REASONS TO BUY
Affordable
Lightweight
Well-padded
REASONS TO AVOID
Relatively bulky
Metolius Hardtop Review
Unlike other expensive, lightweight foam helmets, this is a premium helmet at a bargain price
We're not quite sure how they did it, but we're grateful that Metolius introduced the Hardtop: a modern foam helmet that costs less than traditional entry-level hardshells.
Credit: Dom Rickicki
By Dom Rickicki ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ November 3, 2026
RELATED: The Best Climbing Helmet
Our Verdict
Metolius recently entered the helmet market, and they came out swinging. Most helmets this affordable are heavy, poorly ventilated hardshells, but not the Metolius Hardtop – it's a modern foam helmet that's so light it's easy to forget it's on your head. And compared to a clunky hardshell that's hot and heavy, you're much more likely to wear a helmet like the Hardtop that's lightweight, well-ventilated, and comfortable. It's a bit less durable than a hardshell, but we think that's a fair tradeoff, since you'll want to take care of the gear that takes care of you.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Metolius Hardtop | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Bang for the Buck | ||||
| Price | $65 List Check Price at REI | $80 List Check Price at REI | $75 List Check Price at REI | $90 List Check REI (on sale!) | $70 List Check Price at REI |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | A modern, lightweight helmet that costs nearly half as much as the competition | An affordably priced hardshell helmet that's reasonable as a rental, but a bit outdated for individual climbers | A modern hardshell helmet that is rugged and durable without sacrificing ventilation | A durable, modern hardshell helmet for a reasonable price, but for that price, there are better options on the market | A very popular, albeit clunky, helmet at an unbeatable price point |
| Rating Categories | Metolius Hardtop | Mammut Skywalker 3.0 | Petzl Boreo | Black Diamond Capitan E | Black Diamond Half Dome |
| Comfort (30%) | |||||
| Adjustability (20%) | |||||
| Weight (20%) | |||||
| Ventilation (10%) | |||||
| Features (10%) | |||||
| Durability (10%) | |||||
| Specifications | Metolius Hardtop | Mammut Skywalker 3.0 | Petzl Boreo | Black Diamond Capitan E | Black Diamond Half Dome |
| Sizes Available? | S/M M/L |
One Size | S/M M/L |
S/M M/L |
S/M M/L |
| Adjustable? | Yes, webbing harness | Yes, adjustment wheel | Yes, plastic slider | Yes, plastic slider | Yes, plastic slider |
| Certified Activities | Climbing | Climbing | Climbing | Climbing | Climbing |
| Measured Weight (Size Medium or M/L) | 8.3 oz | 11.9 oz | 11.0 oz | 12.2 oz | 12.7 oz |
| Shell Materials | ABS Shell with EPP Foam | ABS Shell with EPP and EPS Foam | ABS Shell with EPP and EPS Foam | EPP and EPS Foam, DuraPET | EPS Foam with ABS Shell |
| Listed Certifications | CE, EN 12492:2012 | CE EN 12492 | CE EN 12492, UKCA, UIAA | CE/EN, UIAA | EN 12492, UIAA |
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Hardtop is a bit bulkier than other foam helmets, but it's still lightweight and very comfortable. Credit: Dom Rickicki
Comfort
The Hardtop has a more robust padding system compared to other lightweight helmets, increasing comfort and reducing pressure points. Everyone's head is shaped a bit differently, but our tester has a wider head, and he noticed the helmet squeezed a bit more on his temples than similar helmets from other brands.
Lightweight and decently ventilated, the Hardtop is easy to wear all day. It's the type of helmet we can put on in the morning and forget about until we take it off in the late afternoon. You're much more likely to keep a comfortable helmet on your head, which is important because that's the only way it can do its job of protecting your head.
The Hardtop is very well padded, nicely balancing weight and comfort. Credit: Dom Rickicki
Adjustability
Like other helmets, the webbing harness on the Hardtop is adjustable across the occiput – the back, lower part of your skull – and the fit is easily adjusted with a strap. Out of the box, it felt a bit tight around our ears, but we easily adjusted the chin and ear straps to find the right fit.
The Hardtop comes in two sizes, but the largest size is a bit smaller than some other brands we have tested, which may be why one of our testers felt it squeezed his temples more. If you like wearing hats under your helmet or have a very large head, try this one on before buying.
The webbing harness may be simple, but it adjusts easily at several points. Credit: Dom Rickicki
Weight
We weighed the largest size (M/L) at just over 230 grams, which sits right between heavier all-plastic helmets and the lightest foam helmets. It has the all-foam look of much lighter helmets, but the foam is thicker and more durable, and it also offers more padding and adjustability than lighter helmets often do.
For the price, the Hardtop is an ideal middle ground for weight and durability. It costs just as much as, if not less than, many of the heavier, all-plastic helmets we tested, making it a sweet option to save weight and money.
Listed at 270 g but weighing 238 g, the Hardtop is one of the few pieces of gear that come in well below the manufacturer's stated weight. Credit: Dom Rickicki
Ventilation
There is plenty of ventilation around the back and sides of the helmet, plus one port in the front that theoretically moves air through to the back vents. After wearing the Hardtop all summer, we can confidently say the ventilation is much better than hardshells, but not quite as airy as some of the super lightweight helmets out there.
We also purchased the all-black version, which felt a bit warmer under direct sunlight than other lightly colored helmets we tested alongside. (The Hardtop is also available in a white-and-green colorway, which may feel a bit cooler.)
The Hardtop has ample ventilation but it's not quite as good as its lighter counterparts. Credit: Dom Rickicki
Features
The Hardtop carries both CE and UIAA climbing certifications, but is not certified for ski mountaineering. (Ski mountaineering certifications changed recently, so many climbing-specific helmets now no longer meet the requirements.) This helmet does come with some other nice features, though, like a padded chin strap and lots of keeper loops for keeping long straps out of the way.
The headlamp attachment system is easy to use, with two clips at the front of the helmet and a bungee on the back. We liked that the front helmet clips protruded from the helmet, making it a bit easier to find them without taking the helmet off. The helmet's bungee strap also fits goggles, which is nice if you find yourself in some rugged conditions while mountaineering.
An overview of the Metolius Hardtop's features, including keeper loops and the headlamp attachment system. Credit: Dom Rickicki
Durability
The Hardtop is quite durable compared to many other lightweight helmets, which are often mostly foam with little hard plastic. The foam on the Hardtop is a bit thicker than other lightweight helmets, and the ABS shell has held up well to abuse.
Like many other metrics, the Hardtop falls nicely between the most rugged and the most featherweight helmets. It's certainly not as delicate as other lightweight helmets – with a bit more material, it's a bit more resilient, offering a good balance of durability and weight.
The ABS shell is more durable than a polycarbonate shell you'd find on other lighter-weight helmets. Credit: Dom Rickicki
Should You Buy The Metolius Hardtop?
The Hardtop knocks it out of the park. You get a modern, foam helmet that's lightweight, easily adjustable, and comfortable for almost half the price of the other premium options it's competing directly against. It's also more durable than most of the featherweight premium helmets we tested, adding even more value by lasting for years to come.
What Other Climbing Helmets Should You Consider?
If the size of the Hardtop is an issue – specifically if you have a wider head – we recommend the Black Diamond Vision as an alternative. Unfortunately, it's much more expensive, but it's adjustable to a much larger size range.
—Dom Rickicki
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