Buying a Helmet Online?

[MadamC]

My instructor suggests I buy a helmet online, that they are cheaper. The one she suggested (it was cheap at $22.10) was out of stock in my size.

I would like a cheaper type, since I've just started out (completed second lesson yesterday--and next week is trot!).

I guess mainly I'm wondering the things I should look for. The 'dial' system seems pretty neat on some of the helmets, but I don't know how much I'll need to really adjust the straps. And I guess the new system to 'not bob forward and backward' as the horse moves is good.

It's funny to me that the 2003 helmets are so outdated, as they imply on the websites. ;)

Anyway, I'm thinking about the Classico Riding Helmet (which also has a velveteen cover to attach) at $28.95. Or possibly one of the Troxel Spirit or Sport for $29-32. Or the Aegis USSEPA for $38. Does anyone have these, or had good/bad experiences with them? Or know of cheaper ones/places to get them?

I definitely want to get one before next week's trotting! :D

Also, any thoughts on boots? I'd prefer lace-up. Must they go halfway up your calf?

Thanks,
Cindy

[virtuallyhorses]

If you're after a good fit, trying them on is quite important, even if you then buy online. Although helmets do have sizes they can sometimes be different shapes and feel different when on. Other than that once you have your own helmet its not something that you need to adjust all the time but it is something that can save you serious injury so always look for the highest safety standard not necessarily the latest style :) - although you'd hope that the two would go hand-in-hand.

[Grace O'Malley]

I recently bought my son a Troxel Legacy Gold, which was on sale in the Dover Saddlery catalogue. I ordered a large, as his previous helmet (also a Troxel, but a different model) was a large. When it came, it was too big :( So I had to return it and ask for a medium in exchange. It was no problem, but it did take a little more time, and I did lose the postage sending back the first one. It was still a sizable savings from lregular retail price, though.

So I guess the moral is, if you're in a hurry, buying from a shop is quicker and more certain ;) If you have time, and know what you want, you can get deals by mail order. Most come with changable pads, so you can refine the fit to some extent, but the helmet must fit snugly to do its job.

As for boots, they should support your ankle, but they don't have to be higher than that if you don't want.

Good luck!

Grace

[Equisgurl]

I buy everything online, ebay to be exact, I recently got a new troxel legacy gold for $30, very nice helmet, I love it.
Troxel is a good brand, and so is Aegis, make sure though it fits, they usually have a measuring chart, also make sure the helmet is sertified(most of them are).

http://search.ebay.com/troxel-helmet_W0QQsokeywordredirectZ1QQfromZR8

As for boots, especailly if you just take lessons, paddock boots are the most comfortable, doesent matter really laceup or zip up, its a personal choice, I like zip up better because there were times, when I was late and it took me forever to lace up..lol:)

[HorseHappy]

I recently went through the same decision process. I had found a helmet on line that I really liked. I was just about to order it when I decided to slip into a local tack shop just for the heck of it.

They had the helmet I was going to buy on online and it looked goofy on me. While I was there I tried on at least a half dozen different helmets. Sizing is not at all consistent. In some helmets I wore a medium, some large. some x-large. Some helmets were definitely more comfortable than others. I ended buying a completely different helmet than I thought I would and love it.

Do you have a Petsmart nearby? Ours has recently added a tack shop and they also had a good variety of helmets at a low price.

[JGarrick]

it was cheap at $22.10
I read some advice once about buying motorcycle helmets: Spend on your helmet relative to what you think your head is worth.

That seems like sound advice to some degree (with motorcycle helmets, after about the first $100-$150 you're paying mostly for style and comfort, not safety).

Another good bit of advice I heard was to get a helmet that's comfortable because it can't help you if you aren't wearing it.

As for where to buy, I'll always buy from local merchants as long as the prices aren't dramatically different. I found a motorcycle tire online discounted more than $100 (even with shipping) compared to my local shop. The local place needs to be more competitive than that, but I consider a markup of about 5-10% (depending on the price of the item) over online prices (after shipping) reasonable.

[missbobbie]

I have a troxel legacy gold and a troxel sport. I gave the more expensive legacy to my son because it doesn't feel as comfortable to me as the inexpensive sport. It all depends on the shape of your head. like someone said before...If it is not comfortable you will not wear it and that won't protect your head. You can always try some on at a tack shop to see what you like and then order online if you find it cheaper!:)

[MadamC]

The funniest thing happened! I decided to go look at a store my trainer suggested for the boots, since it was local, I wanted to go there first and see what they offered before I looked at stores further away. And wouldn't you know it, I ran into my trainer there! ;)

She's so nice (it's like a family out there), and said anytime I needed anything, just call up and we'd make a girl's shopping trip out of it. :D Anyway, she showed me the boots she had bought herself at the store we ran into each other at. I did wind up splurging on them (on sale for $99)--they are lace-up Ariats and have soft gel insoles and a removable flap if you don't ride Western. They rock! She said those have lasted her day-in-day-out for 2 years, longer than any other kind she's had.

When I asked her about the helmet, she suggested again the cheapest one that felt comfortable. She also said if you ever fall off, you needed a new helmet for the next time, and advised that the helmet companies will actually replace it after a fall within the alloted warranty time and if you keep all your paperwork (receipts, etc).

So...

~HorseHappy~You win the prize! :D (the prize: a lovely crocheted toilet doily--something my fav. math teacher used to say, lol) I went up to the not-so-local Petsmart--we have one right here, but it doesn't have a tack shop. There I tried on all of the helmets they had, talk about bad hair day after that. ;) Basically, it came down to the Troxel Sport & the Troxel Spirit. I even got the sales clerk to give me her opinion, she also liked the Sport better. I think the main thing I didn't like on the Spirit was the dial system--not only did I not understand how or why it worked, but it went so far down on my neck, it bugged me. And yes, I wore a diff. size in each of them!

~missbobbie~Exactly! I wound up with the Sport too. :)

So for $30, I feel like I got the best helmet for me (for simple training--I'd probably get a nice velveteen if I ever did shows) that I will always wear. I got some velcro yesterday and my mom (yes, even though I'm 28, still need mom's helps sometimes ;) ) helped me situate the extra pads in the right spot inside the helmet, feels great and comfy now!

All set for my next lesson Wednesday!

Now...anyone have an opinion on the 'schooling' pants? Our area is horrible for grass burrs, and my current extra cheapy (Walmart $9) cotton pants literally attract the grass burrs. I noticed my trainer wearing some sort of breeches and she walked in the same areas and got little to no grass burrs! There's a tack shop close that has the 'schooling' breeches for $30. Their show breeches range from $60-180. The schooling have the leather patches around knee and I believe on inner thigh. Anyone think those are worth buying to ride around in?

Thanks for all the advice!

Cindy

[sanna]

As for Breeches, go with comfort. I would go try them on and see who are the most comfortable. I like the Devon Aire
http://www.statelinetack.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441770037&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302029845&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302024174&bmUID=1095738463649


They are really comfy.