CAMP Armour Lady Review
Our Verdict
Our Analysis and Test Results
The CAMP Armour Lady is a durable hard plastic helmet with an adjusted sizing for women, as well as different color options.
Performance Comparison
Comfort
The sizing of this helmet seems a bit off. The normal CAMP Armour is sized to fit heads between 54-63 cm, and the slightly smaller women's version is supposed to work on heads between 53-61cm (a bigger range than both the Elia, which is 52-58 cm, and the Women's Vector, which is 59 cm.) However, our tester's head is 55.8 cm (right in the middle,) and this helmet felt perched on the top of the head, not covering enough of the forehead.
That being said, it was still a fairly comfortable helmet and did not slide around while climbing. Some people may like the different fit of this helmet, which would feel more ventilated, but typically more coverage = safer when it comes to helmets. If you are a woman with a particularly small head, this might be right fit for you.
Ease of Adjsutment
The wheel in the back of the helmet makes for easy adjusting and securing along the back of the head. If only it actually fit well on the whole head.
Weight/Profile
The Women's CAMP Armour does not have any different features in addition to the regular CAMP Armour. The only differences are the size and the color options. However, buying a smaller, more appropriately sized helmet has its benefits, because the women's version is a full 30 grams lighter than the unisex version. Since women are typically smaller in build, wherever a female can save weight she should, because it will help her move faster and longer. Have you ever worn a helmet that is too heavy? It amplifies belayer's neck by ten and it becomes hard to even hold your head up at the end of the day. If given the choice, we go for the lightest version available, which increases the chances that it will get worn.
Ventilation
Since this helmet sits high on the head, there is a lot of room for your head to breathe while wearing it. Air doesn't flow through the hard plastic of the helmet, but their are several holes to allow more air flow.
Headlamp Attachment
The clips for the headlamp are really tight and finicky, so it is rather tricky getting it on. The tighter clips might make it impossible for the headlamp to fall off, but initially it is frustrating and difficult to accomplish while wearing the helmet.
Best Application
This is a great all around hard plastic helmet, just like the Elia. It can be worn in any situation requiring one, such as multi-pitch climbing, ice climbing, and climbing anywhere there is potential for rock fall.
Value
The Women's CAMP Armour costs the same amount as the regular CAMP Armour, so if you are in the market for a helmet, it does not cost you anything extra to go for the women's specific version over the regular unisex version. This helmet is the least expensive women's model that we evaluated, so if you are on a budget, but need a helmet, this would be a viable option.
Conclusion
Due to its strange sizing, this helmet is best suited to women with small heads. Unless you are in the market for a new helmet, we would not suggest buying this women's version to replace your old unisex helmet.