Safety first, but comfort is a close second.
When shopping for a riding helmet, safety should be your first priority. You want a helmet that will protect your head in the event of a fall, but comfort is also important—you don’t want to spend all day with an uncomfortable helmet on your head. Your helmet should be neither too loose nor too tight so that it stays in place during rigorous activity and doesn’t shift around when you’re riding. It should also allow you to hear clearly and see clearly without being obstructed by the brim or visor.
Your helmet should fit snugly, but not too tight.
Oops! Click Regenerate Content below to try generating this section again.
Consider your riding goals and style.
For most people, the best helmet is one that fits your head perfectly and is comfortable enough to wear for hours at a time. However, if you use your horse riding helmet for competition or other long-term riding activities, consider looking for features like:
- A removable liner and ventilation system
- An adjustable fit system
- A chin strap that can be adjusted easily
The weight of your helmet matters.
Weight is a critical factor when it comes to purchasing a helmet. The lighter your helmet, the less strain you’ll experience on your neck and head. This is particularly important if you plan on spending extended amounts of time in the saddle or are required to wear an uncomfortable helmet for long periods of time. The best way to measure the weight of your helmet is by using ounces (oz), grams (g), or pounds (lb).
When comparing lightweight helmets with heavyweight helmets, it’s important not only look at how much they weigh individually but also what materials were used in their construction. If both helmets weigh the same amount and are made from similar materials, then it probably doesn’t matter which one you choose as they will be equally safe in the case of a fall or collision with another rider. However, if one helmet weighs significantly more than another, then there should be some differences between them—namely appearance and feel—that make up for its extra bulkiness
Make sure your helmet meets safety standards.
You should make sure that your helmet meets safety standards. This will ensure that you are wearing the safest possible protective headgear while riding. The ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) standard is used in the US, while the CE mark is a European standard. SNELL standards are used in the US, but they’re not as widely accepted as ASTM or CE certifications.
If you want to buy a helmet that has been certified for horseback riding, make sure it has one of these markings on its label:
- ASTM F1163: Standard Specification for Protective Headgear Used in Recreational Horseback Riding Made from Rigid Plastics
- EN 1384:2006 Equestrian Safety Helmets For Use In The Event Of A Fall Or Impact With An Object When Riding On A Horse Or Mounted Equine Animal
- SNELL M2005: Standard For Protective Headgear Atv/Snowmobile And Motorcycle Helmet
You get what you pay for when it comes to horse riding helmets.
While we’re on the topic of price, you get what you pay for when it comes to horse riding helmets.
If a helmet is super cheap and looks like it was made from a kid’s science project, chances are it isn’t going to be very high quality. If you can find a certified helmet that fits your needs at an affordable price, great! But don’t assume that all certified helmets must be expensive.
A lot of people will tell you to never buy a generic brand or model without testing out first because there are so many differences in how they fit and feel compared to high-end brands like Tipperary or Bates. They also say that these types of products won’t last as long as their higher-end counterparts either because they’re cheaply made with inferior materials (or no materials).
Finding the right helmet can make you feel safe, confident and ready to take on new challenges.
When you have a good helmet on, it’s easy to feel like you can take on the world. You have protection from the elements and peace of mind that your head is safe. You might be more daring or willing to try new things because you know that if something goes wrong, no permanent damage will be done.
Although safety is always the primary concern, there are other reasons why finding a good helmet can boost confidence:
- It makes you look great! A high-quality horse riding helmet will make anyone feel special when they put it on their head. It’s like wearing a mask or a cape—it elevates your mood and makes you feel empowered by its presence (even if only subconsciously).
- Protection from falls: If there was ever an accident where I fell off my horse in my old/cheap/crummy riding helmet—I would have been seriously hurt or worse! With all those sharp edges hitting my skull at once (which happened plenty), I’d probably be dead now if not for this expensive but awesome piece of equipment saving me from serious injury or worse!