Has anyone gone from a CO GR8 to a OneK?

[Ceylon_Star]

Lockdown has me thinking about replacing my about-to-expire-in-June GR8 with something with a bit more airflow. The OneK Defender is really appealing to me, both aesthetically (I can get it in brown, and the vents aren’t too obtrusive) as well as financially. I am not a fan of the GPA look, and I really dislike Samshield for various reasons.

With everything being shut down for the foreseeable future, I am contemplating ordering online. I know I am a solid 7 in CO (have both a GR8 and a Hampton), and a medium in the Tipperary Sportage and Troxel Intrepid, and my collection of dapper flat caps are all 7’s.

I figure I am looking at a medium in the OneK as well, but don’t know if I should do the regular or long oval shape?

Has anyone switched from the GR8 to a OneK and can help me figure out which to go with?

[GoodTimes]

I had a JR8 and went to the OneK (regular) and realized that my JR8 never really fit me that well. If you’re GR8 fits you than I would go with the OneK in the long oval shape.

My OneK should be replaced, no falls, but it’s getting older. I’ll definitely be getting something with MIPS technology though.

[c0608524]

I was a CO AYR8 fan forever but wanted to switch to a
liner style helmet. I did try on samshield which didn’t even come close to fitting. I also found the oneK didn’t fit perfectly either. I ended up with a Kask that fit beautifully. Helmets are so dependent on head shape that I’d be worried about buying without trying on first, unless there is a good return policy in place.

[Scribbler]

I had a CO AYR8 and now a CO Shadow matte AYR8 (hard surface no suede). A couple of years back I tried on a One K Defender and omg it was comfortable!! I had made up my mind that would be my next helmet. Then CO came out with MIPS technology. A dilemma.

The CO is comfortable enough but the Onek was insanely comfortable on me!

[supershorty628]

I had a CO GR8 for a long time and switched to OneK the last time I smashed my head. The OneK actually fits my head a little better (although honestly I could wear either helmet comfortably), and I was suckered into it because mine has bling on it and I’m secretly a crow. I think I went with the regular shape.

The OneK is definitely better ventilated than the GR8.

[foursocks]

I wear a 6 3/4 in CO and had the small size in the OneK. I really liked the OneK, especially since it is cheaper, EXCEPT that the chin strap used to go up over my mouth at awkward moments, like when I was jumping. I tried all sorts of things to fix this but it was super-irritating. Obviously the helmet didn’t fit my head shape all that well–although, it wasn’t that the hat itself slipped around, the harness just didn’t work with my face, I guess. It figures that even my head has expensive tastes!

I’ve been using the CO AYR8s for a while and love them- COs fit me better than any other helmet brand I’ve tried and the AYR8s are well-ventilated, in my experience. It just depends on what fits. A good friend of mine will only wear OneKs, and has never had the chin strap issue I had.

[Rosewatt]

I went from a 6 3/4 JR8 to a One K in Small and bought an additional XS liner as well, which is a tighter fit, but works. My head measure 54" (I sized up in the CO). I’m also an XS in the Tipperary sportage. One thing to note is that the One K has a shell in M (XS, S, M), and L (L , XL and XXL). The parentheses are the liners that fit into each helmet shell. According to One K, the medium liner will not fit into the large shell helmet. It looks like you could be between sizes: a medium is from 55 - 56 cm and a large is from 57-58cm.

[giddybiddy]

I went from a 7/18 GR8 to a medium OneK and it was a pretty great fit. This was about 6 or 7 years ago, so I don’t know if anything has changed!

[Xctrygirl]

Please just wait 6 more weeks. Then the new MIPS equipped OneK will be on the market.

If anyone is thinking of upgrading their helmet I will say this again, get a MIPS equipped helmet. It can help save your brain in a more serious fall. None of these types of things are planned, they’re all accidents. But you can equip yourself to be the most prepared IN CASE your head takes a hit.

I get that Samshield are the “In” helmets but they are nowhere near as safe as the helmets with MIPS. I don’t care which brand of MIPS helmet you buy, you need to get what fits you and is comfy enough that you like riding in it.

But please don’t just buy a new helmet without MIPS. Especially when most all of them are around $250. And some are cheaper (Trauma Void Lynx)

The new Tipperary MIPS helmets are out. @vxf111 just got one! https://tipperaryequestrian.com/

Here’s a pic of the new OneK with Mips, they’ll be out in Mid May.

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[vxf111]

Very happy with my Tipperary Windsor!

[pattnic]

I recently replaced my 5 yo CO AYR8 (size 7) with a CO MyPS in the regular shape (also size 7) and a One K in a medium. The MyPS round did not fit well at all. I think I prefer the fit of the One K to that of the MyPS. I also tried the TraumaVoid, but bothe the CO and One K fit better.

I didn’t realize One K was coming out with a MIPS helmet. I’ll be interested to see it.

[GucciJumper]

I went from a JR8 to a Defender. I absolutely love my OneK. It’s super comfortable and fits well.

[Xctrygirl]

@pattnic

I recently replaced my 5 yo CO AYR8 (size 7) with a CO MyPS in the regular shape (also size 7) and a One K in a medium. The MyPS round did not fit well at all. I think I prefer the fit of the One K to that of the MyPS. I also tried the TraumaVoid, but bothe the CO and One K fit better.

I didn’t realize One K was coming out with a MIPS helmet. I’ll be interested to see it.

Standard question… Did you try both the Lynx and The EQ3?

