Choosing Your Headset
The helmet protects the head against impacts with the boom, the boat or the foil, and during high-speed falls. Here are 5 points to check when choosing a helmet suited to your practice.
1. Standards and practice
Check the standard indicated on the product page: for water sports, the common reference is the EN 1385 standard. Certain series or clubs make wearing a helmet mandatory, especially for foiling craft. A sailing helmet must also withstand repeated immersion and dry quickly.
2. Construction and shock absorption
Two technologies meet here. Multi-impact EPP foam regains its shape after an impact, as seen on the WIFLEX helmet by WIP Forward. In-Mold construction combines a shell and foam molded together, as seen on the X-OVER helmet. The WIFLEX PRO 2.0 and the WIPPER 2.0 offer other compromises between protection and bulk.
WIFLEX helmet by WIP Forward
3. Weight and ventilation
A lightweight helmet limits neck fatigue during a long session. The WIFLEX weighs about 170 g and the PROWIP 2.0 is designed for nautical and urban use. Vents drain water and heat; check that they do not create a "bucket effect" during a fall.
PROWIP 2.0 helmet by WIP Forward
4. Visor and face protection
A visor protects the eyes from spray, sun, and debris at high speeds. The X-OVER VISOR helmet includes a visor, and replacement visors are available depending on lighting conditions: clear or Miror (category 3).
X-OVER VISOR helmet by WIP Forward
5. Size, fit, and thermal comfort
Measure your head circumference above the eyebrows and compare it to the table on the product page. The helmet should stay in place without moving when you shake your head, with the chin strap fastened. In cold water, a thin hood under the helmet limits heat loss, such as the WINTER NEO HELMET LINING hood; choose your helmet size accordingly.
WINTER NEO HELMET LINING hood by WIP
Find all our models in our nautical helmets collection.