Is this really how they test hats?

[ycbm]

Is this really how hats are tested? On a head which isn't attached to a body? Can someone explain to me how that makes any sense at all?

 

[ester]

I don't think most of them even include a head.

skip to 1.50

 

[ycbm]

How on earth can we trust a helmet tested only like this ?

The helmet most likely to pass these tests possibly the one most likely to break your neck!

 

[Cowpony]

Well I'm not sure I'd volunteer to be the body attached to the head! 😀

 

[Cowpony]

The bit that concerns me in the video is that they only seem to test a direct hit on the crown of the helmet. It's not often you fall right on the top of your head....

 

[Red-1]

Interesting how the MIPS helmets are supposed to be all singing and all dancing, yet they have fewer tests. I did not see a crush test or a spike test, or the angled piece of metal test. Although, that seems to be a cycle helmet, so maybe they do more testes/different tests for equestrian helmets.

 

[ester]

I wonder if that is just the testing for the MIPS system? as presumably the moving sledge is to test the rotation element? don't know

 

[Templebar]

The bit that concerns me in the video is that they only seem to test a direct hit on the crown of the helmet. It's not often you fall right on the top of your head....

I agree with this. Aside from dropping the hat where it might land like that. When i have hit my head in a fall it has only ever been the back which is also the only time i feel like i might have had concussion too. If i fall forwards i tuck and roll so damage to my head is very limited.

 

[Shay]

This is the main reason why I can't understand people buying hats tested only to the lowest standard. PAS015 only tests for a low level crush and a simple fall against a smooth edged surface. Neither being mechanisms which actually occur that often in a fall from a horse. Especially not a speed. SNELL at least includes a horseshoe anvil (to simulate a kick) and a rough edged hemispherical anvil to replicate a fence or tree as well as higher forces for the straight forward drop and crush.

You only have one head! (Unless you a a hat testing forma...)

 

[Mule]

The most unpleasant fall I've had involving my head was when a horse cat jumped over a fence and I catapulted over her head and landed on the crown of my head. I suppose I was fortunate that they test the helmets at that area.

 

[ester]

This is the main reason why I can't understand people buying hats tested only to the lowest standard. PAS015 only tests for a low level crush and a simple fall against a smooth edged surface. Neither being mechanisms which actually occur that often in a fall from a horse. Especially not a speed. SNELL at least includes a horseshoe anvil (to simulate a kick) and a rough edged hemispherical anvil to replicate a fence or tree as well as higher forces for the straight forward drop and crush.

You only have one head! (Unless you a a hat testing forma...)

I can’t get a current snell hat to fit me since they changed the HS1s.
I have one for the bicycle.

 

[Dancing_Diva]

I haven’t watched the above videos but Champion test their hats in the following ways.

penetration test: a 3kg toughened steel spike is dropped directly onto the hat - a test which demonstrates the hats resiliance against sharp objects such as horse shoe studs.

Harness test; tests both the strength of the harness, and the ability to keep the hat securely in place.

shock test: a hat fixed to a metal head is dropped vertically onto a steel anvil - this tests the shock absorption qualities which will protect you in a potential fall.

Crush test: a hat is placed between two steel plates and crushed, the amount of crushing is measured.