Yes, you can accurately measure for a horse riding helmet at home using a simple tool. The key to safety and comfort when riding is getting the proper riding helmet size. This guide will show you exactly how to measure your head so you can confidently choose the right fit.
Why Correct Helmet Sizing Matters So Much
A riding helmet is your most vital piece of safety gear. It protects your brain. If a helmet does not fit well, it might move around in a fall. It might even fall off completely. A poorly fitted helmet cannot do its job when you need it most. Knowing your safety helmet circumference is the first step to buying a safe helmet.
The Role of Fit in Safety
Helmets work by crushing slightly upon impact. This action slows the force hitting your head. For this to work, the helmet must stay firmly in place. If it is too loose, it shifts, exposing parts of your head. If it is too tight, it causes pain and headaches, making you less likely to wear it. Getting the right size ensures the helmet stays put during a fall. This concept is central to any good helmet fitting guide.
Comfort Equals Compliance
If a helmet is uncomfortable, riders often avoid wearing it or wear it incorrectly (like pushing it back on the head). A helmet that fits correctly feels snug but not tight. It feels like a firm hug for your head. This makes you more likely to wear it every time you ride, from lessons to trail rides.
Essential Tools for Measuring Head for Equestrian Helmet
You do not need a fancy kit to start. You only need a few simple items to begin the process of measuring head for equestrian helmet.
What You Need:
- Flexible Tape Measure: A soft cloth or vinyl tape measure is best. This is essential for the helmet tape measure technique. If you do not have one, use a piece of string or ribbon and mark where it overlaps. Then, use a standard ruler or metal tape measure to find the length of the string.
- A Mirror: This helps you check the placement of the tape measure.
- A Friend (Optional but Helpful): A second set of eyes can ensure the tape measure stays straight and level.
- Your Current Helmet (For Comparison): If you have an older helmet that fits well, note the size written inside. This gives you a good starting point for your hat size for horse riding.
Step-by-Step Guide: Measuring Head for Proper Riding Helmet Size
Follow these steps carefully. Accuracy here prevents sizing mistakes later. This method is crucial for determining your correct equestrian headwear sizing.
Step 1: Locate the Widest Part of Your Head
The measurement must be taken around the largest part of your head to ensure the helmet fits over everything.
- Stand up straight. Look straight ahead in the mirror.
- Take your flexible tape measure. Wrap it around your head.
- The tape should sit about one inch (or two fingers’ width) above your eyebrows. This is where the helmet brim will sit.
- The tape must be level all the way around. It should pass over the largest bump at the back of your head. Avoid tilting the tape measure up or down at the back or front.
Tip: Ask a friend to check the tape in the mirror. Make sure it is horizontal, like a belt around your head.
Step 2: Taking the Measurement
Once the tape is positioned correctly:
- Pull the tape snugly, but not so tight that it compresses your skin or feels painful. It should feel firm.
- Read the measurement where the end of the tape overlaps the rest of the tape.
- Write this number down immediately. This is your raw circumference measurement.
Step 3: Double-Checking the Measurement
It is smart to measure three times. Repeat the process once or twice more. If the numbers are very close (within 1/8 inch), use the average. If one reading is much different, remeasure that one carefully. This ensures you have a reliable safety helmet circumference.
Step 4: Measuring for a Jockey Skull (Specific Sizing)
If you are measuring for a jockey skull or a very specific type of eventing helmet, the fit might need to be tighter. Jockeys often prefer an extremely snug fit for maximum stability at high speeds. However, for general English or Western riding, the standard snug fit is appropriate. Always check the specific brand’s guidelines if you are buying a skull cap used for racing or cross-country.
Converting Circumference to Helmet Size
Raw head measurements in inches or centimeters rarely match helmet sizes directly. You must consult a helmet measurement chart. Helmet sizes are often given in traditional hat sizes (like 7 1/8) or in standard sizing (Small, Medium, Large).
