Champion or Tipperary Helmet 2023

[eclectic]

I recently heard someone’s review of the Tipperary Windsor helmet which now has MIPS. Sounds like it fits any shape head so I thought OK I’ll just get that one.

Then read a 2021 review of the safest helmets by Virginia Tech and they placed Champion Revolution helmet at #1. Looked up this helmet and in addition to MIPS it has more safety ratings than the Tipperary. They’re described as “Round” though, and I do better with oval shaped (my last helmet was Trauma Void).

I guess I’d be happier to order the Windsor Tipperary if I was sure the it was equally as impact resistant as the Champion Revolution.

Champion Rev has other negatives - it’s $760 (for one with a brim), has a non-matte/non-slip covering, and back-ordered in many sizes. The Windsor Tipp is $400 and available - there were comments about the chin strap, maybe looking cheap or something.

Can anyone, hopefully, chime in with some really good reviews of Windsor Tipperary?

Or other MIPS helmets that aren’t impossible to fit an oval-shaped head?

Or opinions that Champion Revolution is just so SAFE it’s worth trying to get it to fit and at the extra bucks?

Thanks for any help.

(I posted here because didn’t want to worry about cross-posting under each riding discipline. Not sure whether it will be noticed here either though).

[EmilyM]

I use the Tipperary Windsor, and I have more of a round head (at least that’s how i measured myself)
I don’t know if that precludes oval shapes. It didn’t do as well in the VT study but it’s the best fit I can find other than GPA first lady which may be discontinued.

[Scribbler]

The best helmet is the one that’s most comfortable and fits you best. I don’t believe any helmet model can fit everyone. I’m an oval head, and I have a Tipperary now that fits me even better than Charles Owen did.

[eclectic]

Good to hear! I think I’m going to push the button the the Tipperary. Thanks so much!

[eclectic]

Thank-you!

[TooManyTBs]

I have the Tipperary Winsor and more of an oval head - it fits me great. The chin strap is kind of cheap looking and initially I had issues with it loosening. I emailed Tipperary and they got back to me right away, I put a few braiding elastics around the strap (it comes with one) and that stopped the slipping. I do like the helmet now that I’ve fixed the slipping strap issue. The thicker chinstraps of the Samshields and One Ks sometimes make me break out so while I think those look nicer, I’m happy with the Winsor.

[Zigzag]

Have you considered the Charles Owen Kylo? It’s under $200, has MIPs and has passed several safety standards. My head is more round but many people with oval heads seem to fit it too.

[dmveventer]

I have the Tipperary Devon which was not rated in the VT study but I’ve fallen and hit my head pretty hard in it and barely had a headache after. That’s obviously a case study of 1 but I’m good with it since it fits my head perfectly and I like the features it has.

@eclectic

I guess I’d be happier to order the Windsor Tipperary if I was sure the it was equally as impact resistant as the Champion Revolution.

The VT study only looked at certain types of impacts - they specifically did not look at factors that are already covered by existing testing/safety standards. It’s possible for a helmet to do well in the VT study and poorly in other types of impacts that they weren’t measuring, and vice versa. The most important quality for safety in any helmet is how well it fits your head. There are several threads on the study on this forum and the head researcher has done a bunch of interviews if you want to look into it further before making your decision.

[OTTBs]

My Uvex helmet with MIPS fits my long oval noggin perfectly.

[Highflyer1]

Champion does make other helmets that fit more oval heads-- if you look at the updated VT study there are several Champion helmets that scored super well. But definitely buy something that fits well and is comfortable and is not so expensive for your budget you can’t replace it when necessary.

[HJdaydream]

@Zigzag

Have you considered the Charles Owen Kylo? It’s under $200, has MIPs and has passed several safety standards. My head is more round but many people with oval heads seem to fit it too.

I have an oval head (I LOVE Samshield) and unfortunately the Kylo didn’t work for me at all. It was very tight across my forehead and gaping on the sides. So just fyi to any ovals heads reading this- the Kylo might not work for you. It’s a lovely helmet and I wanted to love it .

[outerbanks77]

@OTTBs

My Uvex helmet with MIPS fits my long oval noggin perfectly.

I bought that one as a second helmet for summer and it’s really nice for the price! I still prefer my TraumaVoid Lynx, but the Uvex is a good helmet, and much more well ventilated. IDK how it compares on safety ratings.

[risuenaVT]

Meanwhile, I’m also an oval head and had a tipperary windsor that was too round for me and now ride in a Charles Owens MyPS that fits much better but is still slightly round for my head.

[LadyNeon01]

@HJdaydream

@Zigzag

Have you considered the Charles Owen Kylo? It’s under $200, has MIPs and has passed several safety standards. My head is more round but many people with oval heads seem to fit it too.

I have an oval head (I LOVE Samshield) and unfortunately the Kylo didn’t work for me at all. It was very tight across my forehead and gaping on the sides. So just fyi to any ovals heads reading this- the Kylo might not work for you. It’s a lovely helmet and I wanted to love it .

I just tried on and bought the Kylo at USDF Region 9 championships this past weekend. My head is definitely oval and it fit perfectly! I was so surprised because the store owner asked me a few questions and immediately suggested the Kylo out of the various brands and models she carries. I decided on the wide brim after trying both the regular and wide brim. The wide brim is noticeably bigger than the regular but not obscene. Any help with the Mississippi sun is good with me.

My previous show helmets were an IRH long oval (can’t remember which one specifically) and two OneKs (regular shape). My current schooling helmet is a Uvex Exxential and previously an Ovation Schooler.