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Helmets in an era of laissez-faire haute couture 28-Aug-2006 At 1:12:51 PM bluey

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An (arguably) interesting thought crossed my mind on a recent trip to Werribee Gorge. So few people wear helmets down there, despite recent proof that decent size rocks can smash through the walkway (and, by implication, your head). It makes me wonder why not?

The arguments for safety are obvious. Which begs the question, is it a fashion thing? Are helmets just too daggy? Does not wearing a helmet indicate you are such a hardcore climber that you can lead 25 with one hand while catching falling rocks with the other?

Climbers claim to be laissez-faire about their fashion sense (unless you're into the whole fluoro lycra thing) and yet seem to care about the fact that a helmet just doesn't contribute to the "look". I do note, however, the exception of those guys who made it onto pic of the week last year doing aid-climbing in daisy-adorned head protection. Now that's laissez-faire.