Salewa Helium Helmet Tested

Salewa Helium Helmet - First Look

Price: £50.00

Weight: 267 grammes (one size)

Features: Polystyrene shock-absorbing liner with hard shell outer, vents at front, side and rear, headlamp fittings, Neck-Fit size adjustment system (available in one size only to cover sizes 52-61), CE-approved for climbing, cycling and paddling

Lightness and versatility Not always as good as dedicated lids

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The Concept The Helium has CE approval for use in climbing, cycling and paddling, which makes it an ideal option either for the sort of person who dabbles in more than one of those activities and wants a single helmet for all (saving money), or for adventure racers taking part in an event which includes two or more of those activities.

The Helium is manufactured by Met, who are a well known manufacturer of cycling helmets, and the construction is instantly familiar: there's a hard, shock-absorbing ploystyrene inner and a harder outer shell. Note that the outer layer is quite thin, the real protection comes from the polystyrene. Essentially it uses cycling helmet technology and construction techniques.

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Features It's quite a simple design. The Nexus quickly adjustable buckle is again a cycling-type feature, as is the Neckfit system, which allows one size helmet to fit a wide variety of heads by tightening or loosening the rear headband to suit.

You also get venting slots in the front, side and rear of the helmet, though they're much smaller than those used for bike helmets, presumably so the helmet can meet side impact test standards. Finally there's a three-point headlamp fixing system.

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In Action The Helium's dead light at just over 250 grammes and we found it reasonably comfortable, we say 'reasonably' because the buckle, which is about an inch long, sat uncomfortably on the OM test jaw bone, which was unfortunate. We also found the adjuster on the rear cradle strap was long and flat and pressed uncomfortably against the back of our head, so try before you buy.

Used for mountain biking we found the lack of ventilation compared to dedicated, top-end bike helmets made the Helium a tad warm when working hard. Having said that, the lack of vents in the top was actually a bonus when it rained...

For climbing use the lack of ventilation is less of an issue and obviously, large vents in the top of the head would compromise protection from rock fall anyway. The low profile and light weight made it an attractive option and the cycling-style strap arrangement kept the helmet stable in use.

We wouldn't particularly recommend the Helium for alpine climbing as it protects the user by absorbing impact forces and deforming or even breaking. Fine for a swinging rock-climbing accident where your head strikes the rock, but not good if repeated strikes are a possibility as on a long mountaineering route.

We had no problems mounting a headtorch, but be aware that the centrally-placed rear mount may mean you have to relocate battery boxes with some lights.

We didn't use the helmet for paddling though it's approved for that sport.

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Verdict

We're not going to give marks to the Helium, mainly because if you want a CE-approved multi-sport helmet, you don't have many, if any, choices.

We did have comfort issues with both the buckle and the rear cradle strap adjuster and we'd suggest you try carefully before buying to make sure it's comfortable on your head.

On the positive side though, it's light, stable and easy to adjust, plus it mounts a headlight securely and the internal padding - you get extra stick-on pads - is comfortable.

The compromises made to get it throught the various European safety standards mean it's less well vented than a cycling helmet and it can get hot when working hard, that's less of a problem for climbing and is really the price you pay for the Helium's versatility.

If you are after a helmet with multi-sport approval and are prepared to compromise a little, then have a try on and see what you think.

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Salewa web site

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