When it comes to sports, you should never compromise on safety precautions—especially when it comes to a game like Polo. While mounting on a horse and entering the field as a polo player is a thrilling experience, injuries are pretty common.
Your knees, elbows, and head all need protection. Avoiding head trauma, however, should be one of your very top priorities. For beginners, choosing the perfect polo helmet may be something of a mystery. To help you with that, we’ve prepared a list of the top five Polo helmets available in the market.
Things To Look For When Buying A Polo Helmet
For new players, there are a few things you need to check before selecting the perfect polo helmet.
Certification Standard
If you want a helmet that is durable and reliable then you should always check if it has a certification or not. Certifications such as ASTM, SEI, or CE are highly reputable. These certifications are industry testaments that such helmets have met the rigorous quality standards set by these organizations.
Materials
At the end of the day, the materials a helmet is made out of ultimately dictate how well it can protect your noggin. Although design matters, it should not be your first priority. Get a good sense of both the interior and exterior materials of a potential helmet. There should be enough padding in the inner shell or a layer of EPS foam to protect your head during an impact. Likewise, check the material that the outer shell is made of to ensure it will not break from a potential polo-related impact.
Visor And Strap
The Visor and strap are an indispensable part of a helmet. Make sure that you check if the visor is long enough to protect you from the sun rays and if the straps are made of soft fabric. If the straps are not made with a comfortable material, they can irritate your skin and cause chafing.
Additional Features
Some helmets provide additional features for the same price as a basic helmet—e.g. adjustable dial to modify circumference fit of helmet to the head or a modified harness to comfortably fit the neck or accommodate a ponytail. Always compare options as you look for what’s best for your needs.
1. Ovation Equestrian Deluxe Schooler Helmets
It’s lightweight and has a removable breakaway visor and headliner with an exclusive adjustable clip that is designed to stay away from the rider’s face to ensure their comfort. The outer shell of the helmet has a rubberized texture, giving it a smooth, matte finish. If you are someone who likes to keep their style quotient high on the field, then you might like the eight colors to choose from with this helmet. The helmet’s headliner is removable and easy to wash, making hygiene maintenance a breeze.
Meeting ASTM standards, this helmet is trustworthy and safe. It comes in an array of sizes, from XXS to XL, and has a palette of colors to choose from—like pink, purple, blue, and turquoise—that will appeal to both men and women’s tastes. There are also metallic and matte finishes to choose from, too.
Product Specifications:
- Dimension: 12.83 x 9.29 x 7.4 inches
- Weight: 1 pound
Pros
- Lightweight helmet
- Rubberized finish
- Adjustable dial for a snug fit
- Removable and washable headliner
- Removable breakaway visor
- 8 choices of colors
- 6 size options (check the size chart for accurate size)
Cons
- The adjustable strap is slightly fragile
2. Ovation Equestrian Protege Riding Helmet
The outer material is made up of ABS, a hardy thermoplastic polymer that makes the helmet sturdy and durable. It comes in eight different colors, including a popping amethyst to a more traditional solid white.
Thanks to its adjustable harness, finding the perfect fit is no problem. The velcro straps will help prevent chafing and the air vents provide adequate ventilation to the rider. The liner is also easy to remove and clean.
While certainly sturdy—it’s also lightweight. It’s also light on the budget. No need to drain your pocket to find a state-of-the-art helmet to keep you safe during a game of polo..
Product Specifications:
- Dimension: 12 x 6 x 6 inches
- Weight: 1 pound
Pros
- Layer of mesh for padding
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Adjustable dial
- 8 color options
- Affordable price
- Air vents for ventilation
- Extended back shell for more protection
- Tough outer layer of ABS
Cons
- The size chart is not 100 percent accurate
3. IRH 4G Helmet With Interchangeable Liner
It has a comfortable chin strap with a quick release and a modified comfort harness that is slightly cut away at the back of the neck to eliminate pinching—as well as making room for a ponytail. The liners come in two different thicknesses for a comfortable and customizable fitting. Made with moisture-wicking technology, these helmets do not let sweat accumulate on the sides, giving you a comfortable riding experience.
