What is the MIPS Capitan Helmet?
The Capitan is Black Diamond's bombproof solution to safety on the rock. The sturdy construction takes impact well, with extended coverage around the back and sides to optimise protection, engineered to handle abuse on any rockface - even the big El Cap' itself.
What is it made of?
Thanks to its two-piece ABS shell construction, the Capitan helmet offers maximum protection. However, the star of the show here is the built-in MIPS technology, which takes it to the next level compared to the standard Capitan helmet. MIPS technology protects against a rotational motion transmitted to the brain that, in extreme cases, could lead to brain injury. MIPS has been specifically developed and proven to reduce rotational violence to the brain, caused by angled impacts to the head. In climbing, this is often caused by tumbling rock debris or climbers falling and hitting the rockface hard.
Inside is a layer of EPP foam and an EPS foam puck, designed to absorb impact with a high strength-to-weight ratio whilst providing thermal insulation and water resistance to keep you comfortable in any conditions.
Too many acronyms? Here's a quick breakdown.
MIPS - Multidirectional Impact Protection System is made of a helmet liner that absorbs the rotational energy from an impact instead of transmitting it to the head. The liner causes the helmet to rotate instead and has been proven to work effectively without adding excessive bulk to the design.
ABS - ABS stands for Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene... bit of a mouthful, right? It is a plastic known for its superior stiffness and overall strength. ABS can take impact well, so it's perfect for protecting against falling rocks and debris that can be potentially dangerous or life-threatening when climbing outdoors.
EPP - EPP is Expanded Polypropylene. This type of foam is super strong and offers fantastic thermal insulation and impact absorption whilst being water and chemical resistant.
EPS - EPS stands for Expanded Polystyrene, a lightweight cellular plastic with similar properties to EPP. EPS is strong and durable, offering high levels of impact protection, thermal insulation and moisture resistance to help prevent rot. EPS is environmentally safe and recyclable, making it slightly more friendly to the planet than regular plastic foam.
The mixture of these materials and the overall design/shape of the Capitan meets the proposed UIAA (International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation) requirements of increased side and back protection.
What features does it have?
The Capitan has vents strategically placed across the design to maximise airflow and improve breathability, making you feel much more comfortable in warmer climates and on exposed multi-pitch summer routes.
A low-profile suspension system has been built into the helmet, which dials in the fit whilst keeping a sleek and minimal aesthetic. Who said you couldn't look cool when harnessed to a rock?
There are integrated headlamp clips with an elastic keeper on the back - super handy for starting or completing ascents in the dark when you need some extra visibility to suss out your next move.
Velcro pads are useful for absorbing sweat and increasing comfort through cushioning inside the shell. The Velcro pads on the Capitan helmet are reversible/removable, so if they don't tickle your fancy, you can take them off.
Features:
- MIPS Technology for added protection against the rotational motion transmitted to the brain from angled impacts to the head
- EPP + EPS + 2-piece ABS shell combo creates ultra-durability
- Increased side and back protection
- Low-profile suspension system
- Integrated headlamp clips
- Removable/reverse Velcro pads