfanner Protos Integral Arborist Helmet
The Pfanner Protos Arborist Helmet offers excellent protection with its advanced energy absorption and lightweight design, making it comfortable for long climbs. You can easily operate all functions—like hearing protection, face shield, and ventilation—with just two fingers, which adds convenience when you're focused on your work. The integrated hearing protection is low-profile, so it won’t get caught on branches, and the helmet’s shape provides a wide field of view to keep you aware of your surroundings. Plus, adjustable vents let you control airflow, so you stay comfortable whether working in hot, cold, or wet conditions.
OutdoorMaster Adjustable Rock Climbing Helmet
The OutdoorMaster Climbing Helmet is designed to keep you safe and comfortable during your outdoor adventures. Its thick top layer offers strong protection against falling debris, which is essential when climbing or hiking in rocky areas. The helmet's PC shell combined with an EPS core makes it both lightweight and durable, giving you shock absorption without extra weight. This means you can wear it for hours without discomfort. Plus, the adjustable size feature lets you easily customize the fit with one hand, so it stays secure and comfortable no matter your head size.
PETZL BOREO Climbing Helmet M/L
The PETZL BOREO Helmet offers tough protection with its thick ABS outer shell, which guards against scratches and bumps during intense activities like climbing or caving. Inside, a combination of two types of foam absorbs shocks well, keeping your head safe without making the helmet bulky. Its design extends coverage lower at the back and sides, shielding you from impacts coming from different angles. Plus, large vents keep air flowing to help you stay cool and comfortable while you focus on your adventure. This helmet combines safety and comfort for active outdoor users.
Petzl BOREA Women's Ponytail Helmet
The Petzl BOREA Helmet is designed specifically for women, offering a comfortable fit for head sizes 52-58 cm with a sleek, feminine shape. It features a unique headband with a large rear cutout, so you can wear your ponytail or bun without discomfort. The helmet is built to last, thanks to its tough ABS outer shell that handles scratches and impacts well, making it perfect for climbing or caving. Plus, it provides enhanced protection by covering more of the back and sides of your head, helping keep you safe from impacts coming from different angles.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is a bike helmet OK for climbing?
No, using a bike helmet for climbing is not recommended. While a bike helmet is better than nothing, it does not provide the same level of protection as a climbing helmet. Climbing helmets are specifically designed to offer the necessary protection for climbing activities, taking into account the unique risks and impacts associated with climbing.
2. Why don't people wear helmets bouldering?
Bouldering typically involves shorter climbs without the presence of rocks or objects above to fall on climbers. Therefore, the risk of head injury from falling objects is minimal, and wearing a climbing helmet is usually not necessary in this specific climbing activity.
3. Why don't sport climbers wear helmets?
In the past, climbers often didn't wear helmets, even in alpine environments, due to their discomfort and bulkiness. Traditional climbing helmets were designed primarily to protect against falling objects rather than falls themselves. However, with advancements in technology, modern climbing helmets offer improved comfort and protection, making them more suitable for sport climbers.
4. What is the difference between a bike helmet and a rock climbing helmet?
The main difference between a bike helmet and a rock climbing helmet lies in their design and intended purpose. Bike helmets are designed to protect against single, blunt force impacts, primarily on flat surfaces like the ground. Rock climbing helmets, on the other hand, are specifically built to withstand multiple impacts from falling objects, offering superior protection in climbing scenarios.
5. What are the disadvantages of MIPS helmets?
While MIPS helmets have been shown to reduce rotational acceleration during certain impacts, their effectiveness is limited when the head is constrained, such as by a neck. However, in real-world scenarios where heads are attached to the body and not constrained, MIPS helmets can still provide beneficial protection against rotational forces.
During our climbing helmet research, we found 24 climbing helmet products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 20,566 customer reviews through our big data system to write the climbing helmets list. We found that most customers choose climbing helmets with an average price of $164.00.
The climbing helmets are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of climbing helmets, including BLACK DIAMOND, PETZL, Kask, Pfanner Protos, Pfanner. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 345 consumers with an average rating of 4.9.
Michael Daley is a founder of a climbing club. As a climbing expert, he's well-versed in all topics related to travel, including climbing accessories. He loves everything related to climbing and often shares his experience online.