Mandatory helmet at the climbing gym?!

It's coming to a gym near you. How will you deal?

beanies = soft helmets 

I knew a girl who was cleared to lead at my local gym but her falls were so terrible the gym owner made her wear a helmet to lead

I already wear a helmet in the gym. 

I will deal about 1/10

0/10

Wait gyms aren't just for bouldering...

I don't usually wear a helmet in the gym but I wouldn't mind wearing one if they wanted me to. I have been told I am very bad at falling, so perhaps it wouldn't be such a bad idea after all. I value my brain.

DRusso wrote:

Wait gyms aren't just for bouldering...

You will have to wear one while bouldering too.

I got 72 dollars 

We have day passes for $24 for sale at the front desk

Yayyy I can bring three of my friends!!!

eli poss wrote:

I don't usually wear a helmet in the gym but I wouldn't mind wearing one if they wanted me to. I have been told I am very bad at falling, so perhaps it wouldn't be such a bad idea after all. I value my brain.

"Performance of Certified Climbing Helmets During Simulated Climbing Falls", Yamaguchi et al, Journal of Testing and Evaluation, Vol 42, Issue 5

Common climbing helmets mostly protect the head from falling objects, not against swinging the head into the wall. But then, better a suboptimal helmet than no helmet at all.

I put on my harness, quickdraws, and helmet in the parking lot.

schoenwetter kraxler wrote:

"Performance of Certified Climbing Helmets During Simulated Climbing Falls", Yamaguchi et al, Journal of Testing and Evaluation, Vol 42, Issue 5

Common climbing helmets mostly protect the head from falling objects, not against swinging the head into the wall. But then, better a suboptimal helmet than no helmet at all.

According to the cashier at Rock and Snow, the Mammut Wall Rider is designed to handle side impact. It makes sense if you look at where the foam padding is on the helmet, but I haven't looked into any tests beyond that, so I can't say for sure. 

schoenwetter kraxler wrote:

"Performance of Certified Climbing Helmets During Simulated Climbing Falls", Yamaguchi et al, Journal of Testing and Evaluation, Vol 42, Issue 5

Common climbing helmets mostly protect the head from falling objects, not against swinging the head into the wall. But then, better a suboptimal helmet than no helmet at all.

Interesting.

This would also explain the mandatory helmets for the route strippers at the gym but not the setters. 

schoenwetter kraxler wrote:

"Performance of Certified Climbing Helmets During Simulated Climbing Falls", Yamaguchi et al, Journal of Testing and Evaluation, Vol 42, Issue 5

Common climbing helmets mostly protect the head from falling objects, not against swinging the head into the wall. But then, better a suboptimal helmet than no helmet at all.

Yes, and a quick glance at the abstract matches what I expected:  the non-foam and hybrid helmet types do significantly worse compared to the all-foam models.

As long as I can wear my tin foil helmet I am fine with it. The helmet goes great with my spandex climbing pants.