Review: The Best Surf Helmets of 2025

With T-man & Jokke, tested in Belgium, Morocco, Maldives, Korea and RIF010.

Part 1: Why on earth would a surfer wear a surf helmet?

Q: Come on guys, a helmet in surfing? Seriously?
A: Seriously, yes. We're not forty anymore, and neither are our heads. What started as a joke ended up as a mission. Jokke has more concussions than Belgium has days without a government. T-man once ended up in a Spanish hospital with amnesia after a happy nosedive on a sandy bottom.

Q: Is that for pros at Nazaré or also for ordinary mortals?
A: You don't have to be a tow-in legend to get something in your head. On the North Sea, a flying board or a clumsy beginner could just as easily be your ticket to the emergency room.

Q: Does a helmet really protect against surfer's ear?
A: Yes. Not completely, but much better than nothing. Most helmets block the cold wind, which is the main culprit for exostosis. Add earplugs to that and your ears will remain festival-worthy.

Q: Aren't you laughed at?
A: Yes. Certainly at hip-high Wenduine. But at a heavy reef point in Morocco or Korea? Nobody laughs. On the contrary. When we went into the water with our bright yellow helmets, they thought we were lifeguards. Result: empty lineup. Lovely.

Q: Isn't that uncomfortable?
A: The first time is getting used to it, after that you don't want to be without it. A good fit is key - too loose = gulping water, too tight = migraine. Some models give you pressure on your forehead after 2 hours, others look like a memory foam pillow. There is even a helmet that you adjust like a bicycle helmet.

Q: Aren't they super hot in the summer?
A: Yes. Especially in Indonesia you get half a sauna on your head. So: invest in two helmets if you are serious — one for cold water (max protection), one for tropical water (light ventilation, fast drainage).

Q: How much does it cost and are the expensive models better?
A: We tested models ranging from €30 to €189. The conclusion? The more expensive models offer more protection, are often better finished and have a longer lifespan. But: for beginners or children, an entry-level model really makes a world of difference.

Q: Will helmets be mandatory in surfing lessons or competitions?
A: In wavepools beginners already wear them. In competition we now see 50% of women with helmets on Pipe. The movement has started. Will it soon be mandatory in lessons? We think so.

Q: And the biggest surprise?
A: Not the protection, but the confidence. You paddle deeper, you go harder. 25% more guts. At least.

Part 2: The Reviews — 6 Helmets on the STEAZE Scale

We tested 6 helmets. Independently. Honestly. Hard. On cold and warm spots. In the surf and in the backpack. And yes, also on T-Mans Point in Wenduine. Each model was scored on:

• Protection

• Comfort & Fit

• STEAZE (the Surfers Ear style score from -10 to 10)

1. Olaian Surf Helmet – €30

The Decathlon entry-level model.

• Soft shell, based on rugby helmets.

• Soft, light, with mini visor.

• Ideal for children or beginner surfers.

• Quickly deformed in case, not super durable.

• Big plus: bright colors = visibility.

Protection : 6.5/10
Comfort & Fit : 7/10
STEAZE : -4/10
Unless you're 9 or surf matching daddy.

2. Manera S-Foam – €75

The elegant European among helmets.

• Soft memory foam, produced in France.

• Quick-drying, super light, comfortable fit.

• Disadvantage: can become deformed in your backpack.

• You look like a horse rider. No judgement. Or maybe you do.

Protection : 6.5/10
Comfort & Fit : 7/10
STEAZE : 6/10
A helmet for those who like to drink their Pinot Noir in style.

3. Simba Surf Sentinel – €189

The Gladiator. The Magneto. The hype.

• Full hard shell, full face coverage.

• Hydrodynamically designed for duck dives.

• Less adjustable in size.

• You feel watched. But also untouchable.

Protection : 9.5/10
Comfort & Fit : 8/10
STEAZE : 9/10 or 0/10
He carries you. Or you carry him. There is no middle ground.

4. Gath SFC – €179

The OG. Since 1989.

• Hardshell surf helmet with rubber front.

• Protection of skull and ears (with rotating flaps).

• After 2.5 hours you will feel pressure on your forehead.

• Sustainable and old-school cool.

Protection : 7.5/10
Comfort & Fit : 8/10
STEAZE : 8.5/10
Bright yellow = the new black.

5. Gath GEDI – €170

The Swiss Army knife of surf helmets.

• Technically more water sports than surfing.

• Removable earpads, space for visor or lamp.

• Hard shell, top score in impact tests.

• A little more volume, less surfy in look.

• Feels soft thanks to extra padding.

Protection : 9.5/10
Comfort & Fit : 9/10
STEAZE : 7.5/10
Jedi-level safe. Yoda approves.

6. Oakley WTR Icon – €149

The newcomer. The innovation.

• Lightest helmet of the bunch.

• Best fit (rotary dial like a bicycle helmet).

• Removable earpads, top ventilation.

• Ideal for tropical climates and warm water.

• Looks modern, but a little less surf heritage.

Protection : 8.5/10
Comfort & Fit : 9,5/10
STEAZE : 8/10
If you like ventilation and swag.

Finally, which one should you buy?

Are you a beginner or buying for your child?
➡️ Olaian or Manera S-Foam

Want the best possible protection?
➡️ Gath GEDI or Simba Sentinel

Are you looking for the perfect balance between protection, comfort and style?
➡️ Gath SFC

Are you looking for ventilation in warm conditions?
➡️ Oakley WTR Icon

Our choices:

• Jokke: Gath GEDI

• T-man: Gath SFC
  (“Safety over style, unless you can have both.”)

Bonus: Why Kelly Doesn't Wear a Surf Helmet Yet

Because Kelly doesn't want to lose his peripheral vision. Or because his head is his best advertisement for his sunscreen company. Or because Oakley hasn't asked him yet. Who knows.

But if Kelly is spotted wearing a helmet soon, you'll know: Surfers Ear was right.