Currently helmet shopping and the helmet selection in my local bricks and mortar stores is sadly limited. I used to love the IRH Elite Extreme, but DS has stolen it from me. I tried a new one and they have changed the fit of them, now they don’t fit me at all 
I am intrigued by the Uvex because they seem to be very adjustable, lightweight and ventilated. However the visor, frankly, looks like a bird’s beak (at least in the online pictures). Some model appear less “beaky” than others. Curious to hear the comments of those that have them. TIA
Are you looking for something to show in or just school?
If you want to show in it, then just don’t. There’s better options out there, and IMHO they’re ugly. If you want to show, go for another Elite Extreme, or a Onek or GPA or samshield.
If you just want something to school in, I’ve heard good thinks about the ovation helmets and of course the IRH’s.
To show. I am more of a dressage rider but I posted here because the h/j crowd seems to more up on available helmets. I tried the new IRH Elite Extreme but they have been redesigned don’t seem to fit me anymore (IRH was my first choice). GPA squish my forehead. No one around here carries Samshield or OneK so no option to try in person first. :S
[QUOTE=Mozart;7566765]
No one around here carries Samshield or OneK so no option to try in person first. :S[/QUOTE]
You can order through SmartPak, they have free return shipping if you don’t like the fit or the style of the helmet. I have an IRH Elite Extreme now and I would say the next one I will get is a OneK. The fit for me is similar and I like the look of them.
[QUOTE=IrishHunter;7566779]
You can order through SmartPak, they have free return shipping if you don’t like the fit or the style of the helmet. I have an IRH Elite Extreme now and I would say the next one I will get is a OneK. The fit for me is similar and I like the look of them.[/QUOTE] Smart Pak doesn’t ship to Canada. 
Hum… I have not seen one in real life, but google images has some “real life” type pictures:
Personally, they aren’t my cup of tea. I think they look a bit “bug like” with the vents, and the light grey one looks just like a bird’s skull to me!
They do seem to carry other models now though. I think this one looks nice, and I am interested in the adjustment system they describe here.
If they were not so pricey, I would look into the velour one. I like a lower price point helmet so that I can replace in case of a fall, or every couple of years without a hit to my pocket book.
The one on Laura Bechtolsheimer does not look awful, but then she could make a feed sack look nice. The velour one looks very nice. Not ventilated though. I really want something more ventilated. Sigh. The search continues. Or I could just steal my old IRH back and make the whippersnapper wear something else.
Have you tried the Ovation Deluxe Schooler? It is a really low profile, ventilated helmet and the dial fit ensures that it fits pretty well. I have a schooling helmet that is not in need of replacement yet but as soon as I have the need I’m going to pick one up for schooling/the occasional show if it’s raining or something. I think a few posters on here show in them.
My friend has a OneK and loves it. I don’t like the look, personally.
Isn’t Uvex the company that made the gold helmet for Isabel Wirth? They are probably more popular with the European dressage crowd than here.
[QUOTE=Mozart;7566791]
Smart Pak doesn’t ship to Canada. :([/QUOTE]
Yeah in Canada everyone pays their own shipping :lol:
Do call around & see what shipping fees various shops offer, also chat with IRH (head office customer service, local rep, shops that sell a lot of them) about finding a helmet that still fits like your old one (pretty sure IRH offers different fit options in the same helmet model - or did, anyway).
Don’t go with a Dial-A-Fit type unless you can try if first.
Talk to Tipperary - they were AWESOME when we were vest shopping (most flexible service I’ve ever had from any company).
How ironic that this thread was started, as we were discussing helmets at the barn and the Uvex came up. I think this is the uglier than the First Lady. It does look like a bird’s beak. I guess I’m too old school.
I just got an Uvex last week. Had an epiphany that my (very) old schooling helmet no longer fit and was WAAAAY past the recommended time to use it. Went to the local tack shop (options are limited in my neck of the woods) and absolutely loved how it fit. It’s light and well ventilated (already noticing that here in the southwest). I do like the way it adjusts - seems similar in theory to my old helmet’s dial adjustment, but it’s much, much better (my old helmet would get too tight in front and not tight enough on the sides).
That said, I agree that there are better looking helmets out there - I’m not in love with how it looks, though I don’t hate it. But it fits me really well and just “feels” nice, so I opted for that vs. the fingers-crossed-mail-order routine, and I’m happy I did.
Where in Canada? I know some shops here who have carried OneK (or could potentially order it in).
I have the troxel intrepid and I love it. It’s lightweight. Well ventilated. And I think it looks lovely from the front. From the side it looks like…a troxel.
I took a nasty fall with it on last week. It came up looking brand new, but went straight back to troxel where I was able to replace it for $42 with their replacement.
You can get samshields from greenhawk and running fox. They have shells and you fit the liners in for your correct size.
One K’s you can get from Victory Canter in the US, the fitting is done like the samshields, using liners. They have flat shipping to Canada for $20 and even with the duty, I probably paid about $270 for my helmet. Love it too!
ETA: someone must carry One K’s here, but maybe all the riders I see wearing them just get them in the US??
I don’t think they look too “beaky” IRL. They’re definitely a different look just sitting around, but you really don’t notice when someone is riding around. I don’t own one, have just tried several on, but they fit my round head fairly well. They’re very lightweight too. I actually felt kind of naked because there really isn’t much helmet there.
They look like the helmets from the G-Force cartoons 
http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/ilove/tv/battle/gallery/images/340/princess1.jpg
Well, I will give myself away as a hunter rider, but IRL I hate them lol. I haven’t put one on but on the display rack at the tack store they look like a novelty trend, or perhaps something you would wear in the jumper ring hehe 
I am a die hard One K fan, and I have it in matte black… if you can get your hands on one, well worth it!
http://www.doversaddlery.com/one-k-defender-helmet/p/X1-36387/?ids=suj2wvoc132jewqbxy2mugaa
[QUOTE=Cabaret SK;7567758]
Where in Canada? I know some shops here who have carried OneK (or could potentially order it in).[/QUOTE] Sent you a pm!
Cabaret:
Sprucewood in London/Tavistock carries One K helmets.
Uvex helmets are available at Karlynn Equestrian.
I did try the Uvex Perfexxion helmet on at Rolex - fabulous fit, great ventilation and I now regret not purchasing one. Hence the links above.
