hat sizing?

[bubblensqueak]

hi, i recently purchased a charles owen basic skull cap. and i got it in what i thought would be the correct size after measuring my head. however upon arriving i have discovered it is to big, but not big enough to go up a size. as in i can ride with it, but if i lean down under a branch, it will slip just a little but not over my eyes. and im sure i couldnt jump in it, because if i got flung forward, it would definitely slip. is there anyway i could pad it out? or any kind of 'liner' i could buy? thank you in advance

 

[SpotsandBays]

hi, i recently purchased a charles owen basic skull cap. and i got it in what i thought would be the correct size after measuring my head. however upon arriving i have discovered it is to big, but not big enough to go up a size. as in i can ride with it, but if i lean down under a branch, it will slip just a little but not over my eyes. and im sure i couldnt jump in it, because if i got flung forward, it would definitely slip. is there anyway i could pad it out? or any kind of 'liner' i could buy? thank you in advance

I wouldn’t advise padding it in any way, as it still might not act as it should from a safety point of view if you fell. It’s always best to get a hat fitted when purchasing by the retailer, as you are usually unable to return them if they don’t fit.

 

[Shay]

There are padding strips which a qualified fitter will use to adjust the fit of the hat so it is correct - most people are not quite one size or the other! You will also need to go back to the fitter in a few months as the padding compresses down in the first few months. Given that your hat is slipping a bit now by the time the padding presses down it will be a liability.

Probably the best thing to do is to return that hat - if you still can - and get one properly fitted for you. You only have one head and your family only have one you. That is far too precious to risk on safey wear that isn't correctly fitted.

 

[bubblensqueak]

There are padding strips which a qualified fitter will use to adjust the fit of the hat so it is correct - most people are not quite one size or the other! You will also need to go back to the fitter in a few months as the padding compresses down in the first few months. Given that your hat is slipping a bit now by the time the padding presses down it will be a liability.

Probably the best thing to do is to return that hat - if you still can - and get one properly fitted for you. You only have one head and your family only have one you. That is far too precious to risk on safey wear that isn't correctly fitted.

its not really that severe? ive seen the pads they put in and i dont need something that big. i tried putting a one piece of kitchen roll folded once in the front of the hat and it fitted much better, obviously i wouldnt ride like that, i just wanted to see how much padding i would need. so im not stuck on what to do! since i dont need anything more than about a centimetre maximum of padding.

 

[mini_b]

its not really that severe? ive seen the pads they put in and i dont need something that big. i tried putting a one piece of kitchen roll folded once in the front of the hat and it fitted much better, obviously i wouldnt ride like that, i just wanted to see how much padding i would need. so im not stuck on what to do! since i dont need anything more than about a centimetre maximum of padding.

a cm max padding is a lot....
i wear 1 1/2 in a Charles Owen velvet cap and 2 1/2 in gatehouse skull.

I need a padding strip in my gatehouse hat as the size down is too small and the strip is literally 2mm thick.
Maybe you have seen the thick replacement liners, or KEP do sizing liners but they only fit KEP brand hat)

Sometimes I’m same size and sometimes I’m different depending on brand.... it would always be wrong if I measured my head!

I’d really see if you can take it back and get a hat fitted properly.

 

[L&M]

A cut up sanitary towel can do the job!!!! Tbh with the virus and social distancing I doubt you will get a hat fitter to come near you to measure up unfortunately.....

 

[bubblensqueak]

a cm max padding is a lot....
i wear 1 1/2 in a Charles Owen velvet cap and 2 1/2 in gatehouse skull.

I need a padding strip in my gatehouse hat as the size down is too small and the strip is literally 2mm thick.
Maybe you have seen the thick replacement liners, or KEP do sizing liners but they only fit KEP brand hat)

Sometimes I’m same size and sometimes I’m different depending on brand.... it would always be wrong if I measured my head!

I’d really see if you can take it back and get a hat fitted properly.

i meant a millimetre, whoops. just imagine a piece of kitchen roll folded in half, thats all i need. And your most likely right, i probably had seen the KEP ones

 

[bubblensqueak]

A cut up sanitary towel can do the job!!!! Tbh with the virus and social distancing I doubt you will get a hat fitter to come near you to measure up unfortunately.....

thats so clever! is it safe? as in it wont inhibit the safety of the hat if i fall?

 

[L&M]

I have no idea but wouldn't imagine it would be thick enough to compromise...…..but don't quote me on that!!!!

 

[mini_b]

A cut up sanitary towel can do the job!!!! Tbh with the virus and social distancing I doubt you will get a hat fitter to come near you to measure up unfortunately.....

milbry hill aren’t doing hat fittings but if you have worn a riding hat before and have a rough idea of sizing they are able to advise on what shouldn’t be moving around...
Id be worried how much a sanitary towel can squish down. The padding strips are quite rigid.

 

[bubblensqueak]

I have no idea but wouldn't imagine it would be thick enough to compromise...…..but don't quote me on that!!!!

ill definitely look into it! thanks

 

[Shay]

I doubt you will get a hat fitter to come near you to measure up unfortunately...

Tack shops are - and have remained - open throughout. Most have qualified hat fitters. Hat fitting has been possible- and has continued - throughout. You have to choose. Do you - and more importantly your family - want to trust your life to a bit of kitchen towel stuffed into your hat?

Your choice.

