Half Dome HelmetGear Review |
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| Half Dome Helmet   | 
| Page Type: Gear Review Manufacturer: Black Diamond
| Page By: mpbro Created/Edited: Mar 28, 2002 / Mar 28, 2002 Object ID: 193 Hits: 1107 Loading... |
With its simple lines, great ventilation and comfortable suspension system, the Half Dome is likely to change the minds of reluctant helmet-wearers
- Lightweight and comfortable to wear with an easy-to-adjust strapping system; numerous vents give your head plenty of airflow to keep you cool.
- Low-profile headlamp clips keep your light secure, even when you're climbing in tight spaces.
- Absorbent brow pad keeps perspiration off your face.
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Reviews
| mpbro | Untitled Review | | 
Voted 4/5 | Yes, it's a helmet. I don't test my helmet often by falling headfirst into object, but I imagine it works.
I like this one because it has pretty good coverage to the rear of the head. Comfort-wise, I tried on the standard selection at REI (about 4 others; a petzl, HB, and some others) and found this by far the most comfortable. | | Posted Mar 28, 2002 11:41 am |
| cluck | Untitled Review | | 
Voted 4/5 | This is a great, versatile helmet. I've had mine for a year, and fortunately, haven't had to test it too rigorously. It hasn't been pummelled by giant boulders, but has performed admirably to a barrage of small rocks, carabiners, and me banging my head into roofs. It's also light enough and comfortable to wear all day.
Pros:
- very lightweight
- good breathability
- comfortable
Cons:
- slightly less convenient to adjust | | Posted Sep 24, 2002 5:44 pm |
| Alan Ellis | Untitled Review | | 
Voted 5/5 | I like this helmet because it's lightweight, gives good coverage on the back of your head, and is instantly adjustable when you have to add a winter cap under it. It also takes climbing stickers well. | | Posted Oct 23, 2002 5:17 am |
| Martin Cash | Untitled Review | | 
Voted 5/5 | This is a great helmet for both rock climbing and alpine mountaineering. It is very comfortable, breathes very well, and is lightweight. Mine has received several showers of small rock and ice particles, and it shows very little wear.
The thing I like the best about it is that it securely holds my headlamp down with clips. This is a nice feature to have, because you can pre-attach the two instead of fumbling around in the dark at 2:00 AM. | | Posted Nov 19, 2002 8:24 am |
| Glencoe | Untitled Review | | 
Voted 5/5 | This is my choice for the compromise between weight and protection. Feels secure on the head, and covers the back of the neck (unlike mixing bowl shaped helmets like the Petzl Ecrin Rock helmet) but leaves the ears free so you can hear belay calls. Helmet is suspended away from the head creating a safe zone but still manages to keep a low profile (preventing comedy helmet head). Adjusts very easily. Any headlamp fits well (unlike helmets with shock cord lamp straps). Nice and light but not flimsy like foam or composite helmets.
If this doesn't fit your head type try the Petzl Elios Class helmet (which is cheaper and lighter, but not as solid feeling). | | Posted Dec 17, 2002 6:29 pm |
| bigwally | Untitled Review | | 
Voted 3/5 | Reasonably priced and reasonably adjustable, but really NEVER comfortable. I wore one for a year and it still felt like a "borrowed" helmet ...Never exactly "just right". Yes, it covers the back of your head, ?what climbing helmet doesn't?...but it has shown itself to be susceptable to side impact. I popped a few more dollars for the PETZL and enjoy it greatly. Test drive that one !!! | | Posted Jan 26, 2003 8:45 pm |
| Vinny | Untitled Review | | 
Voted 4/5 | Love this lid.
very comfy, secure strap -unlike the grivel = my biggest beef.
havent tested it against anything but waterfall ice. so far so good! | | Posted May 21, 2003 12:40 pm |
| Misha | Untitled Review | | 
Voted 3/5 | 3 stars. Here is why...
Pros: very light, good looking, reasonably good fit but not like a glove
Cons: your upper neck (where it becomes your head) is poorly protected. If you slam the back of your head on some sharp rocks, you may get seriously hurt. | | Posted Dec 14, 2003 6:06 pm |
| sshankle | Untitled Review | | 
Voted 4/5 | Good helmet. Save some dough and buy an Elios and a six-pack. | | Posted Jan 4, 2004 6:49 pm |
| scottfromcali | Untitled Review | | 
Voted 4/5 | Like others have said, a so so fit. It feels like a rented helmet really. Otherwise good constrution, lightwieght, the buckel is placed to the side and not directly under your chin when it tourtures any hint of being unshaven. | | Posted Mar 31, 2004 10:16 pm |
| neoday | Untitled Review | | 
Voted 4/5 | fits well, easily adjustible. I like it for Ice, rock and alpine.
