Are more expensive helmets worth it for schooling purposes?

[trubandloki]

Buy what fits you best. (That is clearly certified and all that. I also like the new MIPS technology.) Past that it just matters what name, color, sparkle, stuff you are willing to pay extra for. If the cheapest fits the way you like then go with that. Ignore the sales person who tries to make you feel guilty for not being willing to spend more (and yes they exist, I have personally experienced it - “You are not willing to spend more to protect your own head?”).

Add me to the group that does not have a schooling helmet and a showing helmet.

[Xctrygirl]

I have schooling helmets and showing helmets. They’re all Trauma Void helmets with MIPS.

Some are not sparkly and microfiber (Since that won’t be as happy in the downpours that I ride in sometimes) but all of them are able to be shown in. I don’t wear a Non-Mips helmet ever. But I do save the “fancier” ones for the show ring. (In this case that’s pretty much the microfiber models with glitter)

Em

[amb]

I’m pretty sure that once of the few things that the studies in the field agree on is that helmets that don’t fit well don’t protect well.

Past that, I think the question becomes “which helmets only meet standards and which ones protect better than that?”

The UK ENHAP study in 2003 evaluated a ton of helmets, but the results were pulled because the industry hated it. (I can’t find the actual study now, but there are plenty of writeups.) There is a 2008 ENHAP study of polo helmets available. (“Evaluation of polo helmets using the ENHAP testing and assessment protocols” from the UK Transport Research Laboratory.)

More recently, Folksam has qualitatively tested a smaller set of riding helmets in 2014 and 2018. The set of helmets covered is small (only what’s commonly available in Sweden); summarized results are here: http://mediaarkivet.nu/Sites/A/Folksam+Mediaarkiv/4168

To quote the final paragraph:

In total three helmets obtained the Folksam best in test or good choice label: Back on Track EQ3 Lynx, Back on Track EQ3 and Charles Owen Ayr8. The helmet Back on Track EQ3 Lynx performed best and was 30% better than the average helmet.

Personally, I wear CO because they fit me the best, but I get some small warm fuzzy feelings from the test results too. (I am waiting for a MIPS helmet that fits me!)

[Xctrygirl]

@amb

(I am waiting for a MIPS helmet that fits me!)

There are now 5 brands (not including the one Polo Helmet company) that make MIPS helmets.

More are expected and OneK reps have been VERY clear that if you want to see more options, models, colors, materials in MIPS options, LET THEM KNOW!! Same for Tipperary.

Right now all the MIPS options are:

Trauma Void - “Lynx” and “Eq3” Models

Charles Owen- "MyPS (with Brim choices) and The MS1 (Skull cap)

Champion - Revolve line - “Vent Air,” “X-Air,” “Vent Air Skull cap” and “X-Air Skull Cap”

Tipperary - Windsor Line - Windsor helmets with color choices

OneK - CCS helmet with interchangable color pieces that work in the helmet coming soon as well.

Em

[touchstone]

@Xctrygirl

There are now 5 brands (not including the one Polo Helmet company) that make MIPS helmets.

More are expected and OneK reps have been VERY clear that if you want to see more options, models, colors, materials in MIPS options, LET THEM KNOW!! Same for Tipperary.

I’d love to see a onek MIPS hat with the Avance brim, since you’re asking.

I do wish we had better information about comparative safety of these helmets. I sort of operate on the assumption that everything approved is good enough, but I know that’s not totally true. I’ve certainly had enough falls and no concussions since the ASTM/SEI helmets became the norm. But I know a lot of that is luck.

Given what we know now, I am very happy with my OneK helmet. The price is reasonable, and the replacement policy is excellent. I also like the fit, look, and replaceable liners. My next one will be a MIPS model for sure. But I probably would consider a different brand if I really knew there were meaningful safety differences.

I think price actually is something of a safety consideration. One thing I like about having a mid-priced helmet with a good replacement policy is that I never hesitate to replace it when I fall. I know a lot of people with $500 helmets saying things like “I didn’t land on my head,” to avoid replacement costs. And we do know that these are single-use devices. So, OP, if you’re the kind of person who views a $50 helmet as disposable and a $300 helmet as precious, a cheaper schooling helmet might be just the ticket.

