Finest using hats for horse riders of all talents

A helmet is an important piece of package once you’re using – no matter your stage or self-discipline. Selecting from the finest using hats to fit your wants won’t solely provide help to keep away from head accidents, however it’ll help you carry out at your finest, no matter your chosen self-discipline. It may be difficult to know which is the very best using hat for you as there are such a lot of fashionable choices that embody an enormous quantity of know-how throughout very completely different worth factors.

When ought to I exchange my using hat?

Your hat ought to at all times get replaced if it has suffered any type of affect. Though it could seem positive from the surface, its the within that’s vital. For that reason, shopping for hats second hand shouldn’t be really useful. Your hat additionally wants changing if it’s greater than two to a few previous as a result of the protecting liner and internal padding could have begun to deteriorate with publicity to warmth and repeated use.

To assist your hat final so long as potential, retailer it in a cool atmosphere – keep away from leaving it within the automotive. Holding it in a protecting hat bag is a perfect approach to preserve it cushioned and away from sturdy daylight.

When you compete, you’ll additionally must regulate the hat requirements which can be accepted by your governing physique – if these change, then you might must spend money on a brand new, rule-compliant hat.

How to decide on the very best using hat for you

The very first thing to think about when selecting the very best helmet for you is the kind – when you compete, every self-discipline has its personal guidelines for what helmets may be worn, which incorporates minimal hat requirements for competitors necessities, and generally type (for instance, for cross-country you’ll want a hat and not using a fastened peak) and color.

Then it’s worthwhile to take into consideration how a lot safety every helmet provides you – completely different security requirements check for several types of accidents – it’s finest to decide on a helmet with as many security requirements as potential.

It’s additionally clever to think about what options every helmet has that improve the consolation or look – these may embody detachable headbands, air flow techniques, huge peaks, MIPS know-how or being vegan pleasant.The type and end of a helmet can help you present your persona. Lately you’ll find every thing from probably the most conventional velvet to completely customised sparkle.

When contemplating funds, at all times purchase the very best you may afford, and keep in mind that the costliest may not be the very best. Within the UK, helmets made to suit 55cm and beneath (normally baby sizes) are VAT free. When you’re on a decent funds, we’ve rounded up the finest using hats underneath £100.

Lastly, it’s actually vital to make sure that your helmet is an efficient match. Horse & Hound strongly advises that you just get your hat fitted by a BETA-trained skilled earlier than making a purchase order – the identical recommendation goes for physique protectors, too. Discover out in case your native tack store can present this service right here.

Finest using hats – peaked helmets

Charles Owen Luna

Colors: Black gloss, black matte or midnight | Sizes: 52–61cm | Requirements: PAS015:2011 (with Kitemark), ASTM F1163, VG1 (with Kitemark) | RRP: From £220 |

The Luna contains a air flow system underneath the ring along with a washable headband. There’s additionally the choice to have a large peak that helps enhance imaginative and prescient in any climate.

Within the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk, rideawaystore.com or ebay.co.uk
Within the US? View now at amazon.com

Shires Karben Avena

Colors: Black, navy or gray | Sizes: 53–61cm | Requirements: PAS015:2011 (with Kitemark) | RRP: £94.99 |

This helmet has easy outer with engaging shiny accents and good trims. It has a micro-adjustable dial system, entrance and rear air vents, a thermoregulating mesh liner and wicking headband.

Within the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk, viovet.co.uk, equus.co.uk, naylors.com or rideawaystore.com

Uvex Suxxeed Blaze

Colors: Black, navy or burgundy | Sizes: XS–S, S or M–L | Requirements: VG1 (with Kitemark) | RRP: From £325.50 |

With a shiny lacquer end, glitter insert and chrome-plated body, this adjustable helmet is de facto eye-catching. It’s ventilated and breathable, with a washable internal lining. It makes use of a 3D IAS system to vary the peak and width for probably the most exact match, and the adjustable straps are fabricated from a top quality artificial leather-based.

