Opinions on adjustable riding hats?

[Cinder]

I've been on a hat fitting course today for work, the man that was doing the course was showing us these new style hats with the dial at the back of the hat that allows the person to adjust the fit of it.
He said that within the next few years these style hats will be outnumbering the traditional hat/helmets.
I was a bit dubious about them as these hats come in three sizes (small medium and large) and you then adjust the dial to suit. They also seemed very cycle helmet like in appearance and not nearly as robust as the traditional ones (even though they are to the same safety standard as the older ones)
Has anyone got one of these hats, the one I saw today was a champion one. Any thoughts and opinions appreciated.

 

[joycec]

I hate them. They just don't feel like they fit. And they don't feel like they will stay in place in an accident. I've bought and thrown away two of them, and now I only buy hats with close fit sizing and I'll do that until they just aren't available any more. I hope he's wrong!

 

[brucethegypsycob]

The first one I had a few years ago was awful and uncomfortable. Quite a well known brand in the world of endurance. Now I have a newish one by uvex which has a dial. It is without doubt the most most comfortable, lightweight and ventilated helmet I have ever worn. Suffice it to say I am now a uvex fan.

 

[blitznbobs]

I hate them they seem to perch on your head rather than encase it... they always feel like they are balanced... I'll stick with a skull cap for every day ta very much I have the RXC1 and it feels safe and looks safe too...

 

[Red-1]

Personally I hate them. The dial does tighten up to make a nice fit, but if you have a mishap the ratchet lets go and the hat is then loose on your head and can slip forwards and clonk you on the nose.

Not seem the most modern ones though, so maybe they have changed.....

 

[Princess Rosie]

The uvex hats are amazing and very comfy. I've borrowed one to try and when it's time for a new hat this is what I will be going for.

 

[sarahann1]

I'm not a fan, I used to teach and loads of kids had them, I was forever readjusting them when they were falling over eyes/wobbling about all over the place. I quite often asked parents to purchase a proper skull hat or made kids ride with our own hats.

I can't work out how a hat which adjusts by a band round your head, which then comes away from the hat itself when its tightened, can be safe. As Red-1 says, maybe the modern ones are improved.

 

[pansymouse]

I had one; I could never get it to fit and it gave me the most godawful headache. I gave it away after a couple of months.

 

[ROMANY 1959]

My son has had two of these, one we had to bin after a hard fall, but the hat did it's job well. Now he has a uvex and a champion and they are most comfy hats he has worn, he has bad exma in his scalp and they are well ventilated and he does like them, if he goes Xc he wears his scull cap and his head is so itchy after an hour wearing it... They were both professionally fitted at HOYS last year. I can't fault them really,

 

[SuperH]

I tried a couple of these on last summer when I was replacing my hat. I didn't like the feel or the fit so didn't go for one. They do look tempting when it is hot but weren't for me.

 

[MarniL]

After always having skull caps I decided to get an adjustable one and I'm in two minds about it. The ventilation is very welcome and it is helpful to be able to loosen it slightly if my hair's not sitting right or if I start to get a bit of a headache. On the other hand though it does feel less secure than a fixed hat, like it's perched on your head a bit. I've gotten used to that feeling and now I quite like it, but that's not to say that I wouldn't go back to a traditional make.

 

[ArabianGem78]

I must be in the minority then. I have a troxel spirit and really rate it. I don't find it feels perched at all, and it's very stable on my head. And the ventilation is a welcome relief when you're riding 80km plus at speed! I suffer from headaches and migraines, yet have had none as a direct result of the troxel.

 

[happyclappy]

i am in the minority, as I have had one for six months and love it. it does fit very well (checked with a fitter) and is very nice to wear.

 

[xxcharlottexx]

I bought one about 18 months ago. I think it's Charles Owen. I like it. It does look very big on my head as I'm at the lower end of the hat size but I like to put it on loose, then adjust until it's comfortable /fits. I've had to replace hats in the past as the padding has lost its 'spring' making the hat too loose so it does solve that problem. Also like it if a friend /family member who aren't horsey fancy a quick pootle, then can use my hat and it will fit correctly.
Whether I would choose another one over a conventional one again....I'm not sure!