Newbie with a hat query : ).

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11 January 2010
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Hello!

I have recently gone back to riding after a 3 year break (so nice to be back on!) and need to update my riding hat - it is 9 years old, has been bumped about a bit and doesn't do too well on the safety standards front :/.

I want a hat that is kitemarked and conforms to both PAS 015 and EN 1384 safety standards etc. I was considering getting the Charles Owen H2000 squared riding hat in green but after reading in many rulebooks that hats with fixed peaks are not allowed, particularly in Cross Country and JumpCross etc. I have decided to maybe go for a Jockey Skull instead.

There are two makes that I have been looking at: The APM Helmet and the Pro II. I was wondering if anyone could give me any information on which hat is better or if they have had any personal experience with either hat. Ooh and any recommendations for other riding hats would also be much appreciated.

Thanks guys, pleased to meet you and sorry if I waffled! : P.
 
Hi and welcome
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Not much of an expert on hats tbh! I have some kind of charles owen one which is good but thats the extent of my knowledge im afraid!!
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Hi welcome to the forum!

best thing to do is to go to your local tack shop and try them on - different makes fit differently, even though they're techincally they're the same size - so get one professionally fitted
 
Welcome to the forum!
The best thing to do is get one fitted to suit your head, I could recommend one but it may not be the best for you if your head is a different shape.
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I would reccommend the Gatehouse HS1 skull from my experiance. It is a very comfy hat, and it is the only skull hat on the market that conforms to the newest (snell2001) safety standards. You also have the choice between black or silver. They are a bit more expensive than other sculls (just over £100 if i remember correctly) but they have gone through alot more safety tests than other sculls, and TBH can you put a price on safety???? They don't fit all head shapes so you will have to try one on, but if it fits, i woud definaltly say to pay the extra. Other than the Gatehouse, Charles Owen and Champion are the other makes I would consider. You will probably be best going along to a tack shop with qualified hat fitters, try on a few, and see which fit you best.
 
I agree, go to a good tack shop and they'll help you find one that's perfect for you. Saying that, I got mine off the Shires website for £19... bargain!
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Had to send it back three times before I finally got the right size though, so when I added on all the extra postage costs I may as well have bought a slightly more expensive one and had it fitted properly in the first place....
 
Agree with the others,work out your budget and go to your tack shop to have one fitted.
I dont get on with skulls for instance,my head is oval and pointy
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so I find skills too short and then need them tight to get them to stay on which gives some banging headaches!
But nearly all velvet hats I have tried on fit very well.
 
Thank you, I will do just that! I think when I bought my first hat, I just tried on the first one I was given to try and it seemed to fit so I got it. Definitely going to be 'picky' this time around : P.
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