Samshield Helmet vs. GPA

[nycequestrian]

I want to apologize if there are already tons of helmet threads. I was just hoping for some reviews on the Samshield helmets? I have a GPA - and a round GPA head. No Charles Owen for me. - so I’m wondering will the Samshield fit? I wasn’t sure what the shape of the helmet itself was.

Additionally, I’m also wondering about the two different types. The matte and the “premium” helmet which appears to have some kind of fabric on it? Does anyone know if the matte scratches easily - in the event of a fall or such? I’m hoping to show in this helmet (hunters/eq) so a big scratch would definitely not be good.

Thanks all!

[teagles]

Just went and tried the samshield on last week! I wear a charles owen now and the samshield fit me well. I believe they are pretty oval shaped.

I LOVED the matte but the only reason is that yes i have heard they scratch very easily. So that persuaded me to try on the premium. I liked it a lot too BUT i used the liner from the matte helmet. The liner for the premium helmet has a weird gap right on your forehead that was uncomfortable for me.

I think I decided on the premium but it is pretty unfortunate because the matte is a huge price difference! Much cheaper

[Miss_Dior]

I had both. Samshield full custom. Was returned. Defect on brim. Harness weirdly long unless you have a large jawline. Mine almost touched underneath so chin strap waaay to long. Stripes crooked on leather. Not pleased. $ was refunded. Also fitter was way off on size. It is MUCH more comfy and better fitting than GPA. Very disappointed to return it but price was ridiculous for quality issues. Would reorder but not sure unless they can correct chin strap. Face can’t really get bigger !!!

[PNWjumper]

I have a GPA SpeedAir and a Samshield. My Samshield fits almost exactly the same as my GPA SpeedAir. It might fit a broader range of heads, though, since it doesn’t touch your forehead (always the problem in my old GPA Titiums which left indentations in my forehead when worn for any length of time, but not an issue with the SA).

I have the premium version in dark blue. The body of the helmet is sort of a suede-y type material (it cleans up easily) with a leather-y stripe down the middle. It looks like the Shadowmatte is more similar to an Ovation-type helmet material.

[nycequestrian]

[QUOTE=PNWjumper;7402695]
I have a GPA SpeedAir and a Samshield. My Samshield fits almost exactly the same as my GPA SpeedAir. It might fit a broader range of heads, though, since it doesn’t touch your forehead (always the problem in my old GPA Titiums which left indentations in my forehead when worn for any length of time, but not an issue with the SA). [/QUOTE]

Which do you prefer? Your GPA or your Samshield? I currently have a GPA that I love and was looking into getting the Speed Air until I heard a ton of talk about the Samshield.

[Jumpthejump]

I tried both, however, sadly my is too round for the Samshield which is more oval than round. Both were comfy, but if you have a GPA and like the fit I’d stick with it!

[Kat]

Just bought a Samsheild today, I rode 4 horses in it and I really like it. The Speed Air and First Lady Do.Not.Fit.Me. they look nice on but will pop right off, and I’m sick of having to buy a new CO every 9 months-year because the padding breaks down so quickly. I got the shadow matte because it was all I could really afford and I like the look a little better.
Looks
on my head it looks better than a speed air but maybe a little worse than the first lady. I like that its a little bit more formal looking and that the vents are understated.
Fit
the samsheild feels like its going to come off to me becuause it doesn’t touch your forehead, but on my head that sucker does not move. A GPA on the other hand will fall off the second I tilt my head. For reference my CO stays on if I duck my head down gently, but not much more. The SS also stays much further down on my head and to me feels much safer.

[Hiddenspot]

I have had a Samshield about four weeks now and I love it! I have GPA and Charles Owen also. CO hurts my forehead so bad I quit wearing it and GPAs fall off. I am a hard fit with a very long oval head.

[nycequestrian]

Thanks for all your replies! I will definitely check out the Samshield and see if it fits my head (fingers crossed)

[hunterrider23]

Also the premium cAn be ordered with the same fabric for the stripe as the body, which is what we did for my sister. We switch helmets occasionally band both fit me.

[jewll27]

I have the samshield and love it. I also have a huge, oval head. I have the matte version, and I havent noticed any major scratching. I like it b/c I can wipe it down when its dirty. Also, its the same as material the GPA – they get scratched if you fall. GPAs do not fit my head.

