Black Diamond Half Dome Helmet Red Orange - M-L

I've only used this a few times so far, but it definitely represents good value for money. It's comfortable, sits nicely on the head and has a removeable pad that can be cleaned. It's performed quite well inside caves, where a hard shell is preferred to exposed foam. A headlight stays secure thanks to the tabs positioned around the exterior.

Comfortable, affordable, and effective!

Bought this for caving. It does run a little warm, but it provides great protection, has clips for a headlamp, and seems durable. I found it to be comfortable during my first 12 hours of caving. I love how easy it is to adjust the size. The wheel on the back is genius. I love the colors of the blue helmet too. Very stylish. It sits up a bit high, but I didn’t think it looked bad, and pretty much all climbing helmets have that look at least a little bit. For the price, you really can’t go wrong.

Durability at It's Finest

I have been using the Black Diamond Half Dome helmet for years now. It’s joined me on everything from overhung sport climbs on loose rock to long alpine trad routes, from first ascent route cleaning to mountaineering up tight snow gullies. This helmet is tremendously durable and perfectly functional. I’ve scraped it against all manner of things on approaches and have been hit on the head several times by falling rocks. I’m fine, and the helmet is fine too. I’ve been using it very heavily for 8 years, and I suspect that it still has another decade of life in it. At its price point, this helmet is extraordinarily hard to beat.Although quite durable and dependably functional, the Half Dome has two flaws as I see it - looks and weight. There’s no way to dance around ... MoreI have been using the Black Diamond Half Dome helmet for years now. It’s joined me on everything from overhung sport climbs on loose rock to long alpine trad routes, from first ascent route cleaning to mountaineering up tight snow gullies. This helmet is tremendously durable and perfectly functional. I’ve scraped it against all manner of things on approaches and have been hit on the head several times by falling rocks. I’m fine, and the helmet is fine too. I’ve been using it very heavily for 8 years, and I suspect that it still has another decade of life in it. At its price point, this helmet is extraordinarily hard to beat.Although quite durable and dependably functional, the Half Dome has two flaws as I see it - looks and weight. There’s no way to dance around it - this is the helmet of choice for rental outfitters and guides. That’s true because it’s durable and has excellent price to value, of course, but if you’re looking for a helmet with a unique look or it’s important to you that you don’t get mistaken for a guide’s client, this may not be the helmet for you. And at 12.3 ounces, there are numerous other helmets out there at half the weight. If you’re aiming to shave ounces, the Half Dome isn’t the way.All told, I’m using the Black Diamond Half Dome for a couple reasons. There isn’t an environment that I’ve come across where it doesn’t do its job well, and in spite of years of abuse and hard impacts, it’s still just as reliable as the day I bought it. For those reasons, I’d recommend the Half Dome for the new climber and the seasoned veteran alike.

Good basic climbing helmet, with limitations

This is a good basic climbing helmet. I use it primarily as a low-cost search and rescue helmet. I do notice, however, that the cradle easily becomes dislodged from the shell. The helmet also tends to slip some on contact. These are safety concerns, and should be kept in mind while making a purchase decision.

Great helmet for reasonable price

I have only good things to say about BD's Half Dome. It's a solid helmet that's also breathable and comfortable. The adjustment wheel is very convenient. Also like the padding on the inside. And on top of this, it's a very reasonably priced helmet. There's a reason this helmet in a mainstay in the climbing community.

