Skywalker 3.0 Helmet

The Mammut Skywalker 3.0 is a hard shell climbing helmet with an ABS outer shell over a lining of EPP and EPS foam. The Skywalker 3.0 is one size for heads of 53-61 cm, weighs 330 g, meets EN 12492 and carries four headlamp clips. Mammut rate it 6 out of 6 for via ferrata.

What it is

A tough, do-everything climbing helmet. The hard ABS shell takes the scrapes and knocks that come with being stuffed in a pack and dragged up a gully, while EPP and EPS foam lines the whole inside, right down to the rim, so the front, sides and back are covered as well as the crown. Some of that EPS is recycled.

Who it's for

Anyone who wants one helmet for a bit of everything, and especially via ferrata, where Mammut give it their top score. Think of the cable routes across the Tasman around Wanaka, a first multipitch trip at Mount Arapiles, or a club that needs a helmet that fits whoever turns up. Mammut rate it 3 out of 6 for sport, multipitch, alpine, and ice and mixed climbing: a solid all-rounder rather than a specialist.

One size covers heads from 53 to 61 cm. Measure around your head just above the eyebrows; if you land in that range, the thumbwheel at the back dials it in, and it adjusts one-handed with the helmet on.

Key details

• Weight: 330 g
• One size, 53-61 cm head circumference
• ABS hard shell over EPP and EPS foam (60% EPP, 10% EPS, 30% plastic)
• Foam lining over the whole inner surface, for front, side and rear impacts
• Meets EN 12492, the European standard for mountaineering helmets
• Large vents and a matte shell finish
• Wheel adjustment that folds inside the shell for packing
• Four clips, front and back, to hold a headlamp
• Soft padding plus extra cushioning for fit; carry bag included

How it compares

Next to the Mammut Crag Sender, the Skywalker 3.0 trades a little lightness for toughness. The Crag Sender is an in-mould EPS helmet with Kevlar reinforcement and scores 6 out of 6 for sport climbing; the Skywalker 3.0 has the hard ABS shell and scores 6 out of 6 for via ferrata. If your helmet lives in a pack with a rack and a rope, or gets shared around a group, the Skywalker 3.0 is the one we would hand you.

Looking after it

Fold the adjustment system into the shell and pop the helmet in its bag before it goes in your pack; that keeps the cradle and straps from snagging. Store it out of strong sun between trips, and retire it after a hard impact even when the shell looks fine.