which riding hat? Sorry yawnsome topic!

[mandwhy]

I am shopping for a new riding hat and just wanted to check I am down with the standards required these days...

Am I right in thinking you want EN1384/BSEN1384 and PAS 015 and a BSI kitemark which is a separate thing?

I know it differs at different competitions and things but I want to buy one that will cover all of them hopefully!

I tried on a champion ventair skull today which was perfect, but I like the look of the gatehouse ones and they are cheap on eBay and brand new etc.

Just wondering if anyone knows what the fit of the gatehouse ones are like compared to champion, and just checking I am not missing some important safety standard!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Gatehouse...ing_MJ&var=&hash=item27c736a517#ht_2898wt_700

and

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Gatehouse...ing_MJ&var=&hash=item4163afad6f#ht_1888wt_962


Thank you muchly

 

[asommerville]

i was planning to buy a gatehouse hat a couple of years ago for showingbut when i went into the shop they advised that they didnt meet the same safty standards as some of the others, ended up with a charles owen

 

[bumblelion]

I'm pretty sure the gatehouse were the safest on the market a few years ago, not sure if still are. That's why I bought one. Sorry not much help!

 

[Kat]

I find champion hats fit me well, they are a different shape to many brands. I have been told that harry hall hats are the same shape too.

I know that if champion hats fit you Charles Owen and just togs won't fit.

I'm in the market for a new hat and will watch with interest.

It is so frustrating as oh and I wear the same size hat but have different shaped heads so I have a champion he has a just togs and swapping for any reason gives us a headache. His just togs showjumper is so smart, I'd love to borrow it for shows........

 

[soulfull]

i was planning to buy a gatehouse hat a couple of years ago for showingbut when i went into the shop they advised that they didnt meet the same safty standards as some of the others, ended up with a charles owen

I'm pretty sure the gatehouse were the safest on the market a few years ago, not sure if still are. That's why I bought one. Sorry not much help!

Depends on which models same as most things

Yes you need at least the PAS and I have gone even further with the Snell

If I remember correctly gatehouse are similar in fitting to champion. however I would say find out how old the model is, as the older it is the more likely materials have deteriorated, which might be why it is reduced

In my honest opinion I would pay the extra for the champion

 

[Shay]

Your standards are right for comeptition. Which had you choose depends on the shape of your head! Some people get on better with one make than others. It might be worth popping into your local tack shop - or visitng a large horse show - and trying a load on. When you've found the fit you like then you can shop around for the best price.

I'm probably paranoid but personally I don't like buying hats mail order. You should see what royal mail do to stuff where we live. I worry about buying a hat which royal mail then damage without my knowing it and having it fail becuase it has been dropped or bashed or whatever.

(Sorry anyone who works for RM!)

 

[mandwhy]

Thanks everyone, I think the champion was good so maybe I have an oval head but not had many others to compare to!

I have been to two tack shops, pretty much the biggest local ones... one had champion and I think Charles Owen but none in my size in the latter, and the other one had strange high cut type hard helmets some of which had a dial on, I forget what brand. There is probably somewhere in Newmarket that has more to try, I mean surely?! A big horse show is a good idea!

Hmm good point soulfull I will find out how old the models are. I would ideally like a normal skull so I can change silks etc but then I do like the one with the padded harness as it looks like it provides some vague protection a bit lower down!

I think my current one is harry hall, it does give me headaches sometimes (i am a migraine sufferer and it always brings them on EURGH I hate them!) So maybe a different shape would be good

 

[Kat]

You really need to try on at least a Champion and a Charles Owen before you decide so that you know which basic shape fits better. If your Harry Hall gives you headaches then maybe that shape isn't right for you.

Then when you know which basic shape fits better trying on some other makes and different models to get the ideal fit. You will find that even within a brand the fit is slightly different between models. If you are used to a skull cap you may find a velvet leaves you feeling a bit "naked" or that some sit very high and look a bit mushroom like.