Common Conversion Table Example
Different manufacturers use slightly different molds. Always check the specific brand’s chart. Below is a general guide to help you start choosing the correct helmet size.
| Circumference (Inches) | Circumference (CM) | US/UK Hat Size | Small/Medium/Large Size Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 1/2 – 20 7/8 | 52 – 53 | 6 1/2 | Small |
| 21 1/4 – 21 5/8 | 54 – 55 | 6 3/4 | Medium |
| 22 – 22 3/8 | 56 – 57 | 7 | Medium/Large |
| 22 3/4 – 23 1/8 | 58 – 59 | 7 1/4 | Large |
| 23 5/8 – 24 | 60 – 61 | 7 1/2 | X-Large |
Interpreting the Chart
If your measurement falls between sizes (e.g., 21 5/8 inches), you have a choice:
- Go Down: If the helmet brand is known to run large, try the smaller size first.
- Go Up: If the helmet brand is known to run small, try the larger size first.
- Use Adjustable Systems: Many modern helmets use internal adjustable systems (dial-fit). These systems often work best if you are near the middle or slightly larger side of the inner shell size.
The Shape Factor: Not All Heads Are Equal
This is a crucial step often missed when only relying on the helmet measurement chart. Head shapes vary. Some people have rounder heads; others have more oval heads.
Oval vs. Round Head Shapes
- Round Heads: A rounder measurement across the temples. If you have a round head, helmets made for oval heads might pinch your sides painfully, even if the circumference measurement matches.
- Oval Heads: Longer from front to back than they are side to side. Helmets designed for oval heads might feel too loose at the sides but too tight at the front/back for a rounder head.
Action: When trying on helmets, pay attention to where pressure points occur. If a helmet feels okay on the tape measure but hurts your temples, the shape is wrong for you. Look for brands known for catering to your head shape.
The Final Fitting Test: How to Check the Fit
Measuring is step one. Testing the fit is step two. A helmet that matches the helmet measurement chart must still pass physical tests.
Test 1: Level Placement
The helmet must sit level on your head.
- It should cover the top of your forehead.
- The front edge should sit no more than two finger widths above your eyebrows. It should look like it is sitting squarely on your head, not tipped back like a baseball cap.
Test 2: The Snugness Check (The Wiggle Test)
With the chin strap unbuckled:
- Grip the helmet firmly with both hands.
- Try to wiggle it side-to-side and front-to-back.
- A properly sized helmet should move only slightly, feeling snug against your head. If it slides easily, it is too big. If you cannot wiggle it at all, it might be too small, though some pressure is expected.
Test 3: The Pressure Point Check
Wear the helmet for at least five minutes.
- Too Tight: If you feel sharp, localized pain (like a vise grip) on your temples or the top of your head, the shell is too small or the shape is wrong.
- Too Loose: If you feel pressure that constantly moves around as you move your head, it is too loose.
Test 4: The Chin Strap Test (The Yawn Test)
Once the helmet is sitting correctly and feels snug, fasten the chin strap.
- Tighten the strap so it is snug under your chin, but you can still open your mouth easily.
- Now, open your mouth wide, as if you are yawning deeply.
- If the helmet lifts significantly off your head when you open your mouth wide, the strap is too loose.
- The side straps should meet just below your earlobes, forming a “V” shape.
Test 5: The Head Shake Test
- Buckle the chin strap securely.
- Shake your head vigorously from side to side, and then nod up and down.
- The helmet should stay firmly in place. If it shifts more than half an inch in any direction, it needs adjustment or a different size. This is the final confirmation for choosing the correct helmet size.
Adjustments and Internal Padding Systems
Modern helmets offer ways to fine-tune the fit beyond just the shell size.
Dial-Fit Systems
Many brands use an adjustable dial, usually at the back of the helmet. Turning this dial tightens or loosens an internal harness. This system is excellent for minor adjustments or for people who are between sizes. It helps customize the fit once you have the correct base shell size from your initial measuring for a jockey skull or standard helmet measurement.
Padding Layers
Some helmets use interchangeable padding pieces. If the shell fits well (passes the Wiggle Test) but feels slightly loose, thicker comfort pads can fill the gap. If the shell is slightly too tight, very thin padding might offer enough relief. Always confirm with the manufacturer if swapping padding voids any safety certification.
