The 8 Best Surf Helmets of 2025
Over the past decade, watersports helmets have become a vital piece of gear for everyone in the water, regardless of skill level. With everything we know about the risks and consequences of head injuries, wearing a helmet on the water has become a no-brainer, and long gone are the days of relegating helmets to only beginners. From surfing to kiteboarding and even wing foiling, this guide is here to help you when choosing your next helmet for nearly any activity that takes place on the water.
From the original and sleek Gath Neo Surf Hat Surf Helmet to the convertible Gath Gedi, Gath makes the watersports helmets most likely to be seen in lineups, beaches, and rivers around the world. Gath was the first company to introduce a surf-specific helmet in 1989, and since then, it has continually been a best-seller.
More recently, brands like Oakley, Manera, and Simba have entered the surf helmet market. Although these vendors don’t offer a comprehensive helmet lineup like Gath, we’ll examine each model in greater detail below.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll discuss what makes each model unique, including the entire Gath lineup. Surf helmets are quickly growing in popularity, and we get quite a few questions about fit, features, and sizing. If you’re looking for an easy comparison between all the helmet models, don’t miss our detailed feature table for an easy breakdown of each helmet style. And lastly, keep scrolling to the bottom to review our helmet sizing and FAQ section.
Best Surf Helmets Reviewed
Best Overall Surf Helmet: Oakley WTR ICON Helmet: $175.00
Most Functional Surf Helmet: Gath Neo Hat Surf Helmet: $128.95
Best Lightweight Surf Helmet: Gath EVA Hat Helmet: $169.00
Best Minimal and Adjustable Surf Helmet: Gath Surf Convertible Helmet: $138.95
Best High-Speed Helmet: Gath Gedi Convertible Helmet: $168.95
Best Soft Shell Helmet: Manera S-Foam Helmet: $89.00
Best Surf Helmet For Bigger Days: Simba Sentinal S1 Helmet: $199.99
Surf Helmet Industry Insights and Updates
- At the tail end of 2024, Oakley made big waves in the industry with their launch of the highly anticipated WTR ICON. It’s been so popular that we struggle to keep it in stock.
- Gath currently has four helmets in its lineup. Each one is primarily designed for either in-the-water activities (such as surfing and bodyboarding) or on-the-water activities (such as kiteboarding, foiling, or SUPing). If needed, all the Gath helmets can be used for both types of activities.
- The Manera S-Foam is widely popular amongst the kiting community.
- The Gath Neo Hat is the only helmet in the lineup that doesn’t allow for custom fit.
Oakley WTR Icon Surf Helmet - $175.00
"Best Overall Surf Helmet"
Our Take: Quite frankly, the Oakley WTR Icon wins the contest in all categories, including “most comfortable,” “best lightweight,” “best fitting,” “best water and air exchange,” and, let’s be truthful, “best looking.” We all know that when we look good, we feel good, which leads to improved performance. 2024 saw a highly successful soft launch of the WTR, with more color options slated to drop in 2025. This helmet is so hot we can barely keep it in stock.
What makes it so great? Take the ingenuity of the Oakley engineers and design team plus the reputation as a high-performance outdoor sports company, and it’s no surprise that this is the hottest helmet on the market with pro surfers like Caity Simmers and Griffin Colapinto. The WTR is designed specifically for surfing with open ventilation that allows for instant air and water exchange (no parachute effect while duck diving), and ear protection, and is one of the lightest helmets on the market.
Fit: The Oakley 360 Fit System is a groundbreaking innovation in surf helmets, offering a secure and customized fit. Its 3-point adjustable yoke is designed to sit properly beneath the occipital lobe for optimal positioning. A rear dial allows for easy adjustments—simply turn it left or right to achieve the perfect fit. Additionally, the earpieces can be set at two different heights for enhanced personalization.
Primary Uses: Surfing, bodyboarding, and other in-the-water activities
Secondary Uses: Foiling, Kiteboarding, SUPing, and other on-the-water activities
Highlights: Drains water in less than 2 seconds, looks good, rated 4 stars at Virginia Tech Helmet Lab
Lowlights: Limited size range and colors
Gath Neo Hat Surf Helmet - $128.95
“Lightweight and streamlined, ideal for surfing and duck diving”
Our Take: The Gath Neo Hat Surf Helmet, sometimes known simply as the Gath Surf Helmet, is an update to Gath’s very first surf helmet, introduced in 1989. It is still a staple in lineups globally. As the name implies, this helmet is designed and built for surfing and other in-the-water activities, mainly due to its streamlined design and ability to move through the water with minimal resistance, especially while duck diving.
