Helmet

This is used for stopping your head from bumping low roofs, protecting you somewhat from falling objects and mounting your head torch onto.

What to look for

Basically, you're looking for a cheap, hardshell climbing helmet that fits and is comfortable.

There's a huge range of choice, but the Caving Crew has tended to prefer Camp Rockstar helmets.

Other cheap and cheerful climbing helmets are available, but the Camp Rockstars work for us when it comes to durability and comfort.

Beware super expensive ultra lightweight "softshell" rock climbing helmets - very polystyrene heavy affairs, they will disintegrate upon contact with the cave.
Also beware unbranded helmets from AliExpress, eBay, Amazon, Temu etc. If you're thinking of trying to save £ by buying something no-one has ever heard of, please ask someone knowledgable if it's ok before you buy it.

What to get first

This is one of the key pieces of caving equipment, and should be one of your first initial things you get.

It's good to get a light at the same time as this.

Buying Guide

Price (New): ££
Price (Used): £
Buy online? Yes, especially if you've tried on a Caving Crew Camp Rockstar before and are looking for another one. If you're keen to find something that fits you differently, it's likely you'll want to try some on in person.

Buying Second Hand

Many people wouldn't, but it comes down to your risk acceptance, and ability and willingness to self-assess things that you may not be able to see.

Proponents of second hand helmets might say "just cos it's second hand, doesn't mean it's been damaged - it's sat in someone's loft for 3 years - out of UV"

Advocates against might say: "how much is your protecting your head worth to you?"

Given how key this is, you're likely to have to make your own decision about your risk/reward/acceptance ratios here.

Where you can buy it

You can get climbing helmets from anywhere that sells climbing gear, but we'd recommend avoiding eBay/Amazon/Temu/Aliexpress unless you really know what you're getting.

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Q & A

Can I use a bike helmet for caving?

No. Bike helmets are designed for bike problems, and caves have none of those.

Road and commuter helmets work by crushing their polystyrene on impact—one use only. In a cave you bang your head repeatedly; a road helmet would be falling apart before you'd got to the fun stuff.

BMX and skate helmets survive repeated knocks, but they're not tested against penetration—sharp rocks punching through. On a half-pipe that doesn't matter. In a cave, where the ceiling is made of pointy rocks, it matters a lot.

Climbing helmets handle 98 joules from above and 25 from the sides, pass penetration tests, and do it all twice at the same spot. They're built for a day of getting bashed from every direction.

There's also the practical stuff: bike helmets have nowhere to mount a caving light, vents that let water drip in, and thin shells that get chewed up in tight passages.

Learn More

There's not a great resource for helmets for UK Caving, but there are some resources out there: