How To Measure A Riding Hat: An Expert Guide
Staying safe while riding is the most important thing to do.
Horse riding can be dangerous, even if it’s just on a pony.
Accidents can happen in the blink of an eye, and you must always have the correct riding hat or helmet to protect your head.
We will cover what you need to know about riding helmets in this article, including how to measure for one, how it should fit, and what you should check for.
By the time you get to the end of the piece, you’ll know what you need to find yourself the perfect riding hat.
Why A Riding Hat Is Important
You should never get on a horse without a helmet, especially if you aren’t very familiar with these animals.
A riding hat or helmet will protect your head in the instance of an accident. You can’t think that this won’t happen to you, because it happens to the best of us – even professionals.
Protecting your head can and has saved the lives of millions of riders. Think of it as the equivalent to wearing your seatbelt in a car – it’s a must.
How To Measure A Riding Hat
To get the proper measurement for a riding hat, you will need a soft fabric measuring tape. This will get the exact width of your head, as it won’t have the stiffness of a normal measuring tape.
Wrap the tape around the widest part of your head, going over your hair.
This should be roughly ¾ inch above your eyebrows, around the bump on the back of your head, and just above your ear.
Get a measurement in cm (centimetres), and repeat the measuring process a few times to make sure it’s correct.
Get a friend or family member to help you with this if possible. If you are doing it yourself, make sure to use a mirror, so you know you’re measuring the correct place.
Size Chart for Charles Owen Riding Helmets
The below measurements and sizes are specifically for Charles Owen riding helmets. These are very specific with sizes, so accuracy is key.
Other brands might offer more broad riding hat sizes and ranges, as well as adjustable straps.
These are much easier to fit and adjust with a few simple changes, so we won’t be going into details for those.
| Head Size (in cm) | Standard Helmet Size | Jockey Skull Cap Size |
|---|---|---|
| 49 | 6 | 0 |
| 50 | 6 ⅛ | 000 ½ |
| 51 | 6 ¼ | 0 |
| 52 | 6 ⅜ | 00 ½ |
| 53 | 6 ½ | 0 |
| 54 | 6 ⅝ | 0 ½ |
| 55 | 6 ¾ | 1 |
| 56 | 6 ⅞ | 1 ½ |
| 57 | 7 | 2 |
| 58 | 7 ⅛ | 2 ½ |
| 59 | 7 ¼ | 3 |
| 60 | 7 ⅜ | 3 ½ |
| 61 | 7 ½ | 4 |
| 62 | 7 ⅝ | 4 ½ |
| 63 | 7 ¾ | 5 |
| 64 | 7 ⅞ | 5 ½ |
| 65 | 8 | 6 |
If you aren’t sure which size to go for because your measurements are between two options, size up to the larger one. If you are able to, you can try on both helmets to find out which one fits the best. You may need to try a different brand if you cant find the perfect fit from one manufacturer.
How should a riding hat fit
Below are a few things that you should check for every time you put a helmet on:
The riding hat must “lock” onto the back of your skull
Even amount of minor pressure around the head
Helmet sits about 1 inch above the eyebrows and covers the forehead securely
Hat shouldn’t rock backwards or forwards, even with the strap undone
Laces on the harness must be secure
A finger should fit between your chin and the strap
Allow five minutes for the helmet to mould to the space of your head to reveal potential pressure points
Putting A Riding Helmet On Correctly
A riding hat needs to fit correctly, or else it won’t give you the protection you need. A helmet that fits properly will “lock” onto your head – this refers to the feeling of the hat gripping and latching to the back of your head.
When you feel this, you can rest easy knowing that it is secure, and will keep you safe (and out) of the saddle.
Follow these steps to put on a helmet properly:
If applicable, hair should be worn in a low ponytail so that it doesn’t get in the way of the “lock”.
Put your forehead into the front of your helmet.
Push your head back into the helmet using a rolling motion. This should “lock” the helmet to your skull – you should notice a slight suction sound and feeling.
Check for any loose points or gaps by running your finger around the helmet’s rim. If you notice any gaps or movement, you probably don’t have the right helmet. You will need to try a different size, or try on a round fit.
Adjust the chin strap to fit, then tie the laces if you have any with a bow and knot.
Your riding helmet should now be on properly and ready to put to the test!
Final Thoughts
A riding hat is a crucial piece of equipment to wear while riding, and you need to make sure that you have the right one for your head.
You should now know what you need to in order to measure yourself for a fitted riding hat, so get out there and get one!
