I'm basically a flat water paddler but am extending my horizons to class II.
Maybe III some distant day in the future. III will be my limit. Any
suggestions on a suitable helmet for II?

Wayne T. Watson (Watson Adventures, Prop., Nevada City, CA)
(121.015 Deg. W, 39.262 Deg. N) GMT-8 hr std. time)
Obz Site: 39° 15' 7" N, 121° 2' 32" W, 2700 feet
--

"I have made a ceaseless effort not to ridicule, not to bewail,
not to scorn human actions, but to understand them."
-—Baruch Spinoza
Web Page: home.earthlink.net/~mtnviews

I find the Grateful Heads composite helmets quite satisfactory. I had
one of their early designs, and it protected me from some hard hits on
Class III to V rapids. When Grateful Heads came out with the Darth
Vader-looking designs I got one of those, because the projection at the
back will protect my upper spine from many (though certainly not all)
possible hits, whereas the typical helmet protects only the cranium.

Please don't let anyone tell you that "helmet X is good enough for
Class II," or something like that. Rocks on a Class II river are just
as hard as rocks on a Class V river. You need a helmet, and you need
the best helmet you can find.

-Richard, His Kanubic Travesty
--
================================================== ====================
Richard Hopley Winston-Salem, NC, USA
.. rhopley[at]earthlink[dot]net
.. Nothing really matters except Boats, Sex, and Rock'n'Roll
.. rhopley[at]wfubmc[dot]edu
.. OK, OK; computer programming for scientific research also matters
================================================== ====================


W. Watson wrote:
I'm basically a flat water paddler but am extending my horizons to class II.
Maybe III some distant day in the future. III will be my limit. Any
suggestions on a suitable helmet for II?

Wayne T. Watson (Watson Adventures, Prop., Nevada City, CA)
(121.015 Deg. W, 39.262 Deg. N) GMT-8 hr std. time)
Obz Site: 39° 15' 7" N, 121° 2' 32" W, 2700 feet
--

"I have made a ceaseless effort not to ridicule, not to bewail,
not to scorn human actions, but to understand them."
--Baruch Spinoza
Web Page: home.earthlink.net/~mtnviews

Well, this thread got a lot of good activity! I finally went to our local
paddle shop today, and asked them. The overwhelming helmet type carried by
them is made by Shredder. Any comments on them?

Oci-One Kanubi wrote:

I find the Grateful Heads composite helmets quite satisfactory. I had
one of their early designs, and it protected me from some hard hits on
Class III to V rapids. When Grateful Heads came out with the Darth
Vader-looking designs I got one of those, because the projection at the
back will protect my upper spine from many (though certainly not all)
possible hits, whereas the typical helmet protects only the cranium.

Please don't let anyone tell you that "helmet X is good enough for
Class II," or something like that. Rocks on a Class II river are just
as hard as rocks on a Class V river. You need a helmet, and you need
the best helmet you can find.

-Richard, His Kanubic Travesty
--
================================================== ====================
Richard Hopley Winston-Salem, NC, USA
. rhopley[at]earthlink[dot]net
. Nothing really matters except Boats, Sex, and Rock'n'Roll
. rhopley[at]wfubmc[dot]edu
. OK, OK; computer programming for scientific research also matters
================================================== ====================


W. Watson wrote:

I'm basically a flat water paddler but am extending my horizons to class II.
Maybe III some distant day in the future. III will be my limit. Any
suggestions on a suitable helmet for II?



Wayne T. Watson (Watson Adventures, Prop., Nevada City, CA)
(121.015 Deg. W, 39.262 Deg. N) GMT-8 hr std. time)
Obz Site: 39° 15' 7" N, 121° 2' 32" W, 2700 feet
--

"I have made a ceaseless effort not to ridicule, not to bewail,
not to scorn human actions, but to understand them."
-—Baruch Spinoza

Web Page: home.earthlink.net/~mtnviews

Overwhelming in what respect? Do you mean "overwhelmingly best
selling?"

