Does anybody have a Karben (Shires) riding helmet?

[HollyWoozle]

I’ve been toying with the idea of getting a new helmet for ages, an adjustable vented one. I currently have a Uvex Exxential but it’s not that comfortable and I really dislike the shape (“yes, you do look like a beetle” said a friend ?). The look is a lesser consideration than the comfort level.

I don’t wish to spend a fortune and have seen the Karben Imelda helmet but can’t find much about them or many reviews. It’s either that or a John Whitaker but I have a feeling I may have tried one of those already. Not that many places I can think of to try one. ?

Thanks!

 

[Barton Bounty]

I have a john whitaker one, I keep it as my spare, its really light and adjustable, not bulky at all.
My main helmet is a horze one which is adjustable and quite light too and not too bulky to look like you have a massive heeeeed ?

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

My friend bought the shires Karben for her Daughter they are pleased with it and it looks really nice on.

I did consider one as well but ended up buying a one K Ultra instead it looks similar to the karben, it's a really nice and fits well and is comfortable.

 

[Lady Jane]

I just bought a Uvex Exxential as the Karben just didn't fit my head and I'm very pleased with it. My friend bought the Karben as it was a good fit on her and she likes it. We tried then on at Blenheim to compare the fits

 

[criso]

Someone at the yatd bought one and it seems very nice. I tried it on and suited my head and the adjustable dial helped get it just right. I usually suit a Champion hat.

 

[HollyWoozle]

Thanks all! Very helpful.

 

[quiteniceforacob]

I love mine!

 

[SafeInSage]

Just fyi, the uvex you listed (and the John Whittaker helmets mentioned above) are only to VG1 standard. Might change your views depending on whether you compete and which country you’re in. PAS 015 is a higher standard.

I’ve tried a Karben on. They’re very nice helmets, feel nice quality considering the price and I believe they’re up to PAS standards. Personally, my favourite brand is gatehouse and I wouldn’t buy anything else now. Super comfortable with lots of liner options. One of theirs is adjustable too. All up to PAS standards.

 

[HollyWoozle]

Thank you. I was actually able to try on a Valentina yesterday and it was SO comfy. They are bit too snazzy for me so I’ve ordered an Imelda but sizing is a bit different on that model, we shall see!

 

[whizzer]

I bought one 6 months ago,really comfortable,looks smart,mine had 10% off another time so was a great price! It's one of the plainer ones, I'm planning to get a more sparkly one for shows!

 

[HollyWoozle]

Great to know you’re still happy with it 6 months later ? I’m excited to receive mine and hope it’s as comfy as the one I tried.

 

[HufflyPuffly]

those who have one, has the padding squished down over time?

I tried a small and a medium and both ‘fit’, but the small was super snug and I think would give me a headache if the padding doesn’t settle?

 

[whizzer]

those who have one, has the padding squished down over time?

I tried a small and a medium and both ‘fit’, but the small was super snug and I think would give me a headache if the padding doesn’t settle?

Mine has squished a bit,I'm wondering when I get a sparkly show one whether to go for the smaller size but on the other hand it will only be used about once a month so I'm assuming won't squish so much.... decisions,decisions!

 

[HufflyPuffly]

Mine has squished a bit,I'm wondering when I get a sparkly show one whether to go for the smaller size but on the other hand it will only be used about once a month so I'm assuming won't squish so much.... decisions,decisions!

Hmm might go for the smaller one then…

 

[2ndtimearound]

I tried one of these when I was looking for a new hat, and I found the small was just too tight. I couldn’t try the medium at the time, as they were out of stock, so I ended up with a Premier Equine Odyssey, which has a similar shape, and the medium was a good fit. I’ve been really pleased with it.

 

[pinkfluffy]

I've got a Shires Karben and its really comfy, you don't get too hot or sweaty. It's light to wear as well.

 

[Birker2020]

I bought one in Feb. But as I've only ridden in it 15 times and had one fall in it (I didn't get concussion) I am not really best to tell you whether its a good hat or not as I can't give you any longevity information

Its still very shiny still in its 'nearly new' condition.

