How To Measure For A Helmet
It's that time of year again! SPRING Which means, everyone is riding more. Young and old, experienced, and first-time riders.
Regardless of your experience, your horses experience, or your discipline, having a well-fitted helmet is a good idea. Horses are 1000# animals with a mind of their own, you can never be too safe around them!
Here are our tips for finding the perfect helmet for you, your family member, or a friend.
Before you begin, you'll need a soft fabric measuring tape. Some manufacturers use head circumference in centimeters for their helmet sizing, some use inches or hat sizes and some use universal helmet sizing in extra small, small, medium and large or small/medium, large/xlarge. Additionally, helmet sizes vary between manufacturers. have a piece of paper or the notes in your phone handy to write down the size.
1. Place the tape measure snugly around your head at the widest point, about one inch above your eyebrows. Make sure the tape goes over the bump at the back of your head and that it is just above the top of your ears.
Note: Attempt to make your hair as flat to your head as possible when wearing your helmet. If you are showing, you will want your hair pulled up and into your helmet for a clean look. Many people prefer to use two hair nets to obtain a sufficiently flat, snug fit. The first hair net is tied into the ponytail, and the second hair net holds the ponytail flat to the head. If you don't want or need your hair pulled up into your helmet, practice braiding in 1 or 2 sections to keep the hair tight & out of the way.
If the helmet squeezes your forehead but rocks easily sideways, it is too round for your head. If the helmet fits the sides comfortably but rocks front to back, it is too oval for your head.
Try to wiggle the helmet up and down. The skin on your forehead and your eyebrows should move with the helmet. If the helmet slides freely and your skin doesn't move, then it is too large for your head. Shake your head from side to side and up and down. The helmet should not pivot on your head. If it does, then the helmet is too large.
While a slightly large helmet may feel very comfortable initially, if you select one that does not fit snugly when it is new, it will become too large over time as the lining breaks in. A large helmet will shift during riding, could become a distraction, dangerous, and will not protect you well during a fall.
If you are trying on an adjustable helmet and the fit is very close to being correct, you may tighten it through the use of slides, dials, changeable padding or ties, and repeat these tests. Otherwise, try another size, style or brand of helmet.
While a slightly large helmet may feel very comfortable initially, if you select one that does not fit snugly when it is new, it will become too large over time as the lining breaks in. A large helmet will shift during riding, could become a distraction, dangerous, and will not protect you well during a fall.
If you are trying on an adjustable helmet and the fit is very close to being correct, you may tighten it through the use of slides, dials, changeable padding or ties, and repeat these tests. Otherwise, try another size, style or brand of helmet.
The front brim should not sit more than two fingers' width above your eyebrows. It should not sit any lower than 1/2" above your eyebrows or it could block your vision. If the brim does not sit correctly, try a different helmet that is either deeper or shallower.
When you're sure the helmet stays in place without the harness, adjust the chin strap so that it fits snugly under your chin. It should be able to hold the helmet in place, but not be so tight as to cause discomfort against your throat or make you feel as though you can't swallow or might choke. Some helmets have sliding clips that allow you to adjust the harness for comfort around the ears.
When you find your perfect helmet, you'll discover an added benefit— it will flatter the shape of your face.
Dover Saddlery highly recommends that you adhere to the guidelines provided in the topic, Helmet Storage & Use. Additionally, if your well-fitting helmet becomes loose over time for any reason, it should be replaced with a helmet that fits properly. If you have fallen off your horse, or your helmet experienced any sort of impact, you should replace your helmet. Your helmet should be replaced at least every 5 years or 2000 hours of use.
Tip: Save your sales receipt and any product and warranty information that accompanies your new helmet. Some helmet manufacturers provide a cost reduction for crash helmet replacements based on the age of the helmet at the time of the incident. Having your original documentation on hand can streamline the process of replacing a crash helmet.