A Buyer's Guide to Riding Hats and Helmets

Whether you're hacking out, schooling at home, or heading out on a cross-country course, your riding hat is the most important piece of safety equipment you'll own. A well-fitting, properly certified hat can make a real difference if you have a fall, so taking the time to choose the right one is vital.

With peaked helmets, skull caps, dial fit systems, removable liners, and a long list of safety standards to consider, buying a new hat can feel a little overwhelming. 

In this blog, we'll explore what to look for when buying a riding hat or helmet, how to get the right fit, and we share some of our top picks for all types of riding disciplines. 

What's the Difference Between a Riding Hat and a Skull Cap?

There are different types of riding hats and helmets available, and the right one depends on the type of riding you’ll be doing.

Riding hats, often called helmets, have a fixed peak at the front. They're the most popular choice for everyday riding, hacking, flatwork, dressage, and showjumping, and the peak helps to shade your eyes from the sun and rain.

Skull caps, sometimes called jockey skulls, have a smooth, rounded shape with no peak. They're usually worn with a hat silk over the top, which is where your cross-country colours come in.

If you compete, it’s important to note that there are certain rules on what type of helmet you can wear. This can include the minimum safety standards it must meet and even the style and colour that can be worn.

What Should You Look for When Buying a Riding Hat?

When it comes to buying a riding hat or helmet, there are some key factors to think about. From choosing the right fit to meeting safety standards, below are the main considerations to keep in mind:

Safety Standards

Every riding hat should meet a recognised safety standard, and if you compete, your hat will need to carry one that your governing body accepts. For 2026, the hat tagging rules used by British Riding Clubs, British Eventing, and The Pony Club accept the following standards, each with its quality mark:

At affiliated competitions, your hat will be checked and given a tag before you ride, so never remove the labels inside it. Rules can change from year to year, so it's always worth checking the latest guidance from your governing body before you buy.

Fit Systems

Riding hats use one of three main ways to get the right fit:

• Dial or twist fit systems: A wheel at the back of the hat tightens or loosens an internal cradle, so you can fine-tune the fit in seconds. Brands like LeMieux and Karben use a dial system in some of their hats, which is handy if you wear your hair up or down on different days.

• Removable liners: Some hats come in a few shell sizes, with interchangeable padded liners that fine-tune the fit inside each one, and these liners can also be removed for washing.

• Traditional individual sizes: Many classic hats, including Champion and Gatehouse, come in individual centimetre sizes with a fixed fit. These suit riders who know their exact size and prefer a close, consistent fit.

There's no single best fit option. Dial systems are versatile and easy to share between riders with similar head sizes, while individually sized hats often give a closer, more tailored fit. The most important thing is that the hat fits your head shape well.

Rotational Protection

Some helmets now include Multi-directional Impact Protection Systems (MIPS), a low-friction layer inside the hat that allows a small amount of movement on angled impacts. It's designed to reduce the rotational forces that can reach the brain in a fall. You'll find it in hats from brands such as Charles Owen, Champion, and Evoke.

Comfort, Ventilation, and Weight

If you ride every day, comfort matters. That’s why you should look for good ventilation to keep your head cool, a washable lining, and a lightweight shell that won't feel heavy on long hacks or busy competition days.

Which Riding Hat Should You Choose?

The right hat depends on your discipline, your head shape, and your budget. Here are some of our favourite riding hats and skull caps from the brands we stock here at Treehouse Sporting Colours.

LeMieux Verv Competition Helmet

The LeMieux Verv is one of the most versatile hats we stock. It comes with three interchangeable magnetic peaks (wide, narrow, and brim), so you can swap your look for showjumping, dressage, hacking, or schooling in seconds. Take the peak off and add a hat silk, and it becomes a smooth skull cap for cross-country.

It's one of the first helmets of its kind, so it's ideal if you ride across several disciplines and don't want to buy more than one hat. It's tested to EN 1384:2023 and ASTM F1163-23, and features a 360° dial fit system, padded inserts for fine-tuning, airflow vents, and a washable headband.

The Verv is best suited to eventers and all-round riders, as one hat can cover dressage, showjumping, and cross-country, as well as everyday hacking and schooling.

LeMieux Vexa Skull Cap

If you're looking for a dedicated skull cap, the LeMieux Vexa is a great choice. It has a grippy surface that helps keep your hat silk in place, along with the same 360° dial fit system, and safety standards as the Verv.

The Vexa is well versed for cross-country, eventing, and hunter trials. It's also a good option for younger riders taking part in Pony Club cross-country.

Evoke Callisto Classic Peak Helmet

The Evoke Callisto Classic Peak Crystal Helmet is perfect for riders who want a bit of sparkle in the show ring. It comes in small, medium, and large shells with removable padded liners to fine-tune the fit, and is available in a range of finishes, from black and gold, to navy crystal.

The Callisto is best suited to dressage and showjumping, where a smart, polished look really stands out. It's also comfortable enough for everyday schooling and hacking.

