Charles Owen Helmet Buying Guide

Voted the helmet brand of choice by The Chronicle of the Horse, Charles Owen has been regarded as a leader in equestrian safety products for almost 100 years. Since their first patent in 1924, the company has continued to research industry-leading safety measures to keep riders across the world protected and comfortable. The trust placed in Charles Owen stems from their unwavering commitment to rider safety through continuous advancements in helmet technology.

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced equestrian, investing in a high-quality helmet is crucial to ensure your safety. Luckily, Charles Owen offers a wide range of helmet options suitable for riders of all disciplines and ages! By prioritizing rider safety, continuously researching and implementing new safety measures, and providing unmatched comfort and style, Charles Owen has established themselves as a go-to brand. Explore their collection to find the perfect equestrian helmet that not only protects you, but also reflects your personal style and passion for riding!

Equestrian helmets are made up of four layers, all designed to protect your head in the event of a fall. Each layer has a specific role and serves an important function in safety when a rider is in the irons or working with their horse on the ground. Below is a cross-section of a Charles Owen helmet and a short explanation of how each layer works.

All Charles Owen helmets are created in Great Britain with the best quality materials, then assembled by highly skilled technicians. For more information, read their article on how Charles Owen Helmets are made.

Cross-Section of a Charles Owen Helmet:

Outermost layer: The finish is the first and outermost layer of a helmet—the part you can see and touch. The finish allows the helmet to slip across the ground in case of an accident, dispersing energy from an impact away from the brain.

Fiberglass shell: The fiberglass shell spreads the force of impact before it reaches the inner polystyrene layer. Charles Owen's fiberglass shells surpass some safety standards by also protecting against concentrated impacts (like being struck by a hoof), which is key to protect against skull fractures.

Expanded polystyrene (EPS): A thick layer of EPS is made up of microscopic beads that burst when struck, allowing energy from an impact to be absorbed here before it reaches the wearer's head. The EPS is a key protection layer to prevent brain bruising. Charles Owen manufactures its EPS in-house to produce ultra-fine bubbles!

Headband: The headband, or liner, is the innermost layer, made from comfortable padding and sizing foam which molds to the rider's head for a perfect fit. In case of an impact, the liner acts like a human scalp by allowing the helmet to slip across the skull, which reduces the forces that induce brain shear. Charles Owen incorporates silver ions into the material to reduce odor and kill bacteria from sweat and dirt. Their liners are also machine-washable, so you can keep your helmet fresh even after your sweatiest rides. When your liner becomes flat with wear, you can replace it to give your helmet new life.

Other Key Helmet Safety Features:

Flexible peak: Charles Owen helmets are designed with flexible peaks, also known as visors, to eliminate hyperextension of the neck vertebrae during a fall. The peak also absorbs energy and begins to break your fall earlier, reducing the amount of injury you experience. Additionally, peaks can protect the rider from low-hanging branches and shield their eyes from the sun and rain.

Harness: A safe and reliable harness or chin strap is a necessity in an equestrian helmet. Its main job is to keep the helmet secure on the rider's head before potentially hitting the ground. Charles Owen helmets are made with a six-point harness and feature GRpx technology, which has self-adjusting cups that grip the base of the skull to provide a superior fit.

Ventilation slots: Charles Owen helmets are equipped with vents that allow airflow to cool the wearer's head. Models like the My PS and MS1 Pro have ten ventilation slots for ultimate comfort.

Multi-Directional Impact Protection System, or MIPS, is embedded in some Charles Owen helmets to protect the brain from rotational forces that can be sustained during crash impact. Rotational motion is created when the head makes contact with a surface. Without anything to disperse this force, the risk of brain injury is high. MIPS is a low-friction layer within helmets that slides 10 to 15 mm in all directions to reduce the force transmitted to the brain. This technology does not replace the coverage already held by other helmet safety measures, but instead provides further protection to reduce brain strain in riding accidents involving falls at speed. Read more about the technology in our MIPS helmet article.

