Speaking of helmets - any recommendations?

[Pehsness]

Like others have said, when I first dipped my toe back in the water about 5 years ago I was stunned at the helmets these days. Gone were the brushed velvet, satin lined, padded mushroom caps of my youth (oh how I coveted the “nice” ones!).

I bought a decent new one for $150 or so, it’s been fine, but much to my consumerist hearts delight I read that helmets should be replaced every 5 years! So I can look at replacing mine guilt free.

Anything that isn’t TOO expensive (like, under $500? cheaper the better) but also looks nice, fits super thick hair and is impervious to dirt? Bonus points if it can go from schooling to show ring easily (again, harkening back to my youth where we had our “show helmets” and probably wore non-certifified hunts caps if anything when schooling at home)

I google regularly but being out of the game for so long (and from a completely different background when I was in the game) I don’t know if different styles of helmet suit the aesthetic of the different disciplines, or if that doesn’t matter.

[Suspiria]

What are you wearing right now? What shape is your head? Are you showing? What level? Do you want regular ASTM/SEI cert or the additional protection of a MIPS helmet?

[leheath]

I don’t think the discipline matters, but some helmets definitely look better on different people. From a safety perspective, get a helmet with MIPS and one that fits really well. The dial fit options can help with minor adjustments if you wear your hair differently at different times. I have a round, rather than oval, shaped head and really like the Lynx Trauma Void MIPS helmets. Light, flattering, well vented, safe, and reasonably priced. Previously, I had the regular Trauma Void MIPS helmet without the dial adjustment and I like the dial as I change hairstyles a fair bit in the 5 years I own a helmet and the dial allows it to fit equally well throughout.

[soloudinhere]

I recently got the tipperary windsor after several years of being a samshield devotee and I really quite like it. I am waiting for my one-k to wear out and then I will get another.

[Pehsness]

@Suspiria

What are you wearing right now? What shape is your head? Are you showing? What level? Do you want regular ASTM/SEI cert or the additional protection of a MIPS helmet?

I don’t really know what I’m wearing but based on the store I bought it from, likely a Troxel ES Low Profile English Performance Helmet (fancy name for cheap). My head is round? But with lots of hair. I hope to step in to training level at local shows in 2021, and I’ll have to google MIPS. I don’t know what that is.

[Jealoushe]

I bought a Uvex on sale for under $100, the very basic model. My head over heats like crazy in the summer and this helmet was a life saver. It is now, my fav helmet. I have several Charles Owens and a Samshield and I would choose Uvex again and again. It has a dial so you can fit a variety of shapes. It’s super light weight and they have fancy expensive models and affordable cute models too.

This is the one I have;

https://www.uvex-sports.com/en/eques…-4043197314440

Ingrid Klimke events in this one, so I figure it is good enough for show and schooling!

[atlatl]

I love my Samshield which I use for shows; I school in a One K and it’s also nice.

[Pehsness]

haha, I just did a quick google for the two local-ish tack shops. My budget is certainly on light side for one of them! NOT the one where I got my current beauty I had no idea they could be so expensive.

So next question, are the $800-$1000 helmets that much better?

[Jealoushe]

@Pehsness

haha, I just did a quick google for the two local-ish tack shops. My budget is certainly on light side for one of them! NOT the one where I got my current beauty I had no idea they could be so expensive.

So next question, are the $800-$1000 helmets that much better?

Nope, in fact many of them are on the bottom of the list for where they stand for safety!

Here is an article of interest: https://mipsprotection.com/news-room/folksams-test-of-equestrian-helmets-show-major-differences-in-levels-of-protection/

https://www.nelsonstar.com/news/price-no-guarantee-for-safety-with-horse-riding-helmets-new-report/

Some good blogs about helmets:

https://the900facebookpony.com/2018/03/02/eq3-helmets-and-mips-technology/

https://the900facebookpony.com/2018/07/18/can-we-talk-about-helmets-for-a-minute/

[Pehsness]

oh excellent, thanks jealoushe, I’ll check those out.