[Xctrygirl]

@amb

(I am waiting for a MIPS helmet that fits me!)

There are now 5 brands (not including the one Polo Helmet company) that make MIPS helmets.

More are expected and OneK reps have been VERY clear that if you want to see more options, models, colors, materials in MIPS options, LET THEM KNOW!! Same for Tipperary.

Right now all the MIPS options are:

Trauma Void - “Lynx” and “Eq3” Models

Charles Owen- "MyPS (with Brim choices) and The MS1 (Skull cap)

Champion - Revolve line - “Vent Air,” “X-Air,” “Vent Air Skull cap” and “X-Air Skull Cap”

Tipperary - Windsor Line - Windsor helmets with color choices

OneK - CCS helmet with interchangable color pieces that work in the helmet coming soon as well.

Em

[joiedevie99]

I’ve had bad luck. Rationally, I know MIPS is better and it was likely the falls that were different, but the only two falls I’ve taken that resulted in concussions were in my MIPS helmets.

I replaced the last one with a third MIPS helmet, but I don’t find myself reaching for it. Maybe the fit/comfort isn’t perfect, or maybe it’s the stupid/superstitious side of my brain weighing in.

Right now I’m schooling in an Uvex Perfexxion II which is the most comfortable helmet ever. My show helmets match my coats, and are CO AYR8s and a OneK.

[SonnysMom]

In the beginning of June my horse did a nasty spook, dropped his shoulder and spun me off. Whiplashed the back of my head into the stonedust path. Cracked the helmet. It was an Ovation Schooling helmet. Mild whiplash, no concussion. Funny thing was I already owned a TV EQ3 but decided to use the Ovation as it is cooler. I now own 2 EQ3s. The Ovation did its job.
Funny thing in that I argued with a store employee that Ovations should not be used for adults and should only be used for children. She didn’t care to hear about it passing testing. I sometime feel like going to her management and telling them about her spreading misinformation and showing them that my Ovation did just fine protecting my adult head. She was clearly trying to upsell the poor beginner adult. The customer asked me what I wore which at the time was 2 Ovation helmets. Nothing like a store employee basically telling me I was stupid for wearing them. Because I have a small head I actually wear a child sized bike helmet. I can fit the toddler sized bike helmet but didn’t want to wear Dora or Sponge Bob.

[Pennywell_Bay]

[QUOTE=SonnysMom;n10740478]In the beginning of June my horse did a nasty spook, dropped his shoulder and spun me off. Whiplashed the back of my head into the stonedust path. Cracked the helmet. It was an Ovation Schooling helmet. Mild whiplash, no concussion. Funny thing was I already owned a TV EQ3 but decided to use the Ovation as it is cooler. I now own 2 EQ3s. The Ovation did its job.
Funny thing in that I argued with a store employee that Ovations should not be used for adults and should only be used for children. She didn’t care to hear about it passing testing. I sometime feel like going to her management and telling them about her spreading misinformation and showing them that my Ovation did just fine protecting my adult head. She was clearly trying to upsell the poor beginner adult. The customer asked me what I wore which at the time was 2 Ovation helmets. Nothing like a store employee basically telling me I was stupid for wearing them. Because I have a small head I actually wear a child sized bike helmet. I can fit the toddler sized bike helmet but didn’t want to wear Dora or Sponge Bob.

*thinks of Beetlejuice and his tiny head…can’t stop laughing…"

Glad you are ok. Your head size story though makes me laugh (I have a giant tomato head so I am NOT making fun)

[IMG2=JSON]{“data-align”:“none”,“data-size”:“full”,“src”:“https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/beetlejuice/images/e/ee/Screen-Shot-2018-03-30-at-11.18.38-AM-1.png/revision/latest/top-crop/width/300/height/300?cb=20190724185034”}[/IMG2]

[Xctrygirl]

@joiedevie99

I’ve had bad luck. Rationally, I know MIPS is better and it was likely the falls that were different, but the only two falls I’ve taken that resulted in concussions were in my MIPS helmets.

I replaced the last one with a third MIPS helmet, but I don’t find myself reaching for it. Maybe the fit/comfort isn’t perfect, or maybe it’s the stupid/superstitious side of my brain weighing in.

