GUL WATER HELMETS 2025 PREVIEW
Retail Buyers Guide: Water Helmets 2025 Retail Buyer’s Guide
Brand: Gul
Interviewee: Sales Manager
A couple decade ago, helmets were a no-no in snowsports and cycling until they became a staple item of the riders’ kit. Do you foresee a similar growth for water helmets?
Absolutely within certain scenarios! I think a helmet will be mandatory for sailing schools to use for anybody learning and I believe loads of high performance dinghy classes are making them compulsory when competing, especially with so many boats foiling these days. Nacra 15 and 17, Waszp, Moths etc. From a ‘board sport’ point of view I think it’s essential for the IQ foil and the Formula Kite which are Olympic sports. I understand most 49er FX sailors wear them these days as well. Naturally, if Olympians are wearing helmets then it will filter down to all levels. Younger people will grow up with a helmet being a wardrobe staple for their watersport I think.
Helmet adoption in the youth/young adults segment is around 95% according to studies, whereas the older “OG” riders tend to reject the use of this protection, mainly for cultural/style reasons. So how are your targeting these two different age groups?
Our Evo helmet, like the rest of our range, looks great and offers fantastic value. The accessible price point and colour options (Black, Red, Yelolow and Blue) make it an obvious choice for schools because they can distinguish between sizes or between classes etc. Parents choose the Gul Evo for their children for the same reasons…great value. Older generations are definitely adopting the helmet without too much resistance. As the kit we’re all using gets faster and more extreme I think it’s totally acceptable to be seen taking personal safety seriously. The black option is clearly more popular for older riders. I wouldn’t say it’s about targeting too much. I think the culture is changing so we just need to make sure we are offering the right product.
Wakeboarding and – to a lesser extent – kiteboarding, are the two main demands for water helmets. What about the potential with surfing and foiling?
100% for foiling. I’m not sure about surfing on a big scale. I know some of the pro’s wear them when the break is on a reef and they’re important if you’re in a Wavegarden on a barrel setting but I don’t believe there is enough incident data on head injuries within surfing to force Surf Schools to use them.
Two designs are seen in the surf helmet category: hardshell or soft helmet. What is your position on the two respective designs?
Our sailing helmet is hardshell. No plans for a soft helmet at the moment.
Please take us through your water helmet range
At the moment we only offer one style but it’s available in 4 colours. The Red, Yellow and Blue are aimed at schools/centers and the black option looks slick for personal use.
Key Products:
The tried and tested Gul Evo Helmet has had an overhaul for 2025. Offering a fresh new look with new features while still offering reliable solid protection when you need it. The Evo helmet has been designed with Multi-sports in mind featuring e11even vents technology for optimal air flow across a variety of sports and seasons. The outer EVA shell paired with the cold pressed EVA foam liner ensures durable, long lasting protection.
C5BLBL:
C5BLBL
C5BKBK:
C5BKBK
C5RERE:
C5RERE
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