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Helmets Opinion

6K views 42 replies 19 participants last post by  dally 
#1 ·
I have been searching online for some opinions/ reviews of helmets as I have to purchase a new one.

I used to have a GPA, and got it stolen when I moved out, a big issue , but this is not the point of this thread. I ended up buying a IRH and was surprisingly satisfied with it, I fall off more than once and I can say it saved me probably more than once too ? It lasted a good 5 years ( i know you are suppose to replace every 2-3 years, but the last 2 years did not involve as much riding as the first 3 years)
Now, I feel like it is time to invest in a new one, I am not sure if I should go for another IRH, or go to something else?
GPA are said to be really good and their reputation proove the safety and comfort of their product.
I also heard about samshield, a big deal in europe, and i'm not sure if it made it to the USA yet?


my question is, what are you looking for in a helmet? and why?
what are you avoiding, and why?

safety and comfort would be my main point when looking at helmet, but how do you know if it's going to last? I have read some reviews about the same product from different people who had completely different opinions, so who do you end up trusting?

after safety and comfort, I look for aeration, I live in Florida and might stay in Florida for a few years still, so temperature are high most of the year, which is where a nice aerate helmet makes a difference.
 
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#3 ·
For safety and comfort, I say Tipperary. I LOVE mine..most comfortable helmet I've ever worn, and I feel safer as it goes lower on the back of the head than most helmets do. Mine is the "sportage" model, GREAT for trail riding....after 50 miles of riding it's still comfortable.

One thing I can't speak for is that, if you're showing, I don't know whether it'd be accepted or not. I have no idea what the guidelines are there...

here's a link to a picture of it: Tipperary Sportage Plus Helmet - Quality Tack at Outlet Prices - VTO Saddlery
 
#5 ·
I have not shown in the USA, so im not sure of the guidelines,
I have seen this helmet before i did not know the brand name. they look nice and like you say, safer on the back, but most helmets now have a better protection of the lower part of the head and neck, than it used to
 
#9 ·
I guess I can't speak for airflow...I never get too sweaty in my helmet, but I live in Maine so it's hard to get too warm anyway!
 
#15 ·
i'll throw myself in with this lot. i love my tipperary sportage. it's the best fit i've ever had in a helmet, the cost was fantastic and i don't get hot and woozy in it as it breathes really well unlike helmets i've had before.

but like someone else mentioned - if you're going to be showing idk how well that would work out for you. if not, i highly recommend this helmet. :)
 
#11 ·
Do you show a lot? An option is to get a schooling helmet and a show helmet. I have a GPA and LOVE it. I had an IRH before that and it just made my head look too big. :) Both fit great, both were excellent quality, but since I show A LOT I upgraded to the one that didn't make me look like a bobble head. But since I also live in a very hot area and ride ~5 horses I day I also bought a Tipperary. They're extremely comfortable, cool, and safe, and I really don't care how nasty it gets. When a breeze hits I can actually feel the wind over the top of my scalp! But, I don't like the look of Tipperarys in the show ring. I'm a bit of a stickler for formality when it comes to showing (hunters/jumpers).
 
#13 ·
yes my IRH makes me have a big head, but for riding it does not really matter to me as long as i am protected because i mostly ride horses dressage, jumping, flat work. I train horses too so security is my number one choice.
I have not shown in USA yet, but i do believe i want to start again at some point.

I was looking at the IRH model elite extreme and elite ultra, they look like GPA!
here are links to it

Dover Saddlery | IRH Elite Extreme Helmet .

IRH Elite Ultra Helmet - ASTM/SEI Certified Helmets from SmartPak Equine

I really love GPA but is it necessary to invest that much in one if I dont show right now?
same for samshield, I love the new innovation but they are really expensive.
 
