Helmet for SUP surfing: what is a good choice?

[zacksc]

Regular user here. (no brand associations.)  I am planning to get helmet for SUP surfing. The ones I am aware of are Gath helmets, which are pretty well known surf helmets (i have used them before), and the Sweet Protection Strutter. The Strutter seems like it would be pretty nice, but I have only seen it online. What others should I consider?  Additionally, I was concerned that with the Sweet Strutter, could the water catch that bill in front when you are diving under wave or wiping out? Could that strain your neck or am I concerned about nothing? I guess it has been used a lot in the whitewater/ river community?

[PonoBill]

I have a couple of Gaths for windsurfing and kitesurfing. They seem fine, though with a head my size it looks like I'm smuggling a watermelon on my shoulder. I wouldn't wear anything with a hard bill in serious surf. I have a whitewater helmet that Admin gave me that has a baseball cap style cloth bill integrated into the helmet. that might be OK, but when I see people windsurfing with hard bill helmets I wonder what they are thinking. They can tug hard on your neck in air--water is 1000 times more dense.

[SUPcheat]

I had an updated Gath that got stolen (really, who steals something that advertises "kook"?), and got an original Gath that I actually like better.  Don't even notice it, and it doesn't seem to interfere with any kind of diving or ducking maneuver.

I only wear it now when things look bigger or crowded, but when the board has come down on my head, I am grateful for it. 

I would have concerns about extended bills, especially if they are stiffer.  The Gath is pretty thin and sleek.

I have actually seen the "kookier than thou" wearing bicycle helmets, the alien monster kind, out in the surf on SUP so who knows what works and what doesn't until you try.

But then, I have also seen guys on bicycles around Santa Cruz wearing Gath helmets as bike helmets.

[PonoBill]

I wear my ski helmet as a bike helmet because it has speakers and it's warm. Pathetic how geezers stop caring what they look like, but I figure I'm invisible to 98 percent of the women on the planet, so why not.

At least I don't wear it into stores and restaurants. When I see some lycra shithead walking around with his helmet and clacky shoes I want to biff them.

[DCSurf]

I am thinking of a helmet with a face mask. That would be extreme kook. But it is better than a broken face. I recently got slapped with my board going thru easy waves, so hard in the collarbone area that it snapped my board in half. I had only minor damage, but I am thankful it wasn't my face.  I will never take going thru whitewash lightly again.

[zacksc]

Seems like the Gath is winning here. Looks like among the Gath Originals there is the Gath Hat Eva and the Gath Hat Neoprene. Any preferences there? Are those better than the Gedi? Any other brands one should perhaps consider? Thanks!

[PonoBill]

I just use what I've got, though I've never tried it for surfing. Mine is ten years old or more.

[SUPcheat]

Mine is the Gath Hat Neoprene.  It does look like the Eva might have some extra forehead protection.

It's easy to put on and take off and the built in ear protection is a lot less cumbersome than the detachable kind in the newer models.  I think they got it right the first time.

[zacksc]

Neoprene. Sounds great. Thanks!

[Weasels wake]

Got it (in black), love it, nice and warm, and keeps my ear plugs from blowing out.

[DavidJohn]

[SlatchJim]

but I figure I'm invisible to 98 percent of the women on the planet

Liberally massaging that margin of error again are we? 

[capobeachboy]

Don't forget Nutcase - they got style !  http://nutcasehelmets.com/helmets/water/

My review:  http://www.canoekayak.com/gear/nutcase-helmets/#XCytUILu89HHBYuz.97

[OUTSIDEWAVE]

might be cool to mount a go pro on

[Shem]

Ive owned Gaths, Geckos and a sweet strutter over the years. All good. My strutter had a fault on the aluminium bolts that hold the strap on which basically rendered the helmet useless after 3 years, so personally I wont buy another one of them. Gecko are a great UK company in my experience.