Helmet Storage and Care

When you’re not riding, keep your helmet in a temperature-controlled environment, such as inside your home or tack room. Never use your car as helmet storage, because extreme heat and extreme cold are detrimental to the integrity of the helmet’s shock-absorbing ability. Even some barn locations are not optimal places for helmet storage, as fluctuating temperatures can be detrimental to the materials that comprise the helmet.

If your helmet gets damp inside from perspiration or outside from precipitation, allow it to air dry naturally rather than placing it near an artificial heat source. Helmet care can be aided by various cleaners that are available to keep your helmet fresh; see the “Helmet Care: Cleaning and Deodorizing” section of this article for more information. Store your helmet between uses in a fabric helmet bag or hat bag that keeps it clean and protected.

Replace your helmet after a fall in which it touches the ground, even if it appears undamaged. Helmets are constructed so that the energy of an impact may be absorbed through partial destruction of the helmet. You may not be able to see interior damage that occurred through trauma. Many helmet manufacturers have crash helmet replacement policies that offer you a reduction in cost for a new helmet depending on the age of yours at the time of the incident. Refer to the warranty information that accompanies your particular helmet to determine whether a crash replacement policy exists.

At a minimum, you should also replace your helmet when it turns five years old. Over time, aging helmet materials may degrade from body heat and use, and therefore may not provide the same level of protection as a new helmet would, even with proper helmet care. Additionally, helmet manufacturers are always researching technological improvements that may increase the protective qualities of their helmets— you don’t want to miss out on these advances!

Also, if the fit of your helmet becomes loose for any reason, the helmet should be replaced with one that fits properly. Refer to the article How to Measure Your Head for a Helmet for help in determining proper fit.

Tip: Avoid spraying the exterior of your helmet with insect repellent or spraying your head with repellent before putting on your helmet. Chemicals in repellents have proven to be detrimental to the integrity of the helmet safety materials.


Helmet Care: Cleaning and Deodorizing

Regular helmet care is necessary and weekly cleaning is advisable to reduce accumulated perspiration and grease from your hair, which can create unwanted odors inside your helmet. There are several products to choose from to keep your helmet fresh. The Charles Owen Hat Cleaner removes dirt and hair grease from the interior surface of your helmet, while the Charles Owen Hat Deodorizer is an antibacterial spray that removes odors by killing the bacteria that causes them. You can also check the warranty information that accompanies any helmet for acceptable cleaners, but never use household cleaners to freshen your helmet. Their harsh chemicals may destroy the effectiveness of the safety materials in the helmet. Similarly, never clean your helmet by running it through a dishwasher cycle.

Many helmet manufacturers, such as Troxel®, GPA® and IRH®, produce helmets with removable liners that can be washed or replaced.


About Hairstyles

Your hair may affect the fit of your helmet. If you have long or thick hair that you wear under your helmet, the length of your hair or the way you tie it up may change the way your helmet sits on your head. Try on new helmets with your hair in the style you ride in. If you wear your hair under your helmet, attempt to make your hair as flat to your head as possible when wearing your helmet; many people prefer to use two hair nets to obtain a sufficiently flat, snug fit. The first hair net is tied into the ponytail, and the second hair net holds the ponytail flat to the head. For illustrated how-to details, see Helpful Tips for Hairstyling.

Tip: If you twist your ponytail before putting on your helmet, you may create unwanted airspace in the interior of your helmet when in fact you want the helmet to encase your head snugly all around. If you change your hair length, be sure to recheck your helmet fit.

Related Articles:
How to Measure Your Head for a Helmet
Helpful Tips for Hairstyling
Hairstyles for Competition

1. Measure around your head at the widest part, be sure to do this with your hair up if that is how the helmet will be worn.
2. Match the measurement up with a size based on the size chart below. The tape measure should be snug.

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**ASTM F1163-04a AND 15/SEI Certified Helmets

**Helmet Notice, Disclaimer & Warning

All equestrian sports are inherently dangerous and involve the risk of serious injury or death. Riders using these products ride at their own risk with full knowledge of the hazards and risks associated with their activities. Helmets are designed for equestrian use only. Helmets cannot offer complete protection from injury or death to riders in case of fall, collision, impact, loss of control or otherwise. Helmets cannot protect areas of the head that are not covered. Helmets offer no protection against injuries involving forces other than impact.

CAUTION: Helmets must fit well and all retention straps must be securely fastened. Helmets are constructed so that the energy of an impact may be absorbed through partial destruction of the helmet. Helmets that suffer an impact should be destroyed and replaced. The protective qualities of helmets may be compromised by prior impact, age, use and many common substances. Always follow the manufacturer's recommendations before applying cleaning agents, paints, or adhesives.

Dover Saddlery disclaims any responsibility for injuries or death incurred while wearing any of the helmets offered for sale. Representations regarding testing results, equipment ratings, product specifications, ASTM and/or SEI standards, and the adequacy of all such standards and designations are made solely by the product's manufacturer. Dover Saddlery does not warrant or confirm the representations of the manufacturers. Dover Saddlery makes no representations expressed or implied regarding the fitness of these products for any particular purpose nor the extent to which the products protect riders from injury or death. By purchasing any of the helmets offered for sale and using it in an equestrian sport, the purchaser AGREES FREELY AND VOLUNTARILY TO ASSUME ALL RISKS RELATED TO EQUESTRIAN SPORTS, including the risk of personal injury, damage, death or property damage. Further, to the maximum extent permitted by law, the purchaser does release Dover Saddlery from any and all responsibility or legal liability related to purchaser's participation in equestrian activities.

How to Check Helmet Fit
Follow these steps when you're deciding whether a helmet size and style is right for you.

Check the overall fit. A correctly sized helmet sits down snugly on your head and covers your entire skull with equal pressure all around. No gap exists between your helmet and your head; even pressure with the lining allows the helmet to absorb force in the event of an accident.

If you feel the helmet wants to rise or pop upward from your head, then it is too small. If the helmet is loose around your head and sitting low on the eyebrows, it is too large.

Try to wiggle the helmet up and down. The skin on your forehead and your eyebrows should move with the helmet. If the helmet slides freely and your skin doesn't move, then it is too large for your head. Shake your head from side to side and up and down. The helmet should not pivot on your head. If it does, then the helmet is too large.

While a slightly large helmet may feel very comfortable initially,

How to Store and Clean Your Riding Helmet

Place your helmet between uses in a helmet bag, hat bag or hat box that will shield it from dust, scuffs and accidental impacts. Most of these storage options allow breathability. If your helmet is damp inside from perspiration or outside from rain, allow it to dry naturally, away from artificial heat sources, before placing it in its storage container.

Keep your helmet in a temperature-controlled environment, such as inside your home or inside a heated/air-conditioned tack room. Never leave your helmet in your car. Extreme heat and extreme cold compromise the integrity of the shock-absorbing materials necessary to protect your head. Some barn locations are not optimal places to store your helmet because fluctuating temperatures can degrade the materials meant to protect your head on impact.

Regular weekly cleaning reduces accumulated perspiration and grease buildup from your hair, both of which create unpleasant odors inside your helmet. Clean your helmet only with a product formulated specifically for the purpose, such as Charles Owen Hat Cleaner. Spray the interior of your helmet with the cleanser, let it sit for several minutes, and then wipe it clean with a damp cloth.

Never use household cleaners on your helmet and never run your helmet through a dishwasher. Harsh chemicals will destroy the effectiveness of the safety materials in the helmet.