So I thought I was too cool for school - but turns out I should probably be wearing a helmet whilst learning. Had a very close call today - I've no idea how I missed it (the Foil) still.

Anyone got a recommendation? Mystic MK8 look good.

I've also got a massive swede so definitely needs to be an XL.

I'm riding in an ion, couple of buddies are wearing gath.

I would not foil without a helmet. Been hit in the head a few times (nothing major) by the board but hitting the water at speed hurts your head big time! Also, have heard of a few eardrum injuries from kiting mates as well so I'm upgrading to this one.

protecbrand.com.au/collections/ace-wake with ear protection.

NP Surf are the least worst of the conventional helmets. They're light, not too expensive and the fitting system works reasonably well.

Gath Surf Convertible is quite good but the fitting system is garbage. It uses stick on rubber strips. The stick on lasts for about one crash. I got rid of the rubber strips and wear a peaked cap or a wetsuit hood underneath. That makes it fit quite well.

The fit system is critical. The ratchet style and rubber strips can let go in a crash. A loose helmet is almost worse than no helmet at all.

Helmets are ok for protecting your head against impacts from hard things like boards and foils. They make impacts to the water much worse. They increase the mass and surface area of your head so when you hit the water the bucket effect increases the chance of neck injuries. That is worse when crashing from a foil because the height and the leverage slams you hard into the water. I had chronic neck pain until I stopped regularly wearing a helmet.

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Gorgo said..
NP Surf are the least worst of the conventional helmets. They're light, not too expensive and the fitting system works reasonably well.

Gath Surf Convertible is quite good but the fitting system is garbage. It uses stick on rubber strips. The stick on lasts for about one crash. I got rid of the rubber strips and wear a peaked cap or a wetsuit hood underneath. That makes it fit quite well.

The fit system is critical. The ratchet style and rubber strips can let go in a crash. A loose helmet is almost worse than no helmet at all.

Helmets are ok for protecting your head against impacts from hard things like boards and foils. They make impacts to the water much worse. They increase the mass and surface area of your head so when you hit the water the bucket effect increases the chance of neck injuries. That is worse when crashing from a foil because the height and the leverage slams you hard into the water. I had chronic neck pain until I stopped regularly wearing a helmet.

Hi Gorgo, you are not alone regarding the prevalence of neck injuries when wearing a helmet. Anecdotal evidence suggests an increased risk. So, it's a matter of weighing up the potential risks. This photo a friend took a few years ago still haunts me.

Got a cheap but very light Lazer when I started kiteboarding - have worn it consistently since foiling due to advice on this forum. It has saved my coconut a couple of times, biggest ding here. Pads on inside fell off pretty quickly and doesn't fit snugly anymore though. I have copped the high velocity side smack down multiple times and am keen for ear protection on my next helmet!

Most ear protectors act as resonators and amplify the wind noise to deafening levels. It is particularly loud when charging upwind on a foil.

I am having some success wearing a neoprene cap or a surf cap with ear covers under the helmet. The wind noise is less and the comfort is better.

BTW There's some people in QLD who have just brought out a soft ski helmetin the form of a beanie.They're working on a neoprene version for water sports.

antiordinary.co/

Another option is soft rugby headgear. I saw a picture of Tom Carroll wearing one. Not sure about the gap at the back.

I have a Gath and it simply works !! Learning to foil without a brain bucket is a little bit silly !! Ive found the Gath great for protection but the wind noise is - well in your ear !!
Im now past the learning phase and am not wearing a helmet anymore - got to love the silence of turning downwind!!
I strongly recommend strapping on some sort of head protection - and other armour while learning - things go horibbly wrong so fast in the first 10 hours !!

These are good ion and only $79

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Gorgo said..

Helmets are ok for protecting your head against impacts from hard things like boards and foils. They make impacts to the water much worse. They increase the mass and surface area of your head so when you hit the water the bucket effect increases the chance of neck injuries. That is worse when crashing from a foil because the height and the leverage slams you hard into the water. I had chronic neck pain until I stopped regularly wearing a helmet.

Agree 100% Gorge. been there done that.

If you need a big one, like I do, the NP, Gath, and Ace are too small.

Ion was big enough but the padding unglued everywhere within a year and I did not find anything that would hold it (comes off after few sessions, tried gorilla glue, contact cement, silicone, polyurethane glue, epoxy). Eventually lost parts of padding while kitesurfing so there was nothing to glue back on. Pity, well fitting helmet for a large head, had a neat magnetic lock that worked great too.

I am now wearing Sandbox, good fit for a large head, however, the ear pads are no longer available for it you want them (can burst your ear drum falling - would be nice to have it). The down side of it is that the padding inside the helmet takes some water and is not quick drying. OK summer time, but will stay wet for days winter time.

When will the foil makers realise there is a potential market for a 'foil helmet' - protection over the temples, ears and the back of the neck too - and something underneath that both keeps the noggin' warm and stops the howling wind noise?

Is this possible? I currently have a Gath, and wear a beanie pulled down over my ears for both noise, sun protection and padding for by bald dome. Never really totally satisfied, though.

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Swavek said..
If you need a big one, like I do, the NP, Gath, and Ace are too small

After trying these (and an Ion) today, I can confirm all were too small. Got a Mystic MK8 X (in XL). www.kiteaddiction.com.au/index.php/gear/accessories/helmets/mystic-mk8-x-helmet-detail
(And got a few great tips from Kite Addiction too)

Really good adjustment (more like a bike helmet) and magnetic closure. Bit heavier than the NP but at least it fits my my massive head.

Thanks for sharing, will look into Mystic next time I need one.

You trully have a big head if Ion was too small - they go up to 62 cm!!!

Ion used to be quite noisy with ear pads - let us know how Mystic is for wind noise