Gatehouse HS1 - some reassurance needed please!

[Orchardbeck]

Hi - I have just been fitted with an HS1 after a fall in my last hat which was a Troxel Sierra, so lightweight and adjustable. I have a 'Champion' shaped head as opposed to Charles Owen (after spending my youth battling with a CO jockey skull that gave me bad headaches!).

Anyway, I always thought I was a size 2/57cms but when I was in the shop the fitter made me try a 1.5/56cm HS1 and said it fitted me better than a 2 (in a different style hat), as it lifts my eyebrows when you try to move it - although they didn't have a size 2 in the HS1 so I couldn't compare. Admittedly I haven't had a hat fitted by a fitter since I was 11 years old, but I was fitted with a size 2 even then!

I bought it and have been wearing it around the house as advised by fitter. it does feel tighter than I imagined it should but this is perhaps to me being used to the wrong size - will it give or do I need to get them to order in a size 2?

 

[Tiddlypom]

I found that my HS1 did give slightly, so you may be ok. Its a pity that you couldn't try a size 2 for comparison.

 

[PorkChop]

I like mine to be fitted very snugly and it will give, if you have been used to a different make it will obviously feel differently.

I really rate the HS1, I have had a couple of horrible falls in mine and have walked away none the worse for wear.

If you do feel it is unbearably tight go back to the fitter.

 

[Orchardbeck]

Thanks, it may be that I'm not used to it, but it is making me feel really dizzy, and when I take it off I can feel all the blood move back in my head - it almost feels like I have pins and needles. My head still feels funny 20 mins later after taking it off from wearing it for 20 mins.

I've asked them to order a size 2 in for me, but I'm really scared they'll say it is too big and this one is right - it is so uncomfortable. it doesn't seem to have specific pressure points, just all round tightness.

 

[PorkChop]

Tbh that does sound too tight - they won't fit everyone's head.

 

[Nicnac]

That sounds too tight. I also have a 'Champion' shape head and the HS1 is so comfy it's like being hatless so defo go back and try the 2.

 

[Tiddlypom]

It sounds like they sold you a hat that is too small. You are the customer, you can be guided by them but ultimately it is your choice. Let them know you are unhappy with the fit of the 1.5 and insist on trying the 2 when it comes in.

Keep the 1.5 safely bagged up with its labels etc. til you take it back to the shop.

 

[rach1]

I've recently bought an HS1, mine fits snuggly but not to the point it hurts or makes me dizzy. I went from a size 2 Pro II Charles Owen to a 2.5 for the HS1.

It sounds like your hat is too small to me.

 

[Skib]

I am a wearer of HS1. I like them very much.
But found out the hard way that hats have shelf life. That is why they have the manufacture date inside and one needs to try the current design. The model has changed. The new model HS1 has additional padding round the edge of the hat - the standard has changed and much improved - It stops the back edge of the hat cutting into your neck if you fall on your back and your head tips backwards which is how I usually fall.
The additional padding makes the new hats snugger than the old ones of the same size. But I take the same size as previously.
The foam on all hats seems to compress with time so the old hats feel looser, but it sounds as if your smaller hat was indeed too small.

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

I have a C/Owen shaped head OP - the Fiona fits me & so do the 'kids own' - but NOT 1 of the other skulls fit!

So, like you I was trying on hats (yesterday) and the fitter pronounced the HS1 fitted beautifully... it was 'snug' but I wasn't sure at all, so walked away. The 1.5 was ok, but still too wide on the sides.

The only one (so far) I have found to fit my oval noddle is one that I cannot remember the make of! (sorry, can someone help me out?) its £175 at local tack shop

 

[Red-1]

I have a HS1 size 1 1/2 and after a year gave in and bought a 2 as the 1 1/2 did not give as I had hoped and gave me a headache. The 2 is more comfortable but does feel a bit loose.

As it was not perfect I have paid out yet again, this time for a four star (I think Charles Owen) which is to the same standard as the HS1, but 10X more comfortable. It is lighter, and cooler.

 

[morrismob]

Hi Haven't read all replies so hope I'm not repeating. Just had daughter fitted for a new skull cap today. She has HS1 at present but following a bad fall we are replacing. She was a size 2 but this was padded. 1st shop didn't have a 2 so tried a 1.5 but just too tight. DD falls between sizes and apparently needed a deeper fit so went off to 2nd shop and tried some deeper fitted hats. We have bought a RXC1, new from gatehouse and slightly deeper than HS1.

If yours isn't comfortable go back. Find a shop with all the makes as they seem to be different even in the same sizes. If that makes sense lol

 

[Greylegs]

Another HS1 fan here and on my second due to the first one doing its job and saving my skull when I had a bad fall on the road. They do bed it a bit on wearing and need to lift your eyebrows when fitted correctly so they stay put in use and don't fall off through being too loose.

 

[Tobiano]

I love my HS1 and it is a 2 whereas I had a 2 1/2 in a Champion which made my head throb horribly. BUT OP I would say if you feel as you do wearing that hat, it does not fit - take it back. I bought my Champion because the fitter said it fitted properly but I never had a comfortable moment in it - trust your own head not what someone tells you in the shop! Maybe HS1 shape doesnt suit you or maybe a 2 will be perfect. Good luck anyway.

 

[SO1]

I have the HSI and it was not that comfortable and felt tight to start off with but it bedded in and now it is really comfortable and I would not know that I am wearing it.

 

[Spotsrock]

Mine was so tight it gave me headaches at first, love it now. Had it checked recently and different place confirmed good fit

 

[starryeyed]

Your HS1 fits like my HS1!! Mine was fitted by Gatehouse who assured me it was correct (size 1.5), but I also get bad headaches and "squashed eyebrows" which isn't at all pleasant (weirdly my other gatehouse hat fits perfectly without any of this!)
To be fair, I haven't worn it riding yet as my horse has been broken, so have just been wearing it for 15 minute sessions around the house to try and get used to it... I'm hoping it will give in time.. :redface3:

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

Hi Haven't read all replies so hope I'm not repeating. Just had daughter fitted for a new skull cap today. She has HS1 at present but following a bad fall we are replacing. She was a size 2 but this was padded. 1st shop didn't have a 2 so tried a 1.5 but just too tight. DD falls between sizes and apparently needed a deeper fit so went off to 2nd shop and tried some deeper fitted hats. We have bought a RXC1, new from gatehouse and slightly deeper than HS1.

If yours isn't comfortable go back. Find a shop with all the makes as they seem to be different even in the same sizes. If that makes sense lol

RXC1 - thank you, that is the ONLY one that fitted me & our local tack shop (not cheap at all) has a really good range to try

 

[Orchardbeck]

Thanks all, really glad it posted about it. I rang the original tack shop who are ordering the 2/57 to try, (got a message today to say they had it in so at least it looks like they will swap it). On the sly I went to another tack shop and tried the champion ventair and it apparantly gaped at the front and back but fitted at the sides, and also tried the HS1 in a size 2/57 and the fitter declared it the best fit of the lot, yippee!

I knew I wasn't going mad! I'd tried it on at Olympia last year in a 2 and nearly bought it (wish I had, it was only 90 quid then!). Sighs of relief all round. Can go back to the shop and swap it for a nice shiny silver one!