Anyone have a suggestion for a good helmet for hot weather?
Look for a helmet with a lot of venting. Also look for something with a removable lining.
Helmets I know are good in the Virginia summer:
Charles Owen AYR8
GPA Easy 2
IRH IR4G
OneK Defender
There are others that are well vented but these are the ones I’ve used. Know that no matter what you will get sweaty in hot weather. At the end of the day I’ve found that most helmets with proper venting are about the same and it’s more important that the helmet fits right.
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Awesome! Thank you!!
I’ve been through a couple. OneK, I did not like. Currently have a CO SP8 and really really like it! I live where it is consistently above 90 degrees and 90 percent humidity in the summer. My favorite part about the SP8 that I haven’t found in another helmet, is the patch of ventilation right on the forehead area. Ive found this makes a big difference for me. The only thing bad about the SP8 is no removable liner…
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I had a CO I think AYR8, it was the only one that fit when I tried them on, and it was HOT! Like so hot people would ask if I had just showered because my hair was so sweaty 
I now have the OneK. I think I need a different liner to get a better fit but I like it thus far. It is noticeably lightweight but I haven’t ridden in it in real heat yet so time will tell.
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It all depends on what fits you best. I love my GPA Speed Air, especially in the summertime.
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First of all, have it professionally fitted, because if it doesn’t fit it won’t matter how cool it is. I found the AYR8 to be a sweat box. In South Florida, this is a year-round consideration. At least half of my barn rides in the Samshield or One K. I have the One K and find it to be as “cool”, relatively speaking, as anything on the market. I do like the removable liner, and bought another liner, so that I can switch between horses and not put on a soggy helmet. I rinse the sweaty one and let it quickly dry in the sun while I am riding the next horse. Worth it.
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Do you need to show in it, or just school in it? It’s less pretty than the helmets mentioned above, but my Tipperary Sportage is hands down the coolest helmet I’ve ever ridden in–you can feel the breeze blowing in the front vents. It’s also inexpensive, so (if it fits you) might be worth picking up as a daily helmet. I don’t show in mine and definitely wouldn’t take it into the hunter ring, but I’m sure you could wear it in the jumpers or elsewhere.
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Ovation Schooling Helmet. I live in Phoenix and am very happy with how cool my head stays with the vent design. I think the one I have is discontinued, but looking at the web, the basic style for all of them seems to be similar (I have the Z model).
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Anything with a removable liner thats safe.
I have a Samshield that I adore because of the liner. No matter what helmet I wear, my head sweats. So at least I know I can take it out and wash it when needed.
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I agree with Natalie- my Tipperary Sportage was the first helmet I had with such good ventilation that I could feel the wind in my hair. My One K also has the same effect (but is more presentable!) Plus, the One K has a removable liner & the sportage doesn’t. My AYR8 gets much hotter than the One K.
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I had a Charles Owen AYR8 for years and it did well in KY summers, but I switched to a GPA Speed Air when I moved to Alabama- the AYR8 just didn’t cut it. (I also snagged my Speed Air on clearance for 60% off)
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i use a gpa speed air in the summer, it’s very ventilated.
I agree with Dewey - the new BOT helmets are very well vented. I loved my One K, but it was time to replace it and I went with the BOT helmets for the MIPS safety feature and couldn’t be happier - definitely cooler and lighter weight than even my One K, nice removable/washable liners, and a flexible brim (I event, so this is good cross country).