It has a stylish microfiber suede covering and two snap-in liners made with high-quality and high-tech fabrics that cool and dry faster. They easily detach for washing.
There are eight colors to choose from, most of which are shades of blue and grey. One disadvantage, however, is the helmet’s weight. At two pounds, it’s just enough for some to feel some discomfort, especially after wearing for extended periods.
Product Specifications:
- Dimensions : 13 x 9 x 8 inches
- Weight: 2 pounds
Pros
- Adequate ventilation for air circulation
- Protective padding
- 8 color options
- Streamlined design with a professional look.
- High-quality snap-in liners that dry faster
- ASTM approved
- Effective in providing protection
- Comfortable chin strap with quick release
Cons
- A little heavy
- Comparatively costly
4. Troxel Sports Horseback Riding Helmet
This helmet is certified by SEI and approved by ASTM. An accurate fit is assured thanks to its strap adjustment at the sides. Much like its peers, this helmet also has a washable headliner but what sets it apart is its seven large cooling vents. It’s also a light 1.35 pounds in weight. Available in a variety of sizes from XS to L, this helmet is suitable for people of all ages and body types.
The only drawback on this helmet is its limited color selections, which include only black and white.
Product Specifications:
- Dimension: 10 x 10 x 10 inches
- Weight: 1.35 pounds
Pros
- Lightweight and durable
- Padding for comfort
- Attached sun visor
- ASTM / SEI certified
- Affordable price
- Removable and washable headliner
- 7 cooling vents
- Side glide strap adjustment
Cons
- Insufficient color options
5. TIPPERARY Equestrian Horseriding Helmet
With its outer layer of ABS, that hardy thermoplastic polymer, this helmet is capable of protecting you against many types of potential accidents. The EPS foam layers work excellently in absorbing the shock and reducing the impact on your head. The helmet comes with the Fidlock magnetic clip which ensures that it stays fastened on. It is also easy to maintain and clean—simply remove the inner padding for cleaning. It is available in a large range of sizes—from extra-small to extra-large.
The helmet has a dynamic ventilation design, boasting 11 mesh cooling vents (four more than the previous helmet). This, coupled with its lightness, makes for a comfortable experience.
It’s also a visually appealing product. With a sleek design that comes in seven different colors, there’s plenty of unique looks to choose from. It is on the heavier side being nearly twice as heavy as most other polo helmets in the market.
Product Specifications:
- Dimensions: 11.93 x 9.33 x 7.83 inches
- Weight: 2.1 pounds
Pros
- Comfortable to wear
- Protective padding
- Well ventilated by 11 mesh air vents
- ABS plastic and EPS foam layer
- Easy to clean
- Variety of colors to choose from
- Padded foam layer for your skull
- Stylish appearance
- Size options available
Cons
- A little costly
- Heavier than the rest
How To Clean Your Polo Helmets
Most helmets are easy to clean. However, one must keep certain things in mind to prevent any unwarranted damage.
- You can clean the helmet’s interior with detergent and water. However, the detergent should not be too strong.
- Make sure to dry it properly after washing. You can also use a paper towel to absorb as much water as possible.
- Avoid using a lot of water while cleaning the suede. Air-dying the suede is best and avoid scrubbing suede with a towel.
Final Verdict
Phew! It must feel like an overload of information after going through these top five polo helmets on the market. We understand it’s not easy to zero in on one helmet when all the five are equally good. So let’s do a quick recap.
- If you are running on a tight budget and you want something affordable without compromising on the quality, then you can choose the first, second, or fourth helmet.
- If you are looking for a helmet with adequate ventilation and air circulation then the third, fourth, and fifth helmets are a good choice.
- If helmet weight is a concern and you’re leaning toward something more lightweight, then the first and second helmets, weighing in at only one pound each, are strong candidates.
- If you are a woman or man with long hair, then the third helmet, with its modified comfort harness, is the most ideal. The harness has been slightly cut to prevent pinching of the skin. This cut and the helmet’s build provide extra space to accommodate a ponytail.
If you are looking for a protective helmet that has high impact resistance, take note that each polo helmet on this list is made of high-quality material and is capable of protecting you effectively in case of an accident. Just choose the one that matches most (if not all) of your needs and hop on to your horse for the next game.
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