OneK helmets-tell me how they fit?

[DressageChic2]

I DESPERATELY need a new home helmet…i took a flying dive off my 3yo earlier in the year, bust my collarbone and majorly bust my Casco which only came to light recently when the foam kind of dropped to bits in my hand.

I have a KEP for shows which i love but it was too pricey to risk for daily use on a long term basis.

I am drawn to the OneK suede/glitter as my KEP is glitter and basically i love glitter/bling/fun colours etc…i am a total magpie!

(I dont mind importing to the UK)

i was a 53 in GPA, and am a 52 in KEP-does anyone know how the OneK compares? I seem to have a very average head as yeeeeeeeeears ago i also wore CO with no problems.

Its either OneK or Samshield i think.

[Lucassb]

I love, love, LOVE my OneK helmets… I have three now (sigh, yes, but I wanted one for shows - with a bit of bling - and then I had one for home, and then I saw the navy and had to have that, too… talk about a magpie!!)

As far as sizing, my GPAs were a size 53 and I wear a small in the OneK. You can find a sizing chart here: http://www.onekhelmets.com/size-chart

Be aware that the shell sizes are more limited and you will get a different liner to create the size you need. I personally find this perfect as I can buy more than one liner and no longer have to deal with the different fit that is caused by wearing my hair up or in a pony…

[TheHotSensitiveType]

I bought a One K Defender Matte of these as a replacement for my 5 year old IRH Xtreme helmet. Sadly, IRH changed the shape of the helmet, and I could not get it on without crushing my head…

My big complaint is that it runs very small. I should have been able to fit in a XL comfortably (head is 7 3/8 or 7 1/2 depending on the chart), but that was really tight and hurt. I purchased the XXL liner (which is supposed to fit 7 5/8 to 7 3/4) and that was still tight to the point of hurting after a few minutes. The padding is finally getting crushed enough that I can wear the helmet for 45 minutes without hurting my head. Oh the joys of having a giant head…

Otherwise it is a very attractive, well made helmet. The shape is great for my head, but for some reason the padding is not thin enough. The helmet is loose with no padding but now a tad too tight with the padding.

[Countrywood]

Measure your head, mine fits me great, they have instructions on website…they make regular shape and oval shape

[Linda]

I have two helmets - one is a One K and the other is a Gateway that I had shipped over from England. The Gateway is Snell certified which is why I bought it. Snell certifies helmets that meet it’s very strict crash rating requirements. I had another american made snell helmet for a few yrs (and dont remember the brand at the moment…) but it was never that comfortable. Although, I must say that I had a major crash with my green horse with that helmet on and my head hit the asphalt first - I sure am glad I had that helmet on when I came off! So I decided earlier this yr, that it was time to replace it. I love how the One K fits. It is SO comfortable, I almost forget it is on my head. The British Gateway snell rated helmet is comfortable too…but I do know its on my head ! Its a bit heavier (not too heavy - just not as light as the one K) For those not familiar with snell ratings, its a safety standard that a lot of helmets use. For example, most motorcycle helmets are snell rated. This rating shows that the helmet has passed certifications that makes the helmet extremely safe for your head in a crash. Its a little heavier than my one K and clearly not as attractive. But as my husband says, "you aren’t wearing it as a fashion statement. So true!

[StormyDay]

I love my one K and use it for showing. It is, without a doubt, the comfiest helmet I have owned. However it is comparable to a CO with heat dissipation. Even in fall weather my head gets sweaty.
For day to day riding I use a cheaper helmet with huge vents.

[DressageChic2]

thanks guys…any further comments on head sweat?

even in my super light Casco and supposedly super vented KEP i get a HOT head. Not like running sweat but deffo hat hair situation…im keen not to increase that but the law of averages says this horse is 3yo and i am likely to come off again at some point and i no longer trust the super light Casco after seeing how the lining just dropped out!After about 15 years of never wearing a hat, collarbonegate has instilled in my that we humans are NOT invincible and a hot head is preferable to a dented head!

[Lucassb]

[QUOTE=DressageChic2;8390595]
thanks guys…any further comments on head sweat?

even in my super light Casco and supposedly super vented KEP i get a HOT head. Not like running sweat but deffo hat hair situation…im keen not to increase that but the law of averages says this horse is 3yo and i am likely to come off again at some point and i no longer trust the super light Casco after seeing how the lining just dropped out!After about 15 years of never wearing a hat, collarbonegate has instilled in my that we humans are NOT invincible and a hot head is preferable to a dented head![/QUOTE]

I would agree with Stormy. I find the OneK is extremely comfortable (and honestly, I was also a helmet-less rider by preference for years and years and years, but now also have a new baby horse, so…now I wear one.) But it is not going to be as cool as the more vented helmets. If you are looking to minimize the hat head issue, you might go back to GPAs. They are super vented and were the coolest feeling helmet I ever had.

