holeymoley
Well-Known Member
Interested to hear as I’m a Champion person, never had a Charles Owen…to compare but I quite like the look of one of their MIPs hats.
New hat time MIPS or not
- Thread starter IhaveTooMany
- Start date
Patterdale
Well-Known Member
I bought Champion MIPS hats for my daughters at great expense last year. Had them fitted in store and they both fit. A few months on and I’ve had to replace one as it began to move about on her head terribly. The lady in the shop (v experienced hat fitter!) said they’ve had a lot of similar feedback for the MIPS hats, that after they’ve bedded in the move around a lot.
I bought her a Gatehouse (at further great expense!) which seems to fit well, and has SNELL but not MIPS.
I really wanted the mips to work, I’d be interested to hear if anyone else has found the same or if it was just us.
I bought her a Gatehouse (at further great expense!) which seems to fit well, and has SNELL but not MIPS.
I really wanted the mips to work, I’d be interested to hear if anyone else has found the same or if it was just us.
Tiddlypom
Carries on creakily
Not sure where you’re based, but Uvex is available from a number of retailers.
Like all riding helmets, you do need to be fitted for a new make and model of hat. I was comfy in the Exxential II from the off in the fitting at Edgemere, and have bought a second one and the same size on line as a spare, which fits the same.
I like the adjuster dial thingy, I can custom fit the hat each time.
I used to be in Gatehouse HS1s, which in my size 3 looked HUGE on me
, and were not as comfortable as the Uvex. I’ve not tried a Champion MIPs.IhaveTooMany
Active Member
I've decided on the 'champion revolve mips vent-air' in navy, I like the look of it more than the others with MIPS technology. Will order and see how we go!
Hackback
Well-Known Member
That's interesting thanks. I'm also size 3 Gatehouse. What size Uvex did you get? I can't for the life of me find a stockist that sells the MIPS version.Not sure where you’re based, but Uvex is available from a number of retailers.
Like all riding helmets, you do need to be fitted for a new make and model of hat. I was comfy in the Exxential II from the off in the fitting at Edgemere, and have bought a second one and the same size on line as a spare, which fits the same.
I like the adjuster dial thingy, I can custom fit the hat each time.
I used to be in Gatehouse HS1s, which in my size 3 looked HUGE on me
Tiddlypom
Carries on creakily
I’m in the medium/large size, 57-59cm. I should be right on the upper limit of that fitting according to the measuring tape, but in practice the medium/large fits quite easily with a little room to spare on the adjuster dial.
Hackback
Well-Known Member
Thank you. My local tack shop is going to see if they can get one so I'll ask for that size. Apparently they can return it if it doesn't fit.
paddy555
Well-Known Member
I don't think anyone can answer that, we are all different. OH had a CO and he got a new Champion MIPS and said it was far more comfortable. Sadly a case of trying them. I found the Champion without MIPS and the Champion with MIPS were equally comfortable, there was no difference in wearing them. Perhaps go to your local tack shop and try any champion just to see if it fits.
Skib
Well-Known Member
My Gatehouse size was 58 . I wore them for years till mips arrived.
My Charles Owen mips is 57.
Both hats were fitted personally by our saddler.
However, I am over 80 and old people shrink. I am an inch shorter than I used to be. My hair is thinner too which might account for my needing a size smaller in hats.
I am not sure about the head fit - OH always wore Charles Owen helmets but mips must alter things. I prefer the new hat as it is lighter.
My Charles Owen mips is 57.
Both hats were fitted personally by our saddler.
However, I am over 80 and old people shrink. I am an inch shorter than I used to be. My hair is thinner too which might account for my needing a size smaller in hats.
I am not sure about the head fit - OH always wore Charles Owen helmets but mips must alter things. I prefer the new hat as it is lighter.
Birker2020
Well-Known Member
This post has been helpful, it's next on my shopping list before I can buy another horse but mainly for when I go to view horses after the close call i had last time with the one that ended up broncing!!
Skib
Well-Known Member
May be I should add that my Gate House hats were at one point padded out with strips of foam round the rim under the hat band.
I was never very happy about this but I was told that the outer shells came in fewer sizes than the actual hats people purchased.
The other warning is that hats had a use by date. Foam hardens with time so one checks the date of manufacture.
I was never very happy about this but I was told that the outer shells came in fewer sizes than the actual hats people purchased.
The other warning is that hats had a use by date. Foam hardens with time so one checks the date of manufacture.
