MSRP: $74.95
After almost every approach, I find myself redoing my hair before racking up. Adjusting my high ponytail to a low braid that fits under my helmet has become part of my pre-climb ritual. With the new Ikon Nova, C.A.M.P. offers a solution to the long-haired climber’s struggle. It creates extra space between the adjustment dial and the helmet, making it conveniently ponytail compatible.
At this point in my climbing career, I’m hard pressed to leave the ground without a helmet. Time after time, I’ve seen large rocks fall from popular routes at crowded crags. I frequently climb in the mountains where choss is abundant, and I’m always wary of other parties (or even mountain goats!) above me that may send down debris. Any helmet I choose must be UIAA certified at minimum, which is an internationally recognized safety standard for mountaineering equipment. Beyond that, I look for a balance of weight and durability; I don’t want to constantly worry about denting fragile foam, but I want my helmet to be comfortable enough that it isn’t distracting while climbing.
I tested the C.A.M.P. Ikon Nova helmet for a month of full-time rock and alpine guiding in Washington, and it checked all of those boxes. Wearing the Ikon Nova, I navigated glaciers in the North Cascades, guided multipitch alpine rock up Vesper Peak, and led group cragging sessions during heat waves at the Index Town Walls. With its 18 vent openings and rigid outer shell, the Ikon Nova strikes a balance between comfort and durability that served me well during a demanding month of guiding and climbing.
The Ikon Nova comes in two women’s sizes and includes a variety of removable padding options to help dial in the fit. A climbing partner of mine who has a particularly small head tried out the Nova for an afternoon of cragging. She has a hard time finding helmets that fit her, but the smaller women’s size was just right. The most unique part of this helmet’s fit is its compatibility with long hair. It’s easy to move the rear dial up or down, so you can create an opening for a higher ponytail. When I’m traveling on glaciers, I usually put my hair in a low braid and pull a Buff up over my sunhat to protect my ears and neck from UV rays reflecting off the snow. In this case, I simply slid the adjustment knob up higher to stay out of the way of my hair. C.A.M.P. categorizes this helmet as “women’s specific,” but anyone with long hair or a smaller head will appreciate the fit and features of the Ikon Nova, regardless of gender.
The Ikon Nova’s two sizes cover a range of 48-58cm and 57-63cm, which are available in three colors—jade green, white, and fuchsia. At 9.9 ounces (280g) in the smaller women’s size, and 10.6 ounces (300g) in the larger size, this helmet is light, but not the lightest on the market due to its balance of durability and weight with a hybrid construction (some helmets are primarily made to be light without durability being the focus). The Black Diamond Women’s Half Dome only comes in one size and weighs 11.6 ounces (330g). Petzl’s comparable women’s helmet, the Borea, also only comes in one size and weighs 10.8 ounces (305g). Petzl makes another single-sized women’s helmet, the Meteora comes in at 7.9 ounces (225g) and is the lightest of the women’s helmets I found—it’ll also cost you a bit more at $114.95. My takeaway: for those with long hair and smaller heads, C.A.M.P. offers a unique option that is both light and durable.
Regarding durability and strength, the Ikon Nova’s ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) outer shell covers shock-absorbing, molded foam made with EPP (expanded polypropylene) and EPS (expanded polypropylene). ABS is a rigid thermoplastic that’s more resistant to wear and tear than the polycarbonate shell covering most featherweight foam helmets.
I put the Ikon Nova’s durability to the test on a recent traverse of Ruth Mountain and Icy Peak in the North Cascades. In order to set ourselves up better for our climbing objective, I decided to camp on a higher ridge without running water. After filling my pack to the brim with six liters of extra water for our dry camp, I had to strap the helmet to the outside of my pack, where it was more vulnerable to dents and dings. The Ikon Nova’s outer ABS shell fared quite well, barely showing a scratch after being repeatedly plopped down on the rocky trail during breaks. I also haven’t noticed any cracking on the inner foam, despite being shoved inside a backpack for hours of hiking on multiple trips.
The Ikon Nova provides breathability with its smart ventilation system. The eighteen vent openings in the inner molded foam are offset from the hexagonal pattern of the ABS shell, letting in a breeze while maintaining side protection. I stayed reasonably cool during warm, sunny days in the mountains, thanks to this design. I did notice that this helmet is a bit less comfortable to wear with a sunhat than other helmets I’ve owned. Possibly because of the more streamlined fit as a result of having two size options, there was slightly less space between my eyebrows and the helmet, making a ball cap feel a little squished. I was still able to fit a hat underneath for long days on the glacier, as long as it was made from soft, flexible material. Consider getting the larger helmet if you plan to fit more stuff underneath.
Overall, C.A.M.P.’s Ikon Nova is a sturdy piece of gear that can withstand heavy use. When I’m trying to climb my hardest, I might opt for something lighter, but I know this helmet will last much longer than a six-ounce foam dome. With the rigid ABS shell, I don’t worry as much about cracking the Ikon Nova in my backpack, giving me peace of mind when I’m miles from a trailhead. While it does add ounces in exchange for durability, its smart ventilation design reduces weight and provides breathability. Plus, I can spend less time redoing my hair and more time sending!
Pros: Ponytail compatible adjustment dial; excellent durability at a reasonable weight; easy to adjust the fit with different padding options; comes in two sizes.
Cons: A sunhat doesn’t fit underneath as well; mid-ranged weight compared to other helmets.
Working year-round as a rock and alpine climbing guide, Katie Griffith puts her gear through the wringer. She spends much of the year in Joshua Tree, California, where the coarse monzogranite shreds basically everything, especially shoes, pants, and ropes. During the summertime she heads up to the Cascades to further destroy any remaining gear on 6k approaches and in most weather conditions you can imagine. Katie is psyched to write for Mountain Standards and let readers know which products hold their own when the going gets rough. You can find more of her writing and guiding offerings at ktgriffith.com and follow along at @kt_griffith. She also tests a lot of women’s climbing pants–feel free to reach out with questions!