Different Disciplines, Different Requirements
While the measurement technique remains the same, what you look for in the final fit can change based on your discipline.
Show Jumping and Dressage Helmets (Traditional)
These helmets often prioritize a very sleek, conservative look. They must sit low and cover the skull completely. The fit should be precise, as movement during intense flatwork or jumping could be distracting if the helmet shifts.
Cross-Country and Eventing Helmets
For cross-country, safety demands a perfect, unmoving fit. Since riders may encounter high speeds and significant rotational forces, the helmet must stay put. Many eventing helmets, especially skull caps, are designed to be worn with a fixed harness that locks the helmet onto the head.
Western Riding Helmets
Western helmets sometimes have a slightly different profile to accommodate wider head shapes or different hairstyles (like ponytails). Ensure the back of the helmet does not push your hair up uncomfortably.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid in Sizing
Even with careful measurement, people frequently make mistakes when buying riding helmets.
Mistake 1: Relying Only on Age or Weight
Never buy a helmet just because it is the “size for a 12-year-old” or the “size for a 150lb rider.” Every head is different. Always rely on the tape measure first.
Mistake 2: Buying a Helmet to Grow Into
This is extremely dangerous. A helmet bought too large now will be unsafe the moment you put it on. If a child needs a helmet to grow into, buy the correct size now and buy the next size up only when the current one no longer fits safely.
Mistake 3: Forgetting the Hair Factor
If you wear a thick braid, a bun, or a hairnet, you must account for this volume in your initial measurement, or at least factor it in when testing the fit. The helmet should feel comfortable with your typical riding hairstyle in place.
Mistake 4: Ignoring the Depth Measurement (If Possible)
While the circumference is the main number derived from the helmet tape measure technique, helmet depth is also important. Some brands make “deep” shells and “shallow” shells. If your helmet feels like it sits too high on your head (leaving a gap at the back or front), you might need a deeper shell, even if the circumference is correct.
Caring for Your Helmet and Re-Checking the Size
Helmets do not last forever, and head size can change subtly over time due to weight fluctuations or aging.
When to Remeasure
You should remeasure your head every time you buy a new helmet, even if you are buying the same brand. This confirms your current hat size for horse riding. Furthermore, check your fit if:
- You lose or gain a significant amount of weight.
- You have a major head injury (even if you weren’t wearing a helmet).
- Your current helmet is several years old (materials degrade).
Helmet Lifespan
Riding helmets have an expiration date, usually 5 to 7 years from the date of manufacture. The foam (EPS liner) degrades over time, losing its ability to absorb shock, regardless of how perfect the fit remains.
Finalizing Your Purchase: The Importance of Trying On
While this guide gives you the tools to find your base size based on your circumference, physical try-on is non-negotiable for equestrian gear. Use the measurements to narrow down your options, but the final decision must be based on how the helmet feels on your unique head shape. Always try on helmets from several different brands to compare how their internal shapes accommodate your head geometry. This completes the process of measuring for a jockey skull or any other equestrian helmet.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: How tight should a new horse riding helmet feel?
A new riding helmet should feel snug all over your head, without causing sharp pain. When you shake your head, it should not move more than an inch. It should feel like a firm, gentle hug.
Q2: Can I use an old bicycle helmet size guide for my horse riding helmet?
No. Bicycle helmets and horse riding helmets meet different safety standards and often have different internal shapes. Always use a specific helmet measurement chart designed for equestrian headwear.
Q3: What if my measurement is exactly between two sizes?
If your measurement falls between two sizes, try both. Generally, if the helmet has a good adjustable dial system, you might size up slightly, as the dial can tighten it down. If it does not have a dial, try the smaller size first, as the inner shell must fit snugly before padding is added.
Q4: Does hair thickness affect my helmet size measurement?
Yes, it does. You should measure your head with your hair styled as you usually wear it when riding (e.g., with a low ponytail or bun tucked under the helmet). The final fit must accommodate your hair volume for comfort.
Q5: How far above the eyebrows should the helmet sit?
The front edge of the helmet should sit level, no more than two finger-widths above your eyebrows. This ensures the helmet protects your forehead properly during a fall.