Show Helmets

Yes. Every helmet sold in this collection carries at least one recognized certification, and safety always comes before styling in how these helmets are built and tested.

• ASTM F1163: the core US impact standard most helmets here are built to meet.
• SEI Certification: independent lab verification that the helmet actually passed ASTM testing, not just a manufacturer claim.
• CE EN 1384: the European standard carried by several models for riders who compete abroad.
• PAS 015 / VG1 (British Kitemark): an additional UK-recognized standard found on brands like Charles Owen and Champion.

MIPS adds a thin, low-friction layer between the shell and your head that allows the helmet to shift slightly during an angled fall, redirecting rotational forces away from the brain instead of transmitting them directly. The system was developed by a neurosurgeon and a researcher from Sweden's Royal Institute of Technology, originally for cycling and motorsport helmets, before making its way into equestrian gear.

• Tipperary's version: a yellow liner that hangs inside the shell on rubber elastomers, moving independently like a hammock.
• One K and Trauma Void: build the same MIPS layer directly into the shell construction rather than as a hanging liner.
• What it doesn't replace: the standard EPS foam liner still does the primary job of absorbing straight-on impact.

Yes, wide brim helmets are permitted in the show ring for hunter, equitation, and most English disciplines, and both brim styles meet the exact same safety certifications. The choice mostly comes down to personal preference and your association's specific rules, since brim width doesn't change the impact protection underneath.

A correctly fitted helmet sits level on your head with no rocking, gapping, or pinching, and it should feel secure the moment you put it on, not something you have to break in.

1. Level check: place the helmet level on the head, not tipped back toward the neck.
2. Shake test: without the chinstrap fastened, shake your head side to side and front to back and check for any shifting.
3. Eyebrow test: move the brim up and down gently. If it's snug, your eyebrows should move with it.
4. Chinstrap fit: the strap should rest just under the chin and touch the bottom of the earlobe, with room for one finger between strap and chin.

No, a higher price tag does not mean better protection, since every helmet in this collection already meets the same baseline ASTM and SEI safety requirement regardless of finish or brand. What extra cost usually buys is added technology and comfort layered on top of that same safety floor.

• MIPS technology: rotational impact protection added on top of standard impact resistance.
• Premium harness materials: PU leather, vegan leather, or suede finishes over basic nylon webbing.
• Custom fit systems: dial-adjust or interchangeable liner systems for a more precise fit.
• Personalization options: swappable shield, panel, and trim colors on select models.

Replace your helmet immediately after any fall or hard impact, even if you can't see any damage, since the foam liner absorbs energy by compressing permanently and can't offer the same protection a second time. Beyond impact, most manufacturers also recommend replacing a helmet on a regular schedule regardless of use, since materials break down over time.

• After any fall: replace it even without visible cracks or dents.
• Every few years: foam and harness materials degrade with age, heat, and sweat exposure even without impact.
• Crash replacement programs: some brands, like Trauma Void's Back on Track line, include a 2 year crash replacement policy if you keep your original receipt.