#17 ·
How would you rate them safety and strong wise?
because you know, i would rather spend 500$ and have a good helmet that last 3 years + than spending 150 $ every 3 months or so for lack of good material.
I mean , i know 500 is a big investment, for one helmet, but if it lasts compare to other, why not? because in the end, as an example, if i spend 70$ every 3 months or so, would come up to 240$ to replace helmet with an issue ( can be a crack, or the inside falling apart, or visor braking, or chin strap braking..) or can be not comfortable, too loose, ect..
 
#18 ·
IMO Charles Owen is one of the most well-made helmets. It is the most popular brand among eventers. GPA's are more popular in the jumper ring. The CO skull cap is by far the safest/strongest helmet but not the best for the hunter ring! I got the Charles Own gr8 for christmas and Love it. It is very comfy, looks great, well-made and safe. Of course I've never fallen off and hit my head with it, but I haven't with a GPA either. IMO they are equally safe and well-made. I've had my skull cap Charles Owen for about 4 years now. Completely sound, still in great condition. I expect my GR8 to be the same.
 
#20 ·
well, i guess as long as they're all approved and started to be sell on the market, that means they're safe to use. of course, i am not gonna try to fall right on my head to see which ones break and which ones dont. but you always want to be on the safe side, and usually want to feel safe no matter what happens, I've hurt myself pretty badly only a few times, and I had a lot of scratches , so obviously, helmet is no option for me, I learned to always ride with one, and I always will, no matter what I do, and how old I am, some people dont realize but the human body is really fragile LOL
 
#23 ·
:twisted:



Oh no! COs are GREAT for the hunter ring!! Look better than GPA IMO. I was referring specifically to the Skull Cap CO.Dover Saddlery | Charles Owen Pro II Skull Cap.

Very safe helmet. Most popular among eventers for XC. However I've never seen a skull cap in the hunter ring. Its not exactly tradition. But safety does come first! The GR8 is my other favorite CO and would be great for hutners.
 
#26 ·
i school in my tipperary - great for eventing and for better airflow.
i show jumpers and dressage in my gpa and love it.

both are great for protection. i've had IRH's separate on me (inside from helmet shell) and that made me wary but i know plenty of people that love them.

i have also been told that after each fall if the helmet takes any impact to replace the helmet as that area of the helmet is compromised for further protection. i can't say i always adhere to that but it does make sense.

oh and i avoid troxels at all costs. had a student fall off a 15h horse at a slow trot and not get injured, lightly hit the back of her head. helmet split and about 3 min later she lost her short term memory. scary stuff. had her taken to the hosp and it resolved on its own shortly but based on that - a fall where she didn't hit hard at all - yeah that was enough to make me rethink them.
 
#29 ·
ooh i've also found that some helmets fit while others don't due to head shape/size. so i do not fit well in most of the charles owens, while irh and gpa fit me well. not all brands seem to vary that much in shape, but i know some also now come in oval v. round and so on which helps!
 
#30 ·
thanks for the insight,
I dont like the troxel either, it just does not look like it is safe,
I am not a fan of tiperary shape, but i would have to try one to be sure 100%, i might end up loving it., i like the ones with the visor which help in Florida with the sun always out
I hear a lot of good things about CO, but I've never experienced one.

i really like the gpa shapes, and the fact that they're really reputable for safety and comfort, but the price is just killing me... now, IRH have some models with the same shapes, 1/3 of the gpa's prices. although, i heard some people having bad experience with the brand so now, im doubting..

it leaves me with the samshield, really popular with my friends in France, but again , the prices are high, plus i dont know if it is the best fit for florida weather ...
i'm so confused ! :? lol
 
#31 ·
the tipperary's look weird shape wise in the box, but on they are fine, and they fit great imo (i've yet to find someone who they didn't fit pretty well).

here's a pic of me in mine...course it's crooked and im making a silly face haha sorry!
 
#34 ·
I would kill for a samshield helmet! You can get them covered in Swarovski crystals :) And I loooooooove shiny things!! But it's like $1500...
You can get them in North America, you just need to find a dealer. Generally any high end h/j tack store should be able to get them for you.