The Gath Neo Hat Surf Helmet can also be used for on-the-water activities like foiling, kiteboarding, SUPing, and more. The low-profile, lightweight, and minimalistic design provides the most head coverage, and the soft neoprene headband flexes to provide a good fit and keep water from flushing into your eyes after duck diving.
Fit: One notable point regarding the Gath Surf Helmet is its limited adjustability for fit compared to other Gath helmets equipped with the comfort strip system. If you find yourself falling between sizes on the Gath size chart, it may be best to consider the Gath EVA Hat Helmet for a more customizable fit. The Surf Helmet is also one of Gath’s smaller helmets, so if your measurements are at the higher end of the size chart, consider the Gath Surf Convertible or Gedi helmets.
Primary Uses: Surfing, bodyboarding, and other in-the-water activities
Secondary Uses: Foiling, Kiteboarding, SUPing, and other on-the-water activities
Highlights: Lightest and most streamlined full coverage helmet in the Gath line
Lowlights: No ability to customize fit
Gath EVA Hat Helmet - $169.00
“Like the Neo Hat, but more adjustable for fit”
Our Take: Formerly known as the Pro Surf, the Gath EVA Hat Helmet combines the minimal design of the Surf Helmet and adds a thicker EVA headband and customizable comfort strip system from the Surf Convertible Helmet. This results in the ultimate low-profile surf helmet, built for in-the-water activities like surfing but also suitable for on-the-water for foiling, kiteboarding, SUPing, and more.
Fit: If you’re not finding a comfortable fit with the Gath Neo Hat Surf Helmet but desire its lightweight and low-profile full-head coverage, the EVA Hat is a great option. Also, this helmet has a very round shape, which works well for people with wider rather than narrower head shapes. If the other helmets tend to squeeze the sides of your head, the EVA could be the perfect fit for you.
Primary Uses: Surfing, bodyboarding, and other in-the-water activities
Secondary Uses: Foiling, Kiteboarding, SUPing, and other on-the-water activities
Highlights: Same streamlined design as the Neo Hat Surf Helmet but with customizable fit
Lowlights: Solid sides can be uncomfortable for some head shapes
Gath Surf Convertible Helmet - $138.95
“Best-seller, most versatile, removable ear protection, and available in the smallest XS size”
Our Take: The Gath Surf Convertible Helmet, or Gath SFC, is the perfect helmet for those who do it all and want a helmet that can keep up. Due to its multisport versatility, the Surf Convertible is our best-selling helmet. This helmet has the option of removing the ear protectors for warm weather and is also EN 1385-approved for whitewater sports. If you’re surfing in the morning, kiteboarding in the afternoon, and then foiling in the evening and need one helmet to do it all, this is the model to consider.
Fit: If you’ve found the smallest size in other Gath Helmets to fit too large or your head measures under 540mm, the Surf Convertible in XS is the way to go. If you find the solid sides of the EVA and Neo uncomfortable, the flexible and removable ear protectors of the Surf Convertible provide a great alternative without compromising on safety and coverage.
We created our own size chart for the SFC, which we found to be more accurate than the chart provided by Gath. It was designed specifically for this helmet, which fits differently than other Gath helmets. If you are unsure about your size, please reach out to us, and we can assist you.
Primary Uses: Equally suited for on-the-water and in-the-water activities.
Highlights: Same streamlined design as the Neo Hat Surf Helmet but with customizable fit
Lowlights: Solid sides can be uncomfortable for some head shapes
Gath Gedi Convertible Helmet - $168.95
“Large size range, ability to add accessories, best for higher impact activities, and available in the largest 3XL size”
Our Take: The Gath Gedi Convertible Helmet is the ultimate helmet for on-the-water sports like foiling, kiteboarding, windsurfing, and white water activities. It offers all the benefits of the Surf Convertible Helmet, along with attachment options for adding visors, peaks, headlamps, and other accessories. The Gedi has increased padding to absorb larger impacts at higher speeds, making it perfect for use while jet skiing, waterskiing, or whitewater kayaking. This is also a helmet you see often with search and rescue personnel.
Fit: The Gath Gedi has the largest options for fit in the Gath lineup, so if you find other helmets fitting too tight or have a head measurement over 600mm, this will be a good option to consider.
Primary Uses: Kiteboarding, foiling, windsurfing, winging, wakeboarding, whitewater and other on-the-water activities.
Secondary Uses: Surfing, bodyboarding, and other in-the-water activities
Highlights: Customizable fit, ability to add a visor and other accessories, most suited for high-impact uses, largest XXXL size available. CE EN1385 Approved.
