The Top 3 Most Wanted and Most Owned Climbing Helmets

Below we dive into why these are the most wanted and owned climbing helmets from WeighMyRack users.

Black Diamond Vapor – #1 Most Wanted AND #2 Most Owned

Sitting in the top 5 lightest helmets currently available (and at #2 on the sexiest helmet survey list we did a while back), the Black Diamond Vapor has long been at the top of the most wanted list on WeighMyRack. With some of the most air vent holes of any helmet on the market, the Vapor does a great job at letting your head breathe, making it great for protecting your dome while you sweat it out on a hot day of trying hard at the crag.

Currently at $139.95 the price is a bit steep compared to other helmets in its class, owing at least partially to the use of a costly sheet of Kevlar in the crown to both minimize weight and mitigate punctures.

The Vapor also comes in a ‘women’s’ version which is actually the exact same helmet that only comes in S/M and in pink or Hazel Findlay signature Ice Blue.

The Vapor can last a long time when taken care of properly. If you throw this helmet in your bag under a trad rack, expect it to have some surface dings when it comes out. If you also sit on your bag, with the helmet inside, you could certainly risk puncturing the helmet with a nut tool, cam edge, or even a quickdraw. All this to say: if you’d like to be able to toss your gear around wherever and whenever you’d like, you’d be much better off with the #3 Most Owned Half Dome.

Black Diamond Vector – #3 Most Wanted AND #1 Most Owned

Rounding out the most wanted list is the Black Diamond Vector. Even though it barely makes it in the 30 lightest helmets currently available, it has a lot going for it which means it ALSO tops the list as the most owned helmet by WeighMyRack users. When you compare it to other sub-$100 helmets, it is highly available and also quite good looking, making the bit of extra weight much less of an issue for many climbers.

Indeed when you compare the weight savings to its ultralight cousin the Black Diamond Vapor (#1 most wanted and #2 most owned), the $50 difference for a savings of 45g seems better spent elsewhere unless you’re seriously counting your grams over pennies.

Its thin polycarbonate shell also offers a bit more durability than other mid-light, mid-priced models that forego this coverage for weight. All of this adds up to the Vector being very well balanced in price, weight, and longevity, so it’s no surprise to us that it sits on both of these lists of our discerning users.

Where to buy the Black Diamond Vector

Black Diamond Vapor – #2 Most Owned

Making a second appearance on todays list as the #2 Most Owned helmet is the Black Diamond Vapor. There really isn’t much more we can say about the Vapor that we haven’t said above, except to suggest that the reason it is second on the Most Owned list (instead of 1st) is likely the higher price, and perhaps the fact that it is slightly less durable than the Vector.

Buying Options for the Black Diamond Vapor

Black Diamond Half Dome – #3 Most Owned (currently available)

Black Diamond has had a solid hold in the helmet market for a long time and one of the reasons is the price and availability of the Black Diamond Half Dome. This helmet is bomber for somebody who wants a helmet that will last. It can take multiple hits (as long as the shell isn’t cracked) and doesn’t care if you toss it on the ground or even if it happens to land on a pointy rock. Instead of denting like the Vapor or Vector, this helmet may scratch, but these scars are often worn pridefully and rarely compromising.

It is worth noting that the Half Dome Women’s version (their language not ours) is actually made differently. It has a different internal harness system to be able to accommodate a low ponytail. This harness system also means the one size fits all maxes out at 22.8″ (58 cm) versus the Men’s version which maxes out at 25″.

Buying Options for the Black Diamond Half Dome

Bottom Line

The Most Wanted helmets tend to be lighter, like the Sirocco and Vapor and/or are some of the better looking helmets. The Most Owned helmets tend to be those that are readily available at all the climbing shops, like the Black Diamond collection which dominates this list.