Trying again: UK helmet help

[scruffy_the_cat]

Hello, I need to buy a BSI kitemarked helmet but am in the US in advance of a riding trip to the UK (I won’t have time to go to a shop there before I arrive at my destination). Charles Owen does not fit me well but that’s the only UK brand I can try on here in the US. Can you please tell me more about the fit of some of the common brands- Champion, Gatehouse, etc? I could buy a skull cap or a regular helmet. I have a One K, which I adore, and a Tipperary Sportage, which is fine. Both fit me well.

The One K looks identical to the Gatehouse Conquest but the One K is made in Korea and is not certified the same way the Gatehouse is so I can’t use it.

[ddashaq]

I am not able to be terribly helpful since I have never worn a Gatehouse hat, but prior to switching to Charles Owen in 2000, I wore Champion skull caps. Obviously, that was a long time ago and a lot has changed but back then I found the fit similar for those two brands. Sorry I can’t be more helpful, it has been a very long time since I even tried on anything other than CO!

[ladyj79]

Get a GPA.

[skip99]

When I rode in England my college accepted my US SEI certified helmet in lieu of the BSI helmets as IIRC the standards are very similar. You could probably give them a call or email them and see if it is ok to bring an SEI approved helmet with you.

I did pick up a Champion helmet at some point (as I just have a shopping problem). Similar to the IRH over here.

Also bought a CO over there, great prices. I’ll actually be ordering a custom one from one of the UK stores at some point in the near future

[scruffy_the_cat]

Thanks, all. I’ve been to this school once already and they are extremely strict. US helmets are not okay unless they meet PAS015:1998 or 2011 and have a BSI kitemark.

GPAs fit me okay, not great. About the same as CO (not in the same way- just not a perfect fit). I once came off a horse and had my concussion made much worse from an ill-fitting helmet so I am trying to avoid this.

Good to know about Champion fitting like IRH, and good to know the Champion skullcap is similar in fit to the CO. Thanks.

[AKB]

Not all CO helmets have the same fit. My J3 fits me well but the 4 Star is uncomfortable. Go to a big tack shop try on all the Charles Owen models.

[scruffy_the_cat]

Thank you.

[Willesdon]

How about ordering a One-K online and sending it to the address of the place you will be riding? Robinsons do One-K and it will be up to UK standard.

http://www.robinsonsequestrian.com/horse-riding/equestrian-safety-equipment/riding-hats