It's a classic

There's a reason that the Black Diamond Half Dome helmet has been around so long - it is well made, stylish and functional!If you're looking for lightweight, at 0.84 lbs, it weighs a tiny bit more than the 0.8 lbs weight of the Black Diamond Vapor (weights are from my personal luggage scale). But for that extra 0.04 lbs, you get more features: 1. the protective foam on the inside of the helmet appears to be slightly thicker than the Vapor. 2. The outer shell of the helmet is harder, providing more resistance to nicks, scrapes and dents from being tossed around or banging into things while hanging on your pack. 3. The clasps for your headlamp are definitely more rugged than those on the Vapor (although they are not removable).While I can't say if it will hurt ... MoreThere's a reason that the Black Diamond Half Dome helmet has been around so long - it is well made, stylish and functional!If you're looking for lightweight, at 0.84 lbs, it weighs a tiny bit more than the 0.8 lbs weight of the Black Diamond Vapor (weights are from my personal luggage scale). But for that extra 0.04 lbs, you get more features: 1. the protective foam on the inside of the helmet appears to be slightly thicker than the Vapor. 2. The outer shell of the helmet is harder, providing more resistance to nicks, scrapes and dents from being tossed around or banging into things while hanging on your pack. 3. The clasps for your headlamp are definitely more rugged than those on the Vapor (although they are not removable).While I can't say if it will hurt less to get slammed in the head with a rock (sorry, I wasn't going to test it THAT much - not on purpose, at least), I can tell you that this helmet is comfortable enough to wear all day for mountaineering, canyoneering or climbing outings (I tested it on all 3). It also fits well over a baseball cap, over a thin beanie or with nothing else on your head.At less than 1/2 the cost of the Black Diamond Vapor helmet, you really can't go wrong with the new Half Dome as an entry level or as your every day helmet. Kudos to BD for improving upon a classic without giving up the features that made it so good to begin with!

Perfect first helmet

Absolutely love this helmet. I have an oddly large head, but the Half Dome fits me perfectly. It's comfortable, lightweight, and doesn't get in the way when I'm trying to stay close to a slab. And as an added bonus, it has great ventilation... so you won't get cooked alive when you're climbing in direct sunlight during summer months.

Very unstable due to chinstrap design

The only good thing about this: it's pretty much the only hard-shell climbing-rated helmet that goes to 63cm (critical if you need to wear a balclava or beany *and* have a larger head!). Which is still smaller than I'd like, but Petzl only go to 61cm, and Edelrid to 59cm. The design of the 3-point chinstrap makes it very unstable (especially on larger heads), and the nub on the back makes it impossible to hard mount a light with a battery box. These design choices make it wholly inapropriate for caving (as compared to Petzl's Boreo), and means I'm sticking with my Ecrin Roc.

Weird fit

Note that many of the 5-star reviews are pulled in from other sites! This helmet fits weird. It is constantly falling backwards on my head no matter what I adjust the tightness to, which is dangerous when it's so far back that a significant portion of your forehead is exposed. It also just sits high and looks goofy. Several other people I know have had the same issue. I mean, it'll do the job but I'd highly recommend trying on a Petzl Boreo or really, any other helmet.

love the dial in the back

At first I thought the only benefit of acquiring another helmet in addition to my skateboard, bike, ski helmets was that it would hold a headlamp. Sure it's light weight and protects from rocks or back of head smack. But I've come to realize that the key is that it stays in place despite looking up- duh! I felt a few more expensive, lighter helmets but this one is more durable as it doesn't get dinged/ is thicker plastic which can tolerate being tossed onto my pile of stuff at the crag. Also, a lot of the other ones I've seen don't have the dial. I dial in the fit with this helmet probably every session and it stays in place but doesn't get overly hot. Chin strap doesn't bug me and and I tend to keep the helmet on even when stepping away from belay zone at it's not ... MoreAt first I thought the only benefit of acquiring another helmet in addition to my skateboard, bike, ski helmets was that it would hold a headlamp. Sure it's light weight and protects from rocks or back of head smack. But I've come to realize that the key is that it stays in place despite looking up- duh! I felt a few more expensive, lighter helmets but this one is more durable as it doesn't get dinged/ is thicker plastic which can tolerate being tossed onto my pile of stuff at the crag. Also, a lot of the other ones I've seen don't have the dial. I dial in the fit with this helmet probably every session and it stays in place but doesn't get overly hot. Chin strap doesn't bug me and and I tend to keep the helmet on even when stepping away from belay zone at it's not bothersome.I haven't figured out the best kind of hat to wear underneath for sun visor yet as my cotton ball cap causes it to tip back/ not fit snuggly, but I would only wear it for belay anyway since I tend to put my forehead close to the wall at times. My head circumference measured right between the two sizes and I ordered large because I thought I may wear a buff - and I do need to loosen it considerably for buff vs just my head when I wore one the other day. Highly recommend.