Buying a riding hat online

[poiuytrewq]

The hat I have is a Champion junior x-air plus. It’s the only hat I don’t get a banging head in and find unbearable to wear. If I go to a shop and get fitted they always try and sell me a Gatehouse as this is what fits my head. I just can’t wear it though (have bought two!) So I decided to buy online but the design seems to have changed slightly.
Should it still be the same fit wise do we think?
No where local stocks them and the shop I bought from closed down

 

[poiuytrewq]

Nb the champion was fitted properly originally, it does fit it’s just not the number 1 fit for me apparently

 

[Annagain]

Are you sure there's nowhere relatively local to you where you could try it on? I would have thought your area is quite well blessed with tack shops? Even an hour's drive might be worth it?
If not, I suppose all you can do is order it to try and hope for the best. Can you send it back if it doesn't fit?

Champion hats fit me well too and Gatehouse definitely don't, they're very different shapes. I'm surprised any shop would say both a Champion and a Gatehouse fit the same person.

 

[terrierliz]

I renewed my Charles Owen last year after a fall, I’ve always had the Pro II as fitted perfectly, was going to buy online then last minute went to local tack shop whose fitters I trust - so glad I did as something has changed and it just didn’t feel right, ended up with a different Charles Owen in my normal size so for me worth the few extra pounds and I‘m not sure you can return riding hats. Good luck in your search!

 

[throwawayaccount]

Can you perhaps see if another style or brand of hat suits you , If you can afford to increase budget (obv get fitted at a tackshop?)
I got fitted for a UVEX yesterday when I went in for something else initially, the UVEX is heaven honestly.

 

[poiuytrewq]

Yes there are several shops near us that fit, they all say Gatehouse though. Admittedly I’ve not tried in a while. Im a bit worried as the Gatehouse hats I’ve had were both comfortable at first and during the fitting I was happy with them.
A few shops wouldn’t sell me anything else as fitted, obviously I could have purchased against their advice but that’s stupid!
Then one fitter suggested the Champion (after I’d explained the problem)
I went out with no set budget really, certainly expected to spend more so have been more than happy with the one I have.
Id gladly buy another if I was confident in the headache department!

 

[poiuytrewq]

I will widen my search area!

 

[throwawayaccount]

I used to get chronic migraines with Charles Owen’s so switched to samshields after getting fitted at LIHS. In the tackshop yesterday I mentioned my migraine issue and was advised UVEX would be the best for me, hope this helps x

 

[Skib]

The amount of padding round the edge of hats was increased a few years ago, so any new hat may fit slightly differently from an old hat of the same brand.

 

[poiuytrewq]

I used to get chronic migraines with Charles Owen’s so switched to samshields after getting fitted at LIHS. In the tackshop yesterday I mentioned my migraine issue and was advised UVEX would be the best for me, hope this helps x

I’ve never tried a UVEX so will see if I can find a local ish stockist. Thanks

 

[The Xmas Furry]

Having tried on 3 identically sized, same brand, same model hats on last week at patient lovely tack shop, I'd definitely not buy on line! Only 1 fitted just right. All were new stock in that morning and not tried by anyone else.....

 

[bouncing_ball]

I’ve never tried a UVEX so will see if I can find a local ish stockist. Thanks

Based on how adjustable the uvex MIPS is in all dimensions, I’d think fairly safe to measure head circumference yourself and order right size. Can change depth and adjust circumference at back with dial.

 

[poiuytrewq]

Based on how adjustable the uvex MIPS is in all dimensions, I’d think fairly safe to measure head circumference yourself and order right size. Can change depth and adjust circumference at back with dial.

Oh ok, I didn’t realise that. So presumably if I got one fitted or did as you suggest then found it gave me a headache I could adjust it slightly?

 

[Nicnac]

Having just bought a new hat following a fall, even the same make and model fitted better in a smaller size than I had before. Defo worth getting fitted properly. If I'd bought the exact same hat as I had before over t'internet it would have been too big, especially after bedding down.

 

[bouncing_ball]

Oh ok, I didn’t realise that. So presumably if I got one fitted or did as you suggest then found it gave me a headache I could adjust it slightly?

You can adjust the depth and the circumference to have it both secure and comfortable. I’ve set the depth of mine, but the dial at the back, I loosen to remove, and tighten it again when I next put it on. Each time I set dial to be both secure and comfortable.

 

[Meowy Catkin]

If you go to a shop for a fitting, state right at the start that you do not want to try Gatehouse hats at all. Then stick to it (which can be hard if the fitter is persuasive) firmly.

 

[Tiddlypom]

I buy everything on line where I can, but for hats and body protectors I will go to an actual shop.

Bought one of each recently, as it happens. The fitting advice that I got instore was invaluable.

 

[mini-eventer]

I have bough the exact model (Junior x-air plus) several times online after originally getting it fitted and it was fine, I would do it again but I guess there is always a small risk