Petzl Altios
http://www.mountaingear.com/pages/product/product.asp/imanf/>>>>>

or Petzl Meteor III

Difference in Price doesn't matter
All types of climbing, more rock than ice

Recommendations and Opinions are welcome.

Thanks!

I have the Meteor and love it. Super light and fantastic ventilation. I also own a Grivel Salamander I use for alpine and ice but find myself using the meteor more and more even when climbing mtns and ice.

I used to own a meteor (don't know which generation, but probably the first) and I switched to the Elios. I'm a big fan of the new one when I actually wear a helmet (which isn't too frequently to be honest). I like the combination of the plastic and Styrofoam.

--Marc

Edit: Just clicked on the link. The Altios looks nice. If it's a newer generation than the Elios, I would probably pick one up if I were in the market.

Obviously the color factors into the protection more than the model...

All joking aside...If it was my knoggin, I'd be going with a proven brain bucket, vs. a new fashion statement. Not that Petzl would put out a product that would have any question to it's safety/reliability.


I've got a few helmets, don't have this one right now, but it will be in my arsenal in a few days...http://en.petzl.com/petzl/ProProduits?Produit=515 I'm not a fashion guru, I go with what works.

If you are like me and tend to bash your noggin when wearing a helmet I would go with the Altios. Although it is a super nice helmet, the Meteor is pretty flimsy...I am confident I could break it with my bare hands. One good whack on a roof and I would be wondering if it should be retired....maybe I am just too hard on my gear.

If you only have one helmet make it a hardshell helmet.
Hardshells are more efficient at stopping flying objects from above. When YOU are the flying object, falling object, the softshell is supposed to be better BUT whichever helmet fits the best and is the most comfortable is the one you will wear the most.........

Meteor III no question for me. I forget i have it on most days, I love it!

I have both the Altios and the III. (call e a geek if you want) For cragging, I perfer the Meteor, it is lighter and fits really well. I'm useing the Altios for alpine and winter us. With the mesh liner, it seems to ride pretty high on the head, and seems to have a large gap above the ear. Not sure I like that much.
Jon

I tried the Altios and found it sat way to high perched atop my head. The BD tracer was comparable to the Meteor III in construction and I liked the knob adjustment on it, but it didn't seems to fit the shape of my head. I also tried the Petzl Elios which didn't seem to fit well either, and also seemed to sit too high on my head. The Meteor III was a perfect fit for me even though the adjustment wasn't as quick as the knob type. I bought the Meteor III since it was the best fit. It's lightweight, covers my head, and it is stable.

-Glenn