Any Helmet Recommendations For Slalom

[Billbert]

I took a nasty fall this spring. Came out the front, tumbled and my face found the tip of the ski. Long story short, 19 days in hospital, 2 separate surgeries, and 7 titanium plates were needed to put my face back together. My season is pretty much done for the year. Assuming my wife will let me get behind the boat again I need to find a helmet suitable to protect against this kind of injury.

 

I would like some kind of full faced helmet as an open faced would have done little to protect against this injury. Anyone have any ideas or recommendations?

 

Any help you can provide is greatly appreciated!

 

[GregDavis]

Performance Ski and Surf sell a really nice Helmet for jumpers and other water sports activities. I race dirt bikes, and actually considered wearing one of these racing dirt bikes. It's light, full face, Awesome. I think they are made by Bell.

[RichardDoane]

Gath makes a pretty well fit helmet, doesn't "bucket" or catch water when you do fall

[waterskigirl]

How about a HeadZone, works as a helmet and coaching radio all in one?

 

 

[estrom]

Holy cow that sounds like an awful fall! I don't have anything to add regarding helmets, but I hope you find something that allows you to get back out on the water.

[gregy]

You might look at kayaking helmets. There made for water. I had to get stitches in my upper cheek from the ski hitting me. You must have really got hit hard.

[BCM]

I'm with @gregy, I've been looking for a new jump lid and have been looking into some Kayak helmets there is one made by NRS/WSRI that looks promising from the internet photos (I haven't found one in person yet). I have also looked into LAX helmets with a full face mask, none of them intrigued me in terms of a jump helmet, but I think it would work for slalom.

 

As a downhill mountain biker, I have LOTS of experience with mountain bike/BMX full face helmets (i.e. Bell, Pro-Tec, etc.). Generally unless you buy the more expensive models, not all the pads are removable and they will get funky with if they are not aired out real well. Also, they are getting thicker. My most recent MTB helmet is about as thick as a motorcycle helmet.

[Chef23]

It sounds like you need a cage on your helmet though not just a face protecting helmet like a jump helmet. A ski could still come through the front of a jump helmet.

[estrom]

Just thinking out loud, but what about a hockey helmet with the clear face shield?

 

[MattP]

@estrom just make sure you rainx it frequently.

[BCM]

Maybe a LAX helmet like this one?

 

http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/yhst-131223342931329_2264_40004064

[Billbert]

Thanks guys all intriguing ideas. I appreciate the input and I may have to look into the LAX helmets closer. I have considered kayaking and BMX helmets but the lacrosse lid is a new idea to me. Thanks again!

[Ed_Johnson]

I would be worried water would could catch during a fall and break your neck.

 

When I was skydiving, we use to use what was called a Soft Helmet....Gave protection, but would not allow wind to catch into it at over 120 mph...Fits like the head covers people use in cold water.

 

 

http://www.skydivestore.com/getgear.cgi?Soft~Hats&

 

 

[Chef23]

I don't think the Lax helmets are right. My son plays lacrosse so we have helmets around and they are heavy. A hockey helmet with a cage is much lighter than a lacrosse helmet.

[RichardDoane]

this is the one I was thinking of, $119.

 

http://www.cleanlinesurf.com/products.php?product=Gath-Sport-Hat-Helmet&gclid=CMDa-5C9h7gCFcqDQgodpHYAGA

[dave_n]

I own a Gath helmet with a fully retractable visor. Very close fitting helmet and visor, reduces the chance of bucketing.

http://www.cleanlinesurf.com/products/Gath-Full-Retractable-Visored-Helmet.html

[Billbert]

Thanks All for the help. I found the solution. LAX Helmet and a motocross neck brace (wouldn't ride without one, won't ski in a lid without one).

 

A little strange coming out of the water the first few times as the brace limits how close I can put my chin to my chest but after a couple of outs I don't even know this stuff is on. Feels good to ski again.....surfing was starting to get old.

 

http://gear.insidelacrosse.com/sites/default/files/imagesimages/outlaws_white_bg.jpg

 

http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0108/5372/products/brace-blk2_1024x1024.jpg?142

 

Again, thanks for all the suggestions.

[MattP]

@Billbert glad to hear you are back on the water!

[Skoot1123]

Just a thought - what about the helmet that skeleton (in the Olympics) sledder's use? @billbert - glad your back on the water!!

[A_B]

Could get a football helmet with face mask, cut a bunch of holes in the back to lighten it and allow for water to pass through. Could use a quarterback face shield without all the grill work.

I think the fuller face shield above might restrict the quick glimpses you get at the buoys.

[ral]

I am with @Ed_Johnson on this, broke my neck already once when my head caught the water, do not need that again...

[Billbert]

My biggest concern about wearing a helmet is my neck. That's the reason behind the neck brace...in conjunction with a helmet they are know to provide good protection for the neck. The Atlas brace is a nice design, fairly light and the padding does not absorb water.

 

The Cascade R helmet is actually a pretty good fit for me. Its lighter, fits better than the kayak helmets I found and offers full chin and face protection. I looked at the Gath helmets but really wanted more protection than the visor offered. The sight lines of the Cascade helmet are exceptional, the liner does not absorb water and after a couple of sets I really was hard pressed to know it was there.

 

The solution may not be for everyone but I for one am happy to be skiing again.

[SBFL]

http://predatorskateboarding.com/helmets/the-dh6/

Watched a kid smashed his face on concreet goin 65kmh and had zero head injury, super comphy and light too. Good luck next season.