New design - this year- has lower volume on the top of the head so you do not have the infamous "Helmet head" or cone head look. The new design is still comfortable (i tried it on in the store). New colors as well for the color conscious.
all in all, a good helmet.
| | Posted Aug 23, 2004 4:28 pm |
| Desert Solitaire | Untitled Review | | 
Voted 4/5 | Frankly, I like this helmet because it was the best looking helment!
It fits good - not as good as the Ecrin Rock, but it fits good enough without me having to think about it while climbing - transparent.
I have a pony tail, and when I first got it, had to learn to tweak with my hair so that it wouldn't be caught up in the velcro while putting it on and off, but I figured it out. I suspect not everybody will. Females, make sure to try this out first if you have long hair because the Ecrin might suit you better. | | Posted Apr 12, 2005 8:34 pm |
| Tajji | Untitled Review | | 
Voted 3/5 | No, it's definetly not the Ecrin Roc, but it's a great quality skull bucket. At first glance, the small padding, inside protection, head webbing, etc. don't seem to create a comfortable helmet, but the Half Dome is actually really comfy, whether bare or with a head covering of some kind (my fav. is a bandana). The lamp clips are so sweet. It holds my Gemini like a champ, although the bands can be oddly tough sometimes.
But what's up with the high posted price on this helmet? I got mine for something like $58 at REI. | | Posted May 26, 2005 10:32 pm |
| jfox | No complaints here! | | 
Voted 5/5 | It's been my first and thus far only helmet. I can't compare it to others, but I'm thankful that it fits snugly, adjusts easily and is very light weight. Plus it gives me a place to put all those darned stickers I keep getting! It would be nicer if it had some kind of sun visor that could be attached. | | Posted Jan 25, 2007 10:04 pm |
| rpc | On my third. | | 
Voted 5/5 | Have gone thru. two such helmets & my wife got her first. No complaints. So far has kept my cranium intact and my mullet nice and fluffy. | | Posted Feb 9, 2007 7:11 pm |
| Bill Kish | nice, but... | | 
Voted 4/5 | First the negative: a plastic 'retaining' part on the buckle mechanism fell off (or somehow broke) and now the buckle is in constant jeopardy of falling off the end of chin strap. That would be rather unfortunate as it would render the helmet useless for its intended purpose...
Otherwise this is a great helmet-- light and comfortable. | | Posted Jun 26, 2007 11:07 am |
| Mountain Impulse | Good Service for Years | | 
Voted 4/5 | It has always felt comfortable and is relatively easy to adjust the chin strap. The ventilation features seem to work well. It is lightweight and its shape is aesthetically pleasing (not nerdy-looking like some). | | Posted Sep 17, 2007 6:57 pm |
| Jeroen Vels | My second | | 
Hasn't voted | Last season I broke my Half Dome. It broke when I put down pack on top of it. The attachement of one strap broke. Repaired it with duc-tape and went climbing, but when I got home I immediately bought a new one. Why? Because I like this helmet :-) | | Posted Dec 11, 2007 2:43 pm |
| Kenneth.alone | Strong and light... | | 
Voted 5/5 | The Half dome has been A good piece of gear, it has solid all around protection. It holds headlamps well, its size allows it fit under jacket hoods and it doesn't often drop into your view while climbing.
It is light and strong, i have fallen on it several times, and regularly use it as a seat.
The '07 model has taken of the adjusting system, it is now fast and can be done with gloves or mitts on.
Repairs or replacements are fast because it is a domestic maker.
I have had five European made helmets, this is my first half dome and I will buy another. | | Posted Jan 14, 2008 7:43 pm |
| FlatheadNative | Oops | | 
Hasn't voted | I purchased a Half Dome for when I climb in Glacier National Park. Had it on a whole 4 minutes before it decided to fly down the side of Mount Cannon. Three bounces and it was gone. My hands were slippry from persperation. So if you found an orange helmet on Cannon its mine.
I bought another because it fit so well. | | Posted Mar 18, 2008 12:32 am |
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