Are more expensive hats worth the money?

Shooting Star

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I don't think any vented hats are Snell so I would then be looking at MIPS hats if I want something with good safety standards.

All 3 of the current SNELL standard hats available have vents ? Gatehouse HS1-V, Champion Pro Ultimate & Charles Owen 4 Star.
I need to replace my old HS1 so have been starting to look at what is available, so hard to find local shops to be able to try & buy them from though.

https://smf.org/certlist/std_E2016.php
 

SibeliusMB

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I will probably continue to wear HS1 for hacking. I am presuming the benefits of Snell outweigh the benefits of MIPS. I think a lot of people think hacking is low risk compared to eventing, hunting etc but if you are on the road and have a fall the surface is much harder. I think people presume if you hack you are on a steady cob but not everyone is and even the quietest pony could have a startle due to other road users. One of my worse falls has been due to pony falling over I was cantering though a field and he lost footing and fell.

It would just be nicer to have something more ventilated and airy for riding in the school especially as I don't jump now.
It's not really the surface or even the activity/ discipline you ride that's important, but the nature of most horseback falls. The entire premise of MIPS is to reduce the torsional forces the brain suffers in most falls/impacts. These rotational forces are what contribute most often to TBI. Even if someone were to get dropped straight on their head onto the road there's still going to be twisting within the skull that common helmet testing doesn't account for and standard helmets do nothing to address. That's why MIPS is a big improvement over traditional riding helmets - the internal shell or "membrane" of the helmet takes some of those rotational forces away as it moves and thus keeps the brain from having to twist instead. MIPS helmets have long been standard in other potentially high-impact sports and the fact they are just now becoming conventional in the horse world is shocking.
 
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little_critter

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When I last bought a new helmet (about 18 months ago) I wanted a MIPS one, unfortunately while the MIPS ones I tried fitted ok, the best fitting one was non-MIPS (a Charles Owen J something or other)
It’s up to standard, just unfortunately no MIPS. I figured the best one to get would be the one (up to standard) that fits the best.
 

SibeliusMB

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Agreed, when in doubt stick with what fits you well. The issue with MIPS is that it's just catching on, so very few manufacturers and models are available. So for anyone who happens to not fit those few models, they're out of luck. I hope MIPS continues to grow and more models become available to increase fit options.

And a SNELL certified helmet is never a bad idea. I hope a MIPS model becomes SNELL certified one day soon, that might be the perfect helmet.
 
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Xmas lucky

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I was given co helmet for my 21 birthday last year the helmet was the correct sized but it didn’t sit right on my head it sat to high on my head. I felt really bad because it was a birthday surprise . I used it for a few months but ended up changing back to my champion.
 

bouncing_ball

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I've found that generally a skull cap with a high safety standard is a bit cheaper. They may not be as pretty but as headgear needs to be replaced after a fall/bad knock then they are a bit more affordable for the equivalent safety standard

skull caps don’t suit all head shapes. None fit me well.
 

Skib

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I just had to replace my Gatehouse hsi hat after a crashing fall 3 weeks ago. Due to covid and being over 80 OH and I still dont go into shops. We have to drive an hour to the saddlery. The assistant ordered a replacement and kindly brought my new hat to the car park. The inside of this hat now has a liner so though the name of the hat is unchanged, the hat fits more snuggly and is not identical. It feels better, more stable, but I wish model numbers and descriptions were clearer on the web.
 

Tiddlypom

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Recently bought CO MS1 with MIPS, ventilated and with removable liner, PAS 2011, under £120.
Lucky you!

There's a 12 week lead time from Charles Owen on those if your size is out of stock, and mine is (60cm) at local tack shop ?. I've already got a Charles Owen non MIPs JS1 jockey skull which fits me really well.

I am trying the ventilated Uvex Exxential MIPs helmet later (£170), but really wanted to compare the two.
 

Alibear

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I have a samshield (not a four figures one) and now a champion one. The bonus of the samshield is they offer a check service if you do fall off in it. So you send it in, they check it for safety and if poss/needed repair or offer a discount to replace. I have made use of that once and it definitely took the sting out of paying £300 for a hat :) The champion I got to wear whilst the samshield was off for repair, its nice and comfy and light to wear as it's vented but it does leave a red mark on my forehead which takes ages to go away.
 

AFB

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I've only scan read the thread so apologies if already mentioned - I think a key answer to your question lies in the KEP thread on here...

I'd much rather have my head in a CO!
 

MagicMelon

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Depends a lot on your head shape, for example Champion definately doesnt fit my head. Whereas Charles Owen do, as well as Gatehouse. I wanted to update my competition hat (mainly for SJ) so Ive just ordered the Gatehouse Conquest MKII which seems to be out of stock in a lot of places but I found one for £140. Looks lightweight and nicely vented so will soon find out! The most vented one Ive had was my old GPA but they're more expensive. I liked the look of the Charles Owen Halo as well but just thought they were a bit pricey when the Conquest looked pretty much the same.

Personally I always feel safety-wise that a jockey skull is probably going to be safer than anything which is particularly vented as surely they give slight weak spots?
 

HopOnTrot

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Still very confused! I need a new hat, do I need to be looking at something with a MIPS standard? The Champion ones seem to come in around £150. I don't think I've spent more than £70 on a hat before!
 

Birker2020

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Sorry i've not had chance to read this entire threat but I'm currently hat shopping and I really like the Rhinegold glitter hat in navy for unaff dressage and jumping. It has a safety standard of PAS015. If I'm looking in the £70-£90 region for a new hat what standard do I need for these activities? I have a champion shaped head but this hat fits me great as I've tried my friends on that she is selling. Thanks.

P.S I'm looking at a hat rather than a helmet.

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