ProView – C.A.M.P. Ikon Nova Climbing Helmet Review

The C.A.M.P. Ikon Nova is a stellar climbing helmet at an even better price point. It has great features an a women’s specific design. Climbing helmets tend to make me look like a mushroom, yet the Ikon Camp Nova actually complimented my head shape. With a streamlined design, the helmet hugs my head perfectly and is super comfortable.  

Fit/Comfort

This helmet is super comfy – It has well-placed padding that lines the inside. I was barely in the size range of the smaller helmet but decided I wanted the helmet to have a sleeker fit so I went with the small. Even though I was right on the edge of the small size, I still had space to adjust the helmet. There was even enough room to fit a hat underneath. 

Look/Style

This helmet looks really cool. It has a shape pattern on the side panels of the helmet that are the cutouts of the outer plastic and inner foam overlapping. It makes for a pretty flashy design and stellar air flow.

Features

The features on this helmet are stellar for the price point. The most notable is the space they added to the adjuster dial for women with long hair. There is ample room for a pony tail to go through and it is nice to not have to worry about smashing my hair down at the last minute before roping up. Another feature to note is the adjuster dial tucks into the helmet. This is great for keeping all the parts of the helmet safe in transit. Some other standard helmet features to note are the headlamp clips and the ability to disassemble the inner lining for cleaning. Both of these features work as expected. 

Weight/Packability

This helmet is a standard weight for the price point, if not a little better. However, I still found it to be on the denser side. It felt heavier on my head than some other climbing helmets I have worn. It packs into a helmet holder just fine and I didn’t have to wrestle it into place. 

Function/Performance

This helmet gets the job done well. I barely noticed it on my head and it gave plenty of airflow in late afternoon heat. I had some trouble with the straps getting twisted when I would put on the helmet but that is my only complaint.

Durability/Construction

I would say the helmet is pretty durable. It has a few scratches from dropping/setting it down on rocks in the past month, but no dents or anything major. I suspect the white colorway probably shows more wear and tear than the other colors. 

What sets this product apart? 

This product is unique because of what you get for the price you pay. It is at the lower end of the range for climbing helmets but you still get cool features. The extra space for long hair, a creative breathability design, and the cool look of the helmet really set it apart. 

Who is this product for?

This product is for your standard climber/mountaineer. It gets the job done well in style. However, if you are getting into big mountaineering objectives and long climbing days, I would opt for a lighter, more technical helmet. 

Friendliness to the Earth

This product does not shine in sustainability. It is not really recyclable or made out of recycled materials like other competitors’ helmets. The helmet is however, made of very durable products so you should be able to get a long life out of it before throwing it away. 

The Final Word

This helmet is perfect for the do-it-all, standard climber. It has stellar features that set it apart from other budget-friendly climbing helmets. It is a durable, breathable, and cool looking helmet that will get the job done without you having to think about it. 

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