Hat fitting advice

[ApolloandSakura]

Hi Everyone,

Thank you in advance for any advice!

I’m starting to reach my wits end with finding a hat that doesn’t cause pressure points. In the past I have usually been a 56, I had my current hat (Charles Owen MS1 Pro) professionally fitted at a saddlery 3 years ago. It seemed to feel fine, I signed the waiver to say it couldn’t be returned and paid. After 45 minutes I get an unbearable headache (feels fine up till then) to the point I want to rip the thing off or get off the horse. Initially I thought it just needed breaking in but it hasn’t changed since the day I got it.

Now I’m wanting to do longer hacks I’m looking at new helmets. Ideally I want to try one on for up to 2 hours so I’ve been resorting to ordering online as the online saddleries have so far been happy for me to return them if it doesn’t fit and all tags are still attached (I just try them on at home).

I have tried a Champion Revolve Vent-Air (headache after 45 minutes) and a Charles Owen Halo in a 56 (headache after 40 minutes), 57 (headache after 1hr15 minutes) and and a 58 (headache after 1hr15 though strangely in a different place). Interestingly all sizes fit snug.

I usually get pressure just off centre on my forehead, when I have spoken to Charles Owen and other saddleries and told them this they think I’m an oval shaped so I am working off this.

Getting professionally fitted in a physical store isn’t ideal as I would want to try it on for 2 hours (the max time I’m most likely to spend on a horse) which seems unrealistic in store and they won’t let you return it after you have purchased it.

If anyone has any hat recommendations I’d love to hear it, as I’m running out of ideas. So far I’m working down the list of the highest safety rated hats with Virgina Tech that has MIPS and which is ideally peaked.

Many thanks

 

[JGC]

Could you try a dial hat so that you can really adjust the fit exactly? I have Uvex Exxential and Charles Owen Kylo, both with MIPS and a dial. I've always been told I have an oval-shaped head in hat fittings.

 

[ester]

I feel you, I’ve always struggled with forehead pressures

So I’m oval too but at one point the best fit was a pro II round in a larger size with custom padding. - that was the result of a long consult with a rep in quiet day at burghley
I do like a dial for longer rides but have found since I’ve had my ms1 that is more comfortable as it’s a better shape for me than my gatehouse (which is still good)

Unfortunately it’s always really individual and tiny differences make a big difference and then they change hats, originally a hs1 was good then they changed it, then I had the pro II then they changed it!

The ms1 should be pretty much to the js1 fit wise but js1 gives me a pink band on my forehead after 15 minutes.
Are you able to get to any big shows? That’s def been my best option.

 

[dreamcometrue]

Could you try a dial hat so that you can really adjust the fit exactly? I have Uvex Exxential and Charles Owen Kylo, both with MIPS and a dial. I've always been told I have an oval-shaped head in hat fittings.

This.
I recently bought a Shires Karben WP helmet with a dial. It’s a revelation - perfect fit and no more headaches from pressure points; plus it looks nice.

 

[Barton Bounty]

I have a horze hat for hacking and I absolutely love it, it tightens up ag the back and has tons of room in it I have never had a headache with it at all

 

[AthenesOwl]

I also have an oval head, and found that the Evoke Orion skull fitted me well. You get a shell, and the liner comes in differing thicknesses. Weirdly, their fixed peak style didn’t work for me, but might for you. Unfortunately, the Orion doesn’t have MIPS, but my local saddlery thinks Evoke will be releasing a MIPS skull soon.

I tried one of the dial hats, but because the dial only adjusted in one direction, it wasn’t great for me.

The Orion is genuinely the most comfortable hat I’ve ever worn. Every other hat I’ve had has given me a headache. I had originally wanted something with MIPS, but decided that a well fitting hat that didn’t give me a headache was better than a poorly fitting and uncomfortable MIPS hat. I basically tried everything on the tack shop and couldn’t find a hat with MIPS that fitted my weird shaped head!

 

[ester]

Also at one point I had 9 cycle helmets at home to find one that fitted comfortably and obv they are all dials , basically I feel your pain