Lowlights: Bulkiest helmet in the lineup
Manera S-Foam Helmet - $89.00
“Lightweight and advanced Smart Foam construction”
Our Take: The main highlight of the Manera S-Foam Helmet is its Smart Foam construction. Smart Foam is a non-Newtonian fluid that is soft and flexible at rest but instantly becomes stiff when subjected to an impact. This material makes the S-Foam Helmet one of the most comfortable and lightest helmets we offer and suitable for both in-the-water activities like surfing or on-the-water activities like kiteboarding and foiling. The S-Foam Helmet is a full-coverage helmet, offering full protection for the back of the head and sides with its non-removable ear flaps. It is CE Certified under the CRITT SL PROTOCOL CSN—001: 2023.
Fit: Thanks to its single-piece 3D construction and soft material, the Manera S-Foam Helmet easily flexes to fit the unique shape of your head. The fit can be further customized with the adjustable rear velcro strap, and the adjustable chin strap keeps the helmet firmly on your head.
Primary Uses: Equally suited for on-the-water and in-the-water activities.
Highlights: Smart Foam construction makes the helmet fit a wide variety of head shapes and gives a helmet-free and lightweight feeling while riding.
Lowlights: Only available in one color: black.
SIMBA Sentinel S1 Helmet - $199.99
“Designed to glide through even the heaviest duck dives”
Our Take: The SIMBA Sentinel S1 Helmet is designed to blend high-level impact protection with optimum aquadynamic performance. This means that the Sentinel S1 will glide through the water like it isn’t even there, even through the most intense heavy water duck dives. After submersion, the helmet drains quickly via internal channels and also provides advanced ear protection to help avoid surfer’s ear and perforated eardrums.
Fit: The SIMBA Sentinel S1 features a customizable fit system called Halofit. Each helmet includes two sets of removable Halofit Pads, one 7mm thick and the other 9mm thick, that allow you to precisely shape the interior of the helmet to your head shape. Over a few sessions, the interior foam of the helmet will further mold to your head, resulting in a snug, comfortable fit. When selecting a size for the S1, if your head measurement is at the maximum of a size range or between sizes, we recommend bumping up to the next largest size.
Primary Uses: Surfing, bodyboarding, and other in-the-water activities.
Secondary Uses: Kiteboarding, foiling, windsurfing, winging, wakeboarding, and other on-the-water activities.
Highlights: Lightweight and designed to glide through the water like it isn’t even there.
Lowlights: Unique look that’s sure to draw attention in the lineup.
Surf Helmet Model Comparison
| Model | Weight | Shell Material | EVA Foam | Removable Ear Pieces | Custom Fit | Best Use |
| Oakley WTR ICON Helmet | 327-407 grams | ABS Plastic | No | No | Yes - 360 Fit System | Surfing, bodyboarding, and other in-the-water activities. |
| Gath Neo Hat Surf Helmet | 325-350 grams | Long-lasting, UV stable, high impact-resistant plastic. | No | No | No | Surfing, bodyboarding, and other in-the-water activities. |
| Gath EVA Hat Helmet | 325-350 grams | Long-lasting, UV stable, high impact-resistant plastic. | Yes | No | Yes - Comfort Strip System | Surfing, bodyboarding, and other in-the-water activities. |
| Gath Surf Convertible Helmet | 405-460 grams | Long-lasting, UV stable, high impact-resistant plastic. | Yes | Yes | Yes - Comfort Strip System | Equally suited for on-the-water and in-the-water activities. |
| Gath Gedi Convertible Helmet | 360-420 grams | Long-lasting, UV stable, high impact-resistant plastic. | No | Yes | Yes - Comfort Strip System | Kiteboarding, foiling, windsurfing, winging, wakeboarding, and other on-the-water activities. |
| Manera S-Foam Helmet | 230-264 grams | S-Foam | No | No | Yes - rear strap, 3D shell | Equally suited for on-the-water and in-the-water activities. |
| Simba Sentinel S1 Helmet | 372 grams | ABS Plastic | No | No | Yes - Halofit Pads | Surfing, bodyboarding, and other in-the-water activities. |
Finding The Right Fit
To be certain that you’re getting the most accurate head measurement, measure your head with a string several times. The measurements for these helmets are pretty exact, and to get the most accurate measurement, we find it’s best to measure, reset, and then measure again until the measurements come out exactly the same each try.
Oakley
The WTR Icon is the easiest to fit with the adjustable dial located on the back of the helmet. We recommend sizing up if you’re in between sizes since the fit is easily customizable. The helmet also features an adjustable strap, allowing you to dial in the fit even more.
