Riding Hat recommendations

[EquiGal92]

Hi all!

I'm slowly coming back into riding after a good 6 year break from it (and only ridden a small handful in that period!) and I want to try and stick to it as I now have the chance to have more horsey time again in my life Lol. The riding stables I am at though, only let people use their own hats if they meet PAS015(?) standards due to their insurance. I have a hat with the BSEN standard that is almost brand new but unfortunately no good and I can't use it there, and it would be nice to use my own hat instead of having to borrow one everytime I ride.

So being out of touch with everything equestrian, what hats are there that you would recommend? I'd like something that is lightweight, ventilated, and not maybe something that isn't a boring colour I don't mind what material it is made from really, and I prefer peaked hats over jockey skulls if I had the choice but that's neither here or there really. I don't have a huge budget, so it doesn't need to be the worlds fanciest hat - its only going to be used for a days hacking once weekly max after all.

Thank you!

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

I would suggest you take yourself along to somewhere which does hat fitting and explain your situation.

This will give you a chance to try out various styles and fits of hat and you might just find something to suit you. However my advice is to not allow yourself to be bullied as my experience on the limited occasions when I've presented myself for "hat fitting" is that invariably I've always found that I've been directed towards the more expensive end of the market, even though a cheaper style or even a child's hat fitted best! Sorry to appear cynical, but this is what seems to occur when fitters are on commission and will try to sell you the most expensive hat not necessarily the best fit!

I'm one of those difficult people with an oval-shaped head and its not easy to find something to fit!