Suggestions for a new hat...

[HufflyPuffly]

I need to replace my riding hat as it's a bit old, I have a non-peaked hat already so this is for dressage/ SJ.

With my plans for eventing I'd decided to go with navy (I was going to go with a Charles Owen grey Showjumper XP to match my grey jacket but BE say no to grey ), but more importantly when did they stop making the CO SJ XP? I've always had the SJ XP until I branched out to the Gatehouse Jeunesse I currently sport, so it seemed an easy fit to go back to, for a navy hat...

So I either need to shape myself to get one of the remaining SJ XP's or widen my horizons .

Requirements:
- Around the £200 mark (less is good with the appropriate safety standards)
- Navy
- Not a plastic'y looking one, happy with suede, velvet, leather look
- Fit the CO/ Gatehouse head shape as obviously buying online currently...

Quite like the look of the the CO AR8 for more ventilation, I am that person with a bright red face even in walk , though this will push my budget up a little (budget isn't huge as I will 100% fall off on my head the first ride if I spend £££'s).

So HHO shoppers what do you suggest?

 

[DirectorFury]

I really like the CO AYR8 (or I did until the prices shot up!), mine was comfy and did the job. I can’t say the ventilation was particularly good and the inside headband bit did have a habit of growing mould if left for too long (I know, vile) but I fixed that with some mould spray designed for bathrooms.

I do find that COs pack out quite dramatically so if you’re on the border of two sizes always go with the smaller one. Apparently they’re now doing two shapes - one for oval and one for round heads which might make it a bit more complicated to buy online.

 

[HufflyPuffly]

Oh thanks for that, I did wonder how much ventilation it can give, but maybe better than none?

I think the AYR8 plus has a removable lining for that issue , but again pushes the budget up...

I've always been a standard 56cm or 6 7/8 so that should be ok, though I am a bit worried about the round vs oval, does anyone know which the shape the original ones were?

 

[Northern Hare]

If you like to have the ventilation, do try the UVEX hats - they're very comfortable and lightweight - great!

 

[SussexbytheXmasTree]

When I looked at hats a few months ago I found that the trend for removable liners of different sizes meant that the size I’d normally get didn’t fit even in my normal fitting brands. I didn’t buy in the end as the right combo wasn’t in stock but will probably be looking again this year and will considering ones with the MIPS technology which I’ve since read about.

 

[ownedbyaconnie]

I loved my AYR8 (although it certainly wasn't that price when I bought mine!!! But I also have a pea head so fit into childrens.) I actually almost felt pretty in it, it seemed to not make my face as round.

I now have a jockey skull as I like all the big pom pom hat silks you can get. But when I am back on board after giving birth I am looking at one of the velvet Charles Owen hats, I think they are so classy and beautiful and I'd like to look a bit smarter for comps.

 

[muddybay]

I love my gatehouse! Do you want another one?

 

[HufflyPuffly]

If you like to have the ventilation, do try the UVEX hats - they're very comfortable and lightweight - great!

I've only seen the plastic'y shiny ones, do they do others?

When I looked at hats a few months ago I found that the trend for removable liners of different sizes meant that the size I’d normally get didn’t fit even in my normal fitting brands. I didn’t buy in the end as the right combo wasn’t in stock but will probably be looking again this year and will considering ones with the MIPS technology which I’ve since read about.

Really wanted a MIPS one but can't seem to find a make that is distributed in the UK and with Brexit/ Covid I'd rather buy from here if I can, apart from the CO ones and I'm sorry but I don't like the look of them...

I loved my AYR8 (although it certainly wasn't that price when I bought mine!!! But I also have a pea head so fit into childrens.) I actually almost felt pretty in it, it seemed to not make my face as round.

I now have a jockey skull as I like all the big pom pom hat silks you can get. But when I am back on board after giving birth I am looking at one of the velvet Charles Owen hats, I think they are so classy and beautiful and I'd like to look a bit smarter for comps.

Wish I had a pea head, makes hats so much cheaper, but I guess I can buy kids shoes so you win some you loose some...

Oh see this is my dilemma, lovely traditional velvet hat or modern and vented? The AYR8 seems a good compromise between the two?

I love my gatehouse! Do you want another one?

I could stick with a Gatehouse, my go to was always CO so it feels a safer bet lol, off for a nosy at the Gatehouse range...

 

[HufflyPuffly]

Am I being silly to discount the hardshell outer hats, the CO My PS is MIPS standard:


They just seem very shiny and modern looking...

 

[Roxylola]

At heart I'm a traditional girl, but I've got a uvex recently and its super, loads of vents and it doesn't go soggy when its wet. And tbh unless you go showing specifically i think you'd be in the minority in velvet these days

 

[SussexbytheXmasTree]

I've only seen the plastic'y shiny ones, do they do others?



Really wanted a MIPS one but can't seem to find a make that is distributed in the UK and with Brexit/ Covid I'd rather buy from here if I can, apart from the CO ones and I'm sorry but I don't like the look of them...



Wish I had a pea head, makes hats so much cheaper, but I guess I can buy kids shoes so you win some you loose some...

Oh see this is my dilemma, lovely traditional velvet hat or modern and vented? The AYR8 seems a good compromise between the two?



I could stick with a Gatehouse, my go to was always CO so it feels a safer bet lol, off for a nosy at the Gatehouse range...

I’ve got one of the old Gatehouse Conquests which I got out of the loft after I didn’t find a new hat to fit last year. I bought it for dressage just before they changed the rules and it couldn’t be used and then my oldie retired from dressage anyway so at the moment it’s my hacking hat. But I really want something with better protection.

I forgot I’ve also got a CO Wellington Classic blue velvet hat that I bought for showing if that helps you with fit. The CO Fiona was the wrong shape but the Wellington is more oval.

 

[Northern Hare]

I've only seen the plastic'y shiny ones, do they do others?

Ref UVEX hats, they do do some of the more expensive models in a suede effect, but I’m afraid they’d be outside of the £200 budget.

I would definitely recommend trying the other UVEX models out though - they are so light and comfortable and the ventilation is great. Try one out, and I’m sure the comfort will win over the outer shell appearance. ??

 

[DirectorFury]

Oh thanks for that, I did wonder how much ventilation it can give, but maybe better than none?

I think the AYR8 plus has a removable lining for that issue , but again pushes the budget up...

I've always been a standard 56cm or 6 7/8 so that should be ok, though I am a bit worried about the round vs oval, does anyone know which the shape the original ones were?

Honestly I’m pretty sure the AYR8 ventilation is just for show, I recently replaced mine with a Samshield (as the price increase put CO into that bracket) and my head has been bloody freezing since!

Im pretty sure the original ones were oval .

 

[McFluff]

Oh thanks for that, I did wonder how much ventilation it can give, but maybe better than none?

I think the AYR8 plus has a removable lining for that issue , but again pushes the budget up...

I've always been a standard 56cm or 6 7/8 so that should be ok, though I am a bit worried about the round vs oval, does anyone know which the shape the original ones were?

I like the Ayr8, and recently got a plus with a removable lining. Pricey, but nice. The original were the oval shape (according to the fitter I used).

 

[HufflyPuffly]

Thanks all, still mulling it over but leaning towards the AYR8 or getting over myself for a MIPS rated one ?.

 

[AFB]

I'd go Ayr8 too (in fact I did) - the original CO's are oval, the round are sized as such (i.e. mine's 58 round)