Best skull cap

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First Frost

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I realise that the best hat is one that fits and I will of course get my new hat preofessionally fitted.
However any recommendations for a new skull cap?
 
Depends on budget and what you want to do. Charles Owen and Champion both have SNELL/MIPS.
 
My current hat is Charles Owen MS1 Pro. I have always been OTT about helmets and have worn hats designed for cross country but the latest ones owe much to cycle helmet design and my Charles Owen no longer has the Snell marking.

Edited to say that it is possible Charles Owen now own Champion
 
Returning to riding with a rather old hat, so I need to buy a new one. I love the one I have but it’s probably ten years old now.
What’s the current requirement for riding lessons and hacking? I’ll be looking at non skull style, thanks.
 
Poing said:
riding lessons and hacking
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They are not the same. One needs higher spec for hacking. Out hacking one may fall onto tarmac or onto the jagged or hard surface of a tree root or rock. Or ones horse may be spooked and gallop long distane out hacking creating a situation similar to riding cross country.
Since I never wanted to buy a choice of hats, I always wore my heave duty hacking hat in school lessons and this became acceptable and even normal after Charlotte du Jarden wore a protective helmet at the Olympics.
 
championequestrian.com

Revolve X-Air Mips Peaked Helmet

"The Champion REVOLVE X-Air Mips® Peaked Helmet has everything you need in a riding helmet for safety, comfort and head-turning style.
championequestrian.com championequestrian.com

Is what I have and I love it. Doesn't get too hot, straps are comfy and it offers really good protection.
 
My new hat can't be peaked as I want to be able to go cross country schooling in it. Ventilated would be gret as I am genrally a ot person. x
 
They have ventilated ones with MIPS without peaks

championequestrian.com

Jockey Helmets

All our jockey helmets are made in Great Britain and meet the highest safety standards, so you can ride with peace of mind. Ideal for eventers or all-rounders, our skull caps come in a range of colours, styles and sizes.
championequestrian.com championequestrian.com

I'm currently lusting after the cobalt one!
 
I think my advice would be to go to a big tack shop and try them on to see which feels best (and you'll most likely be able to get it fitted, too)
 
First Frost said:
My new hat can't be peaked as I want to be able to go cross country schooling in it. Ventilated would be gret as I am genrally a ot person. x
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I recently got a vented Champion MIPS skull cap to replace an older Charles Owen skull cap. They were both comfortable. I'd definitely recommend going and having a proper fitting though.
 
Skib said:
They are not the same. One needs higher spec for hacking. Out hacking one may fall onto tarmac or onto the jagged or hard surface of a tree root or rock. Or ones horse may be spooked and gallop long distane out hacking creating a situation similar to riding cross country.
Since I never wanted to buy a choice of hats, I always wore my heave duty hacking hat in school lessons and this became acceptable and even normal after Charlotte du Jarden wore a protective helmet at the Olympics.
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Sorry Skib, but everyone should have the highest rated hat regardless of activity, and the best hat they can afford.

Yes hacking is potentially more dangerous, but you're at risk the moment you're sat in a saddle. One of the worst injuries/falls I ever dealt with was someone coming off at a walk in an indoor school. Also a lesson could mean a xc clinic...
 
teapot said:
Sorry Skib, but everyone should have the highest rated hat regardless of activity, and the best hat they can afford.
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I agree. I am a hacker mostly and I learned to ride (and do dressage) in order to hack. But that was said to me by a Polish instructor at my first riding school. He said it was odd for a beginner like me to have such a high spec hat but since I had bought it, he could not advise me to buy another lighter or better ventilated one.

One can see that riders want to have lighter and better ventilated hats, otherwise companies would not produce them. But I always had the big tough hat and always took it to America with me as well, packed in my hand luggage.
 
Skib said:
They are not the same. One needs higher spec for hacking. Out hacking one may fall onto tarmac or onto the jagged or hard surface of a tree root or rock. Or ones horse may be spooked and gallop long distane out hacking creating a situation similar to riding cross country.
Since I never wanted to buy a choice of hats, I always wore my heave duty hacking hat in school lessons and this became acceptable and even normal after Charlotte du Jarden wore a protective helmet at the Olympics.
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I agree with Teapot that everyone should have the highest spec that both fits properly and that they can afford to buy.

I was utterly shocked to see the damage to my skull cap when I had the most innocuous slide down the neck of a horse that had tripped on landing (from a small cross pole) on a surface in a school. I tucked and rolled, but my hat still hit the floor. I wasn’t winded, definitely not concussed, and straight back on. Bought my new hat the next day, and sent the old one off to Champion, who examined it and sent me the results. That hat did its job that day.

So yes, just because you are riding in a school does not lessen the risks or consequences of a head injury; there are still hard objects that can meet your head, including moving hooves.
 
I like my C&O 4star with snell but it suits a round head I think I don't find champions or gatehouse comfy. It came off the roof of my car at 50mph and has only a small scratch that you could see
 
My go to is always a Champion x-air junior!
I had one fitted years ago and loved it so just replace like for like every time.
If I go now to get one fitted they always say Gatehouse fits best but I’ve made that mistake and they give me a terrible head ache
 
Cloball said:
I like my C&O 4star with snell but it suits a round head I think I don't find champions or gatehouse comfy. It came off the roof of my car at 50mph and has only a small scratch that you could see
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I hope you replaced it! A hat that's hot the floor at 50mph is no longer safe to use because it's not going to offer any protection.
 
meandmyself said:
I hope you replaced it! A hat that's hot the floor at 50mph is no longer safe to use because it's not going to offer any protection.
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👍👍 Of course I even posted a thread about how silly I was as it was brand new so replacing it was painful. But I was still impressed at it's maintaining it's integrity. Never put your hat on top of your car whilst you change your boots if you're anything like me!

Prior to upgrading I always wore Charles and Owen junior skull cap.
 
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