Whats the best lid on the market preferably one that doesn't restrict your hearng only going to use it when out sailing on my own or when there's a lot of people out???

Gath.
Not too big and floaty (canoe type helmets are larger / float too much, so head v water at 80kph is not good fun)
The adjustable visor is awesome for stopping rain in the corner of your eye in winter, or low sun in summer

Your probably right l see a lot of guys out with gath .more money to spend but could be a livesaver.cheers

I've recently changed over from Gath's to the new NPX helmet.

Better fit, softer sponge and have a certified EN rating for white water use

Bit of a price advantage as well.

http://www.npsurf.com/products/protective/helmet.html

Still like my visor.... rain in the corner of your upwind eye fkn hurts. Gath stops it.

I've got the Gath short visor and wear it whenever I sail light or strong winds. Has saved my life at least once !

nope, hags, I found it made my balance all off

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Gestalt said..

nope, hags, I found it made my balance all off

I have a Gath with removable ear pieces.

First time used, after an hour on the water, I developed a cracking headache and started feeling badly nauseous.

Went ashore, took some advice and removed the ear pieces. Instant recovery. Sailed on for another hour or so.

Too strange.

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Gestalt said..

nope, hags, I found it made my balance all off

It is a bit strange at first, particularly the sound, but you get used to it

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[I have a Gath with removable ear pieces.

First time used, after an hour on the water, I developed a cracking headache and started feeling badly nauseous.

Went ashore, took some advice and removed the ear pieces. Instant recovery. Sailed on for another hour or so.

Too strange.

I've gone the other way and glued the ear pieces shut. I love the full face visor, keeps the sun, salt, sand and hail out of my eyes

at over $800US not cheap but in nuking conditions looks the goods....




?

Answer is - go and try some on. Do the laps if your shop doesn't have exactly what you want - the most important thing is to get a good fit. The Gaths come in at least 2 styles which are very different from each other. You should probably try both, plus obviously the other brands.

^^^those full face ones would have been handy yesty. Had to protect my face and bald head whilst blasting along during a heavy hail storm! It felt like someone was piffing handfuls of small yonnies at my face - I even had my head down and elbow up... very awkward.

Yep, a full face helmet isn't such a dumb idea. Nearly knocked myself out once in nuking conditions, way overpowered and should have changed down a sail size. Got backwinded and smacked in the face by the mast. Blood nose, fat lip, and for the first time in my life, I could confirm that you do actually see stars- just like in the cartoons.
Anyhow, went back in, changed down to a 4.2 and sailed on spitting blood.

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choco said..

at over $800US not cheap but in nuking conditions looks the goods....






Use the force Luke!

I have a Gath with fixed upper sun visor. I liked the "being free" feel of things too but new partner is a psychologist, who reminds me often about brain related injuries so gave her my old Gath that I never wore and bought a new one.
More into Sup these days and have taken some big wipeouts/impacts .
I have never noticed it putting any load on my neck, head etc on water entry..I guess due to it close fitting to head shape.
i would imagine it would be a different matter for the "kayak..sticky out style."
Also ...buy Australian.

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jusavina said..

Maybe I can use that as extra weight for the Nw gales we have had lately..