The world's most in-depth and scientific reviews of gear

CAMP USA Storm Review

A lightweight EPS foam helmet that's good for a variety of uses
CAMP USA Storm
Photo: CAMP USA
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Price:  $100 List | $99.95 at Backcountry
Pros:  Adjustable, good headlamp clips, ventilates well.
Cons:  Easy to over-tighten, chin strap buckles under chin and not to the side.
Manufacturer:   CAMP USA
By Cam McKenzie Ring ⋅ Senior Review Editor  ⋅  Oct 25, 2019
  • Share this article:
Our Editors independently research, test, and rate the best products. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers. Learn more
72
OVERALL
SCORE

RANKED
#5 of 13
  • Comfort - 30% 7
  • Adjustability - 20% 8
  • Weight - 20% 7
  • Ventilation - 10% 7
  • Headlamp Attachment - 10% 7
  • Durability - 10% 7

Our Verdict

The CAMP USA Storm is a good lightweight EPS/polycarbonate helmet. It has a similar construction to other popular helmets on the market, but with a slightly different shape. There's a lot of similar helmets out there that are all in the same price range and made with the same materials, but each fits a little differently — so if this one fits your noggin well then it's a great purchase. The Storm is a great choice for a variety of climbing pursuits, from sport cragging to long days in the alpine where you want something light on your head. We can't think of any climbing that this helmet for which this would not be useful.

Compare to Similar Products

(change comparison)
 
CAMP USA Storm
This Product
CAMP USA Storm
Awards  Editors' Choice Award Top Pick Award  Best Buy Award 
Price $99.95 at Backcountry$139.95 at Amazon$109.95 at Backcountry
Compare at 3 sellers		$114.59 at Amazon
Compare at 2 sellers		$89.95 at Backcountry
Compare at 3 sellers
Overall Score Sort Icon
72
78
77
77
74
Star Rating
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Pros Adjustable, good headlamp clips, ventilates wellPros: Includes the MIPS BPS, comfortable fit, highly adjustable, more durable than most foam helmetsSuper light, very comfortable, great ventilation, versatile for use while ski mountaineering, protects all sides of headLightweight, great ventilationLightweight, easily adjustable with slider bar, not as expensive as Sirocco, well ventilated
Cons Easy to over-tighten, chin strap buckles under chin and not to the sideNot super light, pricey, black absorbs heat from sunNot as durable as ABS options, expensive, less easily adjustable, magnetic buckle not for everyoneFragile, chin strap doesn't adjust forward, removable headlamp clips are easy to lose or forgetMagnetic buckle collects dirt, not as cheap as BD Half Dome
Bottom Line Not the lightest foam helmet but more adjustable than othersThe optimal combination of the MIPS harness with EPP foam for side impact and a durable ABS plastic shellYou want a helmet that you are never annoyed to wear, and this is that helmetLightweight and comfortable but can't even be put in your pack without denting itA highly adjustable climbing and ski mountaineering helmet made of EPS foam
Rating Categories CAMP USA Storm Black Diamond Vision MIPS Petzl Sirocco Black Diamond Vapor Petzl Meteor
Comfort (30%)
7
9
8
8
7
Adjustability (20%)
8
7
5
7
8
Weight (20%)
7
6
10
9
7
Ventilation (10%)
7
8
9
10
8
Headlamp Attachment (10%)
7
9
8
6
8
Durability (10%)
7
8
6
5
7
Specs CAMP USA Storm Black Diamond... Petzl Sirocco Black Diamond Vapor Petzl Meteor
Measured Weight in Ounces (largest size) 8.7 oz 9.7 oz 6.1 oz 7.0 oz 8.5 oz
Shell Style EPS foam with Polycarbonate EPP and EPS foam, ABS shell, with MIPS liner EPP and EPS foam, polycabonate top piece EPS foam with Polycarbonate EPS, Polycarbonate
Number of Sizes 2 2 2 2 2
Number of Colors 4 1 1 4 3
Warranty 3 year limited 1 year limited to defects only 3 year 1 year 3 year

Our Analysis and Test Results

The CAMP USA Storm features an EPS liner and a polycarbonate shell, and it weighs 8.7 ounces in the Large size that we tested. The Small helmet fits a 48-56 cm range, and the Large a 56-62 cm range.