Within the UK? View now at equus.co.uk, rideawaystore.com or ebay.co.uk

Charles Owen Hampton

Colors: Black, navy, brown, bottle inexperienced or gray | Sizes: 52–65cm | Requirements: PAS015:2011 (with Kitemark), ASTM F1163, VG1 (with Kitemark) | RRP: From £197 |

This elegant and conventional velvet-covered hat is ideal for each the competitors enviornment and hunt discipline. It has a mushy but sturdy tan harness, and contains a satin lining and luxurious headband. It has a low-profile type, is obtainable in a alternative of 5 colors and meets a number of security requirements.

Within the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk or equus.co.uk

Champion Air-Tech Deluxe

Colors: Black metallic, navy metallic, oyster metallic, ruby metallic or black silk | Sizes: S, M or L (52–61cm) | Requirements: PAS015:2011 (with Kitemark), ASTM F1163, VG1 (with Kitemark) | RRP: From £148 |

This low-profile helmet is made with a light-weight injection-moulded ABS shell, which makes it snug with out compromising on security. It options triple-mesh venting for superior airflow, a detachable crown-comfort padded, wicking lining. It makes use of a dial-fit system for full sizing adjustability and is obtainable with metallic or silk paint finishes.

Within the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk, viovet.co.uk or ebay.co.uk
Within the US? View now at amazon.com

Gatehouse Ciana

Colors: Matt black, matt black/gloss trim, matt navy/gloss trim, suedette navy/glitter trim or suedette black/glitter trim | Sizes: 52–62cm | Requirements: PAS015:2011 (with Kitemark), VG1 (with Kitemark) | RRP: From £192 |

This fashionable and light-weight using hat has a fast drying, wicking padded liner that may be eliminated for laundry. Comes with a padded storage bag.

Within the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk, viovet.co.uk, equus.co.uk or rideawaystore.com

Whitaker New Rider Technology Helmet

Colors: Black or navy | Sizes: XS–L | Requirements: ASTM F1163, VG1 | RRP: From £95 |

This adjustable helmet has a easy, matte impact outer and two entrance vents. It additionally has a breathable Coolmax lining, which is detachable and machine cleanable.

Within the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk, viovet.co.uk, equus.co.uk, gooutdoors.co.uk or blacks.co.uk

Gatehouse Conquest MKII

Colors: Black/rose gold, navy/rose gold, matt black or matt navy | Sizes: 54–62cm | Requirements: PAS015:2011 (with Kitemark), VG1 (with Kitemark) | RRP: From £166.66 |

This fashionable and light-weight helmet has a versatile peak and is effectively ventilated with a quick-drying, wicking, padded and detachable liner. It is available in a padded storage bag and you should purchase alternative liners.

Within the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk, viovet.co.uk, equus.co.uk, rideawaystore.com or ebay.co.uk

One Ok Defender Air Glitter

Colors: Black or navy | Sizes: 51–62cm | Requirements: ASTM F1163, VG1 | RRP: £275 |

This using hat options real Swarovski crystals and glitter element that can assist you stand out from the gang. It may be adjusted with an air pump system – the three hidden air pockets within the liner are inflated by miserable its hid air pump till you get the fit your needs need. It additionally contains a quick-dry, anti-microbial liner, a number of air vents and a matte polycarbonate outer shell.

Within the UK? View now at viovet.co.uk or ebay.co.uk

Uvex Exxential II MIPS

Colors: Black | Sizes: XS–XL | Requirements: VG1 | RRP: £149.95 |

This helmet combines sportiness, local weather management and security. It brings an replace to the Uvex Exxential II with the introduction of MIPS know-how, which is designed to additional defend the mind towards rotational actions within the occasion of an accident.

Within the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk or equus.co.uk
Within the US? View now at amazon.com

Charles Owen Halo

Colors: Black or midnight in gloss or matt | Sizes: 52–61cm normal or 55–59cm spherical | Requirements: PAS015:2011 (with Kitemark), ASTM F1163, VG1 | RRP: From £370.50 |

This design advantages from 360° air flow underneath the halo ring, which is available in a alternative of rose gold, platinum, black gloss or black matte. It has a washable headband with padded neck help, and the liner is anti-microbial. It fastens with a sustainably sourced leather-based harness and metallic buckle. A large peak (Halo Luxe) is obtainable to enhance imaginative and prescient in all-weathers and MIPS know-how is one other non-obligatory improve.

