There's an exception, IMO, for safety critical items in sports.
I've seen so many people show up at climbing walls with cheap carabiners from amazon/etc that aren't rated for climbing, but when you view the listing all the images show climbing.
I've seen so many people show up at climbing walls with cheap carabiners from amazon/etc that aren't rated for climbing, but when you view the listing all the images show climbing.
Absolutely, for safety gear, get only top notch equipment!!!
Safety gear turns many incidents from something like notifying your family or waking up wondering "why can't I remember or see anything" to something like "damn, that's a huge dent in that helmet" or "so much for those goggles".
I've heard participating in a number of sports:
"If you only have a $10 head, then sure, get a $10 helmet ..."
. . . Indeed, I would NEVER buy any safety-related gear from Amazon or AliBaba. I know too much about Chinese manufacturing, focused entirely on profit, and quality is literally a foreign concept to them. , and that doesn't even start to mention the scams, where they not only illustrate climbing, but falsely claim ratings. I work in carbon fiber design & fabrication, and will never even buy a bicycle made in China, even from a top US company.
Just don't do it. Saving a few dozen or hundred dollars or euro is not worth the extra risk.
Its cheaper to buy a helmet online, but it is generally better to pay the extra 10-15% and try the fucking thing on in a shop, ensure it fits, etc.
Some manufacturers (Mammut, for example) only really offer one or two sizes, others offer a variety.