Best Mountaineering Helmets of 2024

BEST FOR: VENTILATION

At around $100, the Petzl Meteor is an affordable choice for a helmet. The material is made with an outer shell of EPS, which is a lightweight material contributing to the minimal overall weight of this helmet. The under polycarbonate layer, however, makes this helmet super durable. 

For many seasoned mountaineers, it is well known that the temperature of the head contributes largely to our overall temperature. And with the Meteor, there is more than ample ventilation. With 21 ventilation holes, a breeze can always be felt, helping to cool you down. Among those vents, there are two large and wide vents on the front of the helmet, allowing airflow in any direction. The Meteor is also equipped with 2 side clips in the front with small teeth for headlamp attachment. It also has a V-shaped bungee strap in the back of the helmet to further secure headlamps, but can also help secure your ski goggles, so you can take this helmet on your ski adventures too!

BEST FOR: BEGINNERS

While not the lightest helmet on the market with a heavy duty ABS shell, the Black Diamond Half Dome is super durable and able to withstand a hit. It’s been used and positively reviewed by many climbers, making it an excellent choice for a helmet if you are just getting into the sport. 

And coming in at just under $100, it is certainly an affordable choice for your adventures. The rear wheel dial on the back of the head easily loosens and tightens the straps around your head, so it’s super simple to fit this helmet to your head. This helmet doesn’t have quite as much ventilation as other helmets on our list, with five holes on either side to keep you cool. 

The helmet also includes 4 clips – two towards the front and two towards the back – for your headlamp to attach to, should you be climbing in months with less sunlight or if you find yourself benighted or prefer to climb after dark.

BEST FOR: LIGHTWEIGHT ALPINE ADVENTURES

If you are heading out on a long alpine adventure and really need to be light and fast, you cannot get a much lighter helmet than the Petzl Sirocco, weighing a mere 6.1 oz, which is worth the extra cost. With both light and durable materials, the EPP and EPS foam can withstand even hits from ice. 

The magnetic chin buckle is also advantageous in an alpine setting when you are trying to secure your helmet while wearing gloves and the minimalist webbing is simple, although it can be a bit harder to adjust than helmets with adjustment dials.  With ample ventilation, this helmet has 24 vents throughout, so you will never overheat. And similar to the Petzl Meteor, the Sirocco has two side clips and a rear V-shaped bungee for headlamp attachment.

BEST FOR: VERSATILITY

If you are one of those people who has trouble finding a helmet to fit securely, you will be pleased with the Black Diamond Vector that has a rigid plastic adjustment band that can fit any head. And the ratchet system that is used to adjust the helmet sits lower than on other helmets, helping to eliminate any slipping and sliding on your head. 

The headlamp attachments are simple and basic, including 4 clips (2 on either side) that you can slide the band of your headlamp under. While not quite as well ventilated as the Black Diamond Vapor, it still has great ventilation throughout the helmet. The EPS foam does cut down on the overall weight, but is also prone to some cosmetic blemishes from minor rock hits.

BEST FOR: LOW PROFILE FIT

While the EPP foam keeps this helmet light, it is slightly heavier helmet but very durable with the heavier plastic top shell that covers just the front half of the helmet, making it one of Mammut’s top helmets. Equipped with multiple pads that attach via velcro inside the helmet, there is plenty of padding on the head. And the pads can easily be removed and washed out to prevent any funk from accumulating after a strenuous summit. 

However, with 16 ventilation slots both on the sides and along the back, you shouldn’t get too sweaty wearing this helmet. And for those that have a smaller head, the circular shape of this helmet has a shallower fit, making it a better fit for smaller noggins. 

BEST FOR: ADDED PROTECTION

All the features you want with a hard shell helmet without all the weight is what you get with the Grivel Stealth HS. The Stealth comes in several varieties, but the HS (hard shell) is the most popular. The look is not what you normally see in most climbing helmets either. The Stealth is a multi-faceted design, which allows for the plastic to be thinner and ultimately, lighter. And with the flat planes in the design, your helmet is less likely to go rolling down the hill if you drop it accidentally. Both the sides and the back of this helmet are a bit longer than most helmets, so you get more coverage for that added protection should there be any impact.

BEST FOR: AFFORDABILITY

The C.A.M.P. USA Armour is a very affordable but durable helmet. This helmet can be worn and dropped, and still come out unscathed and ready to keep performing with the hard shell outer portion and foam lining inside. 

While it only comes in one size, the rear adjustment click wheel allows for easy adjusting to ensure that this helmet can fit any sized head. And recently updated, the new profile of this helmet is designed to sit lower on your head to limit sliding and provide a more secure fit.  However, because it still sits slightly upward on your head, it allows for a decent amount of ventilation in addition to 10 integrated vents. This also makes wearing a thin hood under this helmet possible when it gets especially cold on your epic adventure. 

BEST FOR DURABILITY

The Petzl Boreo has you covered, literally, and protected against anything. With a softer foam on top, you are protected from any falling rocks and with a rubber foam on the rest of the helmet, your head is protected from any knocks or falls. With removable padding on both the head and forehead, any sorts of knocks on the head will help keep your helmet in place better, but also add to the overall comfort of the helmet. And Petzl makes an eye shield that is compatible with this helmet (sold separately), and attaching to the helmet can protect your eyes or glasses from loose objects.

BEST FOR: ADJUSTABILITY 

Quite possibly the most attractive helmet out there, the Edelrid Shield will not make you self-conscious while wearing it. I mean, because who doesn’t feel like a rockstar with pictures of nuts, crampons, and icetools on her helmet? The large click wheel on the rear of the helmet makes adjusting this helmet simple, especially if you are wearing gloves and don’t feel like removing them or fumbling around to adjust your helmet. 

With vents on the front, side, and rear of the helmet, you can get a cross breeze to your head at anytime, keeping your head nice and cool, not drenched in sweat. But even if you find you are sweating, the removable padding in the top and forehead area will help absorb it. And like all good helmets, there are four plastic clips to attach your headlamp to, although sometimes they may pop out.

BEST FOR: TECHNICAL CLIMBING

C.A.M.P. has taken their Speed model and made it even lighter, making the Storm a good step up for more technical climbing. Fine tune adjustments are made easy with the rear dial on the straps so you can ensure a perfect fit. These adjustment areas also help keep the helmet positioned lower on your head for more protection, even if you make some pretty awesome dynamic moves. And with 22 streamlined vents all throughout the helmet, you can certainly count on this helmet to be well ventilated on those long alpine days. 

Another nice feature of this helmet is the sliding buckles on the chin straps that help secure the strap around your ears, so you don’t have to worry about it sliding around. These sliding buckles will keep your helmet in place nicely on your head to prevent any bunching of your hat or a buff you might choose to wear underneath.