Horseback Riding Helmets?

Question

I am wanting to find a riding helmet that won't make me broke. I want something less the 100 and is ASTM & SEI certified. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

I like my Tipperary Sportage. It is comfortable, light, and attractive. It comes in a variaty of colors, and is about $60.  

Answer 2

Check these out

http://astore.amazon.com/sfaehorse08-20/...

Answer 3

I have an IRH (more expensive than you wanted to pay though) and love it.

Anyways, Troxel is a decent enough brand for cheap.

But I wouldn't cheap out on the thing that's protecting your head  

Answer 4

You should be able to find one at your tack store. Troxel is a good brand, they aren't too expensive.

A good helmet is something to invest in, it'll cost more if you crack your head open

Answer 5

I bought my son a Troxel for $30 from Greenhawk.  There are lots of inexpensive helmets, just check the big mail order catalogues.

Answer 6

I have been impressed with Troxel!!

Good Luck finding a helmet!

:)

Answer 7

Troxel is the best I've ever had.  after 20 plus various falls in 6 years, there are still no cracks! they won't brea kthe bank either, 30-$40 for a regualr one ad proly $50 for the adjustable  

Answer 8

troxel.

amazing.

adjustable and comfortable

Answer 9

Troxel, i have one that i payed $30 for and it makes me look rich when I'm riding my gaming horse.

Answer 10

My Troxel only cost me $30 and it does a fine job

Answer 11

First, just about every helmet that you can buy at your local tack store or on line should, SHOULD be astm/sei certified.  The only exceptions are the caps which are strictly for looks only and meet NONE of the safety standards.

Couple things to consider, you should replace your helmet every 3-4 years no matter what.  Over the years the materials break down and the safety standards change.  If you take any hit to the helmet you should replace it regardless.  It may not sound cracked, but do you really want to find out the next time you hit your head?  As suggested before you have to take into consideration what you're doing and that it is your head we are talking about.  If you are walking and trotting with some cantering, or even just trail the Troxel Spirit ($30-40) is a good option.  It does look like a bike helmet and tends to give you the mushroom head look but its cheap and passes the safety standards.  Its also made very cheap.  Its a plastic shell that can warp in the heat with black electrical tape holding the shell on.  Over time the tape may peel and come off.  The visor is plastic and velcros (part of the standards is that the brim must remove in the event of a fall) but with time and dust the velcro doesn't always hold.

The step up would probably be the Troxel Legacy Gold Duratec ($50-70).  The profile is smaller (no more mushroom head) its not shiny, it compliments most people head shape.  The down falls still is that there is still black tape holding the shell on and its still a plastic shell.  A step up from the that one is the Troxel Sierra ($80-100).  It has a nice codura shell and no more worrying about the plastic shell warping.  Its also a nice tan color so it wont show dust as much.  Down fall is it does look more like a western helmet for someone who may ride english.

Just about all the troxels have removable liners that you can take out to wash, which is a big plus.  They also have their flip fold system.  If you look at the liners about where your ear would be you will see an extra flap of padding.  You can flip it down to fill in the gap you may have on the sid eof your head and not have to deal with extra padding falling out.  The plus but in my opionion more of a down fall is, they have some type of adjustment in the back of the helmet.  They vary by model.  From what I see is that the peices break frequently or get clogged with dirt.  Also when its too tight, the helmet will start to lift up.  Just about every troxel has lots of vents for aif flow though.  There are other models but those would be within your budget.

You may want to consider the following though before you decide.

If you buy a helemt with adjustable parts and thats the only thing that keeps it on your head, what happens when it breaks?  Youre kinda stuck with a helmet that does not fit properly thus not being safe.  The safest helmet is one that hugs your whole head and passes the safety standards.  You get what you pay for in materials.  You may spend very little but chances are that helmet will look very old very quick or start to fall apart alot sooner then one with higher quality materials.  Comfort is an issue,  most troxels have a very thin liner and only come in small, medium, and large.  The shape of the helmet may not fit your head shape either.  

Troxels are great starter helmets or recreation helmets but if you plan on doing any serious riding you really should invest in a high quality helmet.  Or your parents should help too.  This is your head we are talking about.

Other options that you should try are the Tipperay Sportage Plus ($50-70).  Very ventalated and well padded.  It does cover slightly more of your head and eliminates the "helmet bob" that is common with troxels.  Still comes in small, medium, and large, BUT also comes in extra small and extra large too.  Nothing adjusts so no pieces to worry about.  The down fall is the visor is very short so not a lot of sun coverage.  But you can always but a sun bonnet or visor to wrap around it.

Some other options that would be over your budget but well worth the investment:

The Internation riding helmets.  The make the ATH.  They run about $140-180 depending on where you get it.  They only have small medium and large but the materials are a higher quality.  The micro suede on the ATH is easy to clean (damp rag and wipe) and if you did show you can use that.  

Any of the charles owens.  Depending on which model ($170-250).  They actually pass BOTH the british safety and american safety standards.  So when you go to compete in Europe you're set :)  They are all batch tested every 200 helmets to ensure they are still up to code and pass all the safety regulations as well as the integrity of the material.  They have a cool max lining to wick away sweat and very comfortable with their memory foam liner.  The ONLY EXCEPTION is the JR8.  This model passes only the american standards.  It looks just like the GR8 except the harness is different and it has a smaller profile to fit the head of a child.  So if your in a size smaller then a 7 it should look okay on you.  Another plus is that it comes in 9 shell sizes.  Not just small medium and large.  So you will get a superior fit.  Easy to clean and look great.  Since they are so well padded make sure if you do get this one it fits very snug since it will mold to your head.  I have so many people tell me it fit great for a month now its too big since it molded.

Then there are the pricey GPAs.  Im sure you know they run ($400 plus).  Pass only the american safety standards or british depending on where you buy it.  They dont have as mush padding as the charles owens though.  Just as easy to clean and same thing with sizes.

Just remember it is your head and no matter how well trained a horse may seem accidents do happen.  Investing in a helmet is one thing that should be high on your priority list.  If you are jumping around and jumping some heights you really should look into a higher quality helmet.  If you explain that to your parents or spouse (depending on age) im sure they would be more then willing to help with the costs.

Answer 12

I just bought a troxel last week for $30, unfortunately I wore it for about 45 mins of riding and the sun had melted one side of it in.  I took it back and got another one and this one has been through rivers and jumping and didn't slip or slide off my head.  Very comfortable and really adjustable and most of them look really expensive.  Any helmet is better than no helmet!!