Petzl SIROCCO Wins Outside Buyer’s Guide Gear of the Year Award

October 10, 2017

The new SIROCCO helmet is designed for fast-and-light climbers and mountaineers

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (October 10, 2017) — Thanks to an innovative, lightweight and breathable design that features top, rear and side head protection, the Petzl SIROCCO helmet won Outside magazine’s prestigious Gear of the Year award in the “helmet” category.

The SIROCCO is a durable, high-performance helmet for climbers and mountaineers who require featherweight gear that doesn’t sacrifice protection.

Petzl combined two kinds of foam—expanded polypropylene (EPP) and expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam—to offer expanded side and rear coverage at a lighter weight. A strategically placed polycarbonate shell deflects rock fall up top.

With 24 air vents, an all-webbing fit, a magnetic chinstrap, and headlamp clips that double as ski goggle holders, the ultra-breathable SIROCCO is designed for year-round use.

“It is one of those pieces of equipment that integrates so seamlessly into your kit that you forget it’s there,” said Joe Jackson, helmet test director for the Outside Buyer’s Guide. “Of all of the helmets I tested, this is the one I am most excited to add to my permanent climbing kit.”

Over the past year, the Outside Buyer’s Guide tested the SIROCCO on ski mountaineering trips in the Cascades, Siskiyous, and multiple trips up Mt. Shasta. It proved to be the most comfortable and usable helmet for high output mountain activities.

“We are honored the Outside Buyer’s Guide selected the SIROCCO as the best helmet of 2017,” said Jon Rockefeller, North American marketing director for Petzl. “We truly appreciate the overwhelming response we received to pushing helmet material and construction technologies forward. The SIROCCO is a reflection of Petzl’s desire to make helmets lighter and in doing so also make them much more comfortable to wear. Increased comfort leads to increased usage, and increased usage improves the protection and safety of climbers. At Petzl, we believe that helmets matter.”

The Outside Buyer’s Guide highlights the very best in adventure gear, from sports equipment, tools, and gadgets to footwear, outerwear, and sunglasses. It is the ultimate resource for product reviews, technology, news, and tips, and is organized according to sport and activity. The Outside Buyer’s Guide reaches more than 1.4 million frequent gear purchasers.

The SIROCCO weighs 170 grams and is $129.95 USD. For more information, please visit www.petzl.com.

Petzl®

For over 40 years, Petzl has developed innovative tools and techniques used by those who work and play in the vertical world. Today, the Petzl brand is closely associated with adventure, exploration, rescue, and many notable exploits in the worlds of rock climbing, caving, and alpinism. In the professional market, Petzl is a world leader in work at height, fire and rescue, and tactical equipment and techniques. A family-owned business, Petzl is committed not only to quality and innovation, but also to giving back to the communities that have made us so successful. For more information, visit www.petzl.com.