What do I have to consider when buying a riding hat?
In order to meet the high demands of comprehensive and reliable protection, riding hats must fulfil strict test requirements before they are put on the market. The individual criteria that riding hats must fulfil are defined in the “riding hat standard“. If a riding hat meets the current standards, it is certified. At competitions, riders must always ensure that their riding hat complies with the respective regulations.
All our riding hats for children and adults comply with an approved riding hat standard.
All our new riding hats comply with the EN1384:2023 riding hat standard.
Even if you have never had a fall with your riding hat, have stored it carefully for years and there is no expiry date for a riding hat, we recommend replacing it no longer than 8 years after the date of manufacture; for intensive use, a service life of 3 to 5 years is recommended. The components of a riding hat are subject to an ageing process and, depending on the frequency of use, storage conditions and care, wear will occur sooner or later. But how do you find out how old a riding hat really is? You will find a sticker with the production date on the inside of the riding hat.
In addition to the intensity of use, external influences such as sunlight or temperature of storage can reduce the protective effect of the EPS foam of the inner shell. Immediate measures must be taken if a riding hat has been used for a fall. In this case, the riding hat should be replaced immediately, as the protective effect of the helmet shell can no longer be guaranteed as a result of a fall. Although no damage may be visible from the outside, the protective function of the riding helmet can still be impaired by small hairline cracks. These micro-damages to the outer material can also occur during transport, for example if the riding hat is lying loose in the boot and hits hard objects.
A strong impact on the ground, e.g. when the riding cap falls down, can also lead to hairline cracks. In order to continue to rely on the protective function of the riding hat, it should be replaced even in the event of a severe impact.
6 points to look out for when buying a riding hat
#1 In any case, the outer shell should be firmly attached to the inner helmet. A 3-point fastening is considered standard for helmets that meet current safety standards.
#2 Chin cups are now banned because they increase the risk of jaw fracture in a fall. However, these chin shells should not be confused with partially padded chin straps! The closed strap on the chin contributes significantly to the fit and thus protective capacity of the riding helmet. Padding can protect against abrasions in the chin area.
#3 In order for the rider to have a good feeling when riding, a lot of importance should be attached to a good fit when buying a riding helmet. A riding hat should neither sit too loosely on the head nor be too tight. If the helmet is too big, it can slip easily. If the riding hat is too small, it presses against the head, which can sometimes lead to unpleasant headaches.
#4 For additional comfort, riding hats are nowadays equipped with pleasant padding.
#5 In addition, riding helmet manufacturers ensure sufficient ventilation with the help of sophisticated ventilation systems.
#6 Riding hat design, technology and construction are rounded off with practical additional features, such as reflectors for better visibility in the dark. For information on other practical reflective articles and how to attach them to the horse, rider or dog, see our reflective article guide.
1. Safety
How do you actually know that a hat is really safe? How is safety defined in the context of different riding hat technologies?
The purpose of riding hats is to protect the brain from serious injury and to minimise impact, as defined by the riding hat standard that all riding hats must meet in order to be sold in the EU.
Furthermore, a 3-point fastening or 4-point fastening is necessary so that the riding hat sits securely on the head both in motion and in the event of a fall.
All our riding hats for children and adults comply with an approved riding hat standard.
All our new riding hats comply with the EN1384:2023 riding hat standard.
Another difference is the construction of the shield of the riding hat:
- Riding hats without a fixed shield, which is used by eventing riders,
- Riding hats with a fixed shield, and
- Riding hats with a removable shield. Which construction poses the least danger in the event of a fall cannot be answered in general terms and depends on the individual use or accident.
Our riding hats are currently manufactured in accordance with the riding hat standard EN1384:2023:
The previous riding hat standard VG1 01.040 2014-12 was changed in the following points:
- New test base hazard with impact speed 5.05m/s max. 200g
- Side stiffness: increased from 630 Newtons to 800 Newtons
- Efficacy of the support device (stripping test): Increase in weight drop height from 175mm to 240mm (no more stability test)
- Penetration resistance: increase in energy from 14.7 joule to 18.4 joule = 500m drop height to 625mm drop height
Summary: Riding hats in accordance with EN1384:2023 must fulfil increased safety requirements and thus offer the rider’s head more protection.
CE (European Directive for Personal Protective Equipment)
The CE marking is mandatory. It is, who would have thought it, an administrative mark and confirms that a product (such as a riding hat) complies with the applicable regulations.
Without this administrative mark, products manufactured for safety purposes may not be placed on the market, e.g. they may not be sold or imported. Quite simply, these products may not be distributed in the European Economic Area.
2. Fit
In order to find the right riding hats, several models should be tried on. First, the circumference of the head should be measured at the widest part of the head. This measurement will help you choose the right riding hats size.
A good riding hat should fit the rider’s head perfectly. A riding hat that is too tight will cause headaches when riding in the long run, but if the hat is too wide, it slips easily and can no longer adequately fulfil its protective function.
This is how you find out if the riding hats fit:
The hat is too big if it:
- it can be moved around a lot when it is opened and moved backwards and forwards on the head
- falls off the head when bending forward
- slips too far into the face
The helmet is too small if:
- the 3-point harness does not enclose the ear and the straps cut into the ear
- there is an unpleasant feeling of pressure when putting on the helmet
- The hat sits too far back and does not cover the forehead sufficiently.
With adjustable riding hats, you should choose the smallest possible size so that the clearance between the shell of the riding hat and the fastening is as minimal as possible.
The adjustment of the straps is at least as important. The chin strap should not hang down loosely, but should also not be buckled too tightly. The 3-point strap on the ear should be adjusted so that the straps optimally enclose the ear.
Tips for the correct fit of riding hats
3. Comfort
In addition to the correct fit, the weight of the overall construction is also decisive for the feeling and comfort of a riding hats. The lower the weight, the more comfortable the experience.
Nowadays, practical extras ensure that you hardly feel the helmet on your head when riding. Especially on hot summer days or during intensive training, ventilation holes make all the difference. Most riding hats are already equipped with ventilation systems as standard.
The inner lining and padding of the straps also provide additional comfort. The softer the padding, the more comfortable the riding hats will be to wear.
4. Appearance
In addition to well thought-out constructions and technologies to meet the highest safety standards, riding hats manufacturers also give great importance to design.
Thanks to the multitude of different models, we are also offered almost innumerable possibilities with regard to the appearance of a riding hats. There are riding hats in a wide variety of shapes and designs – from sporty to elegant.
It is important to bear in mind: Every person has an individual head shape, so different models should be tried out in any case, because even the most beautiful model will not bring pleasure in the long run if the riding hats do not fit properly.
