Looking at getting a helmet for sailing and see there's a few different Gath styles and Protec hats.
Any helmut heads out there got thoughts on what's good and bad for sailboarding?
Cheers

I have a have a Gath Surf hat (see avatar) except for a bit of pressure on the forehead(you need this)from the padding, you don't even relaise you have it on!

Had a Gath visor for years. Keeps the sun off and protects. My biggest complaint is the wind noise. Don't know if the new ones are better but I have to take mine off to talk to anyone on the beach.

Yeah I just say "WHAT" alot. I want to get a sticker made up for the front of mine that says WHAT! most of the time people talk to me with mine on and I cant hear a thing I just smile heaps and nod a lot.

I got the Gath Surf Convertible
http://www.gathsports.com/productsingle.php?id=5 yesterday and gave it a try today.

I've been a fan of Gaths for years after my board landed fin-first less than 1m from my head after a botched jump. My last Gath served me well for over 7 years before it wore out. It was the fixed visor surf hat.

I wish I had have bought the convertible long ago - it's lighter, has better air flow, more padding and is more comfortable than my last one. I actually forgot I was wearing it today, which I could never quite do with the old one.

The other good things about the convertible are that you can choose whether you want to remove the ear covers or not, and what type of visor you want (if any).

I got the new "peak" visor which screws into the sides of the helmet and can be raised or lowered to your perfect position on the fly. It's similar to the latest bicycle helmet peaks and can be seen on the Jedi helmet in this pic


You can get these sunglass-like attachments if you prefer
.

Or just leave it as it is.

Thumbs up from me.

I have both the old retractable visor helmet (now broken after 9 years) and the new Jedi helmet with retractable sunglasses which I recently bought late last season. The new version does not do a great job of keeping the sun out of your eyes if you lower the sunglasses down as a shade only, nor do you use the sunglasses as they dont spill the water off like some of the better sunglass brands. Im trading the Jedi in on the "Gath retractable visor" as you will get the flexability to get full vision or the best amount of shade while searching for a swell to turn on. As soon as I get through the waves I drop the visor down to eyebrow level.
The snap on visor is a great idea but, but wont help in the late afternoon sun compeared to a retractable visor.

Hope this helps

I just bought a pro-tec SPX multi use for $90 on ebay
you can get one with ear gaurds but its 40 bucks more.
I like it, comfortable, feels safe, light and kind looks cool in a Navy Seal commando Tron sort of way.

if my memory serves me correctly.....didn't there used to be a German windsurfer called Helmut W*nk?

I like (and recommend) a white helmet (Gath or otherwise) or another bright color. It makes you much easier to spot when you're down in the water.

I started wearing a helmet when I began wavesailing, and noticed how much easier I could spot (and avoid) people in the water who were wearing them. I thought "these guys aren't going to see my head until they run into it!"

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Riders said...

Yeah I just say "WHAT" alot. I want to get a sticker made up for the front of mine that says WHAT! most of the time people talk to me with mine on and I cant hear a thing I just smile heaps and nod a lot.

The surf convertible doesn't obstruct your hearing like the Gath Hat does. Even with the ear covers on and the vents closed.

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JiP said...

I just bought a pro-tec SPX multi use for $90 on ebay
you can get one with ear gaurds but its 40 bucks more.
I like it, comfortable, feels safe, light and kind looks cool in a Navy Seal commando Tron sort of way.

Hi JiP... they look pretty good. I've never been all that fond of the Gath style...... So, it's a snowboarding helmet right? but obviously ok to be used in the surf/water.