[tua37516]

Just a suggestion to throw in there, if the Samshield does not fit try the One K. They have very similar features and the fit is slightly different. I CANNOT fit in a CO. I tried both Samshield and One K (was prepared to buy whatever fit better), and it was the One K. I have two of them and have been riding in them for two years. Love it.

[eclipse]

I love my Samshield and the fact the padding clips out so they can adjust it to make it more comfortable made it even better. Once I got used to it not touching my forehead I LOVED it…makes it much cooler in the summer heat! And that sucker doesn’t move…at all (as I found out when bashing my head and cracking the helmet). They do have a pretty good replacement policy as well, I’d had mine just over 2 yrs and I got another at 45$ off!

[PNWjumper]

[QUOTE=nycequestrian;7402704]
Which do you prefer? Your GPA or your Samshield? I currently have a GPA that I love and was looking into getting the Speed Air until I heard a ton of talk about the Samshield.[/QUOTE]

Based on how they feel on my head? Both are equally comfortable.

I do have a particular affection for my SpeedAir, though, and that’s because I had a nasty fall in a 1.40m class last spring where my gelding split an oxer “in” of a 2 stride with his hind legs, flipped me out of the tack on landing and then proceeded to jump the “out” vertical with me clinging to his side. I hit my head harder than I’ve ever hit the ground before upon landing from that vertical and laid on the ground with the EMTs at my side for a good 10 minutes. The next day I had absolute minimal whiplash and I’m sure that the neck pad on the SpeedAir is what helped the most (it very well could just be how I hit the ground, but my love goes to the helmet nonetheless!). The helmet split up the back and now sits on a shelf in my house as a “trophy” of sorts, and I’d buy another in a heartbeat if I had the money (I had purchased the Samshield a year earlier and hadn’t ever taken it out of the box until then).

I hope to not test the Samshield in the same way

[2foals]

If you have a round head, the Samshield may not be a good fit. If you notice, some of the posters on this thread who like their Samshields mention that they have an oval head. I am another Samshield fan, and I bought one before they were “in” because I have a very oval head and it was the helmet that fit the best. If you think your head is on the round side, perhaps try one on before ordering a custom version. I know that a lot of people want to choose a helmet based on what is the “in” brand, but long term you might be happier making the choice based more on head shape/fit. A helmet that fits well is also usually more flattering–I love the look of the GPAs but they look terrible on me because they don’t sit right on my head. But who knows, maybe your head is more moderately shaped than you think and the Samshield will fit fine.

IME neither the matte or the “premium” versions of the Samshield scratch easily, my son has the same size head and borrows my helmets and has tested them out thoroughly. A quick wipedown or a ride in the rain and the matte version looks as good as new.

[alteringwego]

I’ve been in a Samshield since 2010. I have the premium I believe. I purchased it through the Farm House and they did the fitting and switched out the liners for the best fit. The only other helmet I’ve had prior to the Samshield that fit was the original GPA. I purchased a One K for schooling last year and really like that fit as well.

[Mozart]

[QUOTE=eclipse;7403629]
I love my Samshield and the fact the padding clips out so they can adjust it to make it more comfortable made it even better. Once I got used to it not touching my forehead I LOVED it…makes it much cooler in the summer heat! And that sucker doesn’t move…at all (as I found out when bashing my head and cracking the helmet). They do have a pretty good replacement policy as well, I’d had mine just over 2 yrs and I got another at 45$ off![/QUOTE]
Where in Canada did you buy yours eclipse? None of my local tack stores carry it and I can’t see ordering one online without actually trying it first!

[eclipse]

[QUOTE=Mozart;7405242]
Where in Canada did you buy yours eclipse? None of my local tack stores carry it and I can’t see ordering one online without actually trying it first![/QUOTE]

I got mine at Horselife in Calgary. They are awesome and spent a lot of time fitting helmets to my head.

http://horselifecanada.com/

[Mozart]

[QUOTE=eclipse;7405371]
I got mine at Horselife in Calgary. They are awesome and spent a lot of time fitting helmets to my head.

http://horselifecanada.com/[/QUOTE] thanks!

[Kalele]

I love fitting people into Samshields because we can switch out the padding to make it comfortable. Unlike other helmets you can also buy new padding when it gets too flat from use.