Took one to the head on a DW recently. Got me interested in more protection. Typically use a FCS surf hat but looking for more protection. Live in Florida, small waves, sand bottom. Looking for a little protection for high speed water impact and mast/board contact.
Looking at the Armstrong bump cap. Also looked at the Oakley helmet, Kooklab, and ac few others.
What you like? Suggestions?
bangproof looks legit in terms of protection
I got a real shiner during a prone session, despite wearing a wetsuit hood. Then I started worrying more about concussions, often foiling solo.
Now I have the Manera s-foam which i wear prone foiling. It feels a bit like a slightly bulky wetsuit hood. The coverage is great. I’m not sure how hot it would run in florida (I’m on the Oregon coast where we’re in 5mil all year).
Then i just picked up the Armstrong bucket bump hat. Much less coverage (nothing on the lower back of the head and just straps covering the ears). The pink color is bright which is what I wanted for pump foil where I’ll often end up in the middle of the river with boats. It’s comfy and great in the sun.
A friend has the vaikobi bucket bump and it’s very similar.
I’m just getting into DW but I’ll run the bucket hat if there are others around and the manera if I’m solo or it’s wild.
I have a Gath SFC from when I was learning and will still wear it on bigger days. It’s comfortable and warm - too warm on hot days. It doesn’t stop that water impact concussion feel - when you breach or whatever and get flung over. Still see stars on those. I don’t think anything can stop that really.
I have a decathlon brimmed surf hat that I have stuck a bump cap insert into. Half the price of the Armstrong for basically the same thing. Less padding and protection than the Gath but better than nothing. Can shove under a hood too if needed.
I’m yet to actually be struck on the head by anything other than the water though!
Vote up for decathlon : much better fit than Manera
After getting stapled up I went with the Armstrong bump cap. Be sure so snap the buckle.
Oakley helmet. Feels like I’m not even wearing a helmet at all. I’ve tried 7 other helmets and they all felt like I had something on my head. Won’t wear another helmet ever. It’s that good.
I wore the Gamebreaker Pro for a while when I was learning to kite and wing. I think it’s probably the best in concussion protection, lots of high quality D3O foam, worn by athletes doing contact sports, certified by independent testing. I got it because I was getting that buzzing feeling when falling kiting and it stops that completely. But it’s pretty bulky, the Velcro strap can open up, and it does absorb a little bit of water. I just saw that they have a surf version now which seems to be water repellant: Soft Protective Surf Headgear – gamebreaker.com
I’ve worn bump caps but afaict they don’t do anything at all, and it’s discouraging to see how much marketing money is being pumped into kooklab.
Currently wearing the Manera S Foam, but the strap is also not great and won’t stay in place when you cinch it. Looking forward to trying the Oakley.
I’m using SJO protection for prone. Expensive but couldn’t be more stoked on it. So comfortable.
I have been wearing the V1 of this for 3 years now. Its been hit multiple times and does a great job. I never noticed it was different than a normal hat when wearing.
+1 for the decathlon one. For the price it’s unbeatable if it fits you (it probably will)
Maybe someone can correct me here but I don’t think Decathlon sells their surf helmet in the US, unfortunately.
I’ve gone through a ton of helmets (gamebreaker, Oakley, some other random ones) over the years.
Finally landed on a bangproof hat - definitely strikes a great balance between being something you want to wear that still provides some protection. The helmet you wear >> the one that provides maximum protection
*JUST POSTED THIS IN ANOTHER HELMWT THREAD*
I have the Oakley WTR icon and love it. I had a Manera but once it warms up that thing is HOT! I got 2 sizes in the Oakley, one for winter over my hood and one when I don’t need the hood. Little annoying to put over the hood so I tend to risk it in the winter. Willing to sell my medium if you ever wanna go the Oakley route
+1 for the Oakley WTR icon. I’ve had several helmets including the manera, decathlon, bump style. The oakley runs way less hot and more importantly I don’t get that impact concussion feeling that would happen with other helmets. I don’t know if it’s by design, but it breaks through the water with less resistance.
awesome feedback. thanks. what a great group
got both the armstrong bump cap and the oakley helmet
should be set. 
yep. oakley wtr is so lightweight.