Riding hats

[JustALittleLessPain]

Could someone explain the differences between skull cap type hats and the peaked ones you can get.

I went for a hat fitting at the local tack shop. I quite fancied a stylish peaked one but they completely dismissed them and were intent on selling me a Champion Pro Ultimate skull cap one (just over £200) and silk, saying it was a much better hat. I’m happy to choose safety over style so went for it. It fits well and is very comfortable but looks pretty bulky and a bit goofy on my little head.

I’ve since noticed that not one person I know (friends, people at the yard, horsey people on IG) wears this type of hat, they all have the peaked ones.

So, as I didn’t even get the chance to try one on, I’m wondering why because presumably, someone who rides a lot (more than me) would want the purportedly “better” hat?

Id never ride in a peaked hat. Do you have a silk to make it look a bit less “bowling ball?”
Peaked hats can jar your neck when you fall, and admittedly my background is work riding racehorses but I’d never ride in a peaked hat again. I also think with the exception of Samshields which are about a grand a pop most peaked hats are really ugly…

It's personal choice, just as some people wear jodphur boots or long boots etc. Many people wear peaked hats at shows for example but might wear a skull cap for training. I always found the peaked hats more comfortable but then I wasn't doing cross country / higher risk activities. But essentially, you should try on what you want and make your own decision.

I’m agree with lastqueenofscotland, I think skull caps are much safer without the peak (and often cheaper, though maybe not in your case!) Another, purely aesthetic benefit of a skull cap is you can buy different hat silks or velvets in any colour you want - so you can match your outfit/your horses outfit, wear a hi-viz one for hacking etc. Bottom line though - it’s prime function is to protect your head, so I presume (hope!) they’ve sold you the one that best fits your shape/size head and meets all the right safety standards.

Yes a lot of different hat manufacturers are different shapes - Charles Owen do not fit my head at all (I swear by my APM as I ride some very hot horses but have to go a size up and have it padded)
Protector fit my head perfectly but they don’t seem to exist any more!
So it may be that your head shape was the champion shape!

I have to wear a skull cap because the peaked ones don't fit as well. They are way cooler ime 😎 Do you have a flashy silk to go with it?
Seriously though, they are much safer ( riding instructor and competitor of many years)

I always go for a skull cap on the basis jockeys and eventers wear them. The kids have velvet peaked ones for showing but skull caps for at home.

My current silk has a fuchsia pom pom and sparkly unicorns on it. What's not to love?

@HighlandCowbag

Excellent mine has tractors…

DP tried to hide it

It used to be that peaked hats were more oval and jockey skulls were more round in shape. A lot of manufacturers make both shapes these days though. You can use a jockey skull for anything but you can't use a fixed peaked cap for anything deemed high risk ie cross country at competitions as it can force your head backwards and increase the risk of a neck injury if you fall. Other than that it's what fits best and what type you like. Personally I prefer a slim fitting peaked cap but I couldn't use it for competitive cross country so I'd need another for that.

I always go with a skull cap and some nice silks. They look a bit odd without a silk, but there are some lovely silks out there. Don’t see them as goofy.

@lastqueenofscotland Ahh yes, I see now about the peak causing an issue in a fall. I certainly wouldn’t want that!

@Esssa That’s funny as my head is most definitely oval but this one does fit nicely.

@Springstar @HighlandCowbag I actually went for a boring blue velvet, perhaps I should spice up my life a little with a flashy one!

I’m pretty sure it only looks a bit weird because of my pinhead, hence my style preference would be a more slimline hat but hey ho - I can’t change the shape of my head!

Off to shop for more exciting silks..

@lastqueenofscotland DH was pointing out some naice Le Mieux silks and matching tops last time we went to a tack shop.

I was admiring the kids ones 😁

@JustALittleLessPain definitely spice up your life with a jazzy, jazzy silk. Mine makes me smile every time I put my hat on which is minimum of twice a day.

I just learned about the different fits of different brands last week.

I've been to a couple of different riding schools this summer and The Good One wouldn't let me wear my old peaked velvet hat for a 'dressage lesson'. I'm not really that good!

Since finding a pony to share and ride out by myself I thought I better upgrade my inferior hat.

I've got a narrow head. Champion hats are stocked in all the ag shops round here. They're all really round. Found an actual eq shop who does Charles Owen and found that they do nice narrow hats.

I now have an all-singing, all-dancing event legal hat that actually fits. To hack a couple of times a week 😂.

Anyway, now I know a bit more about hats and have one that fits and I feel safe in! (And I stuck to the free black silk. Not ready for the furry pom poms yet. Might get a nice middle-aged hiviz one next month!)