Price: $120

Weight: 13.8oz

Sizes: 1 size (52-62cm)

Shell: ABS

Foam: EPP, EVA

Colors: 1

Adjustment: No rear adjustment What We Like: Foldable

What We Don’t: Heavy, Expensive

Helmets aren’t made to fold…right? Edelrid’s answer to that is a resounding no and is proving it with the Madillo, the only foldable climbing helmet that I am aware of—but is it worth all the press that it’s getting? The Edelrid Madillo promises to reduce the helmet’s pack size by 50%, a substantial margin if you like to go fast and light in the alpine. At $120, it tied with the Mammut Wall Rider as the second most expensive helmet on our list. We had to find out if a foldable helmet was worth the investment.

Compare to Similar Products

See Our Best Climbing Helmet Review HERE!

Construction

First off, how does this thing work? As a foldable helmet, the parts that fold are the two side panels of the helmet, leaving the entire top of the helmet intact and solid. These panels slide into the top of the helmet, and the back folds down to completely flatten the helmet. These panels then fold back out and slide or clip into place. They are very secure once clipped in and do a great job at holding the helmet together. The helmet itself is constructed of ABS plastic and uses two types of foam: EPP along the top panel, and softer EVA foam along the sides to create a more comfortable fit. Unfortunately, the Madillo is heavy (at least in the helmet world), weighing in at an astonishing 13.8 ounces.

Adjustability

A cool feature is that the rear panel can be adjusted forward to fit different head sizes ranging from 52 to 62cm. So while it is adjustable, it is only within that range and may not fit everyone’s head well. This is the heaviest helmet on our list, but this is due to the use of ABS plastic and the added plastic needed to create slides, hinges, and lock-in points. There are no rear adjustment straps or dials; all of the suspension adjustment is in the chin strap, but it does also have ear adjustment sliders.

Accessories

Features-wise, do we need to mention it again? This thing collapses. For people that hate when their helmet either hangs off the side of their pack or takes up too much room inside their pack, look no further. There are also burly headlamp clips along the corners of the helmet that are quite large and easy to handle. The Madillo only has 8 small vents located along the top panel of the helmet. They do not offer as much ventilation as others on our list, but it’s hard to imagine that venting was a priority when designing this helmet.

The Bottom Line

This helmet is not for everyone; it is heavy and fairly expensive while not having the most adjustable straps in the world. Those looking for a helmet that would work well in alpine situations and takes up half the room of a normal helmet, look no farther. It is great to see innovation in the helmet world and it’s possible that this concept will take off with some of the larger helmet manufacturers, but for now I think it will remain a niche product.

^ Back to Top ^