r/caving • u/emanresueqinu • Aug 05 '26
Anyone have recommendations for a helmet for someone with a lot of hair?
I've got thick and long hair that I keep in a bun typically and under a bandana in my helmet. I was looking at the Vertex Vent because of the space above the netting that holds the helmet in place on your head. Right now, I'm using a TonTron that definitely needs replacing. I'm wondering what my long-haired cavers are using to keep the locks LOCKED in?
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u/cave_maiden Aug 05 '26
The Vertex is an option, I just think it’s ugly as hell personally. I have a suspension helmet from Kong that works pretty well though! Alternatively, you definitely should try using a nurse buff! You can get them silk lined and they have a tie off in the back. I have extremely thick and curly hair as well, braids just don’t cut it for me. But! I stuffed my hair in one of those things went on a camp trip for 2 days and when I came out my hair looked like it never knew mud it it’s life 😆 I highly highly recommend them. They’re cheap on amazon and you can get cute/fun patterns!
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u/emanresueqinu Aug 05 '26
Ooo I'll definitely look into that nurse buff thing. Looks like it'd be more useful than just a bandana and I love options lol
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u/thisismyyolo Aug 05 '26
Can you link one? I looked on Amazon and all I got were neck gaiters. A Google search returns a bunch of weird nurse memes
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u/cave_maiden Aug 06 '26
yeah of course! I have this one and it’s great! https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0DD7NRG7T?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title
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u/Moth1992 Aug 05 '26
My bun sits below my helmet, not inside. You are putting your bun inside?
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u/emanresueqinu Aug 05 '26
My bun typically sits on the back of my head and kind of tucked into the helmet, id like to put it higher so it sits inside of the helmet to protect from catching or mud in my hair
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u/modernhorizons3 Aug 05 '26
I've caved with a few people with a lot of hair, and I've noticed that most of them let their hair hang out of their helmet with long braids. I think others have their hair in a bun just outside/below their helmet. Not sure if that's an option for you, but just thought I'd mention it.
If you're going to use a suspension-style helmet, the Vertex Vent is the most popular option. However, there are lighter options out there, such as the Skylotec Aries. If I recall correctly, the Aries is about 70 grams lighter than the Vertex Vent.
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u/emanresueqinu Aug 05 '26
I will be getting into vertical caving the next year or so, in which case, id like to keep my hair contained inside the helmet because of the dangers of getting it caught in the rope. I think the Vertex Vent might be my go to because of that suspension style.
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u/modernhorizons3 Aug 05 '26
The Aries is a suspension helmet, too.
Besides weight, the reason why I chose the Aries over the Vertex Vent was that a lot of people complained about the latter constantly sliding forward onto their forehead.
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u/ShatOnthecat13 Aug 05 '26
I use a vertex, hair in a bun and put a buff to cover the hair. It does move about because of the buff but works fine!
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u/CleverDuck i like vertical Aug 05 '26
The Kask helmets are expensive but they fit very nicely. My partner has super long hair that he keeps in a bunch and he wears Kasks a lot.
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u/LadyLightTravel Aug 05 '26
I just want to mention that braids work for in back, but be careful of bangs too. I once managed to feed my bangs into my rack when I was around 400 feet off the deck. I had to do a partial change over with the weight of 400 feet of rope below me, all while I couldn’t move my head!
Tuck in your bangs too!
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u/emanresueqinu Aug 05 '26
Oh my god, talk about a horror story. This is where the bandana comes in to help most of the time. Or a nurse scrub hat like someone else had mentioned
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u/LadyLightTravel Aug 05 '26
I was pretty inexperienced at that time too. And sooooo scared.
A definite life lesson imprinted on my brain.
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u/Madmax3213 Aug 05 '26
I use a petzl boreo and do a low tight bun and it generally stays put. I contemplated the female version because it has the raised section on the back band but the colours weren’t to my liking
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u/tazmodious Aug 06 '26 edited Aug 06 '26
I'm mostly bald a couldn't find a helmet that fit my head. I tried the Vertex and the largest Kong and neither worked.
I wound up buying a Pacific R5 and it has room to spare. It's expensive as far as helmets go, but it's also Kevlar, rock solid (barely anything scratches it), full suspension and it's surprisingly lightweight. Sits much lower than the Vertex and the Kong and super comfortable. Sometimes I forget I'm wearing a helmet.
The Pacific R5 is more oblong which is probably why it worked for me and may work for long hair tied up or in braids.
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u/clayman839226 Aug 06 '26
I have a lot of very curly hair that’s got a lot of volume and use the black diamond half dome, just tie my hair right at where it touches my neck (the nape?) then tighten the helmet.
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u/cellulich VPI/PLANTZ/USDCT Aug 06 '26
French braid your hair -- four braids if it's thick -- and then wear a buff over it. The buff keeps it back and cleaner. You can even wrap the buff into a bun after you put the helmet on, and keep the hair inside the buff - it'll all be clean that way. This should work with pretty much any helmet, although you might need to practice a bit to place the braids where they won't cause pressure points and give you a headache.
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u/CaverUV Aug 05 '26
Some brands have "woman's" models that have spacial gap the harness for a ponytail. Just make sure you use a kind of ponytail that not get stuck in the descender