JackFrost
Well-Known Member
I bought a Champion MIPS revolve a few months back, and found it quite moveable and swivelly from the start. It feels thin and a bit plastic compared with the Gatehouse HS1 that I am used to.
The Champion MIPS gives me a headache because there's no real padding on the inner plastic cap. Don't think I'd get it again.
Skib
Well-Known Member
My current and more recent Charles Owen mips hat weights 569 grams with its silk,
My previous Gatehouse HSI is a lot heavier at 768 grams.
These weights are with the silks I wear, and using kitchen scales.
My Charles Owen mips hat has vents in the front and mesh on the front of the silk so it is not surprising that it is cooler to ride in. The only down side is that you have to press in the sides of the clip to release the strap and that sometimes is quite tricky for elderly fingers.
My previous Gatehouse HSI is a lot heavier at 768 grams.
These weights are with the silks I wear, and using kitchen scales.
My Charles Owen mips hat has vents in the front and mesh on the front of the silk so it is not surprising that it is cooler to ride in. The only down side is that you have to press in the sides of the clip to release the strap and that sometimes is quite tricky for elderly fingers.
I thinks the mps are looser. There is an inner fabric cap and ones skull is clear of the outer shell.
There is no padding on the hat itself but there shoud be a net fabric insert cap. It is this removable cap which the saddler put in for me to get the correct fit for my head. The net cap goes inside the yellow plastic which lines the hard hat.
holeymoley
Well-Known Member
Just to add here. I’ve always had Champions, I think since I started riding 25+years ago and it was the velvet type. I’ve moved through with the ventair etc and jockey skulls for xc. As I said above, I really liked the look of one of the Charles Owen Jockey skulls so tried one on yesterday- it felt like I had no protection at the lower back of my head! So unfortunately a no go for me. Looks like I’ll need to stick with the Champions. Interesting how they’re all subtly different shapes.
phizz4
Well-Known Member
My advice would be to go with the hat that fits best and is most comfortable. If it has MIPS that's a bonus. I've tried all sorts over the years and now use a Uvex without MIPS, my wife has a Uvex with MIPS. Mine moves around on my head by just the same amount as the MIPS one. and, in my opinion, is more comfortable.
Skib
Well-Known Member
You are right. I no longer have protection at the lower back of my head. But if you look at bike safety helmets, they dont either. Being higher at the back means the hat no longer catches on my bp and the thickness at the back means ones neck is clear of the ground in a fall. It also looks similar to hats worn by others on the yard.
I was always a great fusser about hats and safety and this one doesnt worry me at all. On the other hand I ride the safest horses.
holeymoley
Well-Known Member
Interesting. I rarely wear a body protector these days but I know what you mean about the back catching it. I think it would take quite a while for me to get used to feeling bare at the back though.
blodwyn1
Well-Known Member
I have bought a champion vent air revolve mips hat this time as I had three concussions in a row last year by silly falls on to the concrete yard by being pushed over by the ponies. I risked buying online as no shops near me stocked the make and size I needed. Luckily it fits well and I just have to get used to riding with a peak again.
Skib
Well-Known Member
I dont feel bare at the back. It feels o different to previous hats, that is I dont notice it at all But my hair though now aged is long and plaited so hangs down my back. In summer I ride in short sleeved Polo shirts which have collars and in winter in a M&S polo neck sweater.
Also, as I have posted before, I wear a hard hat the whole time when on any yard as my great Aunt died after a kick to the head on the ground.
Hackback
Well-Known Member
Thought I'd update this in case anyone is researching Uvex. Thanks @Tiddlypom - my tack shop couldn't get one so I bit the bullet and ordered one online, size M/L (previously in a Gatehouse HS1 size 3). I'm really pleased with it. I actually read the instructions to get the straps to the correct lengths and find it so comfortable and of course very lightweight. I've had it a couple of months now so been well tested as riding wear. I haven't needed it in a fall yet so can't comment on safety
vanrim
Well-Known Member
I bought a Uvex ( not Mips) about 8 years ago but had awful trouble with the dial at the back loosening on its own all the time. In the end I just didn't feel safe in the hat and went back to a Charles Owen skull cap. I would like a new hat with Mips but everything now seems to have this dial system which I've really lost confidence in.
Hackback
Well-Known Member
Charles Owen do one with MIPS (no dial). That's what I tried before but Charles Owen just don't seem to suit my head shape