-Richard, His Kanubic Travesty
--
================================================== ====================
Richard Hopley Winston-Salem, NC, USA
.. rhopley[at]earthlink[dot]net
.. Nothing really matters except Boats, Sex, and Rock'n'Roll
.. rhopley[at]wfubmc[dot]edu
.. OK, OK; computer programming for scientific research also matters
================================================== ====================


W. Watson wrote:
Well, this thread got a lot of good activity! I finally went to our local
paddle shop today, and asked them. The overwhelming helmet type carried by
them is made by Shredder. Any comments on them?

Oci-One Kanubi wrote:

I find the Grateful Heads composite helmets quite satisfactory. I had
one of their early designs, and it protected me from some hard hits on
Class III to V rapids. When Grateful Heads came out with the Darth
Vader-looking designs I got one of those, because the projection at the
back will protect my upper spine from many (though certainly not all)
possible hits, whereas the typical helmet protects only the cranium.

Please don't let anyone tell you that "helmet X is good enough for
Class II," or something like that. Rocks on a Class II river are just
as hard as rocks on a Class V river. You need a helmet, and you need
the best helmet you can find.

-Richard, His Kanubic Travesty
--
================================================== ====================
Richard Hopley Winston-Salem, NC, USA
. rhopley[at]earthlink[dot]net
. Nothing really matters except Boats, Sex, and Rock'n'Roll
. rhopley[at]wfubmc[dot]edu
. OK, OK; computer programming for scientific research also matters
================================================== ====================


W. Watson wrote:

I'm basically a flat water paddler but am extending my horizons to class II.
Maybe III some distant day in the future. III will be my limit. Any
suggestions on a suitable helmet for II?



Wayne T. Watson (Watson Adventures, Prop., Nevada City, CA)
(121.015 Deg. W, 39.262 Deg. N) GMT-8 hr std. time)
Obz Site: 39° 15' 7" N, 121° 2' 32" W, 2700 feet
--

"I have made a ceaseless effort not to ridicule, not to bewail,
not to scorn human actions, but to understand them."
--Baruch Spinoza

Web Page: home.earthlink.net/~mtnviews

Yes, that does require some clarification. It's certainly a bit of
hyperbole. They carry three lines, but 60% of the helmets on display are
shredder. However, according to the sales guy, it's the helment of choice
for him and the many people he kayaks with in the Sierra along Hwy 49 and
higher into the mountains. Anyway, what does the rest of the world think
about them? The name might be Shredder Ready.

Oci-One Kanubi wrote:

Overwhelming in what respect? Do you mean "overwhelmingly best
selling?"

-Richard, His Kanubic Travesty
--
================================================== ====================
Richard Hopley Winston-Salem, NC, USA
. rhopley[at]earthlink[dot]net
. Nothing really matters except Boats, Sex, and Rock'n'Roll
. rhopley[at]wfubmc[dot]edu
. OK, OK; computer programming for scientific research also matters
================================================== ====================


W. Watson wrote:

Well, this thread got a lot of good activity! I finally went to our local
paddle shop today, and asked them. The overwhelming helmet type carried by
them is made by Shredder. Any comments on them?

Oci-One Kanubi wrote:


I find the Grateful Heads composite helmets quite satisfactory. I had
one of their early designs, and it protected me from some hard hits on
Class III to V rapids. When Grateful Heads came out with the Darth
Vader-looking designs I got one of those, because the projection at the
back will protect my upper spine from many (though certainly not all)
possible hits, whereas the typical helmet protects only the cranium.

Please don't let anyone tell you that "helmet X is good enough for
Class II," or something like that. Rocks on a Class II river are just
as hard as rocks on a Class V river. You need a helmet, and you need
the best helmet you can find.

-Richard, His Kanubic Travesty
--
=============================================== =======================
Richard Hopley Winston-Salem, NC, USA
. rhopley[at]earthlink[dot]net
. Nothing really matters except Boats, Sex, and Rock'n'Roll
. rhopley[at]wfubmc[dot]edu
. OK, OK; computer programming for scientific research also matters
=============================================== =======================


W. Watson wrote:


I'm basically a flat water paddler but am extending my horizons to class II.
Maybe III some distant day in the future. III will be my limit. Any
suggestions on a suitable helmet for II?




