How to Check Helmet Fit How to Check Helmet FitFollow these steps when you're deciding whether a helmet size and style is right for you.
Check the overall fit. A correctly sized helmet sits down snugly on your head and covers your entire skull with equal pressure all around. No gap exists between your helmet and your head; even pressure with the lining allows the helmet to absorb force in the event of an accident.
If you feel the helmet wants to rise or pop upward from your head, then it is too small. If the helmet is loose around your head and sitting low on the eyebrows, it is too large.
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 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.
Check the brim. 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.
Adjust the chin strap. 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.
Tip: Got long hair?If you plan on wearing long or thick hair under your helmet, the length of your hair or the way you tie it up may change the way your helmet sits on your head. You want to be sure that your hair lies as flat to your head as possible under your helmet. To achieve both a snug helmet fit and a neat appearance, consider using two hair nets and the step-by-step method shown here:
- Hair and hair net are gathered into a ponytail holder. Note the traditional styling of the hair covering the top half of the ear.
- Position ponytail like this, laying it as flat as possible against the head, and place a second hair net over the hair and pony tail.
- Tilt your head forward to slide on the helmet, putting it on from the back first, with the harness settling over the ponytail holder, and working toward the front.
- Tuck in your hair and hair net over your forehead neatly so that neither shows under the brim.
Note: If you change the length of your hair, it may affect the way your helmet fits.
How to clean How to Store and Clean Your Riding Helmet
Place your helmet between uses in a helmet bag, hat bag or hat box that will shield it from dust, scuffs and accidental impacts. Most of these storage options allow breathability. If your helmet is damp inside from perspiration or outside from rain, allow it to dry naturally, away from artificial heat sources, before placing it in its storage container.
Keep your helmet in a temperature-controlled environment, such as inside your home or inside a heated/air-conditioned tack room. Never leave your helmet in your car. Extreme heat and extreme cold compromise the integrity of the shock-absorbing materials necessary to protect your head. Some barn locations are not optimal places to store your helmet because fluctuating temperatures can degrade the materials meant to protect your head on impact.
Regular weekly cleaning reduces accumulated perspiration and grease buildup from your hair, both of which create unpleasant odors inside your helmet. Clean your helmet only with a product formulated specifically for the purpose, such as Charles Owen Hat Cleaner. Spray the interior of your helmet with the cleanser, let it sit for several minutes, and then wipe it clean with a damp cloth.
Never use household cleaners on your helmet and never run your helmet through a dishwasher. Harsh chemicals will destroy the effectiveness of the safety materials in the helmet.
Helmet Storage and Care Helmet Storage and Care
When you’re not riding, keep your helmet in a temperature-controlled environment, such as inside your home or tack room. Never use your car as helmet storage, because extreme heat and extreme cold are detrimental to the integrity of the helmet’s shock-absorbing ability. Even some barn locations are not optimal places for helmet storage, as fluctuating temperatures can be detrimental to the materials that comprise the helmet.
If your helmet gets damp inside from perspiration or outside from precipitation, allow it to air dry naturally rather than placing it near an artificial heat source. Helmet care can be aided by various cleaners that are available to keep your helmet fresh; see the “Helmet Care: Cleaning and Deodorizing” section of this article for more information. Store your helmet between uses in a fabric
helmet bag or
hat bag that keeps it clean and protected.
Replace your helmet after a fall in which it touches the ground, even if it appears undamaged. Helmets are constructed so that the energy of an impact may be absorbed through partial destruction of the helmet. You may not be able to see interior damage that occurred through trauma. Many helmet manufacturers have crash helmet replacement policies that offer you a reduction in cost for a new helmet depending on the age of yours at the time of the incident. Refer to the warranty information that accompanies your particular helmet to determine whether a crash replacement policy exists.
At a minimum, you should also replace your helmet when it turns five years old. Over time, aging helmet materials may degrade from body heat and use, and therefore may not provide the same level of protection as a new helmet would, even with proper helmet care. Additionally, helmet manufacturers are always researching technological improvements that may increase the protective qualities of their helmets— you don’t want to miss out on these advances!
Also, if the fit of your helmet becomes loose for any reason, the helmet should be replaced with one that fits properly. Refer to the article
How to Measure Your Head for a Helmet for help in determining proper fit.
Tip: Avoid spraying the exterior of your helmet with insect repellent or spraying your head with repellent before putting on your helmet. Chemicals in repellents have proven to be detrimental to the integrity of the helmet safety materials.
Helmet Care: Cleaning and Deodorizing Regular helmet care is necessary and weekly cleaning is advisable to reduce accumulated perspiration and grease from your hair, which can create unwanted odors inside your helmet. There are several products to choose from to keep your helmet fresh. The
Charles Owen Hat Cleaner removes dirt and hair grease from the interior surface of your helmet, while the
Charles Owen Hat Deodorizer is an antibacterial spray that removes odors by killing the bacteria that causes them. You can also check the warranty information that accompanies any helmet for acceptable cleaners, but never use household cleaners to freshen your helmet. Their harsh chemicals may destroy the effectiveness of the safety materials in the helmet. Similarly, never clean your helmet by running it through a dishwasher cycle.