Gatehouse HS1-V Jockey Skull

The Gatehouse HS1-V is a popular choice with eventers. It's certified to Snell E2016 and E2021 and has a reinforced carbon shell designed to improve side impact protection. It also has a padded four-point harness and a full-cover EPS liner. 

The HS1-V is ideal for cross-country, eventing, and hunter trials, where a skull cap and hat silk are required.

Champion Riding Hats

Champion still manufactures its hats in the UK, and its range covers everything from junior hats to racing skulls. The Champion Ventair Deluxe is Kitemarked to PAS 015:2011 and VG1, with a lightweight, low-profile glass fibre shell, a ventilated airflow system, and a leather harness with lace adjustment. 

For younger riders, the Champion Junior X-Air Plus Helmet is a lightweight, UK-made helmet with a ventilation system to help keep the head cool.

With its traditional look, the Ventair Deluxe is a popular choice for racing and hunting, as well as everyday riding. The Champion Ventair Deluxe and Champion X-Air Plus are ideal for Pony Club, riding lessons, and young riders who are starting to compete.

EQx Kylo Helmet

The EQx Kylo from Charles Owen is a modern, lightweight helmet that comes with a standard peak or a wide peak. It's also available with MIPS for extra protection against rotational forces.

The Kylo is a great all-rounder for hacking, schooling, showjumping, and dressage. The wide peak gives extra shade from the sun and rain, which is handy on long hacks and outdoor show days.

Karben ALX Skull Caps

The Karben Graphite ALX Skull Cap is certified to PAS 015:2011 and EN 1384:2023 and carries the BSI Kitemark. It features a micro-adjustable dial fit system, a carbon-wrapped front and rim, front and rear air vents, and machine-washable linings. The Karben Icon ALX offers the same fit system at a lower price.

Karben's skull caps are best suited to cross-country and eventing. Their lightweight design also makes them a popular choice for riding out and racing.

How to Measure for a Riding Hat

Even the safest hat won't protect you properly if it doesn't fit you correctly. It should feel snug all the way around your head, with even pressure and no sore spots. 

It should sit level on your head, about a finger’s width above your eyebrows and it shouldn’t move when you shake or nod your head. You can test this by pushing the hat gently upwards and your eyebrows should move with it.

The harness should also be secure, with the straps sitting just under your ears and room for no more than a finger or two under your chin.

To measure for a riding hat, you should:

1. Wear your hair the way you normally would for riding.

2. Wrap a soft tape measure around the widest part of your head, roughly 1cm above your eyebrows and the tops of your ears.

3. Keep the tape level all the way around and make a note of the measurement in centimetres.

4. Measure two or three times and use the largest number.

5. Check the brand's size guide, as sizing and head shapes can vary between brands.

We always recommend having your hat fitted in person if you can. Our team offers fittings by appointment, and you can contact us to book yours today. 

Find the Right Riding Hat at Treehouse

Choosing the right riding hat is one of the most important decisions you'll make as a rider. At Treehouse Sporting Colours, we stock a wide range of riding hats and helmets and jockey skulls from trusted brands, along with hat silks to finish your look.

Be sure to explore our full range today, or contact our team if you'd like expert advice on finding the right hat for you, or if you’d like to book an appointment for an in-person fitting.

Riding Hat FAQs

How should I look after a riding hat?

You should make sure you store it carefully by keeping it in a padded hat bag, away from direct sunlight, heat, and damp. You can keep it clean by removing and washing liners and headbands as the manufacturer recommends, and wipe the shell with a damp cloth. Avoid using harsh chemicals or solvents, as these can damage the shell. Be sure to check it regularly and look for cracks, dents, worn stitching, and damaged harness straps or buckles. If you notice any of these defects, it’s probably time to replace it.

Can I wear a peaked riding hat for cross-country?

No. For cross-country, British Eventing, British Riding Clubs, and The Pony Club all require a jockey skull with no peak or peak-type extensions. A fixed peak could catch the ground in a fall and twist your head and neck, so a smooth shell is much safer at speed. You can wear a hat silk with a soft, flexible peak over your skull cap, as this will give way on impact.

Is a dial fit system better than a fixed-size hat?

Neither is better, as both can be equally safe. Dial fit systems are easy to adjust, while fixed-size hats often give a closer, more tailored fit. The best one will depend on the hat that fits your head shape the best and provides the most comfort.

How often should I replace my riding hat?

You should replace your hat straight away if you have a fall and hit your head, or if your hat is dropped heavily onto a hard surface. The protective foam inside is designed to compress on impact, and this damage isn't always visible from the outside. Even if your hat has never been damaged, it's generally recommended to replace it every three to five years, depending on how often you ride.

Can I buy a second-hand riding hat?

We strongly recommend that you don’t buy a second-hat riding hat. A second-hand hat may have been dropped or damaged in a fall and won’t provide the adequate level of protection in the event of a fall. Remember, hat damage isn't always visible from the outside.

Do children need a different riding hat?

Children need a hat that meets the same safety standards as adults, in a size that fits them properly. Many brands offer junior hats with smaller sizes, and it's important to check the fit regularly as children grow.