Rock Hedz Helmets

[Sir Adam]

Rock Hedz Helmets
by Dave Dave

I am considering a Rock Hedz Roaster helmet. Are they any good? Comments good or bad appreciated. Thanks.

Posted on Sep 28, 2002, 9:44 AM

Water Weapon looks like it might be functional ... (long)
by C1Deli

I recently became obsessed with helmet design, having taken a good hard look at my old protec and deciding that it was pretty useless.

This article is a decent introduction:

http://www.paddlermagazine.com/issues/2 ... _123.shtml

But having done a lot more reading, and looking at standards and design of motorbike, bicycle and military helmets (including bomb disposal!) I concluded that any helmet worth wearing on whitewater -- especially if you are a C1er who capsizes a lot (hey, don't we all! ) - should have these characteristics:

My standard:


Kevlar/vinylester or carbon/kevlar composite shell, at least 3mm preferably 5-9 mm thick

15 mm stiff foam liner -- this is what absorbs the impact so must not be too soft -- it you can push your finger through to the shell then it is way too soft. Should be very firm, and EPP (expanded polyprop) or minicel.

Ear coverage -- don't want'em ripped off, after all. I like my ears the way they are.

3 or four way straps

Straps joined to helmet are widely spaced and prevent slipping helmet -- vital to keep your hat on, and not slipped so exposing eg. forehead to rocks.

Bright colour -- natural carbon or black or white-helmeted swimmers are nigh on invisible ...

Faceguard -- paddlers actually incur more face injuries than they do head injuries ...

No drain holes -- not ideal as they can weaken the shell a little and are not needed in a properly-fitting helmet.

Liner foam comes right down to edge of helmet as that's where many of the hits are taken.

A 'double d' ring (like on motorcycle helmets) for strap joining is the most reliable fastener -- but nobody makes whitewater helmets with these, so would need to be a user mod.

... that's about it!

So as you can see, most helmets on the market do not meet my standard!

Ones that come the closest:

Prijon: Protector (if user paints it a bright colour)
Lidds: Nato
Rock Hedz: Water Weapon
Shred Ready: Full Mental Jacket

When you finally have it padded out, it should not be possible to wiggle it around on your head at all.

/hope that helps
/edwin



Posted on Sep 30, 2002, 11:12 AM

edwin -> great post, tons of info (nt)
by Brian

Posted on Sep 30, 2002, 1:21 PM

Possible addition to your list
by Sir Adam

Greetings...


Ever check out the old "Resin Heads" helmets? Used to be made by two fellows working in a trailer on the New Wave "factory" grounds. PS Composites has the molds now, and makes helmets...I bought mine for a lot of the features you mention (though I've never measured the thicknesses):
Full coverage Kevlar
4-way strap
Minicell lined
Protects temple and ears well
Cool custom graphics:)

If you check out CBoats.net you'll see me wearing the helmet..if memory serves me correctly the best views are on the Oxygen, Groove, and Cascade pages.

C-ya!
Sir Adam

Posted on Sep 30, 2002, 5:25 PM

Yup, I heard about PS Composites helmets ...
by C1Deli

but never tracked them down ... they have pics at:

http://www.customkayak.com/html/accessories.html

Thanks for the tip! I will add them to the list ...

/edwin

Posted on Oct 1, 2002, 1:07 AM

Seda?
by Scott B.

I have a Seda composite helmet, I'm not sure if the "polyethylene foam" liner is up to snuff, but I had replaced it with a minicell liner after a while anyway. It's hard to know what would have happened, but it has absorbed a few blows that I think my old Protec would not have handled so wel...

http://www.sedakayak.com/access.htm

My primary helmet now is a Lidds Nato - I'm very happy with it.

Scott

Posted on Oct 1, 2002, 3:59 AM

so, uh, i guess my Ace isn't any good?
by jimg

Oops, no wonder I am like I am, too many hits on an Ace helmet!

Posted on Sep 30, 2002, 7:12 PM