Mammut Skywalker 2 Review

Likes
This Mammut helmet has a unique fit that separates it from other helmets: it sits more on the top of the head than around the head. It sat up and and back on our foreheads and stayed out of our peripheral vision while climbing. This, along with many vent holes and a low profile chin strap, meant it was one of the best ventilated hard plastic shelled helmets. Its soft liner is similar to the Petzl Meteor III and gives the helmet a cozy feeling. It is easy to remove the padding if you want to wash it or make it fit tighter (expecially if wearing a hat).

The Mammut Skywalker II gets extra points for style. And style is something to consider when youll be wearing it on your head on every climbing day. It also had one of the best chin straps of any helmet we tested. It was easy to adjust, second only to the Petzl helmets. The thin straps and padding over the buckle meant it was soft but not too bulky and was probably the most comfortable chin strap we tested.

One little feature we liked is a clip-in point inside this climbing helmet. This makes it easy to clip the helmet securely to the outside of your pack.

Dislikes
Despite ample vent holes, the Skywalker II still gets warm. This is probably due to the thin fleece lining on the suspension. Also, during very hot climbing days the Skywalker II moved around on our head more than other helmets reviewed, such as the Black Diamond Half Dome. It is a bit heavier than other helmets in its class but not by a noticeable amount (less than 0.5 ounces).

As mentioned in the "Likes" section above, this climbing helmet is different in that it sits more on top of the head and less around the head. Some people might find this a little weird. We didn't, but you need to try it on yourself.

Personal Stories
We first discovered this helmet at Elevation near Mt. Whitney. Kastle, the owner, said it was one of the best selling helmets for Whitney climbers whether on rock or snow. It then became Chris McNamara's favorite durable helmet because it looked cool and had a nice chin strap and fit. Other reviewers, however, did not think it stood out as the best and this is reflected in the overall ratings.

Best Application
This is an all-around durable helmet suitable for just about any application. We would take this on El Capitan or just the crags. On sport climbs, or in a situation where every ounce matters, we would take a lighter helmet such as the Meteor III.

Value
This helmet is a great value and in a three-way tie with the Black Diamond Half Dome and CAMP Armour for least expensive helmet on the market.