safest nicest riding hat / skull hat

[SKY]

hi, have my hat years, i mean years. going treat myself to a new one. i always used skull cap with nice velvet and silk covers, but i think they are awful big lookiing. i know who cares what it looks like, and i want the safest so who thinks skull caps is the best and which one is the best and safest. would love a velevt riding hat like charles owen's one but is it really safe as much as a skull cap.
also if i buy on line what is the way to fit a hat again, just tape round head or what. as been years since got done.
thanks

 

[SKY]

anyone?

 

[Shay]

There are some events you can't take part in without a skull cap. There are some nice low profile ones available now. I like the Champion Ventair. (That said I also have a more traditional looking Harry Hall!) Do make sure if you get a fixed peak hat that the peak will detach easily in a fall - if you hit the peak on a fixed object you can break your neck.

Having only recently replaced my hat really the best way to do it is to go and visit a shop (or several shops) and get one fitted. It isn't as simple as just the round the head measurement. Hats are oval and every head is slightly a different shape so you need to try on loads of makes to find out what really fits and is comfortable.

Personally - I went around several local tack shops (no particular hardship!), schlepped up to Robinsons and tried out some hat fitters at a couple of shows. Decided what I liked and what fitted well, then looked it up on line to get the best price. (Which turned out to be a local tack shop anyway!)

 

[SKY]

harry hall have sum lovely ones. i will have to get measured, but is there a method if i was ordering online.

 

[SKY]

which one do you all like, i lkie 1st one. i always use a skull cap but they are soooooo bug and bulky looking wanted a neat hat. would prefer a skull cap if can get a very neat style as like the 1st on her i know its not skull cap put thtas the look i like. but is it safe enough.
http://www.robinsons-uk.com/products/search.asp?keyword=charles+owen+hat&x=0&y=0#sku.20005

do you know any brand of skull cap that is very safe and very neat loking as will get a cover for it. thanks

 

[horsecrazy25]

I have Champion Ventair great hat x

 

[Bay_Beasty]

The one Georgie Strang was wearing at Burghley. If it can hold up to having a horse tread on it and not crush her skull sounds like a good hat to me, was a champion I think, here is the link http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/article.php?aid=301629

 

[Raych]

Ive heard the Gatehouse HS1 skulls are meant to be really good saftey and low profile too. They're about £100 though, so not too expensive but not cheap either, but you pay for the safety i imagine

 

[Cahill]

numpty q here....sorry...
does `low profile` mean the hat doesn`t notice much or does it mean it come further down your head?

 

[Raych]

It just means that its not so egg-heady. It sits on your head nicely but isnt massive looking x

 

[Bosworth]

the best and most comfortable ones are ones that fit correctly - and buying on line can only be done if and when you know what size you are and what make fits you. i personally cannot wear a champion, my head is the wrong shape, but I know I can pick up a charles Owen J3 in a size 2 and it will fit like a glove, lovely comfortable skull, in a really low profile and sits right into the nape of the neck. I personally prefer skull caps to velvets, or even the jump type hats as I just don;t find them at all comfortable, or feel as secure in them.

But you need to be fitted correctly by a properly trained person.

Low profile - means the hat is as shallow as possible, so it doesn't stand up off your head loads.

 

[Cahill]

It just means that its not so egg-heady. It sits on your head nicely but isnt massive looking x

thanks.i did wonder,hope i`m not the only one.

 

[SKY]

thats what i am after a low profile skull cap as they are the safest i think, and there is some lovely wee covers for them. but still dont know which one, my local tack shop just put a hat and and asks how that feels, no real fitting done. when i was younger there was but new people own this shop and its not as good. there is one other tack shop but useless as well and bad selection of hats. will have to go further a field. dont mind paying £100 its going be something i will have for years all being well so it s a investment.

so if you know any very low profile very safe skull caps list them please and i will try them on. thanks for all advice brilliant.

 

[SKY]

ok just found one of the ones you mentioned, looks cool, great price, going to phone sum tack shops see if they have it and fit it on. what you all think of it.
http://www.rideaway.co.uk/charles-owen-j3-helmet/default.aspx

 

[Bosworth]

Love it, have had 3 of these and just keep coming back to them. Extremely comfortable, very safe and a really low profile. I think it is the lowest profile on the market. And I trie dthe new Gold Charles Owen on and didn;t find it any where near as comfortable. Whereabouts in the country are you - people on here could probably recommend a good hat fitter if they knew where you were

 

[Kenzo]

numpty q here....sorry...
does `low profile` mean the hat doesn`t notice much or does it mean it come further down your head?

Means you don't look like you've just been shot out of a cannon

My mother bless her, once treated me to a new JK hat one Christmas, she new my size and just bought it, well the whole family p*ssed themselfs laughing at me, I couldn't understand what the problem was until I looked at myself in the mirror, it was huuuuuuuuuge! I woudn't of minded but I've only got a small head anyway.

 

[SKY]

thanks, i am in northern ireland. so prob long way from all of you, but there is no good fitters beside me, think i will have to go further a field. love it thanks for all advice. love this forum, so helpful and good be part of.

 

[SKY]

like this one too but dont like strap, very thick. think it would annoy me. diffo going for charles owen j3, if fits.
http://www.robinsons-uk.com/products/Productdetail.asp?ProductCode=20223

 

[Vixen Van Debz]

Charm: I was the same in N.I.: no near fitters nearby, same again here in Fife! Well, depends on what you mean by nearby, but for me it means accessible by public transport. I know my head size and have had 3 people measure it to double check. I'm not sure which brands fit me best though: have found out the hard way by buying online that it's not Shires. I had a Harry Hall when I was a young teen, so will try them again next, hoping my head shape's still right for them! It can be done online: just check on the returns policy to make sure you're minimising your costs in terms of sending items back if they don't fit correctly. If you're lucky, then your yard might have a range of hats from different brands and in different sizes - a good way to check out what does and doesn't work.