Horseback riding is an experience like no other. Nothing else quite compares to the thrill and sense of adventure. Still, no adventure is completely free from risk—so let’s talk about riding helmets.
Whether this is all new to you or whether you’re an experienced rider, keeping that head on your shoulders, and free from serious head trauma, is a goal we’ll all want to share. Riding a horse without the best riding helmet is a risk that’s just not worth it.
Now, with the wide variety of riding helmets that you can find on the market today, choosing the right one might feel overwhelming at times. Hence, we have curated a list of the five best riding helmets that you can get for either yourself, a spouse, a child, or a friend.
Some Points To Remember While Choosing The Best Riding Helmet
There are certain things that you should consider before purchasing a riding helmet to get the best out of it. The horse riding helmet is supposed to be for your safety, hence finding the helmet that fits the best is just as important as wearing the helmet. Therefore, consider the following:
- Buy a new riding helmet for yourself instead of a used one. Nothing lasts forever, including the interior materials a helmet is made out of, which can lose their shape and protective qualities over time. And there’s no CARFAX report on those used helmets to work with either. A new helmet will give you much more peace of mind.
- Always look for a riding helmet that is adjustable. Helmets that are not adjustable enough might not be very snug or fit the way the safety design intended.
- Obviously—look at the price when purchasing a riding helmet. The cheaper helmets might seem ideal for your pockets, but should an incident occur just remember … hospital bills are expensive. Likewise, no need to spend a fortune on a riding helmet either. The $40-$60 range is pretty good to get a decent helmet for the beginner to intermediate level riders.
- However, you must also bear in mind that a helmet is a piece of essential safety equipment. Thus, do not compromise on the product quality in the quest to save some money. Always bank on trusted brands and do not fall for a cheaper price. Thus, you need to strike a balance between safety and your budget.
- Always make sure you wear the helmet to check its sizing before purchasing it. The helmet needs to fit well to do its job. However, when purchasing online, this can be tricky. No worries, though. Our buying guide will assist you.
- You must also pay heed to other features such as a removable headliner. This makes it easy to clean the helmets. Appropriate ventilation inside the helmet is another thing that would define your comfort while riding.
Getting the best horse riding helmet is just one step toward getting the best protection against an uninvited encounter with misfortune. Every riding helmet on our list has been thoroughly reviewed to ensure that they deliver nothing but the best. Read on to find one that best suits your needs.
1. Equi-Lite Horse Riding Helmet
It is available in three different sizes to choose from. Also, you can adjust the size of your helmet a notch above or below to get the best fit for yourself. The IRH dial-fit-system in the helmet lets you adjust the size within seconds by just turning a knob, allowing you to choose between a tighter or looser feel.
The helmet’s interior is padded to provide maximum comfort to the rider while riding. You can also fit a ponytail inside this helmet should the need arise. There are five vents in the front of the helmet and four rear vents for proper ventilation. The comfortable crossflow of air helps keep the rider’s head cool.
Putting on and taking off the helmet is also very easy and quick with an elegant three-point harness that comes off with a buckle. The helmet also meets ASTM, SEI, and CE standards, which makes this helmet reliable.
Moreover, you can choose from a variety of six different colors to best suit your personality.
Product Specifications:
- Dimensions: 13 x 9 x 8 inches
- Weight: 1.45 lbs
Pros
- Lightweight design
- Good air ventilation
- Available in six colors
- 3-point harness for easy adjustability
- Available in three sizes: Small through Large
- Dial-fit system for quick adjustment
- ASTM/SEI certified
Cons
- Build quality could be better
2. Troxel Rebel Horseback Riding Helmet
The graphics on the helmet are beautifully crisp and well made. The helmet has a more classic look with its Duratec matte finish—but nicely mixes in a modern-retro look as well.
The comfort factor is another feature that many owners of this helmet have found appealing. The SureFit Pro-fit system brings maximum comfort to the rider by adjusting to one’s natural head shape. Also, the honeycomb mesh imbibed vents in the helmet help to keep the air flowing through the helmet. It scores maximum points on the comfort front. Also, the air-channel technology-enabled headliner is detachable and easy to wash.
The headliner of the helmet is built with a flip fold system. This enables you to adjust the thickness of the inner padding depending on your head size. The headliner is also removable and easy to wash.
This helmet is available in four different sizes, S, M, L, and XL. There are six color schemes available with slightly different patterns to choose from as well. Additionally, with its ASTM/SEI certification, this is a product you can trust.