My thread about it got pulled to pieces by jealous people but I don't care as its a smashing hat.
https://forums.horseandhound.co.uk/threads/shires-karben-sienna-riding-hat.816025/

 

[TheChestnutThing]

I have a shires karben for shows. It's gorgeous and looks like the One K defender. It's super lightweight and comfortable and I will be buying another for every day as my charles owen is on it's way out.

 

[Birker2020]

This is the one I have

 

[HollyWoozle]

I bought one in Feb. But as I've only ridden in it 15 times and had one fall in it (I didn't get concussion) I am not really best to tell you whether its a good hat or not as I can't give you any longevity information

Its still very shiny still in its 'nearly new' condition.

My thread about it got pulled to pieces by jealous people but I don't care as its a smashing hat.
https://forums.horseandhound.co.uk/threads/shires-karben-sienna-riding-hat.816025/

It’s funny that I even commented in that thread and evidently just forgot ? thanks!

 

[Birker2020]

It’s funny that I even commented in that thread and evidently just forgot ? thanks!

Yes you did, you were one of the kind hearted ones

 

[Afon_34]

I've just bought one of these (the black sparkly one lol!) I normally wear the HS1 hats but the Karben one fits surprising well too- excited to wear it out for competitions!

 

[HollyWoozle]

This is all very positive! My Karben Imelda is being delivered today and I am excited to try it, I really hope it fits like the Valentina did, although it is quite a bit cheaper. If not then I will return it and perhaps give some more thought... I nearly bought the Avena but I tend to prefer more plain helmets and the Imelda is the only one without shiny/sparkly bits.

 

[peanutsmumma]

I'm looking at the Karben hats too....how do they fit compared to Charles Owen?
Champion doesn't suit my head so I don't want anything that fits like those.

I'm looking at the Karben Sienna

 

[HollyWoozle]

I have a Charles Owen skullcap and find that comfy, as well as the Karben Imelda I ended up buying. I don't ride regularly in the UK but used my Karben on a riding holiday in Jordan earlier this month, something like 30 hours in the saddle, and found it comfy (at least comfier than my Uvex!). I've never tried a Champion for comparison though.

 

[peanutsmumma]

I went and tried a Karben on and unfortunately it didn't fit my odd shaped head ?
I ended up getting a Uvex as it seems this is the only lightweight helmet that I can wear!

 

[ecb89]

I tried one on when I was hat shopping and it felt really plasticky round my head. Ended up with a champion hat

 

[dottylottie]

i know this is a bit of an old thread now, but if anyone else is considering the john whitaker helmets vs a karben and comes across this, i don’t have a karben but my john whitaker one sits quite high on my head, and looks wise i don’t think it’s flattering at all? i think it’s the style of the peak, because it kind of shapes upwards at the sides!

came across this thread because i’m also looking at a karben hat, since i need to replace my everyday hat

 

[Birker2020]

i know this is a bit of an old thread now, but if anyone else is considering the john whitaker helmets vs a karben and comes across this, i don’t have a karben but my john whitaker one sits quite high on my head, and looks wise i don’t think it’s flattering at all? i think it’s the style of the peak, because it kind of shapes upwards at the sides!

came across this thread because i’m also looking at a karben hat, since i need to replace my everyday hat

Yes that's why I liked the Karben as it was low profile and more flattering than others I tried that were more expensive.

 

[dottylottie]

Yes that's why I liked the Karben as it was low profile and more flattering than others I tried that were more expensive.

i love the charles owen luna, but i just can’t justify the price tag if another, cheaper hat, is made to the same standard. i debated the charles owen esme skull cap, because i like the grey lol, but i think peaked one’s look smarter. it’s also my birthday in a month, so if i’m lucky because the karben is so much cheaper i might just be able to get out of buying it myself?

my head is 55cm, but i feel like the small might be too tight since 55cm is the max it goes up too, and i like being able to wear an earwarmer underneath so the next step is to find somewhere i can try one on lol