Any help for me looking for the right helmet size?

[GarbanzoBop]

Hi, I want to get a new helmet that I will be confident in. I have been doing lessons for almost 2 years now at a hunter/jumper barn. I absolutely love the Charles owen Hampton helmet as I don’t really like the modern style of most helmets and would be perfect if I ever want to show. But since the helmet is NOT an adjustable helmet, and I want to use it for lessons, I need help. I have thick short hair that can not be put into a low ponytail. I also did measure my head and came to about 59cm. I was wondering if I could size up? Also I wanna mention again I am thinking about showing hunters, so I might not be able to put it in a net.
(My hair stops at about the beginning of my neck)
Any help would be appreciated!

Edit: sorry if this is the wrong section to put this question in, this is my first post.

[GreyDes]

Fair Hill Saddlery in Maryland did a fabulous job fitting me remotely. They carry Charles Owen, although I don’t know what models.

It might be worth a reach out if you don’t have a local tack store that carries what you’re looking for.

Fair Hill Saddlery

[GarbanzoBop]

Thank you!

[Jo]

Yes I was going to suggest Fair Hill as well! Exceptional customer service!

[Mouse_amp_Bay]

I absolutely adore my uvex helmets.

Not trendy, not fancy, good old fashioned German engineering and manufacturing. They come in both new ‘techy’ styles, as well as more traditional velvet styles. They are a dial fit helmet, like a bike helmet, but there is something about how their inner harness hugs and holds on that is extremely comfortable. No headaches, I can put hair in or out as I please. Also wonderful for hats, if it is cold I can easily slide a thin winter hat underneath.

I’m 59 as well, the M-L works great.

[IPEsq]

I can wear anything from 55-57 depending on the brand and shape. You may need to order a couple and return one. For CO, if you go with that brand, I would fit it pretty tight new. Not headache tight, but more snug than I’d do in another brand. The liners tend to break in a little more, and it will loosen some with wear. That said, I tend to wear a larger size in CO than some of the Italian brands, so I wouldn’t start by sizing down.

[JenEM]

Ditto the rec for Fair Hill. I’m in MD, so went in person and tried on so many different helmets with them, and different sizes. I do have to say that the sizing seems to have changed on the COs, at least the newer models, versus what I’d been in previously, Having someone professional who can help you with fit and sizing would likely be very helpful.

[Scribbler]

It’s not just your circumference, it’s also whether your head tends rounder or more oval. Some models fit round better, some oval better. I’m oval and currently have a MIPS Tipperary. Before that I had a Charles Owen AYR8, but the new CO MIPS helmets were totally redesigned and didn’t fit me as well.

[Madison]

@GarbanzoBop

I absolutely love the Charles owen Hampton helmet as I don’t really like the modern style of most helmets and would be perfect if I ever want to show.

Just FYI, in case it matters to you - you are not likely to see the CO Hampton or similar styles at hunter shows these days. That does not mean at all that you are not free to pick that one if you like it best, it’s personal preference, but if blending in matters to you, I just wanted to flag that it is likely to be an outlier in terms of style! I had a Hampton many many years ago and loved it, and I found that the Charles Owen AYR8 styles fit similarly and have multiple options on looks, removable liner, etc. if you want to explore other options. And you will have to take into account whether your head is oval or round, as others noted - I’m long oval and the AYR8 fits me better than anything, Samshields really don’t fit me at all, for example.

You definitely do have to fit the helmet to account for your hair, so a shop like Fair Hill will definitely be able to help you with that, or you can also try ordering some options from somewhere like SmartPak which has free shipping and returns on sized items.

[GarbanzoBop]

Thanks for the tip. Maybe I should consider a velvety helmet that is timeless like the Hampton, but doesn’t stick out too much

[JBCool]

@Scribbler

I had a Charles Owen AYR8, but the new CO MIPS helmets were totally redesigned and didn’t fit me as well.

This I loved my Hampton & Ayr8, but I tried a Kylo and it would never work. Unfortunately, OP, it is often trial and error.

[JenEM]

I think what the poster you’re replying to was saying is that the velvety type helmets really aren’t seen in the show ring much anymore. I know a couple of the sidesaddle ladies have them, but I think they use them just for that division as they look more traditional with our formal attire. But outside of that, I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen a velvet helmet at a show.

Ditto the comment on the Kylo fit–that was the helmet I thought I wanted when I went to Fair Hill to try them on, and hated how it fit my head. It really, really helps to be able to try a lot of helmets on, which sucks if you have to ship them back and forth, so a fitting, even a remote one, can be really helpful.

[JBCool]

Pretty sure I cried. DH was getting it for me for Christmas.

[JenEM]

Yeah, I was sad too, but it was my wallet that cried! I ended up spending twice as much on a Luna, mainly because I couldn’t justify spending four times as much on a Halo and they both fit perfectly. But those fit super, super small and I never would have ordered the right size without trying them on; I’ve been in a 7 1/8 helmet forever and ended up in their largest size!

[JBCool]

I must have ridden funny in Mom’s tummy bc my head is ridiculously long & narrow. I need like a 7 length and 6 3/4 width or something. Like @Scribbler, I ended up with a dial fit Tipperary but even that isn’t really quite narrow enough. I kind of just feel like there aren’t any that are.