Product Specifications:
- Dimensions: 13 x 9 x 8 inches
- Weight: 1.8 pounds
Pros
- Bold and beautiful graphics
- Duratec matte finish
- Foldable, removable, and washable headliner
- Mesh covered vents
- Affordable price
- Six color/pattern choices
- Available in sizes Small through Extra Large
- ASTM/SEI certified
Cons
- Not the lightest riding helmet
3. Troxel Intrepid Horseback Riding Helmet
The matte body of this helmet looks beautiful and classy thanks to the Duratech finish. Its mulberry color has a very fresh look.
The helmet is available in three sizes: S, M, and L. You also get the SureFit Pro fitting technology to provide you that snug, comfortable fit. Much like the previous helmet, this too comes with a removable flip fold headliner, which is easy to adjust according to your head size.
The honeycomb mesh vents provide for the smooth circulation of air in and out of the helmet. The headliner at the back of this helmet can be easily removed and washed. Once again, with an ASTM/SEI certification, Troxel delivers a product you can trust.
Given its competitive price, this helmet is a very solid choice.
Product Specifications:
- Dimensions: 13 x 9.25 x 8.25 inches
- Weight: 1.7 lbs
Pros
- Honeycomb mesh-covered vents
- Matte exteriors due to Duratec finish
- Available in sizes Small through Large
- Removable and washable liner
- Lightweight design
- ASTM/SEI certified
- Value-for-money product
Cons
- No color options other than the mulberry
4. Troxel Liberty Horseback Riding Helmet
The Dual-fit design of this helmet also lets you make minor adjustments to its sizing to give you the best possible fit. It is a lightweight choice that is suitable for everyday pleasure riding.
The helmet’s interior is made of mesh, which takes the shape of the head for a comfortable feel. The design includes six vents that are covered by mesh to provide excellent ventilation to the rider.
The headliner at the back of the helmet provides excellent support during riding. It is foldable and can be detached from the helmet for washing. The headliner also comes with Air-channel technology to help you stay comfortable for the entirety of your horseback riding experience. Certified by ACTI and SEE, this helmet passes every test of quality and safety, making it trustworthy.
With another affordable choice, this helmet is certainly worth a look.
Product Specifications:
- Dimensions: 13 x 9.25 x 8.25 inches
- Weight: 1.8 lbs
- Material type: Plastic
Pros
- Six mesh-covered vents for air ventilation
- Adjustable Dial-fit system
- Matte finish body
- Affordable price
- Nine color options
- Available in sizes XS through XL
- Foldable, removable headliner
- ACTI/SEE certified
Cons
- Outer build material could be better
- Non-removable visor
- Could have been lighter
5. Troxel Sierra Horseback Riding Helmet
This product is a little more expensive compared to the other helmets above—but it’s a good investment nonetheless. All in all, its design is a unique selling point. It comes with rugged leather and a denim design that makes for a very sporty look.
Because of its unique design, Troxel recommends hand washing it. The headliner is still detachable for easy washing.
The vents of the helmet are covered by mesh to provide excellent air circulation with Air-Channel technology. The SureFit Pro technology also helps provide the best fit to the rider according to his or her head shape and size.
The helmet is available in four different colors and four different sizes. The ASTI/SEE-certified helmet is a perfect fit for all levels.
Product Specifications:
- Dimensions: 13 x 9.25 x 8.25 inches
- Weight: 1.85 lbs
Pros
- Mesh covered ventilation slots
- Foldable and detachable headliner
- SEI/ASTM Certified
- SureFit Pro-fit system
- Wide range of colors and sizes
- Made of durable materials
- Outer body made of rugged leather and nylon
Cons
- Slightly expensive
- Non-removable visor
Final Verdict
You can be an expert in extreme sports like horseback riding and still have accidents. That’s why riding helmets are so important. Not only do they make the experience safer, but can do so in a comfortable manner free from distraction.
We hope that this article was helpful for you in finding the ideal riding helmet. Here are some quick tips:
- If you can spare a little cash, go for the last one on our list.
- If you really like quirky prints and want to stand apart from the crowd, the Troxel Rebel is the perfect helmet for you.
- No matter which riding helmet you choose, make sure to pick the right size and adjust it to fit your head perfectly.
- If a lightweight riding helmet is what you need, opt for the Equi-Lite Horse Riding helmet.
VisitGallopandgo.com for more horse riding gear reviews that will make your buying decisions easier and more informed.