Help me choose a helmet

[Cindyg]

My evil horse got in the tack room and destroyed everything he could get his teeth on! The helmet was victimized, so a good excuse to get a new one.

This is for tooling around at home. No showing. I’m in Texas. Looking cool is not a factor; actually being cool is a major factor! Black is a bad choice. (No indoor arena. I ride in the sun.)

Here’s what looks good to me.

Sportage I know this is tried and true, and many people like it. I hate that the purple is so pinky.

IRH All Terrain I’m a little worried about the dark colors (because of the heat).

[URL=“https://www.smartpakequ ine.com/troxel-rebel-12025p”]Troxel Rebel This is new and doesn’t have many reviews. Honestly, the bling is a bit wild for me. But whatever. I love the low price

Anything else in this price range ($75ish) that I should consider?

[In_The_Gate]

Have you tried them on? If not, I’d go with whichever fits the best. When I was helmet shopping I found despite the many models to chose from it was clear one or two brands fit me better than all the others. I found Tipperary for schooling and Charles Owen to show were what worked for me. Troxel, IRH, GPA all were no-go.

[furlong47]

I’m a Tipperary Sportage lover, myself. I agree that you should probably try several on if you can and see what fits the best. Ovation Protege or Schooler might be another brand to look at (and they have a less pinky purple :lol: )

[Simbalism]

I like the looks of the Sportage, but I tried to buy one a few years ago and it gave me the most incredibly bad headaches within 10 minutes of riding in it. Had to return it. I have had one of the plastic Troxels in the past( it is what I replaced the Sportage with). I have found that for me the IRH helmets fit me better. I just replaced an older plastic IRH with the All Terrain you are considering. Love it! My barn buddy got the black and tan version and I got the brown. I live in hot and humid Va and so far it seems to have good ventilation. My friend loves hers as well.

[Dewey]

I have the Ovation Protege linked above and love it.

[Belmont]

Fellow Texan here!

I ride in a OneK. It is actually really well ventilated and comes in Blue or Black. It’s been my favorite helmet. I have heard great things about the Sportage from fellow Texans.

[Cindyg]

The OneK looks awesome. I especially like the retractable sunshade. But it is not even close to my price range.

[pAin_t_Misbehavin]

I got a Troxel Sierra - in fact, it’s the second one I’ve had. I got the new lower-profile one this past Helmet Awareness Day. You can get really good deals on the older models now, which should be in the $75 range. Especially if you get the pink one. Which is not actually pink but more of a rosy brown. And if you want the new model, I don’t think they are that far out of your price range.

I also had a Tip Sportage and it was the instant-headache helmet for me as well. I couldn’t give it away fast enough. I’m told that Tips are for a different head shape than Troxels. And maybe than for IRH, because their schooling helmet also fits me well.

[PalominoPony]

I ride in an Ovation Deluxe Schooler, and really like it. It has been very hot around here as well, and it has been keeping my head cool very well.

It has a light gray color, as well as a more purple-ish purple

[islgrl]

I love my Sportage. Love it. I have the navy, its really nice.

[walktrot]

Love my Sportage too. I got one when they first came out, replaced it with the now defunct 2nd edition. Tipperary got a lot of criticism for version 2, and they went back to the original design. So I bought that one last month on helmet awareness day, and it’s nice and light and cool, even in the gray.

[Inclined]

My first helmet was a Troxel, which fit reasonably well. Tipperary did not fit at all, but I liked the look. IRH ATH fit very well but was too hot, and my current (and favorite) helmet is an Ovation Schooler. The Ovation is very lightweight, as cool as headgear can be in the summer, and it protected my head when I had an unplanned dismount last year (fell on my side and smacked my head on the ground).

[Lady_Eboshi]

For a schooling hat these are about the lightest, most comfortable, and best ventilated I’ve tried:

http://www.sstack.com/ApparelBoots_English-Clothing_Helmets-Hunt-Caps/Aegis-Ussepa-Helmet/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=paid_search&utm_campaign=paid_search_google_pla&scid=scplp518433&gclid=CMr5kKO2osACFaVZ7AodCAYAMw

Can’t beat the price, either . . .

[Appsolute]

I have the Ovation Protege and LOVE IT.

I can literally feel the wind in my hair when I wear it. I have ridden in 100+ degree weather in it and did not over heat.

Its lighter weight than the sportage (and has a removable, washable liner). But more importantly, it fit me better than other brands - especially with the dial a fit.

[2tempe]

ANOTHER Ovation Protégé vote here. From Florida. And they have a bunch of color options.

Was using a C. Owens Ayr8, that was way too hot, even though they fit me well. Got the Protégé several months ago, probably $50 shipped.

Interestingly my friend has an older tipperary, doesn’t even know the model. Her shell is EXACTLY the same as the shell on my Ovation. Go figure.

[Training_Cupid]

I recently got a Ovation Deluxe and am quite happy with it. However, the Protege appears to have bigger vents so may be a better match for your needs and has several color options (though I’m not crazy about how shiny some of them look).