How do we rate Harry Hall hats?

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BobbyMondeo

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After a pretty bad fall a few weeks ago i need a new hat as mine now bends if you apply any pressure to it.

I tried a Harry Hall on today and it was comfortable felt really nice, much better than the champion(which felt like it was perched on my head) and the charles owen and JTE which both felt really bulky.

So just wondering on what peoples opinions on them are really?
 
I've got a Harry Hall and I love it, lightweight good fit and airy. Had a champion before that, hated the mushroom look and it didn't fit for very long as the padding got squished.
 
I have a Harry hall. Love it, not too hot, light, comfortable. Haven't yet had to try it out fall proof wise (thankfully!) but otherwise can't fault it
 
Mine is Harry Hall, wasn't going to get it as I had already chosen a Champion one but my head was the wrong shape for the one I wanted :D Anyway I am very happy with it, its comfortable and light and well ventilated which is the main thing in this weather. It came recommended from a good saddler who hasn't let me down on anything else so I think they must be OK :)
 
I have a Harry Hall and confess I was a bit doubtful over just how safe it would be when I bought it. It's a much better fit than Champion or Charles Owen, light and comfortable to wear. As it is made to the right safety standards, I put prejudice aside and got it. No regrets :o
 
Oddjob's Wife said:
I have a Harry Hall and confess I was a bit doubtful over just how safe it would be when I bought it. It's a much better fit than Champion or Charles Owen, light and comfortable to wear. As it is made to the right safety standards, I put prejudice aside and got it. No regrets :o
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This is my problem ive heard such bad things about them.. and my horse is sharp and unpredictable at times and when i fall its usually a bad one. But as you say it is made to safety standards
 
Another vote for Harry Hall. I had a nasty fall and landed on my head which caused bruising inside my skull, i had a harry hall hat on at the time and it didnt even crack (well not a noticale one). To be fair it saved my life and thats not and exagoration but i did replace it straight away. I like them because theyre lightweight and comfortable.

It will always be my first choice of hat!!!!
 
I love mine too, very comfortable and not too hot at all, even in the current weather.

I agree with this, though
It's my preferred hat too but I would point out that it meets European safety standards not British so may not be acceptable for some disciplines.
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They do have the BSEN1384 and they are kitemarked, but not PAS 105.
 
My very first hat was a Harry Hall - it was black velvet 6 5/8 with an elastic strap (worn across the peak of course) and I got it from a boot fair for 50p :eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

These days I wear Charles Owen hats as they seem to fit my head best. Sorry not a very useful post, just reminiscing.
 
I love my Harry hall .. I too have a sharp mare and had falls from her and it's been great, very comfy and fits great and nice and airy
 
GypsyGirl said:
I love my Harry hall .. I too have a sharp mare and had falls from her and it's been great, very comfy and fits great and nice and airy
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I tend to get a really sweaty head when i ride. One of the things i was hoping was that i wouldnt get *such* a sweaty head, sometimes it is dripping off....not a good look!!!
 
BobbyMondeo said:
what would this mean if i was going out competing? which i rarely do anyway
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EN1384/BSEN1384: The basic minimum safety standard for riding hats. The standard is reviewed every five years or following a complaint.

PAS 015: A safety standard for riding hats managed by the British Standards Institute (BSI). This standard is reviewed every two years and this is the highest safety standard for riding hats in terms of shock absorbency, penetration and retention.

Plus there is the BSI Kitemark

I wont buy anything that isnt both BSEN/EN and PAS if there is one that fits.Doesnt always make it more expensive. Only exception would be for non competitive stuff if no marked hat fitted me well.

For eventing the ideal would be one that meets the SNELL standard too
SNELL E2001 is the highest manufacturer equestrian hat safety standard in the world and includes a unique test that simulates a rider falling into a fence rail, or having a secondary hit by a horse’s hoof.
eg eg Gatehouse HS1 skull
 
I wanted one but they dont fit my head shape. I'm now saving up for a rather posh one (as long as it fits) pointless really as we never go anywhere. Lol
 
I've had a harry hall ventair for 2 years now. Bought it for around €90, find it very comfy, light weight and breathable like others have said! Might sound a bit weird, but I sometimes put it on if I've a sore head or feel tired! I'm not sure if that's just because it makes me think I'm going riding or if it actually is very cushiony!:rolleyes:
 
thanks, still looking at other makes going to go to a few shops in the area and look what they have but atm its looking like im getting a HH. just felt right when i put it on
 
Woodykat said:
Not all Harry Hall's have the kitemark - as I found out on the weekend at a BRC Area qual :mad:
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Totally right, they sell one hat which is not KITEMARKED and not acceptable at area qualifiers, or probably not at any competitions (well it shouldn't be). I have recently seen a lot of riding club members turned away at the hat tagging all wearing this particular Harry Hall hat at 2 recent area qualifiers.

I spoke to one of their reps who got flustered when I asked why they would sell a hat with no safety standards, hard to believe they would but they do so watch out!!
 
I have a HH Legend? The lightweight one. Bought it from Equestrian Clearance for a ridiculously cheap £30 and I've had no problems with it.

My only gripe is that the outer coating appears to have scratched quite easily, but that could just my own clumsy fault :o

Good enough hat, IMO, but if I was competing more I'd prob go for a HS1 or Charles Owen.
 
Coop said:
Totally right, they sell one hat which is not KITEMARKED and not acceptable at area qualifiers, or probably not at any competitions (well it shouldn't be). I have recently seen a lot of riding club members turned away at the hat tagging all wearing this particular Harry Hall hat at 2 recent area qualifiers.

I spoke to one of their reps who got flustered when I asked why they would sell a hat with no safety standards, hard to believe they would but they do so watch out!!
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What p*sses me off is that they made no mention of it when i bought the bloody thing!!
 
Cobrastyle said:
I have a HH Legend? The lightweight one. Bought it from Equestrian Clearance for a ridiculously cheap £30 and I've had no problems with it.

My only gripe is that the outer coating appears to have scratched quite easily, but that could just my own clumsy fault :o

Good enough hat, IMO, but if I was competing more I'd prob go for a HS1 or Charles Owen.
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I dont really do that much competing just low level stuff and normaly dressage (which im less likely to fall off doing as its not so scary for the poor horse =P)

The one im looking at is kitemarked so would be suitable for comps anyway.

Charles Owen dont really fit my head. Only other that did was the PROtector but i CANNOT afford the extortionate prices
 
Ultimately if a HH fits your shape head and a CO, or HS1 doesn't.....its going to be safer. A hat that does not properly fit is a waste of money and no more safe than an egg carton.
 
I've got the venter one, but it's very big and round, makes my head look gigantic!:D Comfy though, but the chin strap could be better.
 
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