Riding hats for funny shaped heads!

[serin]

DS1 needed a new riding hat today (he has always loaned a school one but as he is obviously sticking with this we have committed to kitting him out properly).

Took him up to a huge equestrian shop but the lovely ladies there were unable to find a hat that fitted correctly and refused to sell us one.

He must have tried on 15 hats. All too tight between the ears and too long front to back. They had never encountered this problem before and have said that they will need to contact their manager for advice!

His head looks ok to us and we certainly didn't anticipate any difficulties? Haqs anyone else encountered this? or have any advice?

Many thanks.

[serin]

Thank you all very much.

I will check out the Troxel ones

I checked the fit of the school one he has been wearing and was shocked at how loose it was at the back, I really hadn't noticed before.

[horseymum]

Phone up the hat company direct and ask for a recommendation of a shop with a fitter experienced in fitting a variety of shapes of head. You will probably be able to get a standard hat padded safely like that.

[Earthdog]

Generally, jockey skulls are round and riding hats are oval. I can't wear a jockey skull for more than 1/2 hr as they give me a headache and I have tried them all..

[BehindLockNumberNine]

Dd has an adjustable TROXEL one. It is superb. It was recommended by one of the instructors at the riding school.

She has a slightly odd shaped head and we struggled to get normal hats to fit. (she also seemed to outgrow them ridiculously quickly)

The Troxel does the job nicely

[Butkin]

Do you know what brands you tried on and "didn't fit"?

DD wears Champion skull cap for every day and Charles Owen for showing.

We always get her measured when we go for a new helmet and we're lucky they usually fit. However DW has had her lining altered on her Charles Owen show hat to fit - done be a professional show hat seller.

[elephantpoo]

Like Pixel said, they vary so much in shape. I'm the same......most hats were too narrow and too deep (IYSWIM). In the end I found ah at that fitted, just by trying on all I could find :(
Very frustrating.
I like the sound of the adjustable hat......great idea. DS has a cycle helmet like that, with the dial-didn't realise somebody'd made a riding one like it. Will check them out.

[Pixel]

Does the school one actually fit? Can you find out what make it is?

[Pixel]

They do vary. I usually stick to Harry Hall because they seem to suit the shape of my head.

Maybe try one of the adjustable types? Ds has a polyhat which has a dial at the back to alter the size, I don't know if something like that would be any better. My sister has a more expensive hat that you can alter as well, think it's a Troxel. If
that doesn't work I don't know what to suggest!