Head protection for wingfoiling and windsurfing: The perfect helmet for water sports enthusiasts - 19 models tested
Manuel Vogel
· 26.04.2026
These days, almost everyone wears a helmet on the world's ski slopes. What used to be considered uncool is now completely normal - perhaps also because there is nothing more uncool than a trip to hospital because of an accident. You also see more and more surfers wearing helmets on the water, especially since the advent of foils, many wingers and windsurfers feel safer with them. It's not just when handling the foil on land that there is a great risk of sustaining injuries, the material also moves differently in the event of a fall.
There is another reason why more and more windsurfers and wingfoilers are turning to helmets: With accurate wind forecasts and the proliferation of social media, water sports enthusiasts often focus on just a few spots. As a result, it can sometimes be like a sale on the water - the battle is fierce and the danger of overlooking a competitor is ever-present.
Balz Müller, the helmet pioneer
The fact that helmets are becoming increasingly popular is also due to the fact that more and more professionals are setting an example: helmets are mandatory in foil racing at many regattas, from the PWA to the Racer of the Sea. For Swiss wing and windsurfing pro Balz Müller, helmets are now part of the basic equipment: "When my two brothers and I were ten and practising windsurfing on the front loop, our dad had to pull us out of the water a few times in a daze because we hit the equipment. The message back then: helmet on or no surfing until you're 18! I found it humiliating at the time, but I've kept mine on ever since. My self-confidence has benefited and I can take more risks," explains Balz. Antoine Martin, fearless wave specialist, is also regularly seen wearing a helmet, as are up-and-coming star Sol Degrieck, freestyler Lias Kloster and many other big names.
The right helmet size for windsurfing and wingfoiling
First things first: modern helmets no longer have anything to do with the fully barred metal buckets of old. There are now numerous models that not only offer good protection, but are also lightweight and hardly absorb any water. The materials are becoming increasingly diverse, and there are now also soft models such as those from Ascan or helmets made of special Kevlar material such as those from Sjø. There are also virtually no limits when it comes to colours and shapes. In addition to the "real" helmets we tested, several brands also offer caps or bucket hats with an integrated protective shell.
As always, the right size is crucial: as every helmet has a certain adjustment range, we recommend choosing a size that still sits firmly on the head when adjusted to a small size. Then you have the option of wearing the helmet over the bonnet of the Neo when it is in the large position during the cold season.
Below you will find detailed descriptions of numerous helmet models on the market.
Test helmets: Click here for the results
Manuel Vogel
Editor surf
