Need a new hat - suggestions please

[bex1984]

Am thinking of asking for a new riding hat for Christmas, as mine is getting a bit loose, and I've fallen off in it a few times.

I don't even know where to begin with choosing a new hat!

Current one is a skull cap, I think I'd prefer a velvet one, but not sure. I want to do some local shows next year, so need a suitable hat for that.

Needs to be quite a cheap hat really.

Any suggestions?

 

[Drummer]

The Gatehouse Hickstead is brilliant I love mine so much - the black velvet is now a nice shade of brown!

I have the HS1 on my xmas list!

 

[I_A_P]

i have the gatehouse velevet one and its lovely has a nice flesh coloured strap too...athought tbh i still prefer wearing a skull cap..and i love my charles owen J3

 

[MagicMelon]

I had a Gatehouse velvet one which was lovely, but it faded in the sun to a horrid brown colour! Now I have a Charles Owen low profile one, but TBH dont like it. I love my J3 skull though.

 

[bex1984]

Sorry if this is a dense question - but I don't really know what the difference (other than the appearance) is between velvet hats and skull caps?!

 

[TiaPony]

Skull caps are designed for safety. Velvet are more show purposes or personal preferance.

When you fall, your hat silk will bend beneath you whereas a velvet hat with a peak could possibly push up into your skull rather then collapsing under your weight.

Pony Club insist on a skull cap from 80cm and above.

Hope this helps a little

 

[georgiegirl2]

i second the j3 - they are low profile jockey skulls so still look pretty smart.

i use a charles owen showjumping hat for dressage and sj

 

[spaniel]

All hats at areputable saddlers will comply fully with safety requirements.

Theres no point in recommending a particular make of hat, what you need to do is go and try some different ones on under the supervision of a qualified fitter, that way you will get one that fits well and is suitable for what you want it for.

Believe me I went through this yesterday when I replaced my hat with a new one for a christmas present from my OH! Even hats of differing model from the same manufacturer are different shapes.

 

[hedge1]

i'd recommend the charles owen J3 as well - really comfy, doesn't get too hot in summer, and doesn't make you look like you've got a mushroom head!

 

[idefixbis]

GPA. Expensive but well worth it.

 

[kembryon]

have just bought the champion ventair skull. its really good and stops the hat getting sweaty when youve worked hard. i love it and looks really good. you can gt it in pink as well i think.

 

[bex1984]

Pink you say??! Sounds interesting....

 

[KatB]

Second the Ventair, gorgeously comfy hat, looks smart and one of the safest in the safety tests carried out. Love it

 

[c2b]

They may all comply with safety standards but that doesn't mean they are all the same

http://www.mdirf.co.uk/enhapresults/Enhap2006REVISED4ppA5v9.pdf

 

[Chumsmum]

As someone has said - best to go and try loads on - they all fit/feel differently - I tried on loads at YHL.

I too wanted a velvet hat for local shows etc. I eventually settled on a Charles Owen Showjumper XP - the one that felt good and made me look slightly less egg-headed than normal! It cost about £90.

 

[RachelB]

Definately best to try some on. However I had set my heart on a J3 when I replaced my old horrible Champion skull, and luckily it fitted. Although it was VERY tight for a month or so and I hated it, but now it's broken in a bit it's SO comfy and I wouldn't wear anything else

I rather like the look of the Charles Owen Wellington Classic though, a cross between their velvet hats and the J3 (not the GR8-type one though). Sadly they're quite expensive though

 

[SteveD]

beg, steal (preferably not) or borrow the money and buy the best hat you can...you've only got one head!

 

[jen1]

Charles Owen J3. Mine is so comfortable I forgot I had it on the other day and tried to get in the car realised my mistake when I banged my head on the door frame! DOH! Well I do tend to live in it!