 

[bubblensqueak]

Tack shops are - and have remained - open throughout. Most have qualified hat fitters. Hat fitting has been possible- and has continued - throughout. You have to choose. Do you - and more importantly your family - want to trust your life to a bit of kitchen towel stuffed into your hat?

Your choice.

do you think it would compromise the safety of the hat that much?

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Tack shops are - and have remained - open throughout. Most have qualified hat fitters. Hat fitting has been possible- and has continued - throughout. You have to choose. Do you - and more importantly your family - want to trust your life to a bit of kitchen towel stuffed into your hat?

Your choice.

Yes they are open - OP please don't think it's not possible to get fitted at the moment as it is. Different places will have different policies obviously but I have been fitted for a hat within the last couple of weeks (with safety measures in place).

I imagine when they test the hats for the safety standards it's based on hats fitting properly without additional stuffing (or at least not makeshift stuffing!) so I'd be really cautious about doing this. It sounds like if you were to fall this hat would shift over and not protect you as it should.

 

[L&M]

Ours is still not...….but I did a hat fitting course a few years ago and the trick is finding a make that fits your head shape eg some makes are better for round heads and other better for oval etc. It was not uncommon for us to use foam padding if we deemed it made better fit.

I have a difficult head to fit and seem to be 'in-between' sizes in every hat I have tried, either too tight and give me headaches, or too lose and flop over my eyes.

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Suppose it depends where OP is and how far they can travel. One place near me said no, another said yes so it's worth asking around.

 

[bubblensqueak]

Yes they are open - OP please don't think it's not possible to get fitted at the moment as it is. Different places will have different policies obviously but I have been fitted for a hat within the last couple of weeks (with safety measures in place).

I imagine when they test the hats for the safety standards it's based on hats fitting properly without additional stuffing (or at least not makeshift stuffing!) so I'd be really cautious about doing this. It sounds like if you were to fall this hat would shift over and not protect you as it should.

do you think i could take the hat ive got and ask them if it fits correctly or not? because the movement isnt that severe (probably only slips a maximum of 4 or 5mm), and the hat is very different style to my old one, so it already feels weird and big?

 

[Shay]

TBH - do you want to take that chance?

Honestly - I don't know. I've been a PC hat checker for about 20 years, same time in PC, PC Committees, camp etc. Also BE fence judge. And for that matter a qualified first aider at national level events. I am not, however, a qualified hat fitter. I've seen a fair few seriously nasty accidents. And also more than a fair few PC kids with near misses. The fit of the hat really does make the difference between life and life long brain injury.

Have I seen a brain injury because the rider padded thier hat with kitchen towel - no. It wouldn't be permitted in competition anyway. Have I seen brain injury becuase the hat didn't fit- absolutely yes.

The thing is - everyone thinks it won't happen to them. They are only in the school. They only hack etc. It only takes one moment. One spook.

I get that hats are expensive and everyone is looking for savings right now. But this is a saving that could cost you your life - either totally, or your life as you know it now. I agree not all locations are open - or were open - but many are and more will be. You know your situation - do you have parents, a partner, children who would miss you? What happens to them if you are left with brain injury? And is that worth the risk?

Safety equipment is only ever as good as its fit.

ETA - you could take your hat in and see, But I don't think anyone would blame a company for refusing to take on that liability. I would expect you to be told to buy a correctly fitted hat from them- and fairly so. Their insurance will cover a hat they have sold, not a hat you bought independantly.

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

do you think i could take the hat ive got and ask them if it fits correctly or not? because the movement isnt that severe (probably only slips a maximum of 4 or 5mm), and the hat is very different style to my old one, so it already feels weird and big?

I'm not sure, worth asking if they could take a look and advise you further.

 

[bubblensqueak]

i actually just measured the kitchen roll, and it was 1mm thick. does that affect the fit and the safety?
btw i appreciate all your help everyone

 

[Shay]

If you have a hat that slips now - almost new - 4- 5mm and the kitchen towel is only 1mm then it won't make any difference anyway.

A slip of a few mm would make the differnce between the back of your neck being protected and not.....

 

[bubblensqueak]

having just played around with the hat, it actually only slips about 2mm, and i can flip my head upside down without the chin strap, and it stays on? that is without any padding. what does that mean?

 

[MuddyMonster]

I would go and get a hat fitted by a professional fitter rather than playing around with kitchen roll or sanitary pads. Hat fitting isn't something anyone on the internet can advise but it really could save your life.

 

[View]

OP, from what you say that hat does not fit now, and the slipping will only become more as the padding compresses - which it always does. If you can return it, please do. Please go and visit a tack shop with qualified hat fitters and get a hat that is both the right shape and right size.

You have one brain and one life.

When I was teaching regularly in a riding school, I refused to allow a new client to ride in the hat she had borrowed from her mum because a) it was at least 10 years old and not up to current standards as well as being life expired and b) just a fraction too big

They kicked up a stink because the girl didn't want to ride in one of our hats, but the RS owner backed me up. Anyway, she used one of our hats for her assessment lesson with us (first time rider with us), had massively overstated her ability (nothing new there, but I always work with what I am seeing) and slid off in trot (just lost her balance), did the most dramatic rolling around on the floor and thus hit her head on the boards along the side of the school. So not a high speed fall, not a huge force involved - but enough for there to be a scuff on our hat which promptly had the harness cut off and was binned. She was concussed, and when we followed up with her a couple of days later she was still not fully recovered

Personally, I wouldn't risk riding in a hat that fits as you have described yours.