Right now I’m schooling in an Uvex Perfexxion II which is the most comfortable helmet ever. My show helmets match my coats, and are CO AYR8s and a OneK.

Try the OneK Mips. It’s fits exactly the same as it’s non Mips counterparts. Something that has not been 100% uniform in all MIPS brands with non-Mips helmets as well.

Em

[SonnysMom]

[quote="“Pennywell Bay,post:29,topic:472211”]

@SonnysMom

In the beginning of June my horse did a nasty spook, dropped his shoulder and spun me off. Whiplashed the back of my head into the stonedust path. Cracked the helmet. It was an Ovation Schooling helmet. Mild whiplash, no concussion. Funny thing was I already owned a TV EQ3 but decided to use the Ovation as it is cooler. I now own 2 EQ3s. The Ovation did its job.
Funny thing in that I argued with a store employee that Ovations should not be used for adults and should only be used for children. She didn’t care to hear about it passing testing. I sometime feel like going to her management and telling them about her spreading misinformation and showing them that my Ovation did just fine protecting my adult head. She was clearly trying to upsell the poor beginner adult. The customer asked me what I wore which at the time was 2 Ovation helmets. Nothing like a store employee basically telling me I was stupid for wearing them. Because I have a small head I actually wear a child sized bike helmet. I can fit the toddler sized bike helmet but didn’t want to wear Dora or Sponge Bob.

*thinks of Beetlejuice and his tiny head…can’t stop laughing…"

Glad you are ok. Your head size story though makes me laugh (I have a giant tomato head so I am NOT making fun)

[IMG2=JSON]{“data-align”:“none”,“data-size”:“full”,“src”:“https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/beetlejuice/images/e/ee/Screen-Shot-2018-03-30-at-11.18.38-AM-1.png/revision/latest/top-crop/width/300/height/300?cb=20190724185034”}[/IMG2]

LOL. I remember that scene.

[four2farm]

The Folksam test was what led me to to try the TV Lynx and the CO Myps. I was shocked that after being a CO wearer for so long, the TV Lynx was so much more comfortable.

I had my bell rung pretty bad in 2014, caved in a CO Ayr8. Along with the other injuries, it was by far the worse head injury I had sustained in my 40 years of riding and did it in the technologically best helmet I had ever worn up to that time. Contracou (hope I am spelling it right)Concussions are no fun and I am not willing to go through another one.

Let’s hope that I never try out the Mips in the Lynx. No my Lynx is not as pretty as my Fian, but being the best in the study was enough to make drive to the tack shop. The reasonable price and extreme comfort where just a nice surprise.

[Mac123]

To me, the OneK (which is what I ride in) is the affordable option compared to Samshield, Antares, GPA, etc. I’ve never been a Troxel or Ovation helmet person, but I’m sure the step up from those to a $200-$300 helmet feels like a lot.

I just ordered the OneK MIPS thanks to @Xctrygirl and am of the opinion that it’s your HEAD. Not worth messing with. For me, the OneK is super comfortable and fits well, is affordable, and I’m thrilled they have a MIPS option. However, if I remember correctly, the Trauma Voids are in a similar price point and the Charles Owens have some great options too that aren’t $500-$1000 (which is the price point I can’t justify unless it conclusively has superior safety aspects not found in other helmets).

All that to say…buy something that fits and is comfortable (so you wear it every ride) and invest in the safer technology (MIPS and CO have data on providing additional protection). $300 over 5 years is $60/year. If you ride just five times a month, that’s $1/ride.

[Scribbler]

Ah, here’s a question.

”‹”‹”‹”‹”‹”‹Charles Owen seems to rank higher than OneK in these independent safety tests. Will that advantage still hold in both their MIPS versions?

I have had two Charles Owens (AYR 8 and AYRbrush), but when I tried on a OneK Defender it was significantly more comfortable on me. This was pre MIPS. At some point I will be helmet shopping again. Is a dilemma. Of course I’ll need to see how CO and OneK still feel as MIPS.

[theinstigator]

It’s already been said, but yes, paying a little more for MIPS is worth it. Otherwise? Eh. Get what FITS.

