Bubba downclimbing in the Roost Click for Larger Picture

Helmets are ALWAYS first, because protecting your head is important, and amazingly small impacts on your noggin can change your life forever. We wear helmets when canyoneering, and you should too.

What do helmets protect us from?

Helmets protect from two things:
  A. stuff falling from above and hitting us; and
  B. our heads slamming into the canyon wall due to a slip.

When walking in canyons, we are walking beneath a lot of stuff that we know very little about. There are lots of rocks up there, small, big, in-between. There's logs and dirt, and occasionally our climbing partners will drop stuff on us like carabiners, ropes, packs, themselves. Getting hit in the head is not only painful, but a surprisingly small rock, going fast, can penetrate your head and kill or maim you easily. Wearing a rock-climbing helmet protects us from these missiles.

Canyoneers do a lot of downclimbs and rappels, often awkward and slippery, and the possibility of slipping and hitting your head is omnipresent. Wearing a helmet changes these little slips from potentially dangerous to laughably humorous. This is perhaps the most important protection for your head as slips on rappel or while downclimbing are common and, in my experience, missiles from above are not.

BASIC

At the basic level, ANY helmet is better than no helmet. A bike, watersports, equestrian or skiing/boarding helmet is a lot better than nothing, but provides less protection from missiles than a climbing helmet.

INTERMEDIATE and ENTHUSIAST

There are a variety of rock-climbing helmets available on the market, and your choice should be based on fit, lightness and personal preference. I really like the BD Hemisphere, but it is discontinued, though some can still be found. The Petzl Meteor is a good helmet for people who are easy on their gear, and the Petzl Elios is the basic, well-fitting, lightweight and durable helmet that is a good choice for most people.
 

Black Diamond Equipment Hemisphere Climbing Helmet The Hemisphere is possibly the best helmet ever made - and of course it is discontinued. Some of the Small size are still available, often at a discount. The Hemisphere draws from top-of-the-line equestrian helmets to get a remarkable fit - one that does not require a tight chin-strap to stay in place. No other helmet stays so nicely on the head, and is so unnoticeable when worn hours at a time. The cut is really good and no part is seen in the peripheral vision. The structure of the helmet is polycarbonate plastic, and the entire helmet is filled with Expanded Polystyrene Foam. Very comfortable, very durable, excellent in water. Drawbacks: it is on the warm side, and it is heavier than some. Polycarbonate shell, EPA foam. BUY at CUSA Made in China circumference (S/M): 54 to 58 cm / 21-1/4 to 22-7/8 inches Weight: 414 grams or 14.6 ounces Cost: Originally $ 74.00

Petzl Meteor Climbing Helmet Lightweight and adjustable, the Meteor can be easily forgotten about due to its exceptionally light weight, but nonetheless offers excellent protection. It can be easily adjusted using the 3 adjustment buttons inset into the shell. Drawbacks: the Meteor can be cracked by rough handling. Knocking around when carried in the pack or in the car tends to be where problems occur, so if you are easy on gear, the Meteor is a good choice. If not, not. Material: Polycarbonate, expanded polystyrene. Size 1 (Small, Kids): circumference: 50 to 58 cm or 19-5/8 to 22-7/8 inches weight: 240 grams or 8.5 ounces Size 2 (Medium/Large, Adults) circumference: 55 to 65 cm or 21-5/8 to 25-1/2 inches weight: 260 grams or 9.2 ounces Cost: $ 79.00

Petzl Elios Climbing Helmet The Elios has a high density expanded polypropylene foam headpiece on the inside and a thermoformed ABS outer shell, providing both lightness and strength. The ergonomic shape provides maximum protection while ensuring a clear field of vision. A single adjustment wheel in the back and an adjustable chinstrap allow for efficient and quick adjustments. Four exterior hooks and a groove in the outer shell are designed to attach and secure a headlamp. The small size seems to fit kids pretty well. Size 1 (Small, Kids): circumference: 48 to 56 cm or 18-7/8 to 22 inches weight: 300 grams / 10.6 ounces Size 2 (Medium/Large, Adults) circumference: 53 to 61 cm or 20-7/8 to 24 inches weight: 330 grams / 11.6 ounces Cost: $ 59.00 Review of Elios at Climbing Magazine