must buy a new one…current one out of date. Am looking at navy blue GPA’s. Which brand is popular with you?
Whatever fits your head best and keeps you cool and comfortable. OneK and Samshield (shadow matt) both fit me well, and both offer washable, interchangeable liners (which I like). On price, I prefer OneK. I’m intrigued by the new MIPS helmet but haven’t been able to try one yet.
Definitely agree with whatever fits best and is cool and comfortable. I absolutely adore my Tipperary! :love-struck:
Personally think that the Samshields look great. If those do not fit your head, the Charles Owen leather finished ones have a nice look.
First figure out what shape fits you, long oval or round, and that will tell you what your choices are. I’m a long oval, GPA has never fit me, and Charles Owen has always made something that fits like a glove. My current favorite is my leather-look AYR8, very easy to wipe down.
I have the new MIPS helmet and I love it. I replaced my OneK (which I really liked and it fit me very well) and the fit is similarly good, but the MIPS helmet is definitely better ventilated/cooler and I like how it looks on my head.
I recently tried on the One K which I loved it fit my head great! I ended up buying a Miss Shield because I wanted a wider brim. I think that samshield and one K are made by the same manufacturer.
I have heard that One K is coming out with a wider brim helmet (Avance) and they make a navy one.
Love my GPAs - I have a First Lady and Speed Air. Go with what fits best! Mine are so comfortable I never mind wearing them.
It is nice how helmet fashion has become so much less rigid. You really can just pick the thing that feels the most comfortable on your head and fit right in.
I’ve got a OneK because I like the pricepoint and the replacement policy. If money was no object, I’d consider a CO or a Samshield. The GPA never fit me well–too round–but if you have one and like it, you may want to stick with them.
The EQ3 Trauma Void helmet is the MIPS helmet Imlacross and I were referring to (couldn’t remember the official name!) - the MIPS stands for the safety feature these helmets have that is supposed to reduce the risk of concussions. I have one and I love it and it definitely looks sharp enough for the show ring.
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I was so lucky to very randomly come across a beautiful chocolate brown GPA Speed Air a few years ago. Loved it! I have also had multiple CO’s (yes, including the mushroom) I now have both a GPA First Lady and Samsheild Miss Sheild. Both fit me great and depending upon the weather, I wear what is suitable for that day.
I’m with everyone else - whatever fits you the best! But if you have a round head, like me, I highly recommend the GPA Little Lady.
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The Little Lady is so much nicer/more attractive in person than it is in photos! I wasn’t a fan until I saw it in person.
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Yes and very comfortable! 
RE: the surprising attractiveness of the GPA Little Lady when being worn:
I feel this way about the Miss Shield and other larger-brimmed helmets. They look like enormous flying saucers when on display but are often really flattering when being worn.
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Definitely try as many as you can, I have a OneK but wish I just replaced my GPA with another GPA. My Onek, the harness seems to come a bit further forward and ive had a sore jaw after a big comp, ive also not had a satisfactory outcome with a defect helmet they sold.
The GPA’s ive had are a bit more slimline too.
And I HATE charles owen, I dont know how anyone can wear them, but as you can see, its quite down to preference.
I can ONLY wear CO, as I have an egg head. I so wish they would come out with a lightweight model.
I thought the same thing and had only had CO. I had tried a One K several years ago and they did not fit at all and the tack store person said they were round and with my oval head, I should look at CO. I had heard One K had changed the shape of their helmets. I tried a bunch of helmets of somewhat reasonable price while at a Dover’s recently and was very surprised to have a One K fit me great, so that’s what I now have. The ventilation in it is really good. I have seen One Ks offered in a long oval from some retailers. Mine isn’t even one of those. Just the regular.
Btw, the different Charles Owen models fit differently (I think it is the ones aimed at juniors tend to be more oval, but I can’t remember the details). Whenever someone says “fits like a CO” I always want to ask which one!