[Countrywood]

I ride in florida, hot sweaty humid and find the One K well ventilated and cool.

[CrittersMom]

I have a One K and a Samshield. As far as ventilation and keeping your head nice and cool, they both do the trick. The only thing I found is that the One K was harder to get a perfect fit. I have a pretty standard head, and can fit pretty much all helmet makers. The correct size in the One K was just a smidge on the tight side so it can be a little uncomfortable in hot weather, though I still wear it. I like the low profile look of the OneK over the Samshield, but I show in the Samshield.

[DressageChic2]

thank you thats super helpful.

it sounds like im going to be a 53 in the OneK but i will go and double checkon GPA styles and availability before i make a final choice.

last Q-where in the US is going to be most helpful to try and order from, thats going to be on the button with shipping and import issues and takes returns if it really doesnt fit? Smartpak has a good rep i gather? (obviously if i had to return i would be paying that shippping too!!!)

[Lucassb]

[QUOTE=DressageChic2;8390884]
thank you thats super helpful.

it sounds like im going to be a 53 in the OneK but i will go and double checkon GPA styles and availability before i make a final choice.

last Q-where in the US is going to be most helpful to try and order from, thats going to be on the button with shipping and import issues and takes returns if it really doesnt fit? Smartpak has a good rep i gather? (obviously if i had to return i would be paying that shippping too!!!)[/QUOTE]

Farmhouse Tack is my go-to place for great customer service : http://www.farmhousetack.com/

I’ve also had great luck with Paradise Farm Tack : http://www.paradisefarmandtack.com/

I have no experience with whether they ship internationally but if they do, I would expect them to offer their usual top class service.

I don’t think Smartpak ships internationally (?)

[Magicboy]

I have the oneK with the drop down sunglasses and it’s really wonderful. Most comfy and cool helmet I’ve ever had–always used Charles own stuff before. I bought this for schooling but have worn it a every show this year. The sun glasses are just great

[Kathy_Nebel]

I love my OneK so much that I bought a second – one for home and one for hunting. I did find that the helmet felt tight at first in the correct size. But within a few rides I forgot I was wearing it. Most comfortable helmet I have owned. I don’t find it too hot even in Carolina summers.

[DressageChic2]

thanks, i have emailed them both

[Rescuer]

I used to have a OneK. I now use a Samshield Premium. I have to say - the Samshield Premium is cooler. And mostly because of the way the liner works - there’s a gap at the front of the forehead that allows air up and in under the brim, as well as through the vents at the top/front of the helmet.

I found the Samshield fits me better as well, and I don’t think about it when its on. I always noticed the OneK.

Also - the Samshield doesn’t look so mushroomy on me. I know people will say its the same shell and made in the same factory as the OneK etc. etc. But I found the Samshield to be better for my head all around than the OneK - in comfort and aesthetics.

[Lunatic]

LOVE my OneK - I have one for schooling and one for showing, both the defender bling. They are by far the most comfortable helmet I’ve had. Light on my head and pretty good ventilation in these hot southern summers. Not to mention they look pretty sharp I spray mine with de-odorizer after rides.
I see you said you already emailed both of those websites from earlier, but I just thought i’d jump in and second http://www.paradisefarmandtack.com as far as customer service and knowledgable, friendly staff goes Good luck on getting your new helmet!

[MelanieC]

The OneK fit is very round. I have a very round head (I cannot wear Charles Owen, at all) and even the “long oval” OneK fits me, probably because it has a lot of padding. I ultimately decided against keeping the one I bought because the helmet itself is extremely round and not particularly low profile, and I have a big (7 5/8), round head, so the helmet looks ridiculous on me. My husband actually giggled when I put it on to show him. I just couldn’t see keeping a $250+ helmet that I didn’t feel great in, so I returned the OneK and bought an Ovation that is lower profile and looks much better on me (for $70!).

I noticed that there’s some European brand that is either an Ovation knockoff brand, or rebranded Ovations - I think the name is Scharf of something like that - but the prices are quite a bit higher than Ovation prices.

Funny you want to replace a Casco with a OneK - you can’t get Casco helmets (at least, not easily) here in the USA and I’ve been drooling over the Casco designs online for a while. I’d love to order one from Europe, but am reluctant to buy a helmet I can’t try on first.

[DressageChic2]

Farmhouse tack are sorting it for me

super pleased, thanks Ryanne and team!

[Magicboy]

Hope you like the One K as much as I do!