Seek highly specialised jungle helmet

Hello everyone!

There is no forum on the world wide web that is intended for my question on gear, and yours is probably the nearest match.

I am asking you to think imaginatively and to transfer your existing knowledge to a new problem. Please do not delete my thread

Background

I recently returned from anthropological fieldwork in the Palawan rain forest, where I encountered a problem with vines.

More specifically, those vines had been cut at an angle, by short tribesmen as part of maintaining trade routes within their dispersed communities. The tribesmen will cut obstructive forest vines, including those that are attached to the forest canopy. This results in a vertical spear-like vines pointing downwards, that they can walk under safely and unimpeded.

Consequently, anywhere in the thick jungle including where the trail turns into a climb, a taller visitor might encounter what are essentially spears pointing at their nonse. When you stand up, it is possible to experience a painful collision: cut at less than 45 degrees, and from 0.5" to 2" thick, it is dangerous. Think of it as a wooden spear.

These risks are not limited to vines. High in the canopy, stong plants get tangled and any of them might be in the path of tribesmen. Consequently, the unseen vertical threats can include cut bamboo or other woods that refuse to come loose.

After a few painful experiences, I adopted a fedora-like hat made from two layers of coconut cloth. However, that hat had a wide brim that made it incompatible with carrying an extended backpack, and also incompatible with passing near objects such as uncut vines.

Climbing Helmets

I plan to go back, and I plan to not get a wooden spear stuck in my head. Consequently, I am looking at mountaineering and tree-climbing helmets. Additional environmental conditions to consider are hot and humid conditions (ventilation) and intense sunlight (visor).

Which helmets come recommended, and have you used them in jungles? Can you suggest a lightweight solution that does not have holes on top?

My compromised reading brings me to the Elderid Manallo. I liked it because it can be collapsed on long hikes - have you any experience of using one?

Pricey but that's not surprising considering the cool features. Looks like it would meet your spec for preventing spears in the head. If I was you I would try one on in a store if possible to make sure it's comfortable on your head and has enough air circulation for tropical forest use.

I think it's called the Edelrid Madillo.
-moss

I saw that a couple weeks ago and it piqued my interest. I think I'll pass. That many moving parts makes me fear something is gonna go wrong.

From the sounds of it, you don't need a special helmet at all. It sounds like your noggin will be just fine in almost any helmet that we're all using for tree climbing.

I like the Petzls...

love
nick

I agree with Nick - Most Basic Tree Climbing helmets will do the job right. The issue of hot temperatures can be addressed by including a handkerchief or small similar towel like a bandana inside the helmet to collect the sweat and it becomes an air conditioner while it evaporates in the helmet. Simplicity is the key in these types of remote areas because there is not much to break down and you are most likely to be far away from a replacement part anyways if something goes wrong with the helmet.
Visit our Gear Review Area here:
http://www.treeclimbing.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=34&Itemid=109
and you can read the opinions of several people using several types of helmets. Good luck in your search for the Ideal gear.

Completely agree with Nick and Desi's comments. I can see the folding helmet become a possible choice if the amount of pack space saved is critical. Of course that could be outweighed if the folding feature fails in the middle of the trip. High performance always comes with greater risk of failure.
-moss