Not all helmets are created equal, and because of that, there are safety standards in place to gauge a riding helmet's effectiveness; these standards test different accident scenarios involving a horse. It is believed that helmets that meet multiple standards protect against a wider range of impacts. Charles Owen manufactures their helmets to meet as many as four international standards to provide comprehensive protection in case of a fall or other accident. Below is a brief explanation of riding helmet safety standards:

Good: ASTM/SEI

ASTM/SEI certification is required by many equestrian associations and is the baseline in helmet safety. This testing standard requires both impact and retention tests, as well as a visor test to make sure the visor breaks or flexes without injuring the face. ASTM/SEI certification does not require penetration or deformation tests, which is why many helmets with this certification have large ventilation holes.

Better: PAS015 & VG1 01.040

PAS015 and VG1 01.040 are European safety standards that test helmets to withstand penetration and crushing, in addition to impact, retention, and visor tests. Once certified through the EU standards, the helmet receives a CE mark. Charles Owen volunteers to participate in the Kitemark program, which sends their helmets through periodic audits with the British Standard Institute. This ensures their helmets stay up to standard.

Best: Snell

Being the most demanding standard, helmets that undergo Snell must pass all aspects of certification but with more intensive testing. Helmets are dropped from greater heights and tested on a variety of different-shaped anvils, and they must pass the highest crush resistance rating. Currently, there are only four Snell-certified helmet models in the world including the Charles Owen 4 Star skull cap. Riding Warehouse does not currently carry the 4 Star, however, if you are interested in purchasing one, please reach out to our customer service team at 1-800-260-9145 or email us at info@ridingwarehouse.com to place a special order.

Check out the graphic below to see the different standards and the tests they cover. When purchasing a helmet, keep in mind that a good fit is crucial for safety! To learn more, we invite you to read further about the equestrian helmet safety standards.

Charles Owen helmets conform to individual head shapes for a customized feel. Unlike other brands that use adjustable sizing, Charles Owen helmets are designed to be within 1/8 inch of your head size for the very best fit possible. If you measure your head properly and select the corresponding size, your new helmet should provide firm, even pressure all the way around. Be sure to check out our riding helmet fitting guide to learn how to measure your head for a riding helmet.

As your Charles Owen helmet breaks in, it will loosen up a bit as it molds to your head; be sure not to buy a helmet that is too big. In regular sizing, Charles Owen helmets tend to fit oval head shapes. For those with round head shapes, there are some models that come in a round fit. Inquire with our customer service team for more information about ordering a Charles Owen helmet in round sizing.

If you're unsure whether you have a round or oval shape head, check out Charles Owen's helmet fit video below:

The expanded polystyrene (EPS) layer in helmets can melt when exposed to extreme heat or direct sunlight for extended periods. Be sure to store your helmet somewhere cool and dry in order to keep it in good condition. When your helmet becomes dirty or smelly, you can remove the liner and machine wash it. If the liner is not removable, Charles Owen makes a Helmet Cleaner that is specially formulated to remove sweat, sunscreen, makeup, and dust.

Over time, the materials inside your helmet will naturally degrade—even if the helmet was only used sparingly. The maximum lifespan of a riding helmet is five years from the date of purchase. Even if you haven't been in an accident while wearing your helmet, you should replace it after this amount of time has passed. If your helmet suffers any kind of impact, its protective qualities might be compromised and the helmet should be replaced. Be sure to report any accident you have while wearing a Charles Owen helmet. In some cases, you may be offered a discount on your replacement helmet!

The importance of wearing a riding helmet cannot be stressed enough. Equestrian sports involve inherent risks, and protecting the head should be a top priority for riders of all levels. A properly fitted and certified helmet can significantly reduce the risk of head injuries in case of a fall or accident. Charles Owen helmets provide riders with peace of mind, knowing that they are equipped with reliable and trusted safety technology that has been proven effective over the years. Explore their collection by clicking the link below to find the perfect Charles Owen helmet for you! Should you have any questions, please reach out to our friendly customer service team at 1 (800) 620-9145 or info@ridingwarehouse.com.