[img]images/artgall/907/norm/MjAwODA5MjZfNDIzNzE0ODk5OTc4Nzc=.jpg[/img]Gallery Photo: Sweet - Kanumesse 2008 (pic 4599)

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I wish Sweet would make their helmets with the 'carbon-weave' look again, like mine. I've spoken to plenty of people and they all agree. The plain colours are cool, but just not the same. The older ones just looked even more beautiful catching the sun..

Just out of interest, I'd like to hear what other people have to say. Do you vote for the 'weave' look again?

Can you post a pic of the old Sweet helmets that you were talking about? I have a SR Super Scrappy with the carbon fiber look, so there are still other options. It is called Carbon Black, but mine is not nearly as shiny as in the picture.

I had an original strutter plain carbon, and def prefer them to the newer versions, but as they have changed the way they are made I don't think they can produce them with this finish Hopefully they will re release their carbon weave helmets

cjcc, they were made out of real carbon not a plastic helmet with a naff looking finish

Is this the helmet that you are referring to? www.kayaks.com.au/bksweet_strutter.html . At the bottom of the page, there is a carbon black look, but for some reason I can't edit the pic.

Yes they are made with real carbon, as Chris pointed out. Any more votes/comments? Wish they would come back... As in the photo of me below:

i have the super scrappy and it looks fantastic but i want a sweet and im a big fan of carbon fibre. with the new strutters you cant buy them without graffics on them and i dont like the graffics. the other option is a pradator carbon weave but they dont fit as well. they should definatly bring back the carbon weave look.

I was on to sweet a while ago about a helmet and they mentioned they were bringing out new colours in april 09 so if your buying one wait till then. I was just too impatient. I agree though the carbon weave is nicer i'd prefer it to my own pearl white
For the girls though they are bringing out a luminous pink one!!!!!!
Im sure if someone mentioned to sweet what a high seller more of the weave ones would be they would considerate as they are a normal business striving for success.

I have the LE strutter and love it
but I do agree the carbon weave was classic...

On a side note:
The Predator Lee is a full on POS! I didnt realize how bad it is until I picked up my strutter... I hit plenty rocks in the lee and I knew it, one day I had a splitting headache because of one hit (my neck hurt too)... last weekend I was running the Cheoah river here in NC, I capsized and ended up running a nasty pourover upside down (one of those "this is going to suck" moments), took 2 hard hits to my dome, hard enough I planted my face on my cockpit rim... All I felt was teh motion but my head was completely intact, just heard the hits, didnt feel a thing!!! Had I hbeen wearing the lee Im convinced best case I would have had to hike out.

Another problem with the Lee was it rolled back exposing my forehead, I put the shred ready HOG system on it but it really didnt help, a strong hole will still rip the lid back... Been in some pretty powerful holes with my strutter and it never shifted

After this experience I cant stress the importance of simply sucking it up and getting a "good" helmet. Unconcious and upside down is no way to run a river:laugh:

Props to sweet protection... looks like after I get some more cash Im picking up the Rocker full face... Im convinced!!!!

Same problem with the Lee falling off in a Hole. (Despite gluing mountains of foam inside) This was exactly the feedback I needed to get a strutter. Thanks!

Adrian I agree 100% with you.

My old strutter was much cooler with the carbon look. I find the new colours and that rubberised finish a bit too trendy. Given the choice I would have bought the old version for sure.

Stu

Weave or no weave, does not matter. What matters is fit and I have yet to find a white water helmet that fits well. Well maybe they just not available in SA. Over here the Predator Lee seems ot be the best option but its shyte. Fit is awefull and the foam is too hard. I think my Bell MTB helmet is better. In fact I thinkI will purchase a Bell open face Down hil helmet for WW. Fit and function is way superior to anyWW helmet i've tried.

The problem with bicycle helmets is that they're not designed for multiple impacts...

If Sweet helmets dont fit you, Id recommend either Shred Ready or WRSI... Sweet did release a plastic helmet this year but I dont personally care for it...

Stick with the reputable companies and you wont get burned...

Its your head, its worth the extra $

I'm guessing they are doing it to save money. Carbon has gone up a lot in price in the last few years. If you look at any of the new strutters they are using glass in favor of carbon everywhere on the helmet except for the underside of the bill. I think the paint also allows them to get way with a more sloppy layup and don't have blems due to an imperfect weave. I still find they fit my head better than any other helmets I have tried.

Laddie wrote:

The problem with bicycle helmets is that they're not designed for multiple impacts...

If Sweet helmets dont fit you, Id recommend either Shred Ready or WRSI... Sweet did release a plastic helmet this year but I dont personally care for it...

Stick with the reputable companies and you wont get burned...

Its your head, its worth the extra $

exactly,it's my head and I don't see any kayaking helmets that meet similar impact stds to bicycle helmets.

Bicycle helmets can take more than 1 impact. However if an impact permanently deforms the polystyrene foam than you have to bin it. It takes quite a hard knock to achieve permanent deformation. even if
Kayaking helmets use a hard neoprene foam for the impact absorbing. This often leaves one with a headache even after a relatively mild bump. That and the poor fitting leaves a big question mark over recommending these for kayaking use.

Also the peaks on some of the kayaking helmets tends to pull the helmet backward, exposing your forehead or tips it forward, exposing your neck.