Within the UK? View now at rideawaystore.com

Rhinegold Reflective Professional

Colors: Black or navy | Sizes: 6⅜–7¼ | Requirements: PAS015:2011 | RRP: From £69.95 |

This historically styled ventilated hat contains a detachable, washable liner with a mushy Coolmax-lined harness. The Dayglo reflective piping presents a small quantity of elevated visibility.

Within the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk

Kask Kooki Girl

Colors: Black or navy, in a matt or shine end | Sizes: 53–63cm | Requirements: ASTM F1163, VG1 | RRP: £306 |

This helmet is described as good for the present ring and education – an on a regular basis helmet that may match each outfit. It consists of two shells and has a breathable and antibacterial internal padding. It additionally options entrance and rear air flow and a mushy chin strap.

Within the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk, rideawaystore.com or ebay.co.uk

Finest using hats – jockey skulls

Charles Owen Professional II Plus

Colors: Black, navy, silver or rose gold | Sizes: 52–65cm normal or 56–59cm spherical | Requirements: PAS015:2011 (with Kitemark), ASTM F1163, VG1 | RRP: From £162 |

This helmet is the one triple-standard cranium cap with a detachable cup headband. It options entrance and rear air flow, a sized liner for a detailed, customised match, and a mushy technical harness.

Within the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk, equus.co.uk, rideawaystore.com, naylors.com or sportsdirect.com
Within the US? View now at amazon.com

Shires Karben Junior Cranium Cap

Colors: Black or gray | Sizes: 53–62cm | Requirements: PAS 015 (with Kitemark) | RRP: £61.99 |

This hat has 16 air flow holes and mesh sections within the padded lining for enhanced local weather management. The four-point adjustable harness is made out of hard-wearing, mushy webbing with a mushy cowl on the chin strap.

Within the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk, viovet.co.uk, equus.co.uk, rideawaystore.com or ebay.co.uk

Gatehouse HS1-V

Colors: Anthracite gray or matt black | Sizes: 52–62cm | Requirements: ASTM F1163, SNELL E2016 | RRP: From £230

That is an replace to the favored HS1 jockey cranium with the addition of vents to provide the advantage of air circulation, which helps to maintain your head cool. It contains a mushy four-point padded harness with an antibacterial lining. This hat comes with a wise padded storage bag.

Within the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk 

Charles Owen 4Star

Colors: Silver, black or navy | Sizes: 54–62cm | Requirements: ASTM F1163, PAS 015 (with Kitemark), SNELL E2016, VG1 (with Kitemark) | RRP: £230 |

This cranium is licensed to 4 high worldwide security requirements. It has 10 air flow slots and the choice of a heat-reflective silver end. It additionally comes with a ventilated silk.

Within the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk, naylors.com or ebay.co.uk 

Champion Revolve Vent-Air MIPS Jockey Cranium

Colors: Black | Sizes: 6¼–7¾ | Requirements: PAS015:2011 (with Kitemark), ASTM F1163, VG1 | RRP: From £208 |

An improve to the Champion Revolve Vent-Air cranium, this contemporary, light-weight helmet incorporates MIPS, which is the mind safety system that gives added safety towards angular affect and damaging rotational forces. This helmet presents good air flow and luxury because of the central air flow strip and detachable crown consolation padding in breathable microfiber. It has a sturdy painted acrylic and sand end that helps to forestall you silk slipping. It additionally contains a four-point mushy leather-based harness with rear lacing adjustment.

Within the UK? View now at ebay.co.uk

Uvex Perfexxion II XC

Colors: Black | Sizes: XS/S, S/M, M/L or L/XL | Requirements: VG1 (with Kitemark) | RRP: From £260 |

This adjustable cranium has a slim, light-weight and ergonomic design, whereas the outer shell is prolonged over the neck for added safety and the ponytail cut-out is a handy function. The design contains dynamic air flow for optimum local weather administration in addition to washable liner pads.