Wayne T. Watson (Watson Adventures, Prop., Nevada City, CA)
(121.015 Deg. W, 39.262 Deg. N) GMT-8 hr std. time)
Obz Site: 39° 15' 7" N, 121° 2' 32" W, 2700 feet
--

"I have made a ceaseless effort not to ridicule, not to bewail,
not to scorn human actions, but to understand them."
-—Baruch Spinoza

Web Page: home.earthlink.net/~mtnviews

Shred Ready is a brand name.


"W. Watson" wrote in message
nk.net...
Yes, that does require some clarification. It's certainly a bit of
hyperbole. They carry three lines, but 60% of the helmets on display are
shredder. However, according to the sales guy, it's the helment of choice
for him and the many people he kayaks with in the Sierra along Hwy 49 and
higher into the mountains. Anyway, what does the rest of the world think
about them? The name might be Shredder Ready.

Oci-One Kanubi wrote:

Overwhelming in what respect? Do you mean "overwhelmingly best
selling?"

-Richard, His Kanubic Travesty
--
================================================== ====================
Richard Hopley Winston-Salem, NC, USA
. rhopley[at]earthlink[dot]net
. Nothing really matters except Boats, Sex, and Rock'n'Roll
. rhopley[at]wfubmc[dot]edu
. OK, OK; computer programming for scientific research also matters
================================================== ====================


W. Watson wrote:

Well, this thread got a lot of good activity! I finally went to our
local
paddle shop today, and asked them. The overwhelming helmet type carried
by
them is made by Shredder. Any comments on them?

Oci-One Kanubi wrote:


I find the Grateful Heads composite helmets quite satisfactory. I had
one of their early designs, and it protected me from some hard hits on
Class III to V rapids. When Grateful Heads came out with the Darth
Vader-looking designs I got one of those, because the projection at the
back will protect my upper spine from many (though certainly not all)
possible hits, whereas the typical helmet protects only the cranium.

Please don't let anyone tell you that "helmet X is good enough for
Class II," or something like that. Rocks on a Class II river are just
as hard as rocks on a Class V river. You need a helmet, and you need
the best helmet you can find.

-Richard, His Kanubic Travesty
--
=============================================== =======================
Richard Hopley Winston-Salem, NC, USA
. rhopley[at]earthlink[dot]net
. Nothing really matters except Boats, Sex, and Rock'n'Roll
. rhopley[at]wfubmc[dot]edu
. OK, OK; computer programming for scientific research also matters
=============================================== =======================


W. Watson wrote:


I'm basically a flat water paddler but am extending my horizons to
class II.
Maybe III some distant day in the future. III will be my limit. Any
suggestions on a suitable helmet for II?




Wayne T. Watson (Watson Adventures, Prop., Nevada City, CA)
(121.015 Deg. W, 39.262 Deg. N) GMT-8 hr std. time)
Obz Site: 39° 15' 7" N, 121° 2' 32" W, 2700 feet
--

"I have made a ceaseless effort not to ridicule, not to bewail,
not to scorn human actions, but to understand them."
-—Baruch Spinoza

Web Page: home.earthlink.net/~mtnviews

W. Watson wrote:

Well, this thread got a lot of good activity! I finally went to our local
paddle shop today, and asked them. The overwhelming helmet type carried by
them is made by Shredder. Any comments on them?

I don't have a horse in this race of plastic versus composite shell,
but rocks have hit my head hit many times, twice on the sides, so
I strongly recommend against any helmet without ear protection.
(Pictures of the Shred-Ready Shredder show top protection only.)

Bill Tuthill wrote:

W. Watson wrote:

Well, this thread got a lot of good activity! I finally went to our local
paddle shop today, and asked them. The overwhelming helmet type carried by
them is made by Shredder. Any comments on them?


I don't have a horse in this race of plastic versus composite shell,
but rocks have hit my head hit many times, twice on the sides, so
I strongly recommend against any helmet without ear protection.
(Pictures of the Shred-Ready Shredder show top protection only.)

Several of the Shred Ready helmets I looked at had ear protection.


