How to Choose the Best Horseback Riding Helmet

Eqx by Charles Owen Kylo MIPS Helmet

Charles Owen Helmets is an equestrian household name for a reason. With testimonials from professional to amateur riders, these helmets have played a major role in minimizing head injuries in the event of a fall. We specifically chose the Kylo model as our 'Best Value' for its rigorously tested safety features, highly adjustable dial fit, universal shape for both round and oval-shaped heads, generous ventilation, multiple finish and brim options, and highly affordable price! Its subtle, modern look makes the Kylo a great choice for any arena. Many of us here at Riding Warehouse have chosen this helmet as our riding helmet, and we highly recommend it!

Equinavia Crown MIPS Riding Helmet

Meeting ASTM/SEI and European Certification standards, while also offering MIPS technology, the Equinavia Crown meets impressive safety standards without hurting your wallet. Designed with a wide, flexible brim and a contemporary silhouette, the Crown feels and looks like the high-dollar helmets on the market. Additionally, it features a removable, washable lining made of moisture-wicking memory foam for ultimate comfort. The neck-cradling harness is finished with a quick-release buckle, chin padding, and a dial-adjustable precision-fit system to ensure a customized fit. With colorways made for hunter classes and options with a little sparkle for the jumpers, the Equinavia Crown is an easy favorite among our customers!

IRH F1 Wide Brim Riding Helmet

IRH is well-known throughout the equestrian community, making great options for your first helmet and your ideal show helmet. They prioritize safety and comfort without sacrificing style and bring innovative products to the market. The F1 is no exception, showing a sleek and sophisticated design in a lightweight and breathable body. The F1 line is comfortable enough to wear all day with front vents and moisture-wicking liners. We also love that each helmet comes with two liners in different thicknesses to help you achieve the perfect fit. Finished with a wide brim, this helmet is great for sunny rides and keeping you shaded!

One K MIPS Safety CCS Riding Helmet

One K Helmets boomed onto the market with its high-end look, customizable features, and affordable price point. Offering full coverage with breathability, these helmets have become a fast favorite across the disciplines for good reason! The One K helmets have a slightly different fit than many of the popular high-end brands. They feature a shallow profile from the top to the brow, fitting riders best with smaller foreheads/crowns! The MIPS Safety CCS has changeable front shields, top panels, and stripe rail, so riders can create a variety of personalized looks, whether your style is more subtle or vibrant.

LeMieux Verv Competition Helmet

The LeMieux Verv Competition Helmet's innovative features make it a true stand-out! The design offers a magnetic snap system for the brims and the top panel, allowing you to customize your helmet in seconds without tools. Additionally, LeMieux created “donut” inserts that can be placed under the liner, allowing you to adjust the helmet depth up to 15mm. The rear yoke features a snap basket, allowing you to adjust it up or down to better cradle the back of your head. It also offers a dial fit system that adjusts the entire helmet to your head, not just the rear. With endless adjustments, the Verv helmet may be the perfect helmet for you!

Kask Star Lady Hunter Riding Helmet

Kask Helmets have become a favorite among the Riding Warehouse staff! They have mastered the perfect blend of classic and modern styling for a design that is sure to stand the test of time. The sporty look of the Star Lady makes it perfect for jumpers or eventing, yet it remains classic enough for the hunters or dressage ring. The honeycomb aeration grids provide maximum airflow from front to back to keep you cool during the hardest rides. We love the self-adjusting FIT system, which features a back cradle that adapts to different factors, like varying hairstyles that can change helmet fit from day to day.

Tipperary Sportage 8500 Riding Helmet

The Tipperary Sportage has been one of the top favorites in the Endurance community for years for good reason. With its lightweight construction and full coverage ventilation, you can practically feel the breeze through this great helmet. The lower back cradles the base of the skull for full coverage protection. For a rider traveling long distances in sometimes hot weather, the Sportage 8500 checks all the boxes for what they need for safety and comfort!

