Virginia Tech Releases 2022 Helmet Ratings

[Rumorhasit93]

I have a miss shield and just ordered another one, so yeah this study hurt

I have had two bad falls, both resulting in broken bones. First one I landed directly on my side and hit my head to the point where I thought (in the exact moment) “I’m going to black out”. Went to the ER and head was completely fine, arm was not.

Second fall I landed directly flat on my back and hit the back of my head. My neck hurt for exactly one day (pain was significant) and was fine after that. My back was not as fortunate.

I would also love to see more in depth studies so I can make an informed decision about my next helmet purchase. It’s frustrating that for the price, many of the top brands (read: the brands the top riders wear) supposedly aren’t as safe.

I’ve also seen a picture of a top rider with a stud in the side of their Charles Owen after getting stepped on after a fall. That almost convinced me to get another CO. These studies are all over the place making it hard to find the “right” one. Helmet fit to head is a big factor in my decision making. I wanted a KASK but they don’t fit my head at all.

[MHM]

@Rumorhasit93

I’ve also seen a picture of a top rider with a stud in the side of their Charles Owen after getting stepped on after a fall.

Laura Kraut, I think. That was a crazy picture.

[Rumorhasit93]

YES thank you. I kept wanting to say Lauren Hough. You are correct.

[shedllybip]

The long awaited initial results of the Virginia Tech helmet study have been released, with testing scores of 40 ASTM equestrian helmets in the first testing batch.

Here are some initial takeaways:

The study focused on concussion risk only. That means that other factors, such as crush and impacts to different surfaces such as hard edges, were not considered. This is because there are other standards already in place to assess helmet performance in those scenarios.

Takeaway #1 - the more safety standards your helmet meets, plus the STAR rating, the better.

The testing was done on headforms with a pendulum impactor. The headform was designed to simulate a human head to the largest degree possible, but of course that can’t be 100%.

Takeaway #2 - helmet fit remains absolutely critical. You can have a 5 STAR helmet with the four major certifications and it’s worthless if it doesn’t fit.

If your helmet didn’t score well,

Takeaway #3 - this doesn’t automatically mean your helmet isn’t safe. However, it does mean that specifically for concussion prevention, it doesn’t score as well.

Takeaway #4 - you don’t have to spend a ton of money to have a safe helmet. This is something that we’re thrilled to see.

As mentioned previously, there’s a lot of information in the study results that we’ll dedicate several posts to, but these results should be used as a decision making factor and not as a single deciding factor when making the decision about which helmet to purchase.

Having said that, some of the most popular helmet models that we see in the competition ring, and those that are higher cost, did not perform well in the study.

Overall, the hope is that manufacturers will use these results to improve their helmets further so that we have a broader selection of 5 STAR helmets in the future.

Please remember - all helmets are tested by ASTM/SEI standards. The safest helmet for you is the one that fits your head the best regardless of this study. It really doesn’t tell the whole story.

[Mango20]

I’m pretty happy my Tipperary Sportage, which I’ve been wearing for many years (more than one) came in #5.

[Xctrygirl]

Here’s what you have been looking forward to…Virginia Tech Helmet Study - Results analysis and Webinar with Dr. Barry Miller!!!

MONDAY 12/12/22 at 7pm EST. IT will be recorded in case you cannot make it, but please still fill out the form

EVERYONE who wishes to attend or be sent the link to the recording after the fact, MUST register using this form. This is for getting an accurate head count (So I can see if I need to upgrade to a much higher limit Zoom account)

Virginia Tech Helmet Study Results Webinar 12/12/22 - 7pm - Sign Up

There is a spot on the form to submit your questions for Dr. Miller. We will be sharing that with him in advance of the webinar.

We will have a rundown of the study with Dr. Miller including the thoughts and feedback from the researchers and we will be taking questions in advance and doing a live Q&A session.

We will have the microphones muted for ALL attendees who sign on this time. (LOL IYKYK) The plan is to have everyone sign on between 7-7:25. We will go over some basics about the study and then Dr. Miller will start at 7:30pm.

Feel free to ask any questions here if you have any.

Em

[HipNo34]

I was actually expecting way worse

[Jealoushe]

They’ve been known to say they don’t care a whole lot about safety studies so don’t hold your breath.