Many helmet manufacturers, such as Troxel®, GPA® and IRH®, produce helmets with removable liners that can be washed or replaced.
About Hairstyles Your hair may affect the fit of your helmet. If you have long or thick hair that you wear under your helmet, the length of your hair or the way you tie it up may change the way your helmet sits on your head. Try on new helmets with your hair in the style you ride in. If you wear your hair under your helmet, attempt to make your hair as flat to your head as possible when wearing your helmet; 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. For illustrated how-to details, see
Helpful Tips for Hairstyling.
Tip: If you twist your ponytail before putting on your helmet, you may create unwanted airspace in the interior of your helmet when in fact you want the helmet to encase your head snugly all around. If you change your hair length, be sure to recheck your helmet fit.
Related Articles: How to Measure Your Head for a Helmet Helpful Tips for Hairstyling Hairstyles for Competition Helmet Warning
**ASTM F1163-04a AND 15/SEI Certified Helmets
**Helmet Notice, Disclaimer & Warning
All equestrian sports are inherently dangerous and involve the risk of serious injury or death. Riders using these products ride at their own risk with full knowledge of the hazards and risks associated with their activities. Helmets are designed for equestrian use only. Helmets cannot offer complete protection from injury or death to riders in case of fall, collision, impact, loss of control or otherwise. Helmets cannot protect areas of the head that are not covered. Helmets offer no protection against injuries involving forces other than impact.
CAUTION: Helmets must fit well and all retention straps must be securely fastened. Helmets are constructed so that the energy of an impact may be absorbed through partial destruction of the helmet. Helmets that suffer an impact should be destroyed and replaced. The protective qualities of helmets may be compromised by prior impact, age, use and many common substances. Always follow the manufacturer's recommendations before applying cleaning agents, paints, or adhesives.
Dover Saddlery disclaims any responsibility for injuries or death incurred while wearing any of the helmets offered for sale. Representations regarding testing results, equipment ratings, product specifications, ASTM and/or SEI standards, and the adequacy of all such standards and designations are made solely by the product's manufacturer. Dover Saddlery does not warrant or confirm the representations of the manufacturers. Dover Saddlery makes no representations expressed or implied regarding the fitness of these products for any particular purpose nor the extent to which the products protect riders from injury or death. By purchasing any of the helmets offered for sale and using it in an equestrian sport, the purchaser AGREES FREELY AND VOLUNTARILY TO ASSUME ALL RISKS RELATED TO EQUESTRIAN SPORTS, including the risk of personal injury, damage, death or property damage. Further, to the maximum extent permitted by law, the purchaser does release Dover Saddlery from any and all responsibility or legal liability related to purchaser's participation in equestrian activities.
Sizing Info
1. Measure around your head at the widest part, be sure to do this with your hair up if that is how the helmet will be worn.
2. Match the measurement up with a size based on the size chart below. The tape measure should be snug.
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Our Guarantee 100% Satisfaction Guarantee
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Shop with 100% confidence at Dover Saddlery. If something doesn’t fit you or your horse, return your original purchase within a year, and we’ll make it right with a refund, exchange or replacement.
Our experience as riders and horse owners ourselves is that in most situations a year’s time is fair enough to evaluate proper fit and function. PLUS: For manufacturer’s defects, we’ll extend the manufacturer’s warranty to a maximum of 24 months, regardless of their individual policies. (AND: Manufacturer warranties longer than 24 months will be honored and supported by us as well up to the length of those warranties).
Exceptions: Safety items such as helmets and protective vests may only be returned within 30 days, with their original tags intact. Saddles and riding boots may be returned within the one year period, but are subject to a prorated refund based on usage. Used saddles may be returned for 30 days only. For everyone’s protection, treats and vet meds which have been opened are not returnable, and returned blankets must clean and free of debris. Underwear is not returnable or exchangeable.
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To protect all customers and ensure that every return or exchange is handled fairly, we may require a receipt or decline a return in these situations:
• Item was not purchased directly from Dover Saddlery. (It was purchased at a used tack sale or from a retailer or online seller other than Dover Saddlery.)
• Item is missing a label or has been defaced.
• No receipt and no valid identification in our stores.
• Item is wet, dirty or contaminated, or until it has been cleaned. (For health and safety reasons, we cannot accept returns on used, defective or poorly fitting blankets if they are UNWASHED.)
• Item has been lost, stolen, damaged, or misused.
• On rare occasions, based on the nature of prior transactions.
• Supplements have been opened or used.
• Multiple returns of the same item.
• Personalized items may not be returned unless defective.
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Our Secure Order Guarantee means that you will never have to pay any money related to unauthorized charges to your credit card account, as long as those charges are a direct result from a transaction on Doversaddlery.com.
How it works: If you experience credit card fraud, the Fair Credit Act specifies that your credit card company can hold you liable for no more than $50.00 in fraudulent charges to your account. Our Secure Order Guarantee will reimburse you for any amount up to $50.00 billed to you by your credit card company for unauthorized charges to your account, if those charges result from an order you placed with Doversaddlery.com. For this protection you must promptly notify your credit card company of fraudulent charges and follow their procedures as outlined in your credit card agreement.