Performance Comparison


The new Storm is a great addition to the helmet market. It doesn't...
The new Storm is a great addition to the helmet market. It doesn't break any new ground, but offers some variety in shape and sizing for those who can't get a good fit from another manufacturer.
Photo: Cam McKenzie Ring

Comfort


The CAMP USA Storm feels lightweight and comfortable initially, but after two hours in it, we started to get a headache from the tensioning system and pressure from the click-wheel. As with most wheel-tensioned helmets, we found it easy to overtighten them, and the knob pushes down your ponytail (if you have one). There is a nice, soft fleece liner on the forehead and top of the helmet, and it is lighter than the hardshell helmets that we tested, which makes a difference over a long day.

The click-wheel makes adjusting the helmet easy, but be careful not...
The click-wheel makes adjusting the helmet easy, but be careful not to overtighten it. It sits really low on our heads too, which is an issue if you have a ponytail.
Photo: Cam McKenzie Ring

Adjustability


Like other helmets that also use a click wheel tensioning system, this is one of the easiest helmets to adjust. The click-wheel at the back tightens quickly and efficiently, and there are clips on the V-yoke to adjust the positioning around the ears. Some of our testers felt this helmet was a bit tight under the chin, which affected our comfort a bit. CAMP includes a nice fleece cover for the buckle, but that makes the chin strap even bulkier, and none of us like the feel of something bulky under our chins.

The sliding buckle moves up easily to secure the straps around our...
The sliding buckle moves up easily to secure the straps around our ears and make it more stable. While the tester pictured got a good fit from the chin strap, those with slightly smaller heads ended up with the buckle under their chins, which was not comfortable.
Photo: Cam McKenzie Ring

Weight


This helmet weighs 8.7 ounces in the Size Large that we tested. That makes it slightly heavier than some of the other EPS foam helmets that we tested, but not by much. Other helmets in the same weight range use a slider bar in the back instead of a knob, so it's up to you to decide which features you prefer and if you can handle an extra ounce or two on your head to get them.

We liked the looks and profile of this helmet, and the extra ounce...
We liked the looks and profile of this helmet, and the extra ounce was worth the better adjustability in our estimation.
Photo: Cam McKenzie Ring

Ventilation


This helmet ventilates well, with 21 vents located all around the helmet. While it feels significantly cooler than most of the hardshells that we tested.That said, the vents themselves are relatively small, and other EPS models seem to feature much larger vents throughout, thus offering better ventilation in general.

There's a lot of vents in this helmet, which is great for hot days.
There's a lot of vents in this helmet, which is great for hot days.
Photo: Cam McKenzie Ring

Headlamp Attachment


The headlamp attachments on the Storm feel secure and are easy to use. We tried putting a headlamp on while still wearing the helmet and struggled a bit to find the clips because they are so low profile. This aspect makes them less likely to snag on clothing or slings though, which is a good thing.

The headlamp clips worked well during out nighttime test, though...
The headlamp clips worked well during out nighttime test, though it's easier to put it on with the helmet off your head.
Photo: Scott Ring

Durability


We noticed no major issues or design flaws while testing this helmet. We expect this helmet to hold up similarly to other polycarbonate shell helmets, which is to say you can put it in your pack without cracking it and drop it a few feet without shattering it. It is surely a bit more durable than Black Diamond models, which use a similar EPS/polycarbonate shell design, but which gets dented and dinged seemingly just by touching it. While we aren't commenting on the ability of the helmet to withstand repeated heavy impacts, it will certainly live up to the everyday abuse that you would expect of a climbing helmet.

Clipping bolts but worried about fragile rock? A lightweight foam...
Clipping bolts but worried about fragile rock? A lightweight foam helmet like this will protect your head without weighing you down.
Photo: Cam McKenzie Ring

Value


This helmet retails for about the same as all of the other EPS helmets on the market. Our best recommendation is to try it on, as well as the others, and then go with the model that is the most comfortable on your head. In our opinion, at least one other helmet in this price range performed better, and thus offered a better value, but the deciding factor will be individual comfort.

Conclusion


The Storm takes some of the popular elements of their Speed 2.0 helmet (a combination climbing and ski mountaineering helmet), and puts them in a climbing specific helmet. We liked what they've created, and it's a great option for a variety of uses.

— Cam McKenzie Ring