Riding Hats

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What is the best value for money riding hat. Im starting riding again and will be riding dressage, a bit of jumping and schooling young horses, won't be doing team chasing or anything like that. Too Old!!!!! Was looking at the champion evolution or HS1?
 
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One that fits! Recommend go to a proper old fashioned tack shop that sells and fits a range of hats, as different models suit different shaped heads. They'll be able to talk through and suggest to suit your requirements - I have a Champion skull that was about £40-50 as I barely ride at all and then only a 14h at a slow pace, it isn't the absolute cheapest hat but is nicely padded, however my daughter who rides loads has an HS1 which is supposed to be pretty safe, it fits her but not me as she has a rounder shaped head and is a good few sizes bigger.
 
Get it fitted. I have a Champion skull (£70) & the lass at the tack shop spent about half an hour adjusting it with fitting tape & panels & now it is the BEST fitting hat on the planet!
 
Ditto look for one that fits your head shape.
Just a word of warning that if you choose a more robust hat, it may be psychologically hard to revert to riding in anything that offers less protection. This same question arose in another thread when we were pursuaded to buy an HS1 for our teenage grand daughter.
Another warning if you are looking for value for money - dont buy old stock, even if it is cheaper. Hats have a sell by date as the foam deteriorates. And basic British hat standards rise over the years. The introduction of extra padding round the edge of a hat makes a lot of difference. The old hats used to chop into the back of one's neck. After a few years of not falling off, I fell twice last winter and noticed the difference it made.
I dont know what team chasing is, but dont let age put you off. If there is something you would really like to do with horses, go for it. There are people on this Forum older than you might imagine.
 
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I know to get one that fits!!!! Was just asking if any particular make was better than any other. Have decided on the HS1, expensive but you can't put a value on safety.
 
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