Help me navigate towards a new hat please!

[Glitter's fun]

I'm a bit bewildered. (Not unusual )
A brief history. I always wore Christy Beaufort hats while they were available. Was very happy with the fit. Next had two Champion ones, one was slightly tight, one the next size up was comfortable. Most recently was "Expertly fitted" for a Charles Owen, with strips of foam inserted. It feels the right width but has worked loose front to back & rocks back and forth so I feel I'm peering out under the front.
Does that tell anyone whether I need oval or round or a certain make at all?
Don't know where to start.
Thank you.

 

[Tiddlypom]

Are you within reach of the big Hope Valley store at Somerford?
I’ve found them excellent for hat fitting, and they encourage you to carry on wearing the hat in store for a while after fitting/before purchase to be sure that it’s still comfortable.

 

[Welly Boot]

It's a lottery. the foam does give - so maybe you need more foam inserts added to get the original fit back? I'm about to do the same with mine. I loved the Charles Owen J3... til they stopped making it & have struggled since.... i now have a 4 star with added foam bits

 

[Glitter's fun]

Are you within reach of the big Hope Valley store at Somerford?
I’ve found them excellent for hat fitting, and they encourage you to carry on wearing the hat in store for a while after fitting/before purchase to be sure that it’s still comfortable.

No, unfortunately not.
My only bricks & mortar choice is Carrs Billington, otherwise it would be on-line. I'm planning to go in this week & look what they have but want to be armed with a bit more information first.

 

[JGC]

I have the Charles Owen Kylo with MIPS and it has the dial to adjust, which I find really helps get a perfect fit (I've had UVEX helmets with the dial too and cycling helmets with them for years). I really rate it.

 

[Glitter's fun]

It's a lottery. the foam does give - so maybe you need more foam inserts added to get the original fit back? I'm about to do the same with mine. I loved the Charles Owen J3... til they stopped making it & have struggled since.... i now have a 4 star with added foam bits

Thank you. Annoying when they stop making the one you like, isn't it.
I'm thinking the Charles Owen is getting to the end of it's life anyway. I didn't write down when I bought it but I'm sure it was before lockdown. Another C.O. with inserts might be an option but I did always feel it was a bit low at the front. I was told if I had a "Christy Beaufort shaped head" I would like a C.O. but I wasn't completely impressed.

 

[Skib]

We drive quite a way to reach Rokers store, by the Equne College at Merrist Wood. I used to wear a Gatehouse HS1 which like yours needed to be padded out with foam strips.
On our last visit (about 18 months ago now) the assistant pointed out that hat designed had changed and she persuaded me to try my current Chares Owen MPI.

These helmets are more like bicycle helmets. I reckon it is safer to hack in and lighter and more comfortable to wear than my previous. The hat doesnt seem to be padded out with foam. The hard outer shell comes in a limited range of sizes and the exact fit to ones head is provided by an inner mesh net, which the saddler fitted for me.
There is no wheel to tighten the hat but a lace to tie a knot before one puts the hat on.

If we are going to Rokers, I always phone up in advance to make sure a qualified hat fitter will be there. And if she knows I am coming, she also makes sure she has my size in stock.

 

[Glitter's fun]

Generally, does needing foam inserts make the hat less safe, or is it considered a good thing?

 

[Glitter's fun]

I have the Charles Owen Kylo with MIPS and it has the dial to adjust, which I find really helps get a perfect fit (I've had UVEX helmets with the dial too and cycling helmets with them for years). I really rate it.

Thank you.
I went on a fun ride recently & the person in front of me looked like she was adjusting her hat dial regularly. I wondered if it was slipping. Didn't catch up long enough to ask (!). Does yours stay tight?

 

[Glitter's fun]

We drive quite a way to reach Rokers store, by the Equne College at Merrist Wood. I used to wear a Gatehouse HS1 which like yours needed to be padded out with foam strips.
On our last visit (about 18 months ago now) the assistant pointed out that hat designed had changed and she persuaded me to try my current Chares Owen MPI.