However if you're not looking to spend a pile of money on a helmet I would go for IRH.
IMO the tipperary/troxel/etc.. plastic helmets look really tacky in the show ring. Fine for schooling but if you do buy one it is nice to have another specifically for showing.
I don't like the skunk stripe down the GPAs in the show ring either. IRH is the only helmet company I can find that does a respectable velvet/velveteen helmet these days! And I really like the dial system.

Good luck!
 
#38 ·
Just a note, if you decide against GPA and are torn between CO and IRH, CO is much more.. trusted and better than IRH. I would trust a CO more than an IRH. I have an IRH as well but it just doesn't feel as good as my CO or the GPAs that I have tried. They look about the same but just aren't as comfy.
 
#39 ·
i am not really in love with the shape of the CO helmets, although, like you say, they are trusthworthy equally the same as the gpa

I have a IRH right now, so I know they do fit me well, and are comfy. although i heard some people say the models have different shape, some say the quality is not too good, the strap bother them, or the helmet swings back when jumping.
I never had any issue like that with mine, but it is the only IRH I had, so maybe i was just lucky?

who should you trust when you have good AND bad reviews about the same product?

I really like the IRH elite extreme, and elite ultra
I like the GPA extreme pro the most, but the price is high
the gpa speed air is ok, kind of different in shape.
and i like the samshield too, but never tried one on, i've seen lots of people wearing it, it does look bigger than some other helmets


like i said before, i would love not to go over 150$ but i would rather spend 400$ and be safe, and sure it will last long, than spending 150$ and regretting it after a few months

I am not showing right now, i might later on, but not for a year or so
so maybe i should go for IRH, and if I do start showing, invest in a GPA or samshield.
or just get a samshield or GPA now, and use it for showing when i do


afterall, all brands are certified, but you never know, you can get a faulty helmet one in a hundred, or just happen to be unlucky. it is not because one person does not like a brand that everyone needs to hate it. same thing with GPA, it is not because it is popular that you have to go with it, or that an accident would never happen

i wonder why they're so expensive, people already have preferences for it, why make it so hard for people to be able to afford them?
 
#40 ·
I haven't worn a helmet in ~15 years but due to recent surgery, felt that I should have one for a while. I didn't need it for show, so protection and price were the only considerations; color, style, design were a distance second.

I spend a lot of time looking and trying different helmets and the Tipperary 8500 was the way to go for me. I especially liked the venting and the way it came low on the back of my neck - I got mine in the carbon fiber color for $58 shipped.
 
#41 ·
Didn't read the whole thread....but here is my two cents.

The best helmet is the helmet that fits you best!!

You are better off trying on every helmet brand out there that you can. Going to go out on a limb here and say that the helmets out there all have to pass the same standard--no matter what brand--so they all should be safe.

Some helmets are designed for round heads, and some for a more oval shape. Just like the toy from when you were little....the star is not going to fit in the square. By trying everything on that you can, you will be making sure that you get something you find comfortable and FITS properly.

Trust me...wearing an oval shaped helmet when you have a round head is not comfortable.
 
#43 ·
thanks for your opinion, i totally agree with you, if a GPA doesn't fit me well, I am not going to buy it just because it is a GPA.
my only problem is, there is not many horse tack shop around here, if there were, I would be in them right now, trying eveyrthing to make sure I get the best fit LOL
i live in Orlando, Florida. there is a store 30min from me (stockman's) and they dont have a big variety, I think they only carry some IRH, and Troxel. the next store is 45min ( saddler) and again, they have only IRH, troxel and one CO.
After that, i need to go to wellington, or ocala, so over 1hour drive, which is hard to do, because If i want to go in more than one store to try as much brand as i can, i need to make sure i am driving to these far location for a reason : if they have brand that i did not try
 
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