Another fall, another new hat required

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Shoei

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So I was flung in the yard and fell hitting the top, back of my head. Now even though my hat hasn't a scratch on it (PE hat) 2 days later I still have an egg on my head.

I dont remember years ago, when hats were so we'll padded they used to consist of 90% sweat, getting a lump if i banged my head. Is it the new style hats? Is it because I'm over 40? Is it just luck....

Just myssing really whilst looking for hats again
 
There are threads on hat design. But to start with, I would suggest that if you fell hard enough to cause a lump on your head, you could have it checked ot at A and E, where at least a doctor could look into your eyes which is how my Dr daughter checked me after a fall onto tarmac.

The damage from a blow to the head can be delayed. I didnt have pain nor go to A&E till 2 days after I fell. But I hope you are OKay.

Looking at the PE hats, some of them do indeed have a liner, but not all liners are the same. PE lines may just add soft cushioning and i dont know if there is a safety standard for the lining.

Mips riding hat liners were influenced by the latest cycle safety helmets.
There is an inner mesh cap which needs to be the correct size for your head, and a hard bulky outer shell, The idea is to protect your skull fron crashing onto the inside of the hard hat and also (I dont quitre understand this) to reduce the effect of rotation, that is movement of the brain inside the person's skull.

I have not fallen off wearing my mips hat so I cant comment on how it feels.
 
I mean, I fell off my 16'1 on to the road 2 years ago, and I'm also in my 40s! I whacked my head and I didn't get a lump! I was wearing a champion scull cap! so I would take a wild guess that the PE hat isn't very good if you've managed to come away with a lump on your head.
 
In order of decent protection we have used (the cheapest model of):
- Champion skull cap (slight headache from hard falls)
- Whitaker dial hat (you’d have to whack it on concrete to get a headache but has been done)
- Charles Owen Skull (No headache. Nothing. Been literally run over by a horse with one on - heard the knock, felt nothing, hat just showed scratches. Kids have fallen off at flat out gallop, jumping, all sorts. Not even a sniff of a headache.) They are super hot in the summer though!

I don’t have the budget, while we constantly train youngsters, for expensive hats so haven’t tried one. Kids fall off several times a year, I do sometimes too. In the summer I replace with a Whitaker hat, winter Charles Owen.
 
I think there are probably two elements to it - the fall could have been different/ meant you landed on your head in a certain way that meant that you ended up with a lump on your head compared to previous falls or that the hat you wore wasn't as good, possibly a combination of the two. Logically you'd like to think that hats are a higher standard and offer more protection than previously but interesting to hear Maya's experiences - emphasises the loss of Charles Owen skull caps.
 
My head is Charles Owen shaped and I had 2 head first falls in quick succession without a bump. One was the icky feeling from concussion but they are very robust hats. If you got an actual bump I might look at a different type.

Also gutted CO aren't making them here now.
 
Did you buy the PE online? I will only buy from a real life shop with a qualified fitter, having bought one online which I know is my size but I know is not a great fit and I have stopped wearing because I don’t feel 100% safe in it. She makes you walk round the shop for 15 minutes wearing the hat to check it is correct before she lets you buy it.
 
Squeak said:
I think there are probably two elements to it - the fall could have been different/ meant you landed on your head in a certain way that meant that you ended up with a lump on your head compared to previous falls or that the hat you wore wasn't as good, possibly a combination of the two. Logically you'd like to think that hats are a higher standard and offer more protection than previously but interesting to hear Maya's experiences - emphasises the loss of Charles Owen skull caps.
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But you can still buy them!

They made the specialist ones here, not all of them.
 
maya2008 said:
But you can still buy them!

They made the specialist ones here, not all of them.
Click to expand...
I hope that’s true. I found their announcements very confusing and it didn’t seem to be clarified as to whether production of the skull caps would be continued or not.
I’m on my 2nd CO MIPS skull, hoping not to need my 3rd for a while but I would like to be able to replace like for like.
 
maya2008 said:
But you can still buy them!

They made the specialist ones here, not all of them.
Click to expand...

Their announcements were a bit confusing - I thought it was all their jockey skulls that were made here and their halos/ kylos that were made abroad - it looks like they've bought out a new skull cap with an adjustable dial which fits with it being their adjustable kylos that were made abroad but it's a bit hard to make out and so if some of their good skull caps are still being made that would be great news.

I checked at the time and their skull cap I use wasn't one that they quoted as being made abroad so I bought another as I have a nightmare trying to find hats to fit and mine was getting to the end of it's life too.
 
On the Charles Owen website for Jockey Skulls:

Phoenix is new with dial.
Young Rider is the one we use, but friends have the JS1 and it is similar.
All under £100.

More expensive options (including some with MIPS):
MS1 Pro
Pro II Plus
Race II
Race II Patent
4 Star
 
Charles Owen skull type are the best. My husband used to audit them and their skull caps go through very rigorous testing and are regulated by British Standards. I've had two falls onto tarmac over 15 years and only a scratch on the hat, no injury to my head or neck.
 
BigRedDog said:
Did you buy the PE online? I will only buy from a real life shop with a qualified fitter, having bought one online which I know is my size but I know is not a great fit and I have stopped wearing because I don’t feel 100% safe in it. She makes you walk round the shop for 15 minutes wearing the hat to check it is correct before she lets you buy it.
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This. I was happy with a medium skull and thin liner. But the fitter wasn’t so I ended up with a large skull, thick liner and some extra padding to fit my head.

A good fitter will really take the time to ensure it’s the best it can be.

(I bought an evoke hat)
 
So far in life I've always worn Champion hats. either the skull or the Ventair. I buy both as children's hats - Champion Junior range - because they come up to my size and are cheaper. Always buy them from local supplier so I can try on first to ensure fit and have fit checked too.
 
I have fallen off and hit my head more times than I would like to admit to but I have never been left with a lump on my head. I always wear either Charles Owen or champion skull hats I would never wear a dial type hat or one of those shell looking things.
 
BigRedDog said:
Did you buy the PE online? I will only buy from a real life shop with a qualified fitter, having bought one online which I know is my size but I know is not a great fit and I have stopped wearing because I don’t feel 100% safe in it. She makes you walk round the shop for 15 minutes wearing the hat to check it is correct before she lets you buy it.
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I had this one fitted.
 
Interesting responses.

I used to wear a CO 4* but i find it too hot for training. I did go with the plan to get a skull cap and particularly wanted Mips but none in stock fitted me.
 
I've not worn anything less than a SNELL for many years, mostly a CO 4 star. I did cave last summer though and bought a PAS015 dressage hat, with a dial and bling I am ashamed to say, because it was so much lighter and doesn't make my head look like spacehopper on top of my neck.
 
I loved my 4* but felt i was at significant risk of falling off due to passing out via heat exhaustion 🤣
 
Shoei said:
I loved my 4* but felt i was at significant risk of falling off due to passing out via heat exhaustion 🤣
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That’s why we wear Whitaker vented hats in the summer. There’s a point at which your head starts to boil in an unvented skull cap!
 
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