I ordered the CO MyPS and TV Lynx on helmet awareness day to try from SP, as I need to replace my CO AYR8 after five years. I have been wearing CO helmets as long as I remember. I wanted to try the OneK MIPS but my size was sold out, and there are no tack stores nearby.

I ended up sending back the CO MyPS. It wasn’t the right shape for my head and was uncomfortable. The TV is SO COMFORTABLE, lightweight, and I actually like the dial system. I don’t love the look on me (I feel I look a little like Dark Helmet on Spaceballs), but for the price point and with MIPS? Sold.

[Lucassb]

It’s worth remembering that while our helmets have to meet the specified safety standard - it is a MINIMUM standard; until additional testing/publication is done, there is no way to know the relative safety of one helmet vs another.

I personally hate wearing anything on my head, but I value my brain so I do it anyway. For that reason I am willing to spend more on my schooling helmets (OneKs) because the color and bling and so on makes me happier about wearing one. That doesn’t mean it’s necessary, but there is nothing wrong with it either.

[NeedsAdvil]

@amb

I’m pretty sure that once of the few things that the studies in the field agree on is that helmets that don’t fit well don’t protect well.

Past that, I think the question becomes “which helmets only meet standards and which ones protect better than that?”

The UK ENHAP study in 2003 evaluated a ton of helmets, but the results were pulled because the industry hated it. (I can’t find the actual study now, but there are plenty of writeups.) There is a 2008 ENHAP study of polo helmets available. (“Evaluation of polo helmets using the ENHAP testing and assessment protocols” from the UK Transport Research Laboratory.)

More recently, Folksam has qualitatively tested a smaller set of riding helmets in 2014 and 2018. The set of helmets covered is small (only what’s commonly available in Sweden); summarized results are here: http://mediaarkivet.nu/Sites/A/Folksam+Mediaarkiv/4168

To quote the final paragraph:

Personally, I wear CO because they fit me the best, but I get some small warm fuzzy feelings from the test results too. (I am waiting for a MIPS helmet that fits me!)

I ride in a Lynx, and it’s super comfortable and I’m really glad to hear it’s also very protective!

[Renn_aissance]

@SonnysMom

In the beginning of June my horse did a nasty spook, dropped his shoulder and spun me off. Whiplashed the back of my head into the stonedust path. Cracked the helmet. It was an Ovation Schooling helmet. Mild whiplash, no concussion. Funny thing was I already owned a TV EQ3 but decided to use the Ovation as it is cooler. I now own 2 EQ3s. The Ovation did its job.
Funny thing in that I argued with a store employee that Ovations should not be used for adults and should only be used for children. She didn’t care to hear about it passing testing. I sometime feel like going to her management and telling them about her spreading misinformation and showing them that my Ovation did just fine protecting my adult head. She was clearly trying to upsell the poor beginner adult. The customer asked me what I wore which at the time was 2 Ovation helmets. Nothing like a store employee basically telling me I was stupid for wearing them.

My mother also wears the Ovation Schooler helmet- several of the adult lesson students at our barn do. It seems to do a good job for a variety of head shapes and I know the dial fit has been useful for people whose heads are smaller, like yours. I wish you had gone to management, “it is for children” is nonsense. “It is for people whose head it fits.”

Before that she rode in an old velvet-covered IRH which I removed from her hands once I realized it was 15 years old :eek: “You are not allowed back on my horse so long as you are wearing that helmet!”

[gottagrey]

I think it’s wiser to budget for a higher quality helmet for schooling than for showing since most of us school/ride more often than show. However, there are some name brand helmets that sell for $500+ and who knows if their safety standards are any higher than other helmets that are in the $150+ range? I have a Trauma Void MIPS that was $250 which fit and looked better than the OneK . Fortunately there are a lot of choices out there so find the one that meets or exceeds safety standards and doesn’t kill your budget or if you have an unlimited budget go for it. The main thing is safety

[GoodTimes]

I’ve always schooled in the same helmet that I showed in. Like others have said, I spend more time on a horse schooling than showing. And ya, I’d like to look good while also being safe all of the time.

I just replaced my One K with the Tipperary Windsor. The One K fit better than my previous CO, and it turns out that the Windsor fits even better. Now that MIPS is available I wouldn’t buy a helmet without it.