What’s the general consensus on helmets?

What’s the general consensus on helmets, for launching into the surf….Partial coverage or full face?
Obviously full faced offers more protection, but my understanding is, its pretty much just worn during the launch, not all day. I understand the added protection aspect, but rarely even wear a hat, and despised my Kevlar helmet on the ground in Afghanistan, or flight helmets. I've got advanced arthritis of the neck and the extra weight and constriction on my head, makes for serious discomfort.

To top it off, I’ve got a head the size of a basketball. Are they pretty lightweight, like a cycling helmet or heavier, like a motorcycle helmet?

I feel your pain on having the huge noggin.  I just use a skateboard helmet I bought from Target for about $20.  It's really lightweight and fits as well as it needs to for the whole 20 minutes of the day that I need it.  A bike helmet will work just as well.  Next Adventure sells proper kayaking helmets that are geared towards white water kayaking.

Check out Nutcase helmets.  They are pretty roomy, and, at least for a while, were offered in some watersport specific models.  I've worn them on the river, and have never felt them to be heavy or obtrusive.

My bike helmet has been doing double duty, and I keep forgetting it. I need to get one just for beach launching. I checked out the VOZ helmets that were at the N/A sale this weekend, great price, too much helmet and they didn't fit me so well.

I think my next move is Play it Again Sports or Goodwill and p/u a used hockey helmet. I think those would work well. Low volume and they don't have a bunch of fleecy foam to hold water.

My bike helmet has been doing double duty, and I keep forgetting it. I need to get one just for beach launching. I checked out the VOZ helmets that were at the N/A sale this weekend, great price, too much helmet and they didn't fit me so well.

I have that VOZ helmet and although it isn't heavy, it doesn't seem to fit my skull very well either.  It kept wanting to cover my eyes for some reason.
I'm on the lookout for a snowboard or skateboard helmet now.  Also want a better way to attach my GoPro to it, as the VOZ doesn't have good holes in the top to use the strap from GroPro.

I bought a Nut Case helmut and love it.  Its light weight, fits my huge head comfortably and although it has yet to take a hit it seems like it will do a good job protecting my head, neck and ears.  Plus its bright red and has a shark on it so its extra cool

My bike helmet has been doing double duty, and I keep forgetting it. I need to get one just for beach launching. I checked out the VOZ helmets that were at the N/A sale this weekend, great price, too much helmet and they didn't fit me so well.

I have that VOZ helmet and although it isn't heavy, it doesn't seem to fit my skull very well either.  It kept wanting to cover my eyes for some reason.
I'm on the lookout for a snowboard or skateboard helmet now.  Also want a better way to attach my GoPro to it, as the VOZ doesn't have good holes in the top to use the strap from GroPro.

I scored a VOZ brain bucket from Next Adventure a month or so ago and it fits my Cabeza Grande pretty well! Lots of adjustments and a good set of extra pads for a custom fit. And you can't beat the price. I don't have a GoPro though.

http://nextadventure.net/voz-evolution-helmet.html

Holy great fishes Batman! Thanks for the link FFTW.....$100 helmet for $20!

I bought a skateboard helmet after I conked my head falling off my Segway when my grandson wanted to race and then stopped short and my evasive maneuver took me off a curb. I literally sold the Segway to help pay for the Tandem Island but I kept the helmet and use it with the GoPro for POV classics like my wind-aided Huli. Looking forward to playing in the surf and since it has no absorbant materials should work great.

This week I'm using it for skiing and snowboarding with the GoPro.

By cycle helmet here! Didn't wear one at first, till I got huli'd by a massive wave, kayak nailed the back of my head hurt like h**** now you can bet I wear one! I'd like to get a full face/white water someday!


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I am so glad this thread came about.   Literally the day before it did,  I was thinking I wanted to wear a helmet if not just to attach a action cam onto.  I didn't realize how much water sport specific helmets look like snowboarding helmets which I have a couple of already.    Do the watersport helmets utilize closed cell internal padding so to not sponge up water.  I am thinking that will be the only negative if using a snowboard helmet if,  a problem at all.

I am so glad this thread came about.   Literally the day before it did,  I was thinking I wanted to wear a helmet if not just to attach a action cam onto.  I didn't realize how much water sport specific helmets look like snowboarding helmets which I have a couple of already.    Do the watersport helmets utilize closed cell internal padding so to not sponge up water.  I am thinking that will be the only negative if using a snowboard helmet if,  a problem at all.

I use my snowboarding helmet, just took the lining with the headphones & skull liner out. It works great.

The day after I started this thread, I went shopping for a helmet. I finally found a skater helmet at Big 5 for about $20, that fits my head, but only if I take the pads out. Didn't think that was a great idea so I still need to take it back. There's also one for around $20 at Next Adventure I really liked, but they don't have it in my size. Later the same day,  I found a Bern Brentwood at Goodwill for $12. REI sells the same one for $79.95 so don't hesitate to check out the second hand places too, and save some cash.