Second question, with the EQ3 did you try BOTH helmet liners? (They’re not the same)

Em

[JenEM]

I went from a GR8 to a OneK in long oval and have been very happy with the switch. It is significantly cooler! I’m on my second one, and have tried several another helmets (including all the current MIPS helmets on the market) and none have fit as well.

[touchstone]

I went from an GR8 to a Defender several years ago and have been very happy. I liked my CO, but the OneK is a much better price point and I have found it to be just as comfortable. And it’s nice to have the washable liners and the ventilation. OneK also has a great replacement policy.

[Rosewatt]

I didn’t know that One K was coming out with a new MIPS version either. Now, I wish I waited an extra year for it! I’m wondering how the fit will compare to other MIPS helmets.

[CanteringCarrot]

I went from a GR8 to OneK a few years ago. The OneK was too round, but I think they have an oval version. I tried a Trauma Void EQ3 and it did not fit, way too “shallow” and round (both liners didn’t quite work) for my apparently big head. The Lynx was slightly better, but a Uvex Perfexxion II fits me best.

I’m totally open to the MIPS helmets and would prefer one… If I could find one that fit. I’m definitely going to try the OneK version. I don’t like the look of the Tipperary at all, but I think I’ll still try it because if it fits, I guess I could get over it for the potential benefit of it having MIPS.

So if you have a tack shop local, or can find a place with free returns/exchanges, I’d give as many MIPS helmets a try as possible so you can find the best fit.

It’s great when people tout the MIPS, but if they don’t fit…

[Xctrygirl]

@CanteringCarrot

It’s great when people tout the MIPS, but if they don’t fit…

I said this is a post somewhere the other day, but the thing you will always need most is a helmet that fits your head correctly. We are seeing more MIPS helmets come to market and hearing about more to come. This is a bit like when cars with airbags came to the market. The leaders of air bag had their patents filed in the 1950’s!!! The FIRST car sold to the US market with a passenger airbag was the 1973 Oldsmobile Tornado. This was the second model on the road with airbags. There were some 1973 Chevrolet Impalas on the road with airbags as well, but these were government vehicles.

My point is that the actually public advent of airbag equipped vehicles didn’t take off until around 1990 and they weren’t mandatory until 1998. For whatever reason safety improvements can be slow to take off in some major markets. We’ll likely see more and more MIPS helmets come to the market, as is what happened in the cycling world with their helmets as well. I would also not be surprised to see competing safety systems that have the 10-15mm slide ability developed as well. In the NFL they have WaveCel technology and it’s in some bicycle helmets as well. Their website has a cool video with eggs… Scroll down the page to hit “Watch Egg Video” https://wavecel.com/ There is not an equestrian WaveCel helmet to my knowledge yet…but maybe in the future

I really do recommend the MIPS systems but overall I think having the right fitting helmet on your head is important. If NONE of the MIPS helmets work,then wait for the next batch, but also remember to replace any helmets that you have fallen in and hit your head in immediately. Most helmet companies have a replacement program for their helmets so you’re not spending full price to replace the helmet.

Emily

[CanteringCarrot]

@Xctrygirl

I said this is a post somewhere the other day, but the thing you will always need most is a helmet that fits your head correctly. We are seeing more MIPS helmets come to market and hearing about more to come. This is a bit like when cars with airbags came to the market. The leaders of air bag had their patents filed in the 1950’s!!! The FIRST car sold to the US market with a passenger airbag was the 1973 Oldsmobile Tornado. This was the second model on the road with airbags. There were some 1973 Chevrolet Impalas on the road with airbags as well, but these were government vehicles.

My point is that the actually public advent of airbag equipped vehicles didn’t take off until around 1990 and they weren’t mandatory until 1998. For whatever reason safety improvements can be slow to take off in some major markets. We’ll likely see more and more MIPS helmets come to the market, as is what happened in the cycling world with their helmets as well. I would also not be surprised to see competing safety systems that have the 10-15mm slide ability developed as well. In the NFL they have WaveCel technology and it’s in some bicycle helmets as well. Their website has a cool video with eggs… Scroll down the page to hit “Watch Egg Video” https://wavecel.com/ There is not an equestrian WaveCel helmet to my knowledge yet…but maybe in the future

I really do recommend the MIPS systems but overall I think having the right fitting helmet on your head is important. If NONE of the MIPS helmets work,then wait for the next batch, but also remember to replace any helmets that you have fallen in and hit your head in immediately. Most helmet companies have a replacement program for their helmets so you’re not spending full price to replace the helmet.

Emily

This is why I’m excited for both the OneK and the Tipperary. I hope to try both in the near future/when the OneK is available.

I’m just surprised these MIPS helmets for riding weren’t introduced sooner. They’ve been around awhile in other sports, right?

If I could have one that fits as well as my Uvex, that’d be grand.

[pattnic]

@Xctrygirl

Standard question… Did you try both the Lynx and The EQ3?

Second question, with the EQ3 did you try BOTH helmet liners? (They’re not the same)

Em

The Lynx was not available to try at the time. I tried the EQ3 in my normal size, a size up, and a size down, each with both liners. My normal size fit well enough in general, but I felt it was too “shallow.” The CO MyPS was a much better fit for me (COs have always fit me very well in general).

I am VERY particular about correct helmet fit and safety, and now having had tried the One K (it was supposed to be a backup/second helmet and was a great deal) and having found (to my surprise) that it fits even better than the CO, I will be looking into the One K MIPS helmet when it is available.