Topic: Full-Face Helmet. Kayak Specific Necessary?

[jstreet56]

So I've been thinking about this for a while now, and seeing as how this might be the right time to talk about it(Thanks Kinga), I thought I'd start a thread about it. I've been toying with the idea of buying a motorcross helmet to use as a full face kayaking helmet. The reason for my interest in this is that my head is far too large for SR and WRSI's helmets. Even the newer larger ones aren't sized to fit a head as large as mine.(Kayaking gear not sized for larger paddlers is a whole different topic-Thank God for Jackson Kayaks though) I digress...

Has anybody else  ever thought about this? I've talked to a few people about it before, but there never seems to be any real answers to this debate. The only real difference I see is that the lining might be a little different than that of what would be used for a whitewater-specific helmet.

What's the difference in this? or this

and this?


Besides the fact that one cost $400 and the other is only $100, I don't see what the big deal is.

[mhoward]

How  much is your head worth?

I would say the main difference is that one is made out of plastic and the other out of a fiber weather it be carbon or glass.  A plastic (ABS) helmet is injected into a mold and the shell is pretty much made.  A fiber type requires much more work to be produced.

Strength of the helmet would be the main difference in the 2.  Your plastic helmet is generally not going to be near as strong as a fiber type.

That help?

[jstreet56]

So seeing as how SR uses ABS for their helmets, they are seemingly as durable as either of those two motorcross helmets? If I understood that correctly..

That's why Sweet's helmets are so expensive? They are made of carbon fiber? I looked at the carbon motorcross helmets and they start around $200(which is still have the cost of the Sweet)

The "How much is your head worth" argument is not really that important here. ABS or Carbon Fiber should be able to withstand the same significant blow atleast once. Or is that assuming too much? The main reason I was interested in the full face helmets was to protect my FACE more; where as, my current helmet only protects my head.

[Bryant]

The main benefit to CF is weight. The ABS helmets can be just as strong.

My issues with motocross helmets for boating:
1. All the padding in the motocross helmet will absorb water and make the already heavy helmet even heavier.

2. Moto helmets aren't really designed with hearing in mind. That's not an issue for their intended purpose, but for boating it could be. The sweet has vents over the ears and removable ear flaps. My hearing is much better when wearing my Sweet than my moto helmet.

3. The face bar on the Sweet is much closer to your face than a moto helmet so it would present less of a snag hazard.

The motocross helmet will protect your head just fine. To me, the Sweet was worth the extra money.

Oh, and the Sweet is $349 at the NOC.  

[kinga]

So where in all that does the Shred Ready's Standard Fullface Helmet fit in?

Just wondering given that I'm told there is a good deal for one at Colorado Kayak: http://www.coloradokayak.com/Shred-Ready-Standard-Fullface?sc=26&category=18319

[jstreet56]

And the quite one comes up with the perfect answer I was looking for! Ha Thanks Bryant..

I was hoping there might be someone out there that has worn both and could compare them. I had read some about the lining in the moto helmets, but I had seen where some had removable lining for winter/summer riding. The face bar on the new Sweet's seem like they are further out than the old ones? But the snag hazard is an issue with any full face anyways..

Hearing was the main issue that I saw. Seeing as how I don't hear very well as it is, that could prove to be an issue. Although I find that hand signals tend to get the point across much more efficiently. That might just be me though..

Kinga, I'd say that SR's helmets are great helmets if it fits your head. The only reason I haven't gotten one of those is that it simply doesn't fit mine. They are made of ABS, which means they're not quite as strong as the Sweet. However, they are great for doing what they're designed to do. If it's good enough for Nick Troutman to wear, I'm sure it's good enough for the rest of us..well, more like rest of yall that can wear them..

But hey, that's just my two cents..

Thanks for the feedback

[mhoward]

I bet the FNA Stormtrooper would fit your head but not sure the X Stream would.

http://www.fnaheadgear.com/

[Boyd]

Now that I'm out of a bomb threat and a prison called school   I'll throw in my 2 cents...

Unless you've got hardwear in your mouth or you're a supermodel... I don't really think they're that necessary until you're running stupid stuff... then maybe...  my broken nose wouldn't have been prevented by a full face... would have happened regardless.  on a hard enough hit those bars can just bend in...   and I still think a full face is a snag hazard.  That said, I do understand why people use them even though I'm not that sold myself.

Look for the composite material, outfitting foam (multi-impact vs single impact like many non-paddling helmets), and fit.  a tight fit that allows hearing, speaking, and protection.  if it shifts and moves around then it isn't a good fit.  When you look at outfitting, think of it being wet.  motocross outfitting can get soggy or sticky....

FNA makes great helmets... not a big fan of SR for the outfitting and for my own reasons but they're not that bad.  Sweet is the best but made in Norway.... take a look at the currency exchange and you'll know why they're so expensive.

Bryant's opinion was right on so I'm gonna leave it there.   but I'm still not a big fan of full face helmets.

Boyd  


 

[MW]

TUCK!

[Simple]

I have a FNA full face with the bar, have owned and used extensively the Shred Ready full face, and the rest of the time paddle in a sweet strutter.  I have gotten to know each of these helmets and here is my insight into the advantages and disadvantages of each of them.  Where I live now, outside of Brevard NC, it has been a pretty hot summer both on and off the water.  For that reason I hung up my full face a month or so ago as it was quite toasty.  Its been a fairly dry summer (though not as bad as last year sheesh) so I have been mostly creeking on the Green since the only other thing running that even remotely interests me entails driving four hours to the Ocoee.  

My feeling is that if you want to wear the full face go for it.  I agree with Boyd that it should fit well, and ideally be composite.  This should go for any helmet as these two criteria just make for a better helmet.  That being said I know plenty of folks that have taken huge hits (think running Gorilla upside down) in ABS plastic helmets that came out perfectly fine.  I also know folks that have taken big hits in composite helmets and seen stars.  I feel like liner material is something that is often times overlooked and for that reason the SR fullface kicks butt with the liner they have in theirs.    


I liked my Shred Ready full face.  It is a great helmet.  Not for the larger meloned crowd, it was reeeally tight on my head, but great helmet, great style, and they now come as a composite, AND are based here in the southeast.  I also really like my FNA with the bar, not an option on the SR plastic full face, as it has protected me quite well before.  I took a shot to the nose without it the other day and am back to using it all the time.  The only thing worse than taking a hit to the bridge of my nose from not getting my paddle shaft out of my face was knowing I had th full face in the car that could have protected me from it.  Stuff can still sneak in around that bar and/or the chin guard but the protection is pretty spot on except in those "what if" situations that exist all the time in kayaking.  Speaking of "what if" situations I feel like a full face being a snagging hazard falls into this category.  You could also snag a number of other things that would be really bad too.  The chances are slim though whereas the benefits of taking a rock, paddle shaft, etc. to the face is far more common.  

As for the other two helmets being discussed here I think that if you are choosing a moto cross helmet as a cost saving maneuver that its a bad idea.  I would prefer a helmet without the enormous amount of bulk those things have.  I say go for something tried and true in the whitewater world since as Michael pointed out is you really have to think "how much is your head worth".  With that in mind think about that yes the Sweet full face is expensive and a Norwegian company.  However there is a reason they are so popular.  Perhaps if thats what you want it is worth it to wait on a full face and save a little more first.

These are just my ideas feel free to take them with a grain of salt.

Joey