Only daring athletes indulge in whitewater kayaking. The sport is not for the faint-hearted groups who tend to get overwhelmed by the sheer power of the waterfalls and rapids. Also, whether amateurs or experienced persons plan on going whitewater kayaking, they must take steps to protect themselves.
Of course, you cannot mitigate the risks of kayaking completely. Even so, you can take some measures to avoid getting seriously injured during your kayak tours. This applies especially to those who’re planning to wade through Class IV and V rapids; they must wear a helmet for their safety.
Kayaking Helmets Review
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1. NRS Havoc Adult Livery Whitewater Kayak Helmet
NRS Havoc Adult Livery Whitewater Kayak Helmet Is the perfect companion for your next kayaking trip. NRS Havoc Adult Livery Whitewater Kayak Helmet Has got an ABS plastics Shell that can easily absorb shocks and impacts. This heavy-duty whitewater kayaking helmet is designed to withstand the test of time and that too without putting too much weight on it. this whitewater Kayak helmet is extremely lightweight and since its inside is protected by EVA foam pads, your head will remain protected from impacts no matter what.
NRS Havoc Adult Livery Whitewater Kayak Helmet has got an adjustable chain strap and it meets all the CE 1385 standards. Just twist the ratchet-adjust DialFit system knob and you will be able to customize the fittings. Before you decide to purchase this kayak helmet, you need to measure the circumference of your head first. The circumference of your head has to be between 20.8 and 24.4 inches.
NRS Havoc Adult Livery Whitewater Kayak Helmet is known for offering a superior level of comfort. This kayak helmet has got six drainage ports to drain the water out and these ventilation points also ensure proper airflow inside.
2. Tontron Adult Whitewater Kayaking Helmet
Tontron Adult Whitewater Kayaking Helmet Is a versatile helmet that is mainly designed for all the water sports enthusiasts out there. If you are one of those adrenaline junkies who stop at nothing, you need to get your hands on this Tontron Adult Whitewater Kayaking Helmet now! Priced reasonably, this whitewater kayaking helmet comes equipped with the adjustable back of head dial and removable ear protection pads. To allow free flow of air, 11 Air-vents are included in this kayak helmet. However, the best thing about this kayaking helmet is that it meets all safety standards laid out by CE EN 1385.
EVA liner ensures faster drying and a major advantage of donning this Tontron Adult Whitewater Kayaking Helmet is that it stays afloat on the water. Tontron Adult Whitewater Kayaking Helmet offers superior fittings irrespective of the circumference of the head and the credit must be given to the Adjuster. Tontron Adult Whitewater Kayaking Helmet can absorb moderate to severe impacts successfully and thus making it ideal for whitewater kayaking or any other similar activities.
3. WRSI Current Kayak Helmet
WRSI Current Kayak Helmet is not another run-of-the-mill kayaking helmet that most of us come across in local shopping malls. Made from premium quality materials, WRSI Current Kayak Helmet can easily absorb impacts. Inside it has got EVA liner and 3 drain holes so that water can pass through easily. When it comes to fittings, WRSI Current Kayak Helmet is second to none. Use the straps to adjust the fittings and there are tons of other customization options.
Designed and developed for the rough and tough world out there, WRSI Current Kayak Helmet a premium kayaking helmet that you can take with you on a Class III or Class IV rapid and it will keep your head protected from all possible mishaps.
4. NRS WRSI Current Pro Helmet
NRS WRSI Current Pro Helmet Is chiefly designed for whitewater expeditions. It has got a ton of safety features that allow people to paddle on class III and class IV rapids without worrying about safety. The outer shell of this NRS WRSI Current Pro Helmet is made from ABS plastics and polyurethane. To better absorb impact from rocks and trees, this kayak helmet comes equipped with EVA liner. Highly customizable, NRS WRSI Current Pro Helmet comes fitted with 9 EVA pads. Each of these EVA pads has got a different level of thickness that ensures an amazing level of comfort irrespective of the size of your head. You will get ear pads that are removable by nature. These ear pads will also help to reduce the impact from giant waves. Besides that, these ear pads help to get extra warmth during the wintery days.
The visor of this NRS WRSI Current Pro Helmet will keep sunlight and rainfall at a bay and this will allow you to have a crystal-clear view while cruising through the waterways. NRS WRSI Current Pro Helmet is super comfy and offers great warmth when you needed it the most.
5. Vihir Adult Water Sports Helmet
Vihir Adult Water Sports Helmet flaunts a hybrid design. This whitewater Kayak helmet has got ABS Shell outside. This rugged and strong ABS Shell will your head protected from all impacts. Vihir Adult Water Sports Helmet has got EVA foam inside that will provide some level of warmth. This helmet will stop the water from entering your ears and that too without adversely affecting your hearing ability.