TuffRider Starter Horse Riding Helmet with Carbon Fiber

TuffRider outdid themselves with their Starter helmet, bringing a high-end and sporty look at an affordable price point. This helmet is a great option for growing kids and riders looking to not break the bank. The dial-fit system on the Starter allows for easy adjustability, which is perfect for growth spurts or hair changes. The carbon fiber vents offer great ventilation, even on hot summer days. This design is ready to keep you cool with a Coolmax liner that wicks away moisture to keep you comfortable in the saddle!

Ovation Deluxe Schooler Dial-Fit Riding Helmet

Ovation made the Deluxe Schooler with a lightweight design that is perfect for growing kids who may not be accustomed to wearing a helmet yet. Designed for breathability and comfort, your little one might even forget they are wearing it! The low-profile shape creates a flattering look in a variety of fun colors to suit every little rider's style. The dial-fit system in the Schooler is perfect for growing riders, switching the helmet between kids, or accommodating hair changes that might alter helmet fit. Available in sizes for our tiniest riders all the way up to adults!

Using a soft measuring tape, measure about an inch above your eyebrows around the widest part of your head. It is easier to have a friend help with this step to ensure that the tape is level and snug when taking this measurement. Take note of both the inch and centimeter measurements to better determine the helmet (or hat) size you need. If you are measuring the head circumference of a child, the process will be the same.

Compare your head measurements to the helmet sizing chart of the particular brand and model you are interested in purchasing. Many helmet makers use centimeters to determine helmet size, while others use inches. If you are in between sizes, it is typically best to go with the smaller of the two to ensure a tighter fit for proper head protection. The padding in most helmets will compress over time, making the overall fit of the helmet a bit larger as you wear it.

Before you try on the helmet, style your hair how it will be when you ride. If you have so much hair that it drastically alters helmet fit, you should consider leaving it in a bun or ponytail at the base of your neck in order for the helmet to protect you like it was made to do.

The helmet should sit level on your head, so the visor (or where the visor would be, in the case of a skull cap helmet) is parallel to the floor. If the helmet is perched on top of your head, it is too small; if the helmet is unbalanced and falling down over your eyebrows, it is too large.

Consider how easy it is to place the helmet on your head. If it is very easy to slip the helmet on, it might be too big. New helmets will start quite snug, then conform to your head as they break in. However, they should not be so snug that they will cause discomfort or give you a headache.

Run your fingertips around the edge of the helmet to make sure it fits evenly around your head. It should feel like a rubber band: snug, but without pressure points.

If you wiggle the helmet forward and backward, it should make your eyebrows move. If it does not, it may be too loose. You can also gently shake your head with the harness strap undone. If it feels like the helmet may shift or fall off, it is likely too big or not the right shape for your head.

Place the chin strap and latch the harness. Make sure the chin strap is adjusted to the point where you can fit about one finger underneath your chin. If you can slip the chin strap forward and over your chin, it is too loose and can cause your helmet to pop off in the case of a fall. The chin strap should not feel restrictive, but it is designed to keep your helmet in place and provide adequate protection for your noggin.

Horses are independent-thinking animals with natural instincts that have a degree of unpredictability. Wearing a riding helmet is highly recommended for safety reasons. Head injuries from horse accidents are common; if you suffer a severe head injury, it can be detrimental to your overall quality of life or even lethal. Should you experience a fall, your helmet should be replaced immediately. Helmets are often mandatory during showing or lessons.

Horseback riding helmets with a safety certification have been put through some or all of the following tests: impact, retention, penetration, and deformation. Going for a helmet with higher safety ratings may be ideal for your discipline, such as riders who participate in higher-risk sports. See further information on the different safety ratings in our Equestrian Riding Helmet Safety Standards article!

The best horseback riding helmet is one that properly fits and protects your head. If you are looking to narrow down your search, check out our crew's top picks listed above!