These helmets are more like bicycle helmets. I reckon it is safer to hack in and lighter and more comfortable to wear than my previous. The hat doesnt seem to be padded out with foam. The hard outer shell comes in a limited range of sizes and the exact fit to ones head is provided by an inner mesh net, which the saddler fitted for me.
There is no wheel to tighten the hat but a lace to tie a knot before one puts the hat on.

If we are going to Rokers, I always phone up in advance to make sure a qualified hat fitter will be there. And if she knows I am coming, she also makes sure she has my size in stock.

Interesting, thank you. I realise I'm very behind the times. I no longer compete, I just hack mostly (with the occasional instruction day or fun ride) so it doesn't matter what I look like.

 

[Tiddlypom]

I’ve got a ventilated Uvex MIPs with a dial and I find it super comfortable to wear, even for 6 hours in a day.

I’m ancient but I don’t think that it looks too whacky, either.

 

[Glitter's fun]

I’ve got a ventilated Uvex MIPs with a dial and I find it super comfortable to wear, even for 6 hours in a day.

Thank you, very helpful.

I’m ancient but I don’t think that it looks too whacky, either.

View attachment 148427

I'm as old as a boat. All my life I said "I don't care what other people think of me" but I was lying until recently...

 

[Skib]

I am old too but I believe in a good up to date hat.

 

[JGC]

Thank you.
I went on a fun ride recently & the person in front of me looked like she was adjusting her hat dial regularly. I wondered if it was slipping. Didn't catch up long enough to ask (!). Does yours stay tight?

I don't have to adjust it when I'm riding, but I slacken it to take my hat off and tighten it again just once when I put it on. Never need to adjust when in the saddle.

 

[Molly22]

I have the Charles Owen Kylo with MIPS and it has the dial to adjust, which I find really helps get a perfect fit (I've had UVEX helmets with the dial too and cycling helmets with them for years). I really rate it.

I have one of these as well but without the MIPS (shop didn't have the MIPS and I didn't want to buy one without it being fitted). It is really comfortable. Usually i have to get a champion skull hat as that is what fitted but this one fitted fine. I loosen the dial before i take it off and tighten it when I put it on.

 

[Britestar]

My Ayr8 needs replacing and I had my eye on the Kylo.
Tried it on and totally the wrong shape! When the dial was tightened, thought my brains were gong to pop .

I've worn CO hats for last 20 odd years, but the Kylo is round, and I need oval.

The junior YR8 is much more comfy, so will probably go with that one.

 

[MereChristmas]

This is C.O. MIPS hat I’ve had for maybe 2 years. Previously I had a Champion MIPS. The Champion seemed to come further down the back of my head but it pushed my ears out. They are / were both comfy
I’m not sure which I would buy next time. Both brands may have new designs by then.

 

[Glitter's fun]

Thank you. Very useful advice and the lovely photos were a bonus too!
I rang Carrs Billington. Sounds like they need two goes at this. I go in, they measure me & then order in a choice for my return trip. A bit frustrating but definitely don't want to buy on-line.

 

[KatieDM]

If it tends to move in one direction (i.e back and forth or side to side), then I’m thinking that suggests a more oval head?! In theory… perhaps?

 

[pistolpete]

When I had one fitted by Hope Valley with foam strips it seemed ok but always gave me a headache after an hour or so. Had Harry Hall hats which were lovely but they stopped being ‘legal’ then went to champion skill caps. More headaches after a couple of hours. I now have the best hast I’ve ever had a Gatehouse. It’s so comfy. Bliss! Good luck tracking down the perfect hat.

 

[Glitter's fun]

If it tends to move in one direction (i.e back and forth or side to side), then I’m thinking that suggests a more oval head?! In theory… perhaps?

Thank you, yes that was my thinking exactly. It doesn't seem generally too big, just not the same shape as my head.

 

[Glitter's fun]

If it tends to move in one direction (i.e back and forth or side to side), then I’m thinking that suggests a more oval head?! In theory… perhaps?

Found this.

https://www.equus.co.uk/blogs/buying-guides/horse-riding-hat-buying-guide#:~:text=Shape%20of%20your%20riding%20hat&text=For%20example%2C%20it%27s%20generally%20accepted,most%20suitable%20shape%20for%20you.

