Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Petzl Ecrin Roc vs Mammut Tripod helmet

I just bought the Petzl Ecrin Roc today. I don't have a lot of time to research as I am trekking the north side of Hood next Sat. (Eliot Glacier to approx. 10,000 ft.) The Ecrin Roc (15.7 oz) is a bit heavier than other helmets I was looking at but I felt it provided better protection. As I am trying to get my pack weight down, is this a good choice?

Thanks
MC

I've owned several helmets, including the Ecrin Roc. It's a very good helmet. You might be able to shave a few ounces off your pack weight by getting a different one, but I don't think it's worth it. It's not going to be in your pack anyway, is it?

I woudn't change it just because its a little heavier than other helmets. It's very comfortable and since you can adjust the size with the adjustment wheels on either side, you could wear a thick beanie or baclava under it. If you got a yellow helmet like I did, and wear a white shirt you can look like a big fried egg. Now how cool is that! Personally I don't like or trust the climbing helmets with the foam inside. It just seems like a glorified bike helmet.


Rafael...

MC,

That's a good helmet. You can classify helmets into two general catagories: suspension and foam. Both work well for protecting your head against a fall into a crevasse or a leader fall with rock or ice climbing. They will both also protect your head against rock fall but the suspension type helmets to a better job with this.

I own both. Foam helmets are lighter so I use it mainly for rock climbing at crags where my primary concern is a leader fall and rock fall isn't too much of an issue. I use a suspension helmet for mountaineering when in addition to leader falls rock or ice fall is also a potential.

I've used the helmet you just purchased a lot. It's the one I had on my head when I took my big fall into a crevasse on Mt. Rainier. I fully trust that helmet.

Thanks for your input, Kurt. I read a TR somewhere about that Rainier trip. Sounds like I made a good purchase!

Steve, when conditions warrant not wearing the helmet, I would prefer not to and just strap it onto my pack. It seems the consensus is that it's a good helmet and worth the extra ounces. Btw, what gets me into trouble regarding my pack weight is that as I make choices with new gear purchases, I always say to myself….what’s a few more ounces (sometimes pounds).

Rafael, according to the Petzl website, it only comes in white and red (I got the red). I don’t care much about the color of my gear (function first) but I really wanted a yellow helmet (although my outer clothing is completely black and I would look like a bumble bee)! I am guessing yellow isn’t a current color…

Thanks guys!
MC

Awesome helmet. It is a bit heavier, but its very adjustable and has good ventilation. The foam helmets feel like they would do a good job, but I trust the Ecrin Roc on my head.

Hmmm... not sure on the current color offerings but I've seen yellow helmets in stock in stores. If you call Adventure 16 in West LA I think you'll find some in stock. I saw them in stock not too long ago when I stopped in on my way to LAX. Their number is (310) 473-4574. If they have one you could buy it and sell your other one.

Kurt (or anyone else), have your heard anything about the Mammut helmet? I heard it is lighter but still has all the benefits of a suspension helmet but closer to the weight of a foam.

I would be interested in feedback on the Mammut. I purchased my Petzl Ecrin Roc at REI and could return it. I do need to finalize by this weekend...

Btw, the Mammut Tripod doesn't come it yellow but it does come it Moosie orange!

Oooooooo...... ppppprrreeeeettttttyyyyyy.......

Christmas is just around the corner, you know...