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Conquering the Alpine: Top 3 Men's Backcountry Helmets Designed for Summits
As you gear up to dominate the Alpine heights, choosing the right helmet is as critical as the adventure itself. Our top picks – the Fury X and Pret Cynic AT2, each offer a unique blend of lightness and ventilation, crucial attributes for backcountry skiers and ski mountaineers valuing performance and comfort during their ascents. The Pret Cirque X also emerges as a stellar contender, integrating optimal venting control and the Fury X with a feather-light design for those ambitiously aiming for the summits.
Knowledge from
3 Experts
Elevating Your Backcountry Experience
The Alpine Champion: Cynic AT2 Unveiled
When embarking on an alpine adventure, the right gear is as crucial as your route plan. Enter the Cynic AT2 helmet by Pret—a beacon of safety and functionality for high-altitude enthusiasts. Weighing in at a just 379-398 grams, the Cynic AT2 is an embodiment of Pret's commitment to 'performance without compromise', becoming an essential part of your summit gear. Its minimalist design ensures that every gram is accounted for, without skimping on safety and comfort. Direct Level 1 ventilation works hand-in-hand with ACT construction to maintain a comfortable climate, vital for the fluctuating conditions synonymous with backcountry pursuits.
What truly distinguishes the Cynic AT2 from its peers like the Fury X and Vision X is its backcountry-specific design. By shedding approximately 60 grams compared to the standard Cynic, the AT2 optimizes for ascend-friendly weight without the inclusion of MIPS and the Fidlock buckle. Moreover, its exclusive HALEO antimicrobial EPS foam preempts bacterial growth, keeping your helmet fresh throughout the journey.
The array of colors like Dark Storm and Yellow Storm available in sizes from S to L ensure that you don't compromise on style for substance. The helmet's versatility shines through its appropriateness for ski touring and ski mountaineering, catering to the lightweight needs of every ascent and decent. Whether it's for a casual ski weekend in the Midwest or a full-fledged backcountry experience, the Cynic AT2 stands ready to protect and serve.
Weighs 379g to 398g
HALEO antimicrobial foam
Direct Level 1 ventilation
Lightweight and comfortable
As a mountaineering guide, I find the Cynic AT2 helmet from Pret indispensable for high-altitude adventures. Its lightweight yet robust design provides critical protection without burdening my climb. The helmet's excellent ventilation adapts quickly to changing conditions, making it perfect for both ascents and descents.
written by
Chase G.
$119.99
Cynic AT2
The Ultimate Helmet for Ventilation and Protection
Mastering the Backcountry with Pret's Cirque X
Every alpine challenger knows that a quality helmet is as vital as their grit and determination on the ascent. Enter the Pret Cirque X: a headgear masterpiece that addresses all your high-altitude needs. With its cutting-edge HALEO antimicrobial EPS foam, the Cirque X ensures your expeditions are not just safe, but also hygienic, fending off bacterial growth and unpleasant odors that can accumulate in demanding environments. The Cirque X doesn't compromise on comfort either; the RCS fit system allows for fine-tuned adjustments to achieve the perfect grip without being constrictive, while the IONIC+ fabric wicks away moisture to keep you dry.
Designed for versatile climates, the Level 4 venting system of the Cirque X stands out. Whether you are facing the biting cold of a treacherous summit or the surprising warmth of a sunny slope, this helmet adapts with ease. The ACT design incorporates Polycarbonate plates, delivering not only a lightweight fortress for your head but also robust durability capable of withstanding harsh alpine conditions. Lastly, safety leaps forward with the integration of MIPS technology, offering superior protection from angled impacts which are common in backcountry adventures.
When every ounce matters in the backcountry, the Cirque X remains unobtrusive, with weights ranging from 430 grams to 475 grams. Its quick-release Fidlock magnetic buckle allows for no-fuss fastening even with gloves on—critical for those rough alpine conditions. With a range of sizes and subtle colors like Snow Storm and Primer Grey, this helmet ensures that both functionality and style go hand in hand as you conquer the mountains.
Antimicrobial HALEO EPS foam
Level 4 adaptable venting
Lightweight ACT Construction
Weighs 430g to 475g
As someone who thrives on high-altitude ski tours, the Pret Cirque X has become my go-to helmet. The Level 4 venting system ensures comfort in varied climate and it's light enough to never weigh me down and robust enough to handle the toughest descents.
written by
Quin F.
$269.99
Cirque X
The Premier Choice for Safety, Comfort, and Versatility
Elevating Your Alpine Adventures: The Fury X Helmet
As alpine enthusiasts seek the zenith of adventure, the Fury X helmet by Pret stands as the pinnacle of protective headgear. Crafted with Pret's exclusive HALEO antimicrobial EPS foam, the Fury X ensures long-term cleanliness by inhibiting bacterial growth, a significant benefit for backcountry escapades. The incorporation of MIPS protection is instrumental in mitigating the rotational forces during oblique impacts, offering you peace of mind as you conquer the slopes. Weight is a fundamental consideration in selecting gear for the mountains. At a remarkably light weight, starting at just 406g for the small size, the Fury X outshines its peers in Pret’s range, designed to provide maximum protection without burdening the wearer.
The Fury X boasts a state-of-the-art Level C ventilation system, enabling swift and easy adaptation to changing conditions with a mere push of a lever. This seamless ventilation control allows for comfort in diverse climates, ensuring the Fury X is equally suited for the crisp air of high-altitude summits and the variable conditions of resort skiing. For those concerned about the optimal fit, especially for those with head sizes around 58cm, the medium size Fury X offers a snug solution, while the quick-release RCS fit system and a Fidlock magnetic buckle simplify the adjustment process, allowing you to maintain focus on the slopes rather than your gear.
Beyond functionality, the Fury X is a masterclass in aesthetic versatility. Available in a wide array of color variations, like the enigmatic Haa Aani Blue and the bold Orange Storm, it caters to personal style preferences. The Fury X also features a full wrap lower shell, enhancing durability and adding a sleek, refined finish to the helmet's design. For those looking to integrate audio, the Fury X is audio-ready, accommodating devices such as Outdoor Tech Chips for a rhythmic glide down the mountainside.
HALEO antimicrobial foam
MIPS protection technology
Level C adaptable ventilation
Weighs 406g to 438g
As a ski touring enthusiast who thrives on exploring high-altitude terrains, the Fury X by Pret is my go-to helmet. Its light weight is a game-changer for long ascents. And finally it's exceptionally comfortable, too, which makes a big difference during those full-day backcountry adventures.
written by
Nicolas M.
$219.99
Fury X
