REASONS TO BUY
Ultra-lightweight
Comfortable
Well-ventilated
Low-profile fit
REASONS TO AVOID
Small chinstrap
Fit feels small
Lacks durability
Blue Ice Blast Review
This helmet is so light and comfortable, you'll forget you even have it on your head
The Blast is one of the most well ventilated helmets we have tested.
Credit: Dom Rickicki
By Dom Rickicki ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ November 3, 2026
RELATED: The Best Climbing Helmet
Our Verdict
As the brand's first helmet release, the Blue Ice Blast has made waves as the lightest helmet on the market. Weighing merely 152 grams in the largest size, it's truly featherweight. Its low-profile fit and excellent venting make it one of the comfiest helmets we've ever worn. The minimalist design is complemented by simple yet effective systems, including an easily adjustable harness and a headlamp attachment you can use without taking the helmet off. Saving weight is often associated with big missions, but when it comes to climbing helmets, it really means comfort, and the Blast is a helmet we will happily wear all day long. Whether you're spending long days at the crag or going deep into the mountains, the Blue Ice Blast is the best helmet you can buy.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Blue Ice Blast | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Lightweight Climbing Helmet | Best Overall Climbing Helmet |  Best Bang for the Buck | ||
| Price | $140 List Check Price at REI | $120 List Check Price at REI | $65 List Check Price at REI | $115 List Check Price at REI | $75 List Check Price at REI |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | The lightest, most comfortable helmet on the market, and our favorite for long days of climbing | The helmet is lightweight, comfy, and durable, providing everything you need for climbing in any season | A modern, lightweight helmet that costs nearly half as much as the competition | A highly adjustable climbing helmet with a low weight and fair price | A modern hardshell helmet that is rugged and durable without sacrificing ventilation |
| Rating Categories | Blue Ice Blast | Black Diamond Vision | Metolius Hardtop | Petzl Meteor | Petzl Boreo |
| Comfort (30%) | |||||
| Adjustability (20%) | |||||
| Weight (20%) | |||||
| Ventilation (10%) | |||||
| Features (10%) | |||||
| Durability (10%) | |||||
| Specifications | Blue Ice Blast | Black Diamond Vision | Metolius Hardtop | Petzl Meteor | Petzl Boreo |
| Sizes Available? | S/M M/L |
S/M M/L |
S/M M/L |
S/M M/L |
S/M M/L |
| Adjustable? | Yes, webbing harness | Yes, plastic slider | Yes, webbing harness | Yes, plastic slider | Yes, plastic slider |
| Certified Activities | Climbing | Climbing | Climbing | Climbing | Climbing |
| Measured Weight (Size Medium or M/L) | 5.4 oz | 8.3 oz | 8.3 oz | 8.5 oz | 11.0 oz |
| Shell Materials | EPP and EPS Foam, Polycarbonate | ABS Shell with EPP and EPS Foam | ABS Shell with EPP Foam | EPS, Polycarbonate | ABS Shell with EPP and EPS Foam |
| Listed Certifications | EN 12492:2012 | CE/EN, UIAA | CE, EN 12492:2012 | EN 12492, UIAA | CE EN 12492, UKCA, UIAA |
Our Analysis and Test Results
We see too few people wearing helmets while sport climbing. The Blue Ice Blast removes any excuse not to wear one, because it's so lightweight and comfortable. Credit: Dom Rickicki
Comfort
The Blast is lightly padded on the front and top, providing modest cushioning around your head. Even without much padding, this helmet is quite comfortable because its shape accommodates different head shapes really well. Unlike some other lightweight helmets that squeeze your head along your temples, the Blast offers ample space, making it a great option for anyone with a larger head.
It's also very low profile, making it easier to throw a hood over top. With better peripheral vision than other helmets, the low profile also helped us avoid bumping our head on roofs. But what ultimately makes the Blast so comfortable is its low weight and massive ventilation – it's so light we would regularly forget it was even on our head. So we always wore it whenever we needed to, and never found an excuse not to.
