Preface
It is only rarely that I get a piece of equipment I’m 100% satisfied with. And a proper disclosure – I do not work at Grivel nor sponsored by them.
Grivel Salamander
For the last year I’m on a some sort of a road trip of both rock climbing and skiing. If any of you have ever done this, you would probably realize that carrying that much equipment for these 2 types of sports is a burden. Not to mention the extra grins and smiles you have to use in order to avoid paying the overweight fees. This is where the Salamander can assist you.
A salamander
I bought the Salamander from a friend of mine who didn’t use it much for a fairly low price. Its main use – i thought – was going to be for rock climbing.
The Salamander retails for roughly $80 US in modern countries, which is a mid-range price in terms of climbing helmets. Not cheap, not expensive.
Grivel, being known mainly for manufacturing ice climbing equipment, has perhaps designed this helmet with ice climbing in mind. However they recommend it for rock climbing as well.
The helmet features a rather thick plastic shell and its shape covers a bit more the back of the head, comparing to other traditional climbing helmets.
Rock climbing
Designed for ice climbing, the salamander excels where it is cold. Climbing with this helmet in Thailand was possible, but far from being desirable nor fun. The helmet is fairly “warm” and even though I’ve found the ventilation fair, at above 30C you probably don’t want it on your head. But who wants to climb at 30C anyway?
When it is slightly chillier however, the Salamander is just what you want on your head. With a simple ratchet back (like any other modern helmet) it doesn’t fall off from its competitors.
Yet make no mistakes, this is a proper plastic shell helmet, it can take quite a lot of abuse before it’ll ever break, unlike other “sporty” climbing helmets with a thin poly-carbonate coating.
The author seconding a pitch in the Blueiz
The goggle test
Exit summer, enter winter. Will it ski?
I must admit I’m not the biggest guru when it comes to helmet certifications and I’m not going to delve into it either. However I don’t think there’s much of a difference between a skiing helmet and a climbing helmet in terms of build and design. Correct me if I’m wrong though.
In skiing you may bang your head on a tree, rock or ice.
In climbing you may bang your head on a tree, rock or ice. In climbing there’s also the danger of rock and ice fall hitting your helmet.
Yes, there are special different specifications for ski and climbing helmets, however the main difference between these is that a ski helmet will protect more the back of your head and will also let you mount goggles easily. But if it’s a climbing helmet that has protection for the back of your head and lets you mount goggles?
The salamander? – Yes, it does it both. No formal ski certification for this helmet though.
Goggles fit like a charm, thanks to its shape and the rear bungee cord (used also to mount a headlamp).
Why not ski with it then? – Well, really, why not?
The author skiing with the Salamander helmet
I do ski with it – and I really enjoy it for ski and ski touring. When I say “enjoy” – I mean I banged it already a few times on ice and snow and was glad it was on my head.
The helmet is well ventilated and works well for ski touring. It features enough protection around your head, though one thing is obviously missing. The extra lining (specifically ear covers) you’d usually find on a ski helmet is not there. Nothing a proper balaclava cannot fix.
One for all, all for one
If you go skiing and climbing together and thinking of your next helmet, then the salamander does it both perfectly. The adjective that fits this helmet the best is “versatile” – it’s the only helmet I have to carry.
Recently I noticed though that some other companies have come up with some new helmets, both with climbing and skiing certifications. But as I said – since I’m not sponsored nor working in any of these companies I doubt I’ll get to test one of these anytime soon. Meantime – let me enjoy the Salamander – a real 5 stars piece of equipment in my opinion.
Enjoying it on the belay
Bashing Gear 
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