How to Pick a Climbing Helmet

Picking the right climbing helmet does more than just provide comfort. The climbing helmet is an essential piece of equipment that protects you from everything from small bumps to major injury. Because the climbing helmet is something that could save your life one day, it is important to pick the right one.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

How to Pick a Climbing Helmet

1. Make certain that the helmets you're considering are designed for rock climbing. Those helmets are hard and durable, as they need to be capable of absorbing a blow from falling rocks.

2. Try on different helmets. You may need to try several helmets before you find one with the ideal fit. The helmet should be snug all the way around the head.

3. Tighten the straps for the climbing helmet. How snug is the helmet now? Can it withstand both violent shaking and hard knocks? Check if the helmet you are considering has been approved by the UIAA, an international mountaineering and climbing federation that promotes safe rock climbing around the world. (See Resources below.)

4. Consider not just how well the strap buckles secure the strap, but also how easy they are to adjust. You may find yourself needing to adjust them at a time when you have limited movement, so you should be able to do so easily with either hand.

Tips & Warnings

• If you feel that wearing a helmet makes you look uncool, just think about how you will look if you take a blow without one. Do the right thing and always wear protective gear when climbing rocks or cliffs.

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