Getting a hat fitted

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mustardsmum

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Been trying to find a tack shop that properly fits a riding hat! Been to two, both who said they fitted hats but the assistants didn’t measure my head, just handed me the hat and asked if I liked it. They didn’t feel around the edge of the hat, or do any of the “normal” hat fitting things like seeing how snug it fits etc?! They just let me put it on a said if it was comfortable it fitted…. One told me to keep it on for ten mins to see if it was ok. I was a bit shocked - I am looking for a mips helmet and have no idea how it should fit. And they were both so unhelpful. One assistant said a hat, that slid over my eyes, fitted. I left both shops feeling like they didn’t want to fit the hats in case I held them accountable. The most annoying thing is the shops were both an hour away as I have no other tack shops nearby. How do others get hats fitted?? Can anyone recommend a good fitter in the Wilts/Dorset/Hants area, who actually knows what they are doing? And does anyone ride in an Evoke hat? I have never heard of this brand but I keep seeing them around and wondered if they might work better for me than the Charles Owen/Champion hats. Feel really despondent, I intended on just buying the same as I had before but it was a kids helmet and the latest version doesn’t fit at all.
 
I had an Evoke hat fitted at HOYs, not sure if they will have a stand at London. Basically the hats have different fittings / thickness liners which you can take out and wash. I think they said there were 3 other thicknesses. The outer shell is quite light but once the linings in they feel much like any other hat. The chin / harness fastening is much better quality than a lot of other hats of similar price, it definitely fits much better than some other l tried. I’ve had pro11s for years and Evoke doesn’t feel as heavy.
 
I was at Wadswick today. Need to go back to really see what they have. Quite a lot of styles which don't seem to be what I'm after (possibly I am being too fussy!), but also they close off the hat section so you can't pick them up and have a look unless you're having a fitting. Can't comment on the fitting service as someone was there for a while having a fitting and didn't seem to be anyone else around so didn't get that far. I would go on a quiet day or give them a call if you're travelling specifically.
 
I was also going to say wadswick, I went a few months ago they checked the fit etc.
The lady didn't measure my head as I knew the size of my current hat, but others were measured
 
I go to a particular shop which is an hour's drive. They have fitted me with hats since my original saddler closed down. But I dont just turn up. I always phone in advance to make sure that their hat fitting lady will be there and that they have the most likely hat in stock in my size.
For years I knew my size and brand but things change and last time I was re-fitted with mips.
 
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Yes calling beforehand now seems the norm. I used to go to Paddock Pantry in Sturminster Newton but they stopped selling equestrian gear and only do feed now. Just a bit disappointed that the two places I thought were good, were disappointing. Thinking Wadswick might be the place to go, only another hour drive…. 🤣
 
It is a long way for you but before Covid lock down, I used to go to the shopping village at the Olympia horse show. Looking at the website for 2025 (Excel) it does now seem a lot to buy a ticket even just for the shopping. I had thought of going this year but maybe not
 
Aivly in Ringwood is ok. I went to Rokers in Surrey instead this time which isn’t too far away and they had a very thorough fitter and lots of styles/price ranges to look at but virtually nothing in my size apart from super sparkly which isn’t my thing. I’m a medium so not an odd size. She did say mid week might be better for stock as they get weekly deliveries and popular sizes are usually gone by weekend.
 
A2B Equestrian is a specialist safety fitting store. It is just over and hour from Hampshire. You can phone in advance to make an appointment and so that she can line up the best options for you.
 
Billabongchick said:
Aivly in Ringwood is ok. I went to Rokers in Surrey instead this time which isn’t too far away and they had a very thorough fitter and lots of styles/price ranges to look at but virtually nothing in my size apart from super sparkly which isn’t my thing. I’m a medium so not an odd size. She did say mid week might be better for stock as they get weekly deliveries and popular sizes are usually gone by weekend.
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If you trek to Rokers, also try Chobham Rider whilst in the area, its about 5/6 miles away. For hats in particular, they usually keep a good stock in, plus are pretty competitive on price and a fitter is usually there. Worth phoning ahead to check makes etc as what's listed on their website is a fraction of the stock.
 
Skib said:
It is a long way for you but before Covid lock down, I used to go to the shopping village at the Olympia horse show. Looking at the website for 2025 (Excel) it does now seem a lot to buy a ticket even just for the shopping. I had thought of going this year but maybe not
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Actually that’s not a bad idea - I haven’t been to Olympia since pre-covid, and when it was still actually at Olympia… maybe I should treat myself to a day out and a new hat 🤣
 
The Fuzzy Furry said:
If you trek to Rokers, also try Chobham Rider whilst in the area, its about 5/6 miles away. For hats in particular, they usually keep a good stock in, plus are pretty competitive on price and a fitter is usually there. Worth phoning ahead to check makes etc as what's listed on their website is a fraction of the stock.
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Thanks; I seem to remember that is where I bought a hat from ages ago when I had a horse in the area on training livery briefly!
 
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