Advice: skull cap recommendations

I just bought the Charles Owen Pro II, i did try the J3 which was also lovely, but the Pro II just had the edge on it looks and feel wise. Lovely soft padded harness and really comfy.
 
What make is your current hat OP? It's just that hats come in different shapes to suit different shaped skulls. The Charles Owen hats are excellent, but do not suit my shape of head for instance. I have to have Gatehouse hats, which is not a problem as they are excellent as well. It's just that I had to travel further to find a retailer who stocked them.
 
I just bought a Gatehouse HSI, incredibly comfy, there are two main safety standards PAS015 and EN1384 and the kitemark, all hats should have this, but there is also SNELL, Gatehouse HSI definitely have SNELL.

But most importantly, get it professionally fitted, the Charles Owen hats don't fit me at all, in the past I've always had Champion hats, but really liked the fit of the Gatehouse.
 
Hedwards said:
But most importantly, get it professionally fitted, the Charles Owen hats don't fit me at all, in the past I've always had Champion hats, but really liked the fit of the Gatehouse.
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Tiddlypom said:
It's just that hats come in different shapes to suit different shaped skulls. The Charles Owen hats are excellent, but do not suit my shape of head for instance. I have to have Gatehouse hats, which is not a problem as they are excellent as well.
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I absolutely love my Gatehouse HSI, it's so comfortable I often forget I'm wearing it! I had the same problem that Charles Owen hats didn't fit my head well either and the Champion hats were okay but the HSI suits my head shape just lovely:)
 
It's just a basic velvet hat from Decathlon that I bought after having a bad fall when trying a horse for purchase. My original one went in the bin! Just needed a new one quickly but now feel aware it's not up to scratch so feel a better one will give me more confidence after a bad fall.
 
Hi,

I'd would advise having your hat fitted for you at a tack shop - only buy from Decathlon if it's a good make (IE Champion/Charles Owen) and you've already brought one fitted and brought previously from a tack shop (some of Decathlons makes have a dubious safety marking and sizing). I have always worn Champion hats as they fit my head shape - which is the most important thing with hats, not only for protection but comfort whilst riding .... Even the cheaper end of the likes of Champion/Charles Owen offer superb protection for everyday riding (and adhere to all the safety regs) - my £40 Champion Skull stopped my head from being mangled in a very nasty fall/head impacts school wall accident earlier in the year.

If you are doing more advanced riding - IE jump/XC work regularly when I would certainly recommend going up a grade - Have a word with your local tack shop they should be able to advise on best fit/type for the work you are doing.

xxx :)
 
All skull caps have to meet certain safety standards but do get it professionally fitted. Even them it doesn't always work out. With my old hat, according to two different fitters the hat fitted my head, but whilst riding it kept slipping over my eyes, so I had to buy a new hat. Even by the same manufacturer, different ranges have different shapes. Both of mine are Charles Owen, and the same size but one fitted, the other slipped!
 
I have the Charles Owen 4 star. Charles Owen hats don't usually fit my head but this one does. I actually had mine fitted by the main man himself and he said the 4 star fits lots of people. It's got some of the highest safety standards and I love mine, it's very secure and it's reassuring knowing that if I fall off I've done the best I can to protect my head. But to echo what others have said- make sure it's fitted by a professional, not all hats suits all heads.
 
Thanks everyone. Gazes and Elvis, spot on there. Didn't realise different hats were different in terms of fit so will go and try a few on with a specialist fitter rather than going the internet route.
 
JJones said:
I just bought the Charles Owen Pro II, i did try the J3 which was also lovely, but the Pro II just had the edge on it looks and feel wise. Lovely soft padded harness and really comfy.
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I second this, had to replace my hat after accident and got exactly the same hat again. Lovely fit, light on the head. All I would say is the silk that comes with it flew off somewhere on a hack!advised that a couple of stitches would have prevented this. Fab hat, got mine in silver :D
 
Silver Gatehouse HS1 every time! I fit the Charles Owen hats and used those previously but now I have a Gatehouse I wouldn't change back :) love it to pieces and it is the safest hat on the market xx
 
It depends on your head shape . Either the Charles Owen 4 star or the HS1 .
Personally I would never buy a hat that doesn't meet all safety standards as at the end of the day it only takes one very nasty fall ( and yes this doesn't have to be a fall out eventing it could just be on the road / in the school ) and that's you brain damaged for the rest of your life .
My friend and I a few days ago had a very in depth convo about this she currently rides in a gatehouse lightweight hat and is now going to get an HS1 as she doesn't want to risk anything .
 
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