Best Surf Helmet (Gath Hat or Convertable) |
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 The pro surfer's choice. Lightweight, closefitting and comfortable, Gath helmets dominate the market in surf head protection for one very good reason - you will forget you are wearing one two minutes after paddling out in it. |
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| In today's crowded surf, helmets are a good idea if not a must. Sooner or later you are going to get whacked by your own surf board or someone else's and if it hits you right, that dull thud will be the last thing you remember. |
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 If you surf reefs or shallow point breaks, a helmet makes even more sense. Take a look round and more often than not it will be dude in the Gath who's got the extra confidence to charge when the tide's getting low.
Just as with skiing, where helmets suddenly got popular, with surfing, too, more and more people are now wearing them. For kids in particular they are rapidly becoming a must.
The Australian pro surfer Ric Gath was inspired to design the Gath helmet after his three-year-old son narrowly escaped a fin in the head while surfing a small beach break. The helmet he came up with also protects from the sun, which again is especially important for kids. |
Two helmets in one |
 Ric's original design is called the Gath Hat and is the helmet you will have seen in pictures being worn on crowded beach breaks and shallow reefs the world over.
Made of hardened plastic with a thin padded inner, it is close fitting and very light. What is most suprising, however, is that it has virtually no drag or weight in the water. You really do forget you are wearing it almost instantly. |
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 The latest design is called the Gath Surf Convertible. This version has removable ear pockets to allow a little more of you to be exposed to the elements.
It's fine for adults (who essentially get two helmets in one) but not so good for kids who will loose the attatchments and the benefit of the snug fit the original Gath Hat provides.
Both designs come in sizes to fit most head and face shapes and a choice of colours to suit all tastes. They are also available with sun visors, although for surfing these are probably more trouble than they are worth. |
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 When choosing your helmet, make sure and get the size right. A bit of sideways movement is fine but you do not want it moving forwards over your eyebrows.
For the the Gath Hat the sizing is as follows (with the measurment taken around the head just above the ears):
- Small Up to 560 mm (22 in.)
- Medium 565mm (22 1/4 in.)- 575mm (22 5/8 in.)
- Large 580mm (22 3/4 in.) - 595mm (23 3/8 in.)
- Extra Large 595mm (23 3/8 in.) - 600mm (23 5/8 in.)
- Extra Extra Large 600mm (23 5/8 in.) and above.
For the Gath Convertible the sizing is different and is a follows:
- Small 20-7/8" to 21-3/4".
- Medium 21-3/4" to 22-3/4".
- Large 22-3/4" to 23-1/2".
- Extra Large - 23-1/2" to 23-5/8".
All Gath helmets come with a three-year warranty and the basic Gath Hat is especially robust.
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| Top Tip |
| If you are planning on surfing in the sun (and most of us at least hope to) go for a white helmet - they reflect, rather than absorb the heat. |
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Price Range: £70/$119 - £90/$171
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