I know what you’re thinking… “girl, how many helmets do you need?”. You’re not wrong, I do have several helmets. However, I would say that the correct answer to how many helmets a person needs is the same as how many horses a person needs: always one more than however many they currently have. A gal needs options, ya know?
In all seriousness, though, I needed a new skull cap. My previous Charles Owen Pro II was at the end of it’s lifespan, and to be honest I almost never wore that helmet anyway because it just never fit me right. Or rather, the padding squished down so much that it never fit after the first couple rides. I really love the idea of a skull cap for cross country, something that is actually required in the UK by British Eventing due to safety concerns involving a fixed brim contacting a solid fence. It was also kind of bothering me that my usual show helmet – a Samshield – performed so poorly in the Swedish study that focused on oblique impact. I’ve mostly been riding in the Traumavoid since then, and it just felt wrong strapping the Samshield to my head for cross country.
With the difficulties I had finding a Charles Owen skull cap that fit, I felt a little stuck. There are other brands, of course, but none that had the same kind of proven commitment to safety that CO has shown, and most were not readily available in the US. And then I found out that Riding Warehouse was now carrying some of the Champion line of helmets. Champion is another UK-based brand, with a reputation equaling Charles Owen. The fit is also a bit different from CO, so I was hoping that their Pro-Ultimate SNELL skull cap might work a bit better for me. I have not been disappointed.
The first thing I noticed was that the structure of the Champion ain’t no joke, it looks and feels incredibly sturdy, like I could drive a tank over that thing and it wouldn’t notice. It’s made of fiberglass and Kevlar, so… maybe you actually could. You know a helmet is serious when the Charles Owen looks and feels a bit flimsy in comparison.
The ventilation, while still not fantastic (helmets lose structural integrity when you start poking a lot of big holes in the shell, so this is typical for skull caps), is also better in the Champion. The harness is wider and sturdier, and the chin strap buckle is METAL, and fastens kind of like a seat belt. I have always wondered why we put relatively fragile plastic buckles on something that is only effective if it stays securely in place, so seeing that metal buckle made me happy.
The lining of the Champion is also completely removeable for easy washing. Aside from just a better fit for me in general (which is so good that I can leave the thing unbuckled, shake my head, fling it back and forth, and it still doesn’t budge), the Champion also feels more padded and comfortable against my head. With the Charles Owen it almost felt like the shell itself was sitting against my skull.
In the UK, Champion has developed a reputation for safety that rivals that of Charles Owen. In fact, they even submitted the Pro-Ultimate skull cap for SNELL testing, a standard that is optional for helmet makers, but goes well above and beyond our typical ASTM/SEI testing standards. There are currently only 4 equestrian helmets in the world that carry the most recent 2016 SNELL approval.
Why is SNELL so special? Mostly because their testing methods are different, and their pass/fail standards are higher. Their standard has the highest crush resistance rating (a BIG thing for me, or probably anyone who remembers Ollie’s horse falling and rolling over his head at Rolex 2010) of over 2,200lbs, they have a higher drop test, and use a variety of differently shaped objects during impact testing.
They want the helmet to cover more of your skull, but not obstruct your peripheral vision, and they check for stability. SNELL also tests the helmets in different weather conditions, temperatures, and from different angles. For full details on their testing, you can read the PDF here, or if you want a summarized version watch this video. It’s from the old standard, not the 2016 updated one, but it’s really cool anyway. Seriously, if you do nothing else today or get nothing else out of this post, watch that video. I highly recommend. It’s fascinating. Even more fascinating that many of the basic standards don’t test helmets nearly this thoroughly. It’s easy to see why SNELL approval is so difficult to achieve.
In addition to meeting a higher safety standard, the helmet (and all Champion models) also has a great replacement policy: within 1 year of date of purchase 50% off retail price, within 2 years of date of purchase 40% off retail price, within 3 years of date of purchase 20% off retail price. Since these are distributed in the US via Toklat, it means that you won’t have to wait as long for a replacement from overseas, and it means that the helmets carry the ASTM/SEI certification labels as required by USEF rules.
The Champion is slightly heavier than the Pro II, I think, although not enough to be noticeable while wearing it. The better ventilation and comfort cancels out any possible additional weight, IMO. It only comes in black, but of course, you can put any skull cap cover on it that you want. I’ve never been much of a skull cap girl, but I find myself reaching for this helmet more and more often. If you can give me comfort AND safety, I’m all in.
While the Champion helmet is a bit pricier than some other skull caps, coming in around $450 regular retail, it’s not out of the realm of what is normal for a helmet these days. And honestly, for the superior fit, design, and highest safety rating, the price seems plenty reasonable. I want to go out on cross country with safety equipment that I trust, and having a SNELL certified helmet strapped to my head offers a little bit more peace of mind that I’m doing what I can to help minimize risk.
