Top Riding Helmets: Stay Safe on Every Equestrian Ride

Key Highlights

Prioritising equestrian safety starts with choosing the right riding helmet for your daily rides and training sessions. Look for advanced safety standards, including helmets that feature MIPS technology to reduce impact forces.
Seek out cutting-edge safety regulations, such as helmets with MIPS technology to lessen impact forces.
Our helmet range includes premium brands that lead the way in safety and construction.
Proper fit, comfort, and good ventilation are essential features for a helmet you can wear all day.
You can customise your helmet with a variety of accessories like helmet covers and colourful guards.

Whether riding casually or training, safety is paramount. A high-quality riding helmet is essential, providing confidence and protection. Investing in a reliable, well-fitted equestrian helmet safeguards you from injury and ensures peace of mind while you ride.

Essential Features to Look for in Riding Helmets

When choosing a riding helmet, prioritise certified protection over style. Select a helmet suited to your discipline and ensure it meets current safety standards. Look for advanced safety features, durable materials, and a comfortable design. The next sections cover key considerations: safety certifications, construction, and fit.

Safety Certifications and Australian Standards

The most important feature of any riding helmet is its ability to protect you. Always choose helmets that meet or exceed current safety standards, such as ASTM certification, which ensures rigorous impact testing.

Many modern equestrian helmets now include MIPS (Multi-directional Impact Protection System), an advanced technology with a low-friction layer inside the helmet. In a fall, the MIPS layer allows slight head movement, helping reduce rotational forces that can cause serious brain injuries. Choosing a helmet with MIPS adds an extra level of protection for riders.

Construction Materials and Durability

A helmet’s durability and protection depend on its construction materials. Leading equestrian brands use advanced research to develop helmets that are lightweight yet strong, with high-quality shells that resist punctures and disperse impact, featuring a stylish gloss finish.

Most riding helmets feature a core of expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam, engineered to crush and absorb energy during impact—making it essential to replace your helmet after any significant fall, even if no damage is visible.

Ventilation, Comfort, and Fit

A helmet worn for hours must be comfortable. Modern riding helmets, like the Halo, focus on comfort, with features like excellent ventilation to keep your head cool and removable, washable liners for a snug fit and easy cleaning. Helmets with multiple vents and soft, moisture-wicking liners are ideal for regular use.

Key comfort features to look for:

Multiple air vents for airflow and cooling
Removable, washable liners for hygiene and fit
Lightweight design to minimise neck fatigue
Padded chin straps and harnesses that prevent chafing

How to Select the Perfect Helmet Size and Shape

A riding helmet only offers maximum protection if it fits properly. An ill-fitting helmet—too loose or too tight—can be unsafe and uncomfortable. Because brands fit differently, knowing your head shape and size is essential.

To choose the right size, start by measuring your head accurately, then try on helmets to find one that feels secure but not restrictive. The next sections explain how to measure your head, key adjustable features, and tips for achieving a proper fit.

Measuring Your Head for a Secure Fit

Getting the right size is key to a secure fit. Measure your head at home with a soft measuring tape for accuracy.

How to choose your riding helmet size:

Place the tape one inch above your eyebrows and wrap it level around the fullest part of your head.
Record the measurement in centimetres or inches and compare it to the manufacturer’s sizing chart.

Tips:

Use a soft, flexible measuring tape.
Keep the tape level and snug, not tight.
Check your measurement against the helmet’s sizing chart.

Adjustable Features and Customisation

Modern riding helmets feature adjustable systems, like dial-fit mechanisms or interchangeable liners, for a secure and comfortable fit—even between standard sizes. Customisation options let you express your style, from choosing colours and finishes to adding accessories such as front guards or helmet tags.

Helmet covers in various colours and patterns, along with playful additions like pom-poms, help personalise your look and protect the helmet’s surface from minor damage.

Tips for Trying On Riding Helmets

After measuring your head, try on helmets to find the right size. Start with the chart, but focus on how the helmet feels: it should sit level about an inch above your eyebrows and feel snug all around with even pressure.

If the helmet shifts easily, it’s too big. If it causes headaches or pressure points, it’s too small or the wrong shape. Fasten the harness; you should fit only one or two fingers between the strap and your chin.

Check fit by:

Shaking your head—the helmet should stay secure without wiggling.
Rocking it forward—the helmet should pull your forehead skin slightly.
Wear it for several minutes to test for discomfort.

Types of Riding Helmets for Different Equestrian Activities

Certified equestrian helmets are all designed for safety, but some are tailored to specific horseback riding disciplines. Your choice should depend on the type of riding you do most. Helmets vary to meet the demands of different activities, from show rings to trails.

Are there helmets for specific equestrian activities? Yes. Knowing these differences helps you choose the best option—whether you want a versatile helmet or one designed for dressage or show jumping, there’s a perfect fit for every rider.

Versatile All-Purpose Helmets

An all-purpose helmet is a practical choice for riders involved in various activities, from lessons and training to trail riding and lower-level competitions. These helmets, a common type of helmet, feature certified protection in a classic, streamlined design accepted across many disciplines.

Our all-purpose helmets offer an ideal balance of safety, comfort, and style without being overly specialised—making them popular among young riders, adult amateurs, and those who enjoy different aspects of horse riding, including derby riding. While helmet brands may vary in fit, style, and technology, quality models like the RIF Classic Helmet focus on essential safety features.

Feature	Description
Versatility	Suitable for training, casual riding, and some competitions
Style	Classic look with a modest brim
Safety	Meets standard certifications for general riding
Ideal For	Multi-discipline riders or those just starting out

Discipline-Specific Helmets (Dressage, Show Jumping, Trail, etc.)

As you advance in an equestrian discipline, you may want a helmet designed for that specific activity. Yes, there are helmets tailored to different types of riding, with features suited to each sport’s needs.

Examples include:

Show Jumping: Lightweight, highly ventilated, and modern design.
Dressage: Traditional, elegant style with classic finishes.
Trail Riding: Comfortable with extra ventilation and wide brims for sun protection.
Eventing: Certified for cross-country with maximum protection and secure fit.

Youth vs Adult Riding Helmets

While both youth and adult helmets follow core safety principles, youth helmets are sized for smaller heads and often feature adjustable systems to accommodate growth. Brands in the youth category tend to combine safety with playful designs, offering bright colours and fun covers. In contrast, adult helmets focus more on advanced materials, specialised ventilation, and discipline-specific features.

Key differences:

Sizing: Youth helmets fit smaller heads.
Adjustability: Youth models often include adjustment systems.
Style: Youth helmets offer brighter colours and playful designs.

Conclusion

Prioritising safety while riding starts with choosing the right helmet. Consider your needs, helmet type, safety certifications, ventilation, and fit for optimal protection and comfort. Investing in a quality helmet enhances both your safety and riding experience. For help selecting the perfect helmet, contact us for a free consultation. Stay safe and enjoy your rides!