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Watersports helmetThe Olaian surf helmet from Decathlon put to the test

Stephan Gölnitz

 · 11.12.2025

The Decathon surf helmet feels more like a hard hat
Photo: Stephan Gölnitz

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A softshell helmet for good wearing comfort with sufficient protection: the affordable surf helmet from Decathlon proves to be a good alternative to classic water sports helmets.

The mast, board, foil and fin are probably the most dangerous impact points for the head. Unlike skating, biking or canoeing, however, a surf helmet hardly needs to protect against impact with concrete or rocks. The Surf helmet from Decathlon For this purpose, the foam is made of flexible polyurethane (does not absorb water) about 10 millimetres thick without a hard outer shell. The foam yields under slow pressure, but hardly at all under impact. This should provide good protection against cuts and lacerations.

The helmet reaches far down the back of the head and the ears are also covered. Holes above the ears ensure better hearing, but sometimes also a slight background noise. The small sunshade does not impair the field of vision. The Olaian surf helmet feels more like an armoured cap than a classic helmet. However, there is no fluffy lining and no soft inner panelling.

The softshell helmet weighs just 347 grams and is available in four sizes, which can be finely adjusted using a strap. The chin strap is partially padded and offers a large adjustment range.

This relatively lightweight head protection is available in yellow, light blue or black for just 29.99 euros >> available at Decathlon.

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Stephan Gölnitz

Stephan Gölnitz

Deputy Editor in Chief surf

Stephan Gölnitz comes from Bochum and had Holland as his home windsurfing territory for many years before moving to Munich in 1996 for the job of test editor at surf magazine. The materials engineering graduate worked as a surf instructor on the Ijsselmeer during his studies and competed for several seasons for the Essen sailing team in the Surfbundesliga and the Funboard Cup. He completed a traineeship at surf-Magazin in the test department and since then has actively accompanied almost all tests on the boom and for more than 10 years also as a photographer. Stephan has covered many thousands of test kilometers, mainly on Lake Garda and in Langebaan, but also in Egypt and Tobago. He gets his hands on over 100 new sails and boards every year as his company car. Privately, he prefers to surf with a foil on Lake Walchensee or “unfortunately far too rarely” in the waves. SUP is Stephan's second passion, which he pursued for several years at numerous SUP races. Today, he prefers to paddle on river tours with family or friends - even for several days.

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