Shape of your riding hat

As well as ensuring that you have the right size, you must also choose the right shape of hat for your head, as some brands of riding hat come in several shapes to fit different-shaped heads. For example, it’s generally accepted that Charles Owen hats tend to suit oval shaped heads, while Champion favours round heads. If you’re in any doubt, experiment with different brands to find the most suitable shape for you. If it squeezes your forehead but rocks easily sideways, it is too round for your head. If it fits the sides comfortably but rocks front to back, it’s too oval for your head. Many brands now have some sizes available in both round and oval shapes.

 

[Glitter's fun]

Apparently I need to get someone to look at my head from above & tell me if it's round or oval.
I'm not sure it's a good idea to hand that much ammunition to Mr Goldie's mum.

 

[2ndtimearound]

Found this.

https://www.equus.co.uk/blogs/buying-guides/horse-riding-hat-buying-guide#:~:text=Shape%20of%20your%20riding%20hat&text=For%20example%2C%20it%27s%20generally%20accepted,most%20suitable%20shape%20for%20you.

Shape of your riding hat

As well as ensuring that you have the right size, you must also choose the right shape of hat for your head, as some brands of riding hat come in several shapes to fit different-shaped heads. For example, it’s generally accepted that Charles Owen hats tend to suit oval shaped heads, while Champion favours round heads. If you’re in any doubt, experiment with different brands to find the most suitable shape for you. If it squeezes your forehead but rocks easily sideways, it is too round for your head. If it fits the sides comfortably but rocks front to back, it’s too oval for your head. Many brands now have some sizes available in both round and oval shapes.

I'm not convinced that's always true. I've most definitely got an oval head (with a narrow face and fairly flat sides - actually, almost rectangular!), but Champion hats fitted me, not Charles Owen. The two Champions I had were a good fit, but the padding deteriorated relatively quickly and I only got about 18 months to 2 years out of each of them before they were just too loose. These days, I tend to stick to ones with a dial (had a Uvex and now have a Premier Equine one), which seem slightly more forgiving, but they still need to be the right shape.

 

[minesadouble]

No, unfortunately not.
My only bricks & mortar choice is Carrs Billington, otherwise it would be on-line. I'm planning to go in this week & look what they have but want to be armed with a bit more information first.

If you can get to Carrs Billington how about a trip to Houghton Country?
They have a good range of hats and hat fitters there.

 

[Glitter's fun]

I'm not convinced that's always true. I've most definitely got an oval head (with a narrow face and fairly flat sides - actually, almost rectangular!), but Champion hats fitted me, not Charles Owen. The two Champions I had were a good fit, but the padding deteriorated relatively quickly and I only got about 18 months to 2 years out of each of them before they were just too loose. These days, I tend to stick to ones with a dial (had a Uvex and now have a Premier Equine one), which seem slightly more forgiving, but they still need to be the right shape.

Thank you for your input, that's very useful.
Do you mind if I ask how many hours' riding a week you do?
Edited: Very roughly, I mean but I'm thinking about the Champion deterioration.

 

[Glitter's fun]

If you can get to Carrs Billington how about a trip to Houghton Country?
They have a good range of hats and hat fitters there.

Hi, If Google tells me correctly that's near Newcastle? If so, no, that would be an overnight stay length of trip for me. I am in North West Scotland. The Carrs Billington I can get to is one of the little branches, not the main one in Cockermouth (although I have been there once when I was at a craft fair next door). Thank you for taking the time to reply it was kind of you.

 

[minesadouble]

Ahh! I was thinking of the Hexham Carrs and thinking Houghton was just up the road them! Sorry.

 

[Tiddlypom]

I don’t think that any retailer will accept a hat back if you buy on line, so unfortunately you can’t bulk buy a few to try out.

I hope that your local store gets in at least two or three different hats for you to try. Hat fit is very individual.

 

[Glitter's fun]

Ahh! I was thinking of the Hexham Carrs and thinking Houghton was just up the road them! Sorry.

No worries. It was a good thought.