Best dressage helmet

[Ruby Mae]

As the title says really. Samshield? Kask? Uvex? Charles owen? I quite like the look of the Samshield XJ ? Any opinions much appreciated. This is for BD dresage use.

 

[Kahlua]

Depends what suits your face shape! I was certain a Samshield would suit me, I was given one as a gift and had to take it back because I looked like a mushroom head. The KEP’s suit me best - I do love my KEP as I was able to customise, it’s light and doesn’t make my head too sweaty. My friend with a bigger head only looks good in a KASK. I’d say go and try them all on and make your decision from there.

Edited to add I’m assuming you meant looks wise, for safety you’d have to check where they sit in the independent reviews.

 

[Meowy Catkin]

Go for the riding hat which fits you best, has the correct safety standards and fits with BD's rules.

Maybe don't go for one that falls apart on first impact... even if you think it looks nice... not especially safe that.

 

[muddybay]

I love my gatehouse!

 

[Quigleyandme]

I confess to using Kep Italia’s bespoke customisation software to design hats that invariably cost out at €800 so sadly remain on the drawing board.???

 

[Meowy Catkin]

I'll just pop this link here. https://forums.horseandhound.co.uk/threads/warning-kep-riding-hat-safety-please-open.703085/

 

[Tiddlypom]

I confess to using Kep Italia’s bespoke customisation software to design hats that invariably cost out at €800 so sadly remain on the drawing board.???

Nooo .

The drawing board is the second best place to leave those, the bin is first choice.

MC's link above will explain that.

 

[sbloom]

Go for the riding hat which fits you best, has the correct safety standards and fits with BD's rules.

Maybe don't go for one that falls apart on first impact... even if you think it looks nice... not especially safe that.

Always this on the first point, head shape (not really face shape though I understand we don't want to look like mushroom heads!). On the second point I thought they were designed to break on a significant impact?

 

[milliepops]

Not getting into the exploding hat debate.... though I'd expect any hat to stay essentially "together" on an impact...mine are Charles Owen, i have a Ayrbrush which is vented and has a washable liner and a traditional velvet which i use for competing unless it's peeing down with rain.

 

[Meowy Catkin]

Always this on the first point, head shape (not really face shape though I understand we don't want to look like mushroom heads!). On the second point I thought they were designed to break on a significant impact?

If you read the thread I linked to, the hat in that fell apart on what I would class a low level fall. The hat was then essentially a necklace, so no protection at all from any further knocks that often happen with horse falls (eg knock one is hitting the ground and knock two is from a hoof). The thing that really put the icing on the cake though was the company's reaction and how they dealt with the situation.

 

[sbloom]

If you read the thread I linked to, the hat in that fell apart on what I would class a low level fall. The hat was then essentially a necklace, so no protection at all from any further knocks that often happen with horse falls (eg knock one is hitting the ground and knock two is from a hoof). The thing that really put the icing on the cake though was the company's reaction and how they dealt with the situation.

I was only responding to the comment, it would be tempting from that to try and find a hat that survives all sorts of knocks, as earlier hats did, but of course it's not the way to go. I didn't read the link, but yes, of course, that's appalling.

 

[Meowy Catkin]

I was only responding to the comment, it would be tempting from that to try and find a hat that survives all sorts of knocks, as earlier hats did, but of course it's not the way to go. I didn't read the link, but yes, of course, that's appalling.

I was possibly a bit cryptic... I was responding to post 2 (before the edit) where looks appeared to be the main consideration and I was just trying to say that safety and being within the rules matter too.

 

[catkin]

I thought that all hats should be replaced after a fall (or the hat being dropped) as the protecting layers work by spreading the pressure to save your head but once that's happened then the material can be damaged and not effective.

I wouldn't be looking to be fashion-forward in safety headgear - buy the skull hat that fits you the very best and a smart reusable silk. And replace hat after a fall or drop.