Within the UK? View now at equus.co.uk or ebay.co.uk 

Kask Dogma XC

Colors: Black or black/silver | Sizes: 50–63cm | Requirements: ASTM F1163, VG1 | RRP: £453

This helmet contains all of the technical and design options which can be within the Dogma Pure Shine Chrome, together with the specialised air flow and match techniques, however with out the height. It stands out with a easy matt-look body.

Within the UK? View now at ebay.co.uk

What are the present using hat security requirements?

There are 5 essential security requirements which can be recognised internationally. All using hats and jockey skulls ought to conform to one in every of these requirements and bear the CE mark. When figuring out helmet security, every of the person requirements have their very own standards and assessments that place completely different emphasis on numerous sorts of damage. For instance, they’ll study how a lot of the top a helmet covers, how a rider falls and onto what sort of floor, how a helmet strikes, and the way extreme an damage riders can count on to obtain from that fall, however all in a barely completely different method and to completely different extents.

• VG1 01.040 (2014-12) – This was launched as an interim specification when the EN 1384 was withdrawn. It calls for the helmet passes three affect assessments.
• PAS 015 (1998 or 2011) – PAS stands for product approval specs, that are developed by the BSI. The 2011 normal is extra demanding than the 1998, which can in all probability be phased out of self-discipline guidelines within the subsequent couple of years. It contains 4 completely different affect assessments.
• ASTM F1163 (2004a or 04a onwards) – This American normal is just like PAS 015:1998 – it contains two affect assessments, however doesn’t have a crushing or penetration check.
• SNELL E2016 – This normal was developed within the US and is probably the most rigorous with 5 completely different assessments. It contains all features of ASTM and PAS 015 however is examined with a sharper horseshoe anvil (to copy a kick or affect with a pointy floor), greater impacts and a further hemispherical anvil (to characterize an uneven however not sharp floor, resembling a tree, fence or cobbled floor).
• AS/NZS 3838 (2006 onwards) – This Australasian normal is just like the EN 1384, though additionally contains the hazard anvil check from the PAS 015.

What’s the distinction between hat requirements and high quality marks?

High quality marks, such because the British Kitemark, present that the necessities of certification have been met and the producer has complied with rules. In case your hat additionally bears one in every of these marks it tells that the producer is repeatedly and independently monitored to make sure that they proceed to make hats to a excessive normal. High quality symbols embody…

• Kitemark – That is the registered trademark of the British Requirements Institute. It signifies that an organization complies with a rigorous system of regulation and testing, together with common testing of random samples. For instance, one in every of each 200 helmets from a batch is checked earlier than they’ll situation an approval label. If the helmets don’t go the usual, then all the batch have to be destroyed. It may be utilized to PAS 015 and VG1-compliant helmets.
• IC mark – This high quality mark is operated by Inspec and utilized to PAS 015 and VG1-compliant helmets.
• SEI mark – The Security Tools Institute is the American equal of the Kitemark for ASTM normal hats.
• SAI International – This Australian high quality assurance scheme can be just like the British Kitemark.

The CE mark is neither a top quality mark or a regular, however a compulsory declaration underneath EU regulation that exhibits a producer complies with important necessities.

How ought to a using hat match?

At Horse & Hound we strongly advise that you just get your hat fitted by a BETA-trained skilled earlier than making a purchase order. Discover out in case your native tack store can present this service right here.

A well-fitting hat ought to sit firmly in your head – simply above your eyebrows and ears. It ought to match snuggly all the best way round your head, with no strain factors on the temples. When you really feel strain in your temples once you flex your jaw, this means that the helmet is just too tight. When fastening your helmet, it’s vital to not neglect the a part of the harness that matches across the again of your neck. This strap helps to forestall your hat tipping forwards on to your nostril. Some harnesses, significantly these with a number of leather-based and lacing, are tougher to lock, however a educated fitter at your native tack store can be in a position that can assist you when you take your hat in.

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