Vihir Adult Water Sports Helmet is designed and developed in compliance with all the safety standards laid out by the EN 1385. CPC certified, Vihir Adult Water Sports Helmet has passed CPSC test with flying colors. An adjustable dial is included inside this Kayak helmet that allows the user to fine-tune the internal headband. You can make changes in this adjustable dial with a single hand. If you wish to get a perfect and comfortable fit, you better need to get used to the idea of making changes in the quick release buckle and the adjustable strap.
Strategic placed are 11 vents that ensure superior ventilation at all costs. The fresh air gets drawn inside this Vihir Adult Water Sports Helmet by these 11 vents. All the moisture and the sweat that get accumulated inside this whitewater Kayak helmet will eventually get sucked out in the process and thus allowing you to stay dry most of the time.
6. Pro-Tec Ace Water Helmet
Pro-Tec Ace Water Helmet is a no-nonsense kayaking helmet that is designed primarily for people who are into armature kayaking. To allow you to stay dry throughout the journey, this kayak helmet has got 15 vent holes that are strategically placed to allow fresh air to get inside without facing any kind of disruptions in the process. These 15 open vent holes will not allow water to stay inside for long. Water will be drained out by these open vent holes sooner than expected.
Your ears will be protected by these removable cupping ear guards. These ear guards have got water channels that will go a long way to stop ear damage. The inclusion of the headlock system ensures a superior level of safety and comfort.
Kayak Helmet Buying Guide
Here we have listed some important considerations for you to ponder upon when planning on going shopping for kayak helmets.
Safety Certificate
Make sure to always buy helmets that come with a safety certificate. For instance, WRSI provides a certificate to helmets that have passed the mandatory tests. Plus, helmets can be tested according to different standards to check the extent of damage they can endure.
Many reputed manufacturers conduct tests on their helmets to keep you informed. So, make sure you read the labels to know about the varied tests that the helmets have passed. Surely, you can avail helmets without a safety certificate as well. However, in such cases, you cannot be certain about the extent of abuse they can endure before they crack.
Overall, you may have to pay extra for helmets that come with safety certificates, but they are worth the investment.
Fitting
The first step in choosing a kayak helmet is to make sure it fits properly. A helmet that is too small will be uncomfortable and may not offer enough protection. A helmet that is too large may move around on your head or fall off if you take a tumble. When trying on a helmet, make sure it sits level on your head and is snug but not tight. You should also be able to move your head freely in all directions.
There is no one-size-fit-for-all solution when it comes to kayak helmet. Kayak helmets are available in different shapes and sizes. No matter how small or how large your head is, you can always expect to find a perfect helmet that fits your head perfectly.
Don’t forget to use the straps to get the right fitting. The strap should not feel too tight because that would make you feel uncomfortable and at the same time, the strap should be not too loose because in that case, the helmet might come off easily.
Drainage
One of the major issues with kayaking helmets is that water tends to get trapped inside, and it can be a pain to get the water out. Most good quality kayak helmets have drainage holes at the back so that the water can drain out easily. The holes let heat escape from your head while you’re running the river, preventing you from overheating.
Color
The color of the kayak helmet you choose is a personal preference. You can go for any color that you like, but it is important to make sure that the color is visible when you are on the water. For this reason, bright colors are generally recommended. Try red, yellow, or green as they are highly visible colors.
Weight
The weight of the helmet is also an important consideration. You don’t want a heavy helmet that will make your head feel tired after wearing it for a few hours. The best kayak helmets are usually made of lightweight materials so that you don’t feel weighed down.
Retention System
The retention system is another important factor to consider when choosing a kayak helmet. It refers to the straps and mechanisms that keep the helmet in place on your head. A good retention system should be adjustable so that you can get a snug fit, regardless of the size of your head. It is also important that the straps are made from a durable material that won’t stretch or wear out over time.
Helmet Types
Kayaking Helmets can broadly categorized into three types –
HALF-CUT
Flaunting a low-volume design, Half-cut kayak helmets is designed for all those kayakers who don’t want to settle for anything else. The coolest thing about this type of kayak helmet is that it does not interfere with the field of view and provide adequate protection to your head from impacts. However, your ears will remain exposed and it does not come fitted with a visor which some of you might miss while in the thick of things.
FULL-CUT
Featuring a high-volume design, these full-cut kayak helmets are designed to offer superior protection from different elements of the nature. It covers the entire head and it will keep your ears protected as well. Since your ears remain covered, it can have some impacts on your ability listen to other people carefully.
FULL-FACE
Full-face helmets are designed for those adrenaline junkies who are looking for maximum protection from different extreme elements of nature. It will keep your jaw and ears fully protected. These Full-face helmets are designed to withstand extreme conditions that no other type of kayaking helmets can withstand.