There's just enough padding to keep this helmet comfy. Credit: Dom Rickicki
Adjustability
The rear strap cradles the back of your head, and you can move it up and down to find the most comfortable spot. This rear strap offers more range than the helmet shell itself, but it's a bit finicky to adjust. It's challenging to reach if you have long hair, and worse, our hair often got caught in it. To be fair, this is the same complaint we have with simple strap adjustments, but the Blast doesn't improve on this design either.
We were a bit disappointed with the chin strap length – we purchased the largest size (M/L) and still had to max out the chin strap so it would fit without choking us. This size claims to adjust up to 63 cm head diameter, which is the average for large helmets, yet it still feels smaller than others we tested. Our lead tester joked that a haircut certainly helped it fit much better, but folks with large heads or hair should beware.
The webbing and adjustment straps are simple but effective, as is the headlamp attachment system. Credit: Dom Rickicki
Weight
The Blue Ice Blast claims to be the lightest helmet on the market, and our tests prove that true. Weighing only 155 g in the largest size (M/L), we hardly ever noticed the Blast on our heads, let alone on the top of our packs.
“Heavy and uncomfortable” are the main excuse we hear for not wanting to wear a helmet. Without any excuses left, we always had the Blast on our heads.
The Blast weighed just under the manufacturer's claimed 155 grams (for size M/L). Credit: Dom Rickicki
Ventilation
The Blast is not only lightweight but also massively ventilated, which makes it even more comfortable. Large ventilation holes across the helmet let air move through easily, keeping us cool even on hot summer days.
Some of our testers are climbing guides who work long days through the summer, in warm temperatures many folks would choose not to climb in. A well-ventilated helmet can make all the difference, and the Blast is the most comfortable helmet we've tested yet.
The Blast is one of the most well ventilated helmets we have tested. Credit: Dom Rickicki
Features
The basic headlamp attachment system is easy to use, which is really all you can ask for. One of our testers attempted the Torment-Forbidden-Traverse in a day, which is the type of day that stretches into night. He was thankful he could slide on his headlamp in the dark without taking the Blast off, which isn't always easy with other helmets.
The attachment system is simple but effective, with a bungee strap for the rear lashing point, which we like because it also makes it easier to hold a pair of goggles. While the Blast is not rated for ski mountaineering, you may want goggles for alpine climbing or mountaineering.
It's just as comfortable for long days at the crag as it is for long days in the alpine. Credit: Dom Rickicki
Durability
The Blast is a one-piece EPP shell, with EPS inserts on the top and front of the helmet. The EPP shell is supposed to provide better durability compared to other foam climbing helmets, and in our experience, it's stood up to a lot of abuse – from long days of alpine climbing to multi-day trips with the helmet strapped to our packs.
It also has a polycarbonate shell for extra protection when you accidentally bump the top of your head. It's held up well through a long season of testing, but we acknowledge that lightweight helmets like the Blast almost always come at the cost of long-term durability – in our experience, these shells tend to dent and crack easily over time.
The Blast is mostly EPP foam with a polycarbonate shell, which is lightweight but sacrifices durability. Credit: Dom Rickicki
Should You Buy The Blue Ice Blast?
Maybe you've spent years avoiding helmets because they're “heavy and uncomfortable”. Or maybe you have a scale in your gear closet and religiously use it to pack before a day of climbing. For maximizing weight and comfort, we've found no better helmet than the Blue Ice Blast. It's the kind of helmet we forget we're wearing, so it's the one we'll always wear.
What Other Climbing Helmets Should You Consider?
The Blast is an excellent climbing helmet, but the sizing is pretty limited for anyone with a larger head or hairstyle. The Black Diamond Vapor is similarly lightweight, but much more adjustable. Light helmets are great, but they can be pricey – for a more budget-friendly alternative, check out the Metolius Hardtop.
—Dom Rickicki
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