Best EN12492 climbing safety helmets – our top picks

Climbing safety helmets are also known as mountaineering helmets and working at height helmets, these however are all the same thing and conform to the same standard of performance.

These mountaineering helmets have been designed and manufactured to be used when working at height and carrying out activities at height.

The EN12492 climbing helmets features ensure that you are receiving excellent impact protection from the top of the helmet like the EN397 standard requires as well as side impact protection and standards that require a secure chinstrap to be fitted as standard.

This is why you will often see a climbing helmet conform to multiple safety standards.

What is the standard for a climbing safety helmet?

The safety standard you will need to look out for is the EN12492 standard, this ensures that the mountaineering helmet offers excellent impact protection across the whole helmet with a secure chin strap to prevent the helmet falling off the user’s head while you work at height, which of course would result in potentially impacting another colleague causing serious injury.

When you are going work at height it is important to make sure you reduce the risk of injury and you can do this by making sure your industrial helmet conforms the the correct performance requirements for your task.

Climbing helmets should be replaced once they have made impact with the ground no matter the height dropped from, this is because the mountaineering helmets performance could have been depleted. This is important as a common use is as a rock climbing helmet.

For more on the EN12492 climbing helmet standard and the testing requirements below:

• Must have a total ventilation area greater than 4cm²
• Must have a chin strap strength of greater than 50kg to reduce the risk of the helmet falling off when falling.
• Must be able to able to withstand the shock requirements from a steel ball (5kg) when dropped at a 2m height. Test carried out on the top, both sides and back.
• Must withstand impact penetration from a steel ball (5kg) when dropped from a 1m height. Test carried out on the top of the helmet only.

Now you understand what makes an EN12492 climbing helmet, here is 3 of our top picks split between cost categories:

Value/Budget:

PS73 – Height Endurance Mountaineering Helmet

Packed with great practical safety features with a slick stylish design, a great choice when looking for a lower cost climbing helmet.

Perfect as a working at heights helmets, being low cost while conforming to the working at heights regs.

Here is a few of its features:

• Lightweight and comfortable
• Light and robust
• Wheel ratchet size adjustment for easy fitting
• 6 points textile harness
• Chin strap included
• Specially designed for working at height

Product on the manufactures website here > link.

Product on OAKEYS online store here > link.

Intermediate:

Nexus Heightmaster Safety helmet

This climbing helmet has been designed and manufactured from great quality materials, built to combine both comfort and performance, an excellent overall choice when working at height.

An excellent roofing safety helmet or scaffolding safety helmet, thanks to the chin strap and wide protection coverage.

Here is a few of its features:

• High performance
• Lightweight
• Extreme comfort – great for long periods of use
• Centurion Twist2fit ratchet for an optimal secure fit
• Excellent ventilation and hygiene
• Micro peak for added upwards visibility

Product on the manufactures website here > link.

Product on OAKEYS online store here > link.

Premium:

KASK Superplasma PL Safety helmet

This KASK climbing helmet has been designed and manufactured for the use of mountaineers and working at height occupations, this premium quality safety helmet is a great choice.

A great rock climbing helmet, thanks to the high performance levels giving you confidence that you will be protected from sharp objects impacting the EN12492 helmet.

Here are the key features:

• Excellent ventilation with air intakes to allow for effective airflow and breathability
• Superior comfort - great for extended durations of use
• Four-point chinstrap which is crossed at the back to provide a secure fit
• Sanitized treatment which is an antibacterial treatment
• Stylish design
• Manufactured from top quality materials

Product on the manufactures website here > link.

Product on OAKEYS online store here > link.

There is lots of options on the market for the EN12492 safety standard for climbing helmets and these are just our opinions on the best climbing helmet choices, if you require any further guidance on your safety helmets then please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the team.

More on safety helmets when working at height here > Link.