[Foitin]

And yet in my case, the Samshield performed significantly better than the two helmets I bought to replace it, thinking they were SAFER: OneK mips and the Tipperary Winsor!

[Foitin]

Indeed, did much better than I expected!

[HipNo34]

throws hands in air

[halla]

@Sparky007

“ This setup allowed for linear and rotational motion to be generated during an impact and representative of the head, neck and torso of a 50th percentile male.” Male???

Ugh is that from this study? That’s… I was going to say disappointing but honestly I think demoralizing might be a better word. If it is from this study, that’s a question I have for the organizers.

[Sparky007]

Appears to be, yes. Read it here:

Equestrian%20STAR%20Protocol.pdf

[DMK]

Honestly, the results for all equestrian helmets was depressing in that only 2 got 5 star ratings. Go look at cycling, you have to scroll down to the 100th helmet to get to the FIRST 4 star helmet so clearly the technology to get a decent rating is there. And I get that not all cycling falls are comparable to riding falls, but here’s betting there’s more similarities than differences in the low impact fall.

I sincerely hope the helmet industry isn’t terribly impressed with itself today.

In good news, while I bought a mips helmet last year, I mostly only use it for showing. It’s the one k so that kind of sucks, but I tried on so many mips helmets and none of them fit so if there is any added value in mips, I’m still stuck with the one that fits. But I hadn’t got around to upgrading my way too old daily helmet yet. About 12 seconds after I read the story I ordered one of those tuff rider cf helmets off Amazon as a daily helmet before they were sold out and shot up in price. Of course, if it fits my long oval slab side head will be the big question.

[rulex]

@DMK

I tried on so many mips helmets and none of them fit so if there is any added value in mips, I’m still stuck with the one that fits

I’m in the same boat. My MIPS helmet ranked low, but it was the one that fit me the best out of all the locally available MIPS helmets. I think I tried almost every MIPS helmet that ranked higher in the study and they were not a great fit. Someone said it in the thread already, but a properly fitting helmet is more important than how many stars it has.

I’ll be continuing to wear mine and will revisit these studies when it’s time to replace it.

[AAHunterGal]

@DMK

Honestly, the results for all equestrian helmets was depressing in that only 2 got 5 star ratings. Go look at cycling, you have to scroll down to the 100th helmet to get to the FIRST 4 star helmet so clearly the technology to get a decent rating is there. And I get that not all cycling falls are comparable to riding falls, but here’s betting there’s more similarities than differences in the low impact fall.

I sincerely hope the helmet industry isn’t terribly impressed with itself today.

Amen.

Maybe they will spend less time coming up with new $800 rhinestone covered glorified fashion hats and start spending more money on actual research and safety.

As someone who also rides bikes, the cycling industry would NEVER let something like this fly. You know that no matter which cycling helmet you buy, you have confidence your helmet will do its best to protect you.

[Foitin]

True, yet my rhinestone Samshield made the two MIPS helmets I tried (and unfortunately bought) look like the fashion hat garbage so there are many factors to consider, most of which I do not understand: quality of materials? Not sure honestly, so I’ll keep the Shadowmatt for now!

[Xctrygirl]

OK so since COTH Forums now has a block on posting similar posts, thinking that they’re spam, allow me to try to post the Zoom link to the Webinar being held tomorrow night.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88596262936?pwd=MEFQOHE5U0dRazhaUHowam9CdHhwUT09

Meeting ID: 885 9626 2936

Passcode: 683911

There’s more info here:

The “doors” will open at 7pm. Barry will start a bit after. We are trying allow time for everyone to log in and get settled with their computer and work through any tech issues.

PAY ATTENTION… YOU WILL NEED TO ENTER THE PASSCODE>>> 683911

Your microphone will be muted on sign in. Your camera will be off. That is intentional. Nothing is wrong.

Many thanks,

Emily

[Peggy]

This may be helpful. It links to part 3 of a blog from RideEquisafe about the VT ratings and how it relates to other studies.

Virginia Tech Helmet Study Results Part 3 - Where Do We Go From Here?

[Xctrygirl]

Catherine and I spoke and she is busy today but in the process of updating these check lists. A few important certifications were left off.

Specifically - All OneK’s have VG1 Cert. All Trauma Voids have VG1 Cert. Ditto all GPA’s.

And the OneK Defender has PAS015 cert as well.

Em