Hat help!

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Mrs C

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Hi
I have just taken up riding again after a 10 year gap! I'm looking for a hat - can anyone recommend? Currently looking at:
Champion ventair
Charles Owen GR8, AYR8 or wellington
Or am I going ott and should I just buy a cheap one seeing as I haven't ridden in so long! It's a minefield! I did try on a harry hall one but it was massive on my rather small head ;)
Thanks in advance for any advice/recommendations
 
I second that, get the one that fits, go along to a tack shop and get one fitted for you. I was looking for a ventilated on the other day and the ventair didnt fit, eventually got a charles owen one for £55 rather than the ventair one i had wanted at nearly £100!
 
Find which fit then choose from those :), I am one of few that fit CO and Champion but opted for Champion Ventairs for everything as they are very comfy and I have an allergic reaction to the headband on the CO, only found out after buying one though!
 
I've got a Charles Owen one and have always had Charles Owen hats!
I find the cheaper ones (my Mum bought one as she occasionally rode - they may not all be like this!) seemed quite thin and flimsy didn't look like they could protect...but like I said this might just be the one my Mum bought! :p (I nagged her to buy another) - go for a well known make (such as CO) they are all recognised and have a lot of people using them :)
 
As MrsM says "the one that fits"
Go to the largest nearby tack shop and try lots on, If you dont want to feel pressured into buying but not good at saying no, tell them you are trying and your other half is going to buy for you at a later date :)

Enjoy your re-found horsey fun :D
 
I have a small head and agree some hats look huge even though they are the right size. Hat shapes have changed and they generally look bulkier than they did when I was ickle.....a very long time ago , but I think they are much safer now. I have 2 Champion junior hats and find them really comfy , less bulky , and cheaper than grown up ones. Best is to go and try on as many as possible.
 
Thank you everyone for your replies

Must admit, i'm struggling to find a shop which stocks much - I've been to my local saddlery which only sell Harry Hall. Also been in a big outdoor/camping shop but again just had some harry hall ones - does anyone live local to West Yorkshire?!
Suppose I may have to order a champion and a CO online and try them on at home!!
If I find the CO fits best, does anyone know which would be best - would only be using it for flatwork lessons and hacks out at the moment
 
I live local to West Yorkshire Mrs C. I have a Champion Ventair hat and cant recommend it enough. Make sure you get a hat fitted by a qualified hat fitter, its not worth risking fitting it yourself, the consequences of it not being right and you having an accident are not worth taking. Throstle Nest saddlery at Barnsley are very good. Only 18 miles away from where I am.
 
If the CO fits you then the Champion is very unlikely to :). Different head shapes and all that stuff. I, and both daughters, have comparativley long, narrow heads and CO fit brilliantly, but put a Champion on and there are gaps up the sides :(

I came off Dizz at speed (and she's tall!). Whilst I sustained a bleed on the brain, yuck, the CO velvet show jumping hat I was wearing saved me from anything worse :). I would happily buy another one :). I got the CO cross country hat (can't remember the model, it is gold lol) and that gets used for everything at the moment. D1 has two COs, one for every day and one for showing. The only one I would consider getting instead is the Protector (at least I think that's how it's spelt): Weezy (again, spelling!) on here has one and rates them highly :D

If you fancy a day out, drop down the M1 - I can strongly recommend both Risley Saddlery and Eland Lodge for hat choices and fitting :D
 
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