Ensis balz pro, it's the best I've tried so far. Very comfortable, good adjustability, stays in place and I can comfortably wear sunglasses.
I tried Manera and didn't like it. Quite stiff and didn't fit. But for other heads it could be better.
Have the Simba helmet and it's great. And you look like a warrior from Sparta 
Only problem I have: how to add sunglasses. Looking for sunglasses with a strap only, where i can pull the strap over the helmet. Maybe I should try the Balz helmet, if that works with sunglasses 
Select to expand quoteNikOnFoil said..
I tried Manera and didn't like it. Quite stiff and didn't fit. But for other heads it could be better.
Have the Simba helmet and it's great. And you look like a warrior from Sparta Only problem I have: how to add sunglasses. Looking for sunglasses with a strap only, where i can pull the strap over the helmet. Maybe I should try the Balz helmet, if that works with sunglasses
I wear Fuglies, they come with a strap that is interchangeable with the arms. Very happy with them
WRSI paddlers helmet, the carbon one, because I'm a carbon slut haha, and it works with my LIP sunglasses.
Gath surf convertible (sfc). It's very low profile and there is no issue with "bucketing" or anything like that. I also like the removable ear pads, which add some warmth when I'm not wearing a wetsuit hood.
the flaw for me is that it is really tight on my head to the point where it leave a mark on my forehead after I take it off. Definitely couldn't wear it over a hood. I have a huge head and use the xl.
Bangproof ?? But I'll have to wait for warmer temperature singe it doesn't fit over my hood.
Gath Eva Hat - gathsports.com/product/gath-hat-eva/
and Balz Pro - ensis.surf/product/balzpro/
NRS chaos full cut
i wanted a full cut helmet - tried different gath and simba helmets and liked this one best due to the others pressing on my ear directly. After a while that hurts
I trimmed the foam in just the right place so my lip sunglasses fit in perfectly. Also got a really thin neoprene hood thing that I can wear under the helmet too now that it's super cold
Select to expand quoteoskarhhh said..
What helmet do you use?
Anyone tried the Manera s foam helmet?
Thanks
GATH, best out there low profile, ear protection, also you can open and close the vents, I wear Surf Ears underneath and no issues.Best out there, wouldn't bother with the visor version as sand will end up scratching it
I bought the Manera softy and noted a few things that they need to iron out. As one user said the fit is not too great and likely needs to be ordered a size smaller to have a good fit. BUT...The chin strap is too far back and straight up chokes you. I compared it to my Gath once I noticed this and for sure the chin strap is not far enough forward. it locks onto your throat. I had high hopes but sold it immediately.
I am hoping for an improved soft helmet soon. The hard plastic shell like a Gath causes bad 'head slap' when you hit the water hard. The Gaths are great for protecting you from equipment, but I think they exaggerate head hits to water sometimes.
Select to expand quoteSoloPelican said..
I bought the Manera softy and noted a few things that they need to iron out. As one user said the fit is not too great and likely needs to be ordered a size smaller to have a good fit. BUT...The chin strap is too far back and straight up chokes you. I compared it to my Gath once I noticed this and for sure the chin strap is not far enough forward. it locks onto your throat. I had high hopes but sold it immediately.
I am hoping for an improved soft helmet soon. The hard plastic shell like a Gath causes bad 'head slap' when you hit the water hard. The Gaths are great for protecting you from equipment, but I think they exaggerate head hits to water sometimes.
My Gath is super tight (bordering on too small) and I don't notice that head slap at all. Might be a fit thing or a different model.
Gath is absolutely the best! Wear it for long time. Just find your right size, you don't feel you're using a helmet
I just wear an old shred ready kayak helmet. Works fine. If I were to try a new one the simba sounds nice.
Gilbert rugby helmet, better than nothing
I have only had it come off once - it floats .
www.gilbertrugby.com/products/falcon-200-headguard-3
(There is a local supplier)
I was hoping the Manera smart foam would allow me to fit a neoprene hood under it in the colder mouths thanks to that Velcro adjustment at the back... But reading the earlier comment about the chin strap I think I'll stick with my old kayak helmet for summer and get something else for winter. Both have closed ears and that saves damage
I use a Gath hat. The fitting system is stick on strips, but they're crap. The glue doesn't hold.
Instead I wear mine with a wetsuit hood in cold weather, and a peaked cap the rest of the year. It fits perfectly and I can adapt the hat to the weather.
Select to expand quoteSoloPelican said..
I am hoping for an improved soft helmet soon.
I tested the DMC Soft Surf Helmet and really like it. The sun protection for the neck is an ingenious idea. However, protection may be slightly reduced. But I could imagine that the foil would not slip sideways (e.g. into the face) at contact as easily as on a solid helmet with a smooth surface.
The 3M bump caps have a removable padded insert that fits in most of the surf hats, and the 3M hat itself works pretty well with or without the insert.
Most bump caps have no protection at the back of the head. Where you're more likely to get hit because you cannot see it coming.
Hi,
I want to buy a Gath Covertible (FSC) on line because the store where I live doesn't have that.
I have 58 cm head diameter so accord to Gath L is the right size, but I heard that Gath fit very small?
What do you think?
Thanks
Select to expand quoteVentomax said..
Hi,
I want to buy a Gath Covertible (FSC) on line because the store where I live doesn't have that.
I have 58 cm head diameter so accord to Gath L is the right size, but I heard that Gath fit very small?
What do you think?
Thanks
I have that helmet in size XL. The size chart says my head should be right in the size range for XL, but I find the helmet very small - to the point where it leaves a mark on my forehead. I think your head size is right on the cusp between L and XL so I'd advise sizing up. Worst case, the helmet comes with additional foam fit strips so you can make it slightly smaller.
Its a good helmet, but the sizing of mine always made it uncomfortable for long sessions and I have now switched to the Oakley WTR Icon (which is incredibly comfortable, although it was expensive).
Yep, I agree with choosing a size up in Gath helmet; their sizing being a bit on the small side (unless something has changed since I bought one many years ago). No issues at all about the quality of the product, nor any bucketing effect after many years of use and abuse.
Select to expand quoteoskarhhh said..
What helmet do you use?
Anyone tried the Manera s foam helmet?
Thanks
Friend says hot in UK summer
www.forward-wip.com/produit/wiflex-pro/
Forward wip make a great range of helmets. I use the wiflex-pro. Very light, good fit range.
I wanted to wear the Gath Jedi because of the visor but couldn't get a good fit. Every head is a different shape, and I found the Jedi to run a little large for their size chart. So I simply added a velcro stick-on visor to my old very comfortable Pro-Tec Ace with the ear protectors. Great fit and love the visor.
I have a WIP Pro 2.0. Heard Prowip 2.0 is also good. Mine is basically just foam with thin hard plastic. Has a really nice buckle like magnet slide or something. Super easy to buckle on and off. It is among the lightest helmets I could find that wasn't just soft. Honestly I don't even realize I have it on. Took a good crack proning yesterday just saw mast and foil coming at my face. Turned my head and it got me in the back of the helmet. Would have really rung my bell had I not had it. Don't tell my wife that I am surfing with a hatchet attached to my board.
I wear the Manera with a cap under it and it fits fine. It's the first helmet I've had that doesn't cause whiplash when I crash hard. Other ones I've tried get heavy when wet and makes the crashes worse.
I recently got the Mystic impact cap. Very low profile, cool technology, but I do miss the visor from my previous helmet. Not when duck diving though..www.iksurfmag.com/reviews/accessories/helmet/mystic-impact-cap-2024/
