WAKA Bump Hat

Lose the bulk, keep the protection

Most of us came to foiling in helmets. They do the job, but they're bulky, they run hot, and they dull the sound of the wind and water you're reading. The first session in a bump hat feels like freedom. It's super light, really comfortable and easy to forget you're wearing, until the board comes back at you. Then you're glad it's there: EN 812 certified bump protection, with 6 mm of shock-absorbing foam around a hard inner shell.

Sun out of your eyes

A stiff brim runs all the way round, with a dark underside to cut the glare off the water. You get shade for your ears and the back of your neck, and UPF 50+ fabric, on the long sessions, the ones where you lose track of time. Vents keep the air moving when the sun's out.

Made with Vaikobi, for WAKA

We love what the Vaikobi crew are doing in ocean gear, so we worked with them on a WAKA version of their newest bump hat. Ours adds removable inner ear covers for cooler days, a stronger snap buckle on a slimmer strap, and (we think) the best colours they've made: black, with an orange under-brim, white WAKA lettering and a moulded waka.surf tab.

The details

• EN 812 certified bump protection
• Hard inner shell with 6 mm shock-absorbing foam
• Cordura outer, UPF 50+ sun protection
• Stiff 360° brim with a dark underside
• Vented for airflow
• Removable inner ear covers
• Snap-buckle chin strap, 20 mm webbing
• S/M fits 52–57 cm, L/XL fits 58–62 cm; between sizes, go down one
• 210 g (S/M), 240 g (L/XL)

Rinse in fresh water after every session and dry it out of the sun.

A bump hat protects against minor knocks. It isn't a helmet.