If you’re in the market for a new helmet, I highly recommend looking into the new Champion line at Riding Warehouse. Aside from keeping safety a priority, they also make some really pretty and unique helmets. If the other models are anywhere near as well-made and comfortable as the Pro-Ultimate, you won’t be disappointed. And of course, RW has a very easy/free return or exchange policy if you’re unsure of fit or sizing.
breedrideevent.com 
I need to try one in a bigger size. It won’t look half as cute on me as it did on Bea though lol.
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Nothing looks as cute on any of us as it does on Bea.
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Oh! Maybe you can explain this to me! I get the point of the cover. Change color, add personality, match etc…but why on earth is it always pulled up exposing the helmet in the front like a pair of pants sagging exposing underwear?
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that’s how all the cool kids wear them? LOL. But really, they don’t stay down that well unless you put one of those big ass rubberbands over them. Which I did buy a new one of, because my old one was rotted and melted.
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I’ve wondered this too! Thank you!
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The Champion skulls are unique because they have a sanded texture which keeps helmet covers in place. The “kids” like to advertise which brand they wear. Lol.
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My CO had a very “grippy” texture too, but nothing really stayed that securely once I was galloping! I’d rather rubber band that thing than go back and try to find my cover lol.
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why did you pick this helmet over your traumavoid for xc? I’ve been wondering if they’ll make a traumavoid skull cap.
unfortunately I just can’t do $450 for a helmet. the ratings and whatnot are excellent but it kinda bothers me that it has such a prohibitive price tag.
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1) I wanted a skull cap, no brim. 2) I wanted something that was SNELL certified but also ASTM/SEI certified (as required by USEF rules). 3) I needed something that actually fit me well. 4) Had to have a removeable liner. This is Texas, and I sweat like a pig. That Charles Owen reeked within two weeks.
That left me with one option lol.
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removable liners are a godsend.
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This review does a great job of pointing out the differences in certification. Keep in mind that ASTM is the lowest rating in the world–no crush testing, no penetration testing, which are both key in eventing. If you are riding in arena and fall off on a flat surface, an ASTM helmet will protect you. The ASTM tests for flat impact from about 6ft (I may have to check that, but I think it’s right). But if you hit a jump standard or a rock or your horse clips you on the head, you won’t know til it’s too late if your helmet will protect you. One reason these kinds of helmets are so much more expensive is that they are tested to the PAS 015 British standard, so they are engineered to withstand a higher standard of crush and penetration. The British will settle for no less, since eventing is a huge part of their equestrian sports. The Snell certification came from the motorcycle industry and takes the crush and penetration testing to a different degree. If you are riding cross country, you really should ride in a minimum PAS 015 and perhaps a Snell if you’re a bold, confident cross country rider. $450 seems steep until you have a serious accident (God forbid). Skimp on the breeches and go big on the helmet. 🙂
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Totally agree!!! I wish it was easier for consumers to be better educated about the different standards and what they mean. So many people think that any “approved” helmet is as good as the next.
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I recently bought a TV and I love it, but I also kind of feel like “dang it, just bought something and now something BETTER has come out.” As somebody who has now had two concussions, protecting my head is forefront on my mind.
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Well, SNELL has been around for a long time. Only 2 of the 4 helmets meeting the 2016 spec are sold in the US though, with ASTM/SEI tags. Both are skull caps. I think the TV is a great helmet.
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It has only been just this year (and in part because of your post on the TV helmets discussing helmet safety and standards) that I started to really pay attention, so I am a bit behind. Before that it was whatever fit well, looked decent, and was affordable.
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I’ve often wondered the same thing about the plastic buckles. I really like how this one attaches. Maybe I’ll have to see what the other models are like…
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Turns out, the other models just have plastic buckles. Boo. But at least I don’t have to buy a helmet now!
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The metal one is a SNELL buckle.
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I bought a Champion helmet in 2008 when I was in Ireland with my mom and have never worn a more comfortable helmet! It fit my head like a glove and I cried when I lost it (seriously- how the hell did I lose it at a show?!?!) but it had already reached the 5 year mark so I was only briefly sad. I’ve been drooling over pictures of the Europeans in Champion skull caps ever since so I’m pretty dang stoked that you can finally buy them over here!!!
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I’ve always been pretty bad at wearing helmets if I didn’t have to, but after trying a Champion, I can honestly say it’s probably because I’ve never had a helmet that fit properly and I’ve never had a helmet that was comfortable, regardless of price or safety certification. I have one of their other skulls, the Ventair I think, which I got at Land Rover last year (a little less expensive and I don’t jump, or at least try not to, so I don’t need a Snell). I forget I’m wearing it half the time. I’ve become a believer! Good blog on an important topic.
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Just bought one of these at ‘not rolex’-super excited. I’m hoping my existing custom helmet cover for my J3 fits it-otherwise is that the same charles owen cover you had on your Pro 2?
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Yes, those stretchy helmet covers are relatively “one size fits all”.
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