GPA Riding hats

Law

Law

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Hi all
I was wondering if any of you have a GPA hat and can you recommend one?
I am not looking at getting the very pricey one but was considering asking santa for either the Titium, textium or Carbone one but have no idea what the benefits of each are?
I would like something with enough ventilation that i don't get a manky sweaty head and it would be nice for it to be fairly light too but am not massively fussed
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Anyone have any of those models that they can report back on?
Thanks
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I have had my GPA for 7 years (hence can't tell you which model it is - just basic black one) and it has been fab. It was expensive but has lasted so well and so long that I don't begrudge it and will def buy another one when it finally passes away!
 
Ooh!! I was going to make a post like this yesterday - thanks Law
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I've been looking at the titanium one but it's $550 and to be honest, I can buy a crappy horse for that price
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. What prices are they in the UK now?
 
Thanks for that - just figuring whether it makes more sense to have one from the UK or buy one here. Normally things are the same in $ as they are in £ ... except anything from Europe!
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It's not for me, but was thinking about buying one for my daughter.
 
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Hi all
I was wondering if any of you have a GPA hat and can you recommend one?
I am not looking at getting the very pricey one but was considering asking santa for either the Titium, textium or Carbone one but have no idea what the benefits of each are?
I would like something with enough ventilation that i don't get a manky sweaty head and it would be nice for it to be fairly light too but am not massively fussed
smile.gif


Anyone have any of those models that they can report back on?
Thanks
smile.gif


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I have the £200 one (I won it, I'm far too tight to buy one).
I can recommend it though - stops the 'manky sweaty head' syndrome, is light, and fits comfortably.
I can't say how effective it is in terms of head protection as I usually try to cling on at all costs.
B
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Actually, now that I think about it, I tried on a different make, but similar style in the local saddlers....I can't remember what it was but it could have been Charles Owen, and came in pink and blue. It was much cheaper (around £40 - £50) and I actually preferred it to my GPA one in terms of fit etc.
Maybe look at them instead.
B
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Steer clear of the Champions!

I've got the titanium and I love it! Well ventalated, light and very very comfy, I wouldn't be without it! I can highly recommend it, worth every penny
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Thanks B, I was thinking about the Champion ventair one as well
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(instead I mean)

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The only way to find one that fits you comfortably (and everybody's head is a slightly different shape) is to just go and try lots of different hats on.
I wouldn't think that the more expensive a hat is, the better it is, tbh. And if you are buying (or asking Santa) for a hat at the top of your price range, is there not a danger that you will be tempted to keep wearing it even after a fall?
Perhaps it's better to buy cheaper hats, and replace them more frequently (or cling on like a demented gorilla as I do
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).
B
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I've got a Champion Ventair and love it! Was on the bring of quitting riding as I was getting severe headaches when I rode for even a short space of time, bought the peaked Ventair as a last resort and haven't had a headache since. I've got the skull now because I fell off XC last year, landed on my head and broke hat. Skull is just as good as the peaked version.

Look at the enhap safety ratings, they make for good reading, GPA don't come up very well compared to the Ventair.
 
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Steer clear of the Champions!

I've got the titanium and I love it! Well ventalated, light and very very comfy, I wouldn't be without it! I can highly recommend it, worth every penny
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I'm not sure i'd agree with that...

I have a GPA Speed Air which is lovely and light, looks great, and keeps my head cool....but to be honest, i doubt it would offer too much protection in a fall...and i have a Champion Ventair which fits like a glove and feels as solid as anything. The only reason i got a Speed Air after the Ventair was that i found the Ventair was too hot hot for my sweaty head in the summer
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I tried one on. Ouch. Definately try before Santa buys.

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I'll second that. I have one for "best" but it isnt the most comfy fitting hat I have ever had! My head is a Charles Owen head which does not suit them but I feel vanity took over when I bought it!
 
My daughters had GPA Titium and Textium hats. As they are not BSI Kitemarked the younger had to have a different hat for Pony Club, she chose a Champion Ventair and loves it. I find the Champion is a better shape for my head than the GPAs, which seem to sit too high 'on top' of my head. A hat really needs to be tried on as the shapes vary so much. Gatehouse skull caps are great for me but Charles Owen aren't - I haven't tried the Troxel hats but they are supposed to be very cool and lightweight. Good luck
 
I've got a GPA, only ever worn it a few times as it its just too small.... although it is the same size as all my other hats in different makes. It is lovely and lightweight though! If I had the money I would just get a size bigger!
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I tried one on. Ouch. Definately try before Santa buys.

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I'll second that. I have one for "best" but it isnt the most comfy fitting hat I have ever had! My head is a Charles Owen head which does not suit them but I feel vanity took over when I bought it!

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Ah, I too am a Charles Owen head....
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My OH wears GPA's and loves them, they fit her perfectly, but I have never found one that was comfy, they seemed to perch on my head (even in my usual size).

I have two Champion ventairs, one for best (with a peak) and one skull. I find them comfy and light and they are a lot lighter and cooler than jockey skulls, which is what I wore before.
 
Great, thanks everyone. Lots of great advice there for me to go from.
I currently have a charles owen showjumper xp fancy one for showing and to match my tweed and a champion jockey skull something or other which i had a couple of years ago that i wear most of the time.

Not sure that there is a stockist for the GPAs anywhere round here but I will investigate
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I have a GPA Speed Air which is lovely and light, looks great, and keeps my head cool....but to be honest, i doubt it would offer too much protection in a fall...

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Here here! I bought mine for competitions but actually wear it at home and stick with my charles owen (and a sweaty head!) for jumping, as I don't feel it is that safe
 
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