Gath
More often than not, customers who are on the line between two sizes of Gath Helmets find the best fit with the larger-sized helmet or by ordering a 4.5mm-thick set of Gath Comfort Strips. If your head measures exceptionally small, the Gath Surf Convertible is available in the smallest XS size. If your head measures exceptionally large, the Gath Gedi is available in the largest XXXL size.
Manera
Similar to the WTR Icon, the S-Foam Helmet is one of the easiest to fit due to its adjustable strap at the back of the helmet, which is as easy to adjust as a baseball cap. This helmet also comfortably accommodates many different head shapes thanks to its three-dimensional smart foam construction molded from a single piece of material that entirely eliminates bulky and uncomfortable seams.
Simba
The Simba achieves a high degree of custom fit by including two different sets of Halofit™ Pads; a blue set of 7mm thick pads and a green set of 9mm thick pads. If the helmet feels loose, you simply add the Halofit Pads to dial in the fit. Start with the blue pads first and then move to the green pads until the helmet is comfortable but not easily moved forward or back.
Surf Helmet FAQ
How do I size a Gath helmet?
Please take note that measurements should be taken around the head – mid forehead, just above the ears. Once you have your head measurement, round up to the next helmet size as helmets do not contour to your head as well as a measuring tape does.
The correct fit is critical. The helmet needs to fit snugly around the head and ears, tight enough not to move around, yet still be comfortable. Have someone else measure around your head at forehead level using a cloth tape measure; a metal tape measure will not give an accurate measurement. In general, front-to-rear stability is more important than side-to-side.
What’s the best model for odd head shapes?
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Gath Gedi is best for larger head sizes.
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Gath Surf Convertible is best for small head sizes.
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Gath EVA Hat works well for people with wider rather than narrower head shapes.
Do the helmets have warranty programs?
Gath 3-year Warranty: Gath products are guaranteed to be free from defects in materials and workmanship for three years from the date of purchase, provided they are used as intended, and the care instructions are strictly followed. This warranty does not cover scratches to the Gath or the effects of overexposure to heat.
Simba 1-year Warranty: SIMBA Surf products are warrantied for one year from the date of purchase. This warranty applies solely to defective materials and workmanship, and all requests must be accompanied by the dated proof of purchase from an authorized dealer or the SIMBA web store. If a SIMBA product is proven defective, SIMBA will offer to replace the product at retail market value for no charge to you. Damages due to impact, negligence and/or general wear and tear are not covered by this warranty. Painting, or altering the helmet in any way voids the SIMBA warranty policy.
Oakley Limited Life-Time Warranty: Oakley helmets are guaranteed from defects in workmanship and manufacturer materials and has a limited life-time manufacturer’s warranty. This limited warranty is valid only to the original purchaser with a proof of purchase from an Authorized Oakley Dealer that clearly shows the purchase details. The Oakley warranty does not cover any defects due to improper use, improper repair, physical damage, neglect and improper fit.
What’s the best surf helmet for duck diving?
The Oakley WTR Icon, Gath Neo Hat, EVA Hat, and Simba S1 all provide a low profile for the heaviest duck dives.
Final Thoughts
As watersports continue to evolve, so does the need for high-quality protective gear—and surf helmets are leading the charge. No longer just for beginners, helmets have become a staple for surfers, kiteboarders, foilers, and beyond, offering crucial protection without compromising performance. When participating in surf and watersports activities, safety should always be a top priority. With all that we’ve learned about the risks of head injuries, especially while on the water, a suitable helmet has become an essential piece of gear for enthusiasts of all skill levels. Whether you're looking for the lightweight minimalism of the Gath Neo Hat, the high-speed durability of the Gath Gedi, or the cutting-edge innovation of the Oakley WTR Icon, there's a helmet designed to meet your needs.
With more brands entering the market, there's never been a better time to invest in a helmet that fits well, feels comfortable, and enhances your time on the water. If you're unsure which model is right for you, our detailed comparison table and sizing guide will help simplify your decision. It is always important to consider helmet coverage, construction, fit, and certifications when choosing the best watersports helmet for your chosen activity.
Whichever sport you choose, Cleanline is committed to helping you find the right helmet for the job. Fitting helmets can also be tricky, so be sure to reach out to us if you have any questions about helmet fit or features. At the end of the day, protecting your head is one of the smartest choices you can make—so why not do it with a helmet that offers top-tier performance and style? Stay safe, ride hard, and enjoy the waves!
