KEP Italia: Still no good?

[Lace]

In the market for a new helmet and was asking a person whose opinion I normally agree with for their input. They suggested KEP, so I sit down and look into their website. Looks like a nice helmet, lots of European riders are wearing them. Naturally, I go to COTH’s history next and see the thread about the helmet cracking on impact.

I did not read the entirety of the thread but the general jist I got was stay away. Now, I know quality changes over time and items can get generally villefied unjustly, so I am curious as to what the current opinion is on this helmet/company.

The shape definitely fits me and I like the style. But safety is paramount. Thoughts?

[Lace]

No strong opinions must be good news!

[mvspencer]

I know people who ride in them. I was in Wellington last week, and lots of people had them. I think they are nifty looking, and I’ll consider one next time I am in the market for one. I haven’t heard of them cracking. I didn’t see the other threads, but did they say what cracked? Any time you fall, you should get a new helmet anyway. If you hit something hard enough, any helmet can crack. My friend had a Charles Owen that cracked inside, but CO is held in high regard. A certified helmet is a certified helmet, right?

[Lace]

I am not going to lie, I was a bit confused by it all but it was this thread I was talking about. http://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-471159.html

[Jarrn]

I believe the helmet didn’t just crack, it practically blew apart. The KEP rep said it was supposed to do that, and wasn’t designed to withstand a second impact (getting kicked by the horse after being bucked off, for example). There was more to it, but many people were not happy about that.

[bjd2013]

A friend of mine has the vent looking thing fall out all the time. She’s even super glued it. She’s had 2 and they both do it. She still likes it though.

[ladyj79]

I wouldn’t buy one. Why buy the only helmet the reps literally came out and said was meant to shatter apart like an egg thus completely worthless after the first impact???

???

???

Seriously.

[HiJumpGrrl]

Helmets aren’t supposed to take more than one impact, so I fail to see how them shattering should keep one from buying it. the fact that it’s not usable after the first wreck might actually save you because you won’t be tempted to use it again.

[ladyj79]

[QUOTE=HiJumpGrrl;8511052]
Helmets aren’t supposed to take more than one impact, so I fail to see how them shattering should keep one from buying it. the fact that it’s not usable after the first wreck might actually save you because you won’t be tempted to use it again.[/QUOTE]

I’m going to presume you are completely unfamiliar with the situation being described in the original thread. And KEPs laughable response on the horse and hound forum. I think if you review the particular incident, the response from KEP, as well as the MULTIPLE people talking about parts of their KEP helmets falling off you might reach a different conclusion than the above. Or not. I personally won’t chance my helmet shattering when I hit the ground in the honestly not so rare occurence where my horse lands on top of me, or steps on me, or any other form of secondary impact. We are not talking about multiple incidences, we are talking about primary and secondary impacts in the same incident.

[HiJumpGrrl]

Ok then.

[Hunter_Mom]

[QUOTE=ladyj79;8510779]
completely worthless after the first impact???
.[/QUOTE]

Helmets aren’t meant to take more than one impact. That’s why every manufacturer says to replace after a fall. Just my PSA.

[Sunsets]

[QUOTE=Hunter Mom;8511092]
Helmets aren’t meant to take more than one impact. That’s why every manufacturer says to replace after a fall. Just my PSA.[/QUOTE]

Yes, we all know that. Most of us hope that our helmets hold together long enough to protect us from catastrophic injury resulting from a fall, or striking an object like a jump standard, or getting smacked with a hoof once we hit the ground.

But the helmet in question completely fell apart after an apparently mild tumble from a horse onto soft ground. Had the rider encountered anything other than grass on the way down, she’d probably not be alive to tell her tale.

[Dutchmare433]

[QUOTE=Hunter Mom;8511092]
Helmets aren’t meant to take more than one impact. That’s why every manufacturer says to replace after a fall. Just my PSA.[/QUOTE]

See some of the comments above–what if you were to be dragged, smacking your head every stride until you were able to get your foot loose, would you want your helmet in pieces after the first smack? No helmet will provide ideal protection after the first impact in a multi-impact scenario, but an intact helmet will provide more protection than one that’s in pieces.

[ladyj79]

[QUOTE=Hunter Mom;8511092]
Helmets aren’t meant to take more than one impact. That’s why every manufacturer says to replace after a fall. Just my PSA.[/QUOTE]

PSA:
Please read all the words.

[Movida]

[IMG]http://i880.photobucket.com/albums/ac9/MozartK/Hat%2012.jpg)

Quick picture of the hat in question if you can’t be bothered going to the H&H link.

When I was very young, I was lawn darted by my pony. She tried to jump over me but ended up landing on my head. I only realised that when somebody pointed out that I had a hoof print on my helmet. If my hat had done what the hat in the above photo had done in the initial impact (the lawn dart), it would be a very different story. Nothing to do with reusing a helmet after a fall.

[Lace]

Hmmm. Interesting. This is definitely food for thought. It’s tricky because rarely is a fall “perfect”, things get messy and protecting my noggin is paramount. On the other hand, they are fully certified (as far as I can tell) by SEI. Thanks everyone for your input!

[Sunsets]

[QUOTE=Lace;8511264]
Hmmm. Interesting. This is definitely food for thought. It’s tricky because rarely is a fall “perfect”, things get messy and protecting my noggin is paramount. On the other hand, they are fully certified (as far as I can tell) by SEI. Thanks everyone for your input![/QUOTE]

Like you said, your noggin, but if I was going to shell out that kind of cash I’d stick with a brand with better customer relations and a better reputation.

I ride in a $50 Ovation, BTW, so take this comment for what it’s worth.

[Jarrn]

I think it’s obvious a lot of people did not read the original thread mentioned in the OP :lol:
We all know you are not supposed to use a helmet again after a fall. That’s not even remotely close to what anyone is suggesting. The helmet blew apart after a fairly soft fall onto grass. That’s not acceptable.
Say you fall from a horse. Would you rather your helmet lay in pieces around you as your horse’s hind leg nails you in your head, or would you rather have your trashed but still intact helmet still be strapped to your head, providing a barrier? I think the answer is obvious.

[OTTB2]

[QUOTE=ladyj79;8510779]
I wouldn’t buy one. Why buy the only helmet the reps literally came out and said was meant to shatter apart like an egg thus completely worthless after the first impact???

???

???

Seriously.[/QUOTE]

If you know anything about helmets it should be thrown out after the first impact… For gods sake its your head put a price on that. Any helmet will crack at a certain amount of force. Helmets are shock absorbers and if they helmet cracks its because its absorbing the force that would of cracked your head. As long as the helmet has the required safety ratings, with the exceptions of some helmets who build above standard a 40 dollar and a 600 dollar helmet will protect the same.

[AmmyByNature]

[QUOTE=OTTB_;8511517]
If you know anything about helmets it should be thrown out after the first impact… For gods sake its your head put a price on that. Any helmet will crack at a certain amount of force. Helmets are shock absorbers and if they helmet cracks its because its absorbing the force that would of cracked your head. As long as the helmet has the required safety ratings, with the exceptions of some helmets who build above standard a 40 dollar and a 600 dollar helmet will protect the same.[/QUOTE]

I think you’re missing the point.

Helmets lose their effectiveness after impact - they doesn’t mean they have to disintegrate. They still provide some form of protection just by remaining strapped to your head at the very least.

It’s not like you fall off, hit your head, say “hold on, Dobbin, before you also kick me in the skull,” run back to the barn for a new helmet and then climb back under there for the head kick.

Most of us would rather have somethingremain strapped to our heads rather than nothing there.