[BigMama1]

MIPS technology. The research shows it really is a significant improvement in protecting the brain, and has been used for some time in skiing and cycling.

Several manufacturers have added MIPS models to their lineups. Personally I like the Tipperary one because it is pretty, fits me well, and is very affordable.

[mjhco]

I am loving my Trauma Void helment. Bought a Lynx Trauma Void for my niece. If she is lucky I will not take it back for me to wear.

[Peggy]

IMHO a helmet with MIPS technology is worth it and there are quite a few choices now. I show in hunter/equitation land and use the same helmet at home and at shows. Current helmet is a OneK with MIPS. I had a OneK without MIPS, then switched to a MIPS Trauma Void helmet which was OK, but didn’t feel as comfortable as the OneK. So I bought the new OneK during National Helmet week not too long after it was released.

[Mondo]

Yes! Another vote for the Trauma Void. Worth every penny. Previous to that I had a OneK and I liked it.

[Pehsness]

Funny, the highest rated helmet in the article jealoushe posted is 1/3 of the cost of the fancy ones near to me. So I guess I’ll get it shipped from Toronto!

I was trying to envision myself in the Swarovski encrusted helmet and realized all disciplines are the same, the bling just shows up in different places if I had bags of cash that would be kind of fun to ride in.

[joiedevie99]

Fit really, truly matters. I can wear Uvex, Charles Owen, One K, one of the Trauma Voids, and some Tipperary. I can’t wear Troxel, GPA, Samshield, and I’m sure others. Try them on if you can, or at least make sure you know the return shipping cost/return policy.

[Pehsness]

@joiedevie99

Fit really, truly matters. I can wear Uvex, Charles Owen, One K, one of the Trauma Voids, and some Tipperary. I can’t wear Troxel, GPA, Samshield, and I’m sure others. Try them on if you can, or at least make sure you know the return shipping cost/return policy.

Good point. Road trip maybe!

[BrokenArrow]

@Pehsness

Funny, the highest rated helmet in the article jealoushe posted is 1/3 of the cost of the fancy ones near to me. So I guess I’ll get it shipped from Toronto!

I was trying to envision myself in the Swarovski encrusted helmet and realized all disciplines are the same, the bling just shows up in different places if I had bags of cash that would be kind of fun to ride in.

I have a Samshield Swarovski encrusted helmet. I love it to pieces but the only reason I got it was that it was on clearance :lol: I paid $400 for it instead of $1600. I love it to bits but it’s honestly not the most comfortable helmet I’ve ever owned.

My favourite helmet was a Casco Mistrall 2. I live in a hot climate and it was a godsend during the summer months. It was super lightweight too. I abused it for about 3 years, riding multiple horses a day before the chin strap broke.

After a hard fall a few months ago which my arm took the brunt of instead of my head, I’m seriously considering getting a Lynx helmet. Not just for safety but being more affordable as well, I’m not going to freak out about having to toss a super expensive helmet out after a fall.

[outerbanks77]

@mjhco

I am loving my Trauma Void helment. Bought a Lynx Trauma Void for my niece. If she is lucky I will not take it back for me to wear.

I bought a Lynx this summer and I’m very happy with it. I was riding in a OneK Defender, but wanted a MIPS helmet for starting my 17H youngster, and OneK didn’t get their MIPS helmet out soon enough. I’ll probably pick up the OneK CCS (MIPS) helmet at some point because it has interchangeable color panels.

[Jo]

I just changed from a GPA First Lady to a Tipp Windsor with MIPS. The fit is very similar. I weighed both and they are essentially the same with the Windsor being slightly lighter. 100% satisfied with my choice BUT - it did take me lots of trial and error to get there. I had ordered 5 or 6 different One K’s and couldn’t get a good fit, then returned them to Dover and happened to try on the Windsor. FIT is key!