Best Budget Climbing Helmet of 2021

The Black Diamond Half Dome helmet brings back memories of my first visits to climbing gyms and climbing at summer camps. These helmets are incredibly durable, fit just about everyone’s head, and just look so darn classic. After graduating from summer camp and progressing to climbing at local crags, the Half Dome was my first climbing helmet and still holds a very special place in my heart. It has seen its fair share of scrapes, bumps, and mini rock falls, all without any complaint or reduction in durability. The only reason I replaced it was because it reached a point where the manufacturing date was almost as old as I have been out of highschool, and that became a worry. With a price of $65 and excellent durability, the Black Diamond Half Dome is our Best Budget Climbing Helmet of 2021.

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Construction

The Black Diamond Half Dome of today is slightly different from the Half Dome that now resides in my gear closet, but the principle has remained the same. The Half Dome is a value-forward climbing helmet that will work for lots of new climbers, while more experienced climbers may find it a shade heavy. The helmet is constructed using a thick and durable ABS shell, with EPS impact foam. The EPS foam will shatter if it takes a very large impact to cushion your head, but the ABS shell will deal with all of the little hits without impacting the integrity of the EPS.

Adjustability

The suspension system has been updated to be more low-profile, but still features the one-handed adjustment dial. The ability to adjust a helmet with a single hand is great, especially if adjustment needs to happen while climbing, though most climbers will adjust their helmet before leaving the ground. The chin strap is a simple buckle style, and there is adjustment around the ear to generate a custom fit for each wearer. The Half Dome is available in a S/M (50-58cm) or M/L (56-63cm), and is available for both men and women. The women’s helmet is only available in one size, 50-58cm.

Accessories

The headlamp attachment uses the classic approach: four flexible clips with teeth at the bottom to easily grab and hold onto your headlamp. I have had my Half Dome for more than 8 years, and the clips still work and nothing on the helmet has broken or needed repair from heavy summer use. I’ve even taken a few spills down rocky hills at local climbing areas, and the helmet keeps on trucking.

The Bottom Line

If you are looking for a super budget-friendly helmet to get into climbing and alpine adventures, and you don’t care too much about weight, this is a perfect option. That’s why we named the Black Diamond Half Dome our Best Budget Climbing Helmet of 2021. At $65, with a wide range of fits and minimal features, it is a great choice for anyone looking to save some pocket money for fancy climbing chalk or just getting into outdoor climbing.

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