Wayne T. Watson (Watson Adventures, Prop., Nevada City, CA)
(121.015 Deg. W, 39.262 Deg. N) GMT-8 hr std. time)
Obz Site: 39° 15' 7" N, 121° 2' 32" W, 2700 feet
--

"I have made a ceaseless effort not to ridicule, not to bewail,
not to scorn human actions, but to understand them."
-—Baruch Spinoza

Web Page: home.earthlink.net/~mtnviews

W. Watson wrote:
I'm basically a flat water paddler but am extending my horizons to class
II. Maybe III some distant day in the future. III will be my limit. Any
suggestions on a suitable helmet for II?

Wayne T. Watson (Watson Adventures, Prop., Nevada City, CA)
(121.015 Deg. W, 39.262 Deg. N) GMT-8 hr std. time)
Obz Site: 39° 15' 7" N, 121° 2' 32" W, 2700 feet

Wayne, some tips:

Pushing a rock out of the way with your head on class II/III can be just
as painful as doing that on class IV... Get a good helmet.

-Decide on how much you want to spend on a helmet. (If you have a 20
dollar head, get a 20 dollar helmet. :-) )
-Look at what is available for that price, and try the helmet on.
Look especially at the straps: Does the strap try to strangle you if you
move the helmet forwards or backwards? If you can move it forward over
your forehead so that it doesn't cover the back of your skull, or if you
can move it backwards far enough to expose your forehead, leave it
alone! Some of the newer helmets come with very nice adjustable straps
that feel like the helmet is glued to your head.

Mind you, some helmets come with some foam so that you can outfit the
inside to fit your head better. The better the helmet fits your head,
the less work you have on outfitting it!

A helmet without drainage holes will protect your head better (stiffness
of the shell) and keep your head warmer. Personally I hate those holes,
because they let cold water in and my body heat out, but I also enjoy
paddling when it's freezing. I guess that it's warmer where you live, so
see what works for you.

A helmet that is made of kevlar or some other composite material will
generally be stiffer, thereby spreading the force of the blow to your
head over a bigger area, and it will usually need (a lot) more force
before deforming. A plastic helmet is more likely to deform locally and
in that case it will pass the energy on the point of impact almost
directly to the skull below it.

A helmet that has a decent layer of foam inside will have more distance
between your skull and the rock and it might absorb more of the energy
of the impact (depending upon the kind of foam used).

A helmet shaped like a baseball cap might look very fashionable, but it
usually lacks adequate protection on the sides and back, as well as
adding a visor that will yank your head back if it hits on something.
For very little money you can add a flexible (velcro'd on) visor to
almost any helmet.

I've had five different helmets over the years, two Roemer, one Prijon
Corsica, a Shred Ready Full Mental Jacket and for the last five years or
so, I've used a Grateful Heads Dropzone helmet to which I added the
visor and a face guard.

Some pictures he http://kayaker.nl/tips.html#Helmets

HTH

--
Wilko van den Bergh wilkoa t)dse(d o tnl
Eindhoven The Netherlands Europe
---Look at the possibilities, don't worry about the limitations.---
http://kayaker.nl/

For the sake of offering an opposing view...

Wilko wrote:
-Decide on how much you want to spend on a helmet. (If you have a 20
dollar head, get a 20 dollar helmet. :-) )

This one is very popular to state, but I'm not convinced it has any value.
For many whitewater helmets, the high price goes to support nice paint and
hand-made, small production runs. That doesn't translate to added safety.

Motorcyclist Magazine had an interesting article on the subject recently.
http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/ge...helmet_review/
While the helmets they examined are not suitable for whitewater, some
of the same observations probably apply.

A helmet that is made of kevlar or some other composite material will
generally be stiffer, thereby spreading the force of the blow to your
head over a bigger area, and it will usually need (a lot) more force
before deforming. A plastic helmet is more likely to deform locally and
in that case it will pass the energy on the point of impact almost
directly to the skull below it.

Kevlar is a fiber with a high tensile strength and low stretch. That
doesn't mean it doesn't deform easily. The epoxy or plastic used is largely
responsible for the shape holding characteristics. As far as the suitability
of (pure) plastics or composites, the Motorcyclist article found that a
cheap (in price) plastic helmet outperformed (transferred less energy) the
composites they tested.