Black Diamond Vapor Climbing Helmet Review

Only an ounce heavier than my Sirocco I've really been enjoying the all day comfort of this lid this summer!

I have had a Vapor for nearly 4 years and it's has mostly held up well but a couple of weeks ago I noticed that the plastic shell had delaminated from the foam across most of the crown of the helmet.  I've retired it and just went to a new Scirroco but have only had one day in the new helmet.

Both cracked at the same spot from carrying them around inside the pack.  Both lasted less than two seasons.

Gunks wrote: Both cracked at the same spot from carrying them around inside the pack.  Both lasted less than two seasons.

I think it makes sense to not stuff a fragile helmet into a pack, at least not in the bottom of the pack. I put mine either on the outside with my shoes(stink factor) or on the very top of the inside of the pack. But I baby my gear.

Buck Rio wrote:

I think it makes sense to not stuff a fragile helmet into a pack, at least not in the bottom of the pack. I put mine either on the outside with my shoes(stink factor) or on the very top of the inside of the pack. But I baby my gear.

I also put mine on the outside or on the very top inside my pack.  They are just very fragile.  

Gunks wrote:

I also put mine on the outside or on the very top inside my pack.  They are just very fragile.  

That's a lot of money spent on something you only got two years out of....can you still wear them?

Buck Rio wrote:

That's a lot of money spent on something you only got two years out of....can you still wear them?

I got new helmet.  The crack may compromise the strength of the helmet.

Gunks wrote:

I also put mine on the outside or on the very top inside my pack.  They are just very fragile.  

Mine also got a crack from being inside of my pack.  It's pretty minor, so I've been wearing it still

The expanded polypropylene (EPP) foam used in the Mammut Wall Rider and Petzl Sirocco is much more durable. The foam is flexible instead of brittle and bends without cracking.

So is the petzl sirocco gonna last longer then the Vapor?

Jean Paul Orlainsky wrote:

So is the petzl sirocco gonna last longer then the Vapor?

I've been using my sirocco for almost three years now and no dents or cracks. I climb outside many times per month. My friend has a vapor and climbs just as much as me and theirs have tons of dents. Both purchased around the same time.

Gunks . wrote: Both cracked at the same spot from carrying them around inside the pack.  Both lasted less than two seasons.

Mine cracked in this exact same spot too. Definitely a weak point in the design.

The Vapor is way to fragile no matter what the cost is.   Unbelievable they haven’t moved to a more flexible/durable foam.  Not sure how you can expect more than a couple seasons of use out of them.

that said if you have a big noggin there may not be a better fitting helmet.  It’s why I keep using (and buying) one.