"Cheap" Helmets

[Belmont]

I got rid of all my English stuff, beside my boots for some reason, when I changed over to western full time. However, I’m going to take some dressage lessons for a while to help me get back in shape, so I’m going to need a new helmet.

I’m usually a Kask girl. I was a ride or die for my Kask, but I refuse to spend $$$ for 1x weekly lessons or bi-weekly lessons just to get in shape. I feel like there are a lot of new helmets on the market in a “more affordable” price range that I just don’t know anything about.

I have a rounder head and definitely prefer a wider brim, though I can always buy a visor.

So what are your favorite sub $150 helmets on the market right now?

My tack store is mostly western stuff, but I am going to swing in this weekend and see what they have in the small English section.

[ParadoxFarm]

Check out the Virginia Tech study done. Some of the best helmets are the cheapest.

EquestriAn Helmet Ratings

[cutter99]

My life was saved by a Tipperary Sportage 5 years ago. The original price was $79.99, and I purchased it through Riding Warehouse with a 15% discount.

Prices have gone up since then, but it is still a reasonably priced helmet.

I had a particularly bad wreck, which resulted in a helicopter ride to the nearest trauma center, a TBI and inoperable brain bleed and fractured sternum, but I am alive thanks to that helmet. It was cracked through in 3 difference places, but did its job well.

I do have an UVEX Exxential MIPS helmet that fits well, but mainly ride in a new Tipperary. It is lighter, cooler and more comfortable than my UVEX.

https://www.ridingwarehouse.com/Tipperary_Sportage_8500_Riding_Helmet/descpage-TSH.html?color=PU

https://www.ridingwarehouse.com/Uvex_Exxential_3_MIPS_Riding_Helmet/descpage-UEXMH.html?color=BK

[Tee]

I have been happy with my Troxel Intrepid (like $80 or so?) helmets. Years ago I was accidentally kicked in the head. It cracked the helmet, but my head was fine. And for me at least, they are very comfortable.

[McGurk]

Before the MIPS helmets were available, the helmet that fit me best was the IRH Elite. They meet or exceed all the same safety standards, except, of course, the MIPS.

They are under $100 right now.

That said, the safest helmet is the one that fits you the best. When I bought IRH, I had a blank check to buy a helmet, and I simply tried on everything in the store and bought what fit and looked the best. I passed by a lot of more expensive helmets.

[SinMiedo]

I’ve been really impressed with my TuffRider helmet. I have the slightly more $$ version of the one in the study, it fits great and unless you’re looking for the logo it’s visually very similar to my old OneK.
I think I paid $80ish because I wanted the fancy inlay on top, so a whole lot more adorable that many others

[ParadoxFarm]

That’s good to hear. We don’t NEED to spend a lot of money to have a great helmet. Lots just choose to do so for fashion and trends – which is fine, too, IF it’s a good, safe helmet.

[Belmont]

Which Tuffrider did you get? I’ve been looking at the Next Steps (both Guardian and Ultimate) as they are supposed to fit round heads and have the wider brim!

I’m also looking at the Equinavia Crown, IRH Equi-Pro, and the Ovation Vantage. I haven’t compared any of those to the studies yet, but they all fit round and have sun brims, so they check the boxes so far.

[GreyDes]

I’ve been really happy with the Charles Owen Kylo MIPS, which comes with a wide brim option and dial fit.

It’s just over $150 and you could probably get it there with a coupon.

https://www.ridingwarehouse.com/Eqx_by_Charles_Owen_Kylo_Matte_MIPS_Wide_Peak_Helmet/descpage-CKWM.html?color=BK1

[Belmont]

I was actually looking at that one, but RWH says it’s oval and unfortunately that won’t work for my head.

[tagsalong]

I’m a long oval (in the OneK MIPS long oval) and actually felt like the Kylo was round! Definitely seemed like there was space on either side of my head, so might still be worth a shot. Plus free returns with RW!

[Djones]

Tipperary for long ovals, Troxel for round heads.

[gradytb]

I also ended up on my head in a Tipperary SPortage helmet on a rock pile coming off my particularly catty TB at the time. Cracked the helmet but I was OK. I went to the ER that evening just in case, but didn’t have a concussion. Now the time I came off riding bareback with no helmet off a dead head QH is a different story!

[fivestrideline]

Kylo was round for me!

You really should just try some on. A tack shop or a place that does free returns online (not every retailer will return helmets, make sure you check). I tried probably 12 styles before ending up back in the same helmet I’d fallen off in (Tipperary Windsor). More expensive does not necessarily mean better, so don’t be afraid of some of the lower cost models. I like MIPS, but there are well-rated options at all price points.

[luvmyhackney]

@GreyDes

I’ve been really happy with the Charles Owen Kylo MIPS, which comes with a wide brim option and dial fit.

Same. It’s a comfortable helmet. Sometimes I forget I’m wearing it and get in the car with it.

[pony_baloney]

I’ve found the opposite true for me. My current Troxel Spirit fits my long oval head perfectly; the other Troxel models didn’t fit as well. I really wanted a Tipperary but was too found for my head. Maybe my head is just weird.

[GraceLikeRain]

I think I’m on my 5th sportage. I really appreciate the fit and the price point. I don’t want to pause about replacing a helmet if my head hits the ground or it’s been a few years.

[f0rf31t]

Not exactly sure if this’ll be the right head shape but I had some model of Ovation helmet when I was still riding (enough years ago I can’t remember the exact model) that did well.

Prior to the Ovation I mostly had cheaper Troxels. The Ovation looked a little nicer, IMO than any of the Troxel helmets I had and it was definitely sub-$100 but can’t remember the price now offhand and it’s probably gone up b/c this was like, probably the mid-2010s than I would’ve had it.

I have one (now too old to use) Charles Owen Ayr8.

EDIT: And yeah, definitely try some on.

EDIT 2: Looked up Ovation’s website to see if they still do helmets and they do - I think mine was pretty similar to their Deluxe Schooler that’s priced at $75-ish. Again - I haven’t ridden in several years but the look of that helmet and price point sounds approximately like the one I had. Not sure if it’s great for a round head shape. What I remember it was comfortable and fit me well, whatever head shape I happen to have.

[SinMiedo]

I got the Ultimate. My head is fairly round and it fits well, the wide brim is a huge bonus!

[Grey623]

I rode in Troxels for years. Then, about 5ish years ago, maybe, I went for a new helmet and they didn’t fit me at all, too oval, but I got a great fit with a Tipperary, which hadn’t fit well before. I don’t think my head shape changed, but something did! I have a MIPS Tipperary now and like it very much.

Grey