Hat and Boots recommendations

[MallMoo]

Hi,

I have recently taken up riding lessons after a 10 year break! I’ve had a few private lessons and can say I’m definitely going to keep it up this time and start group lessons.

Can you give me your recommendations for hats and boots as I think it’s time to invest in my own. I must add I prefer jodhpurs boots to long boots, do I also need to buy a pair of half chaps?

Thanks in advance! 😊

Definitely half chaps so you don't get pinched/they don't ride up, when I started riding again 13 years ago the guy in the tack shop took the piss out of me for asking for jodhpur clips I had been out of the game for 12 years!
Helmet wise I have a Charles Owen junior, just bought again last week after the last one saved my head after a spectacular fall.

Helmet wise it depends what fits your head. Definitely get that fitted!! I annoyingly found the now defunct PROtector fitted me best. Go to a shop with lots of options not one that just stocks gatehouse or just CO or whatever.
Personally I prefer skull caps because I ride a lot of very hot horses and a fixed peak gives me the fear.

Boot wise I love ariat and yes to chaps. My last pair were not ariat and were really disappointing

Great thank you both I shall get shopping!

Such a shame re pro tector hats, I nabbed my daughters and it was fab.
Another Charles Owen junior fan, though had skull cap fitted and it's great so bought dressage version in same size and it's a bit too big ? So def buy in a shop there and then !
Can never be bothered with short boots and chaps, too faffy to put on! I prefer long boots. Don't fall for the shop lady telling you chaps will stretch though, have a pair of ariat chaps I bought on that premise over ten years ago and they still don't flipping fit 🤣

My half chaps are suede and do up at the side, they are quite difficult to zip up. DH has some leather ones that do up at the back with a zip, they seem to be much easier.

I have quite a big head an absolutely rate my Champion hat. Ffs go somewhere that can fit it professionally.

I have some long leather boots which I actually bought off Amazon. They are AMAZING. I paid about £150 for them. Fit like a glove and so soft. IMO look better than short boots and chaps.

I just bought the Gatehouse Chelsea air flow, nicer fit and looks nicer than a skull hat.

Although I have an Ayre8 (not sure of spelling or model - it’s not to hand), I get so hot my hair is soaked! I’ve had it a while (prob five years as had a false start at taking riding lessons before resuming seriously) and they may have improved since then. Just looked up the Gatehouse Chelsea air flow and that looks v nice @WildFlowerBees - maybe it’s time for a new hat!

@Lastqueenofscotland2 Assume you avoid fixed peak due to risk of injury from the peak (broken nose etc)? So should I be looking at flexible peak?

I'm still fairy new to all this!

I love that you can remove the lining of the gatehouse @PrincessGraceless no more sweaty hat!

Whatever fits you best! The difficulty now is finding places that have enough of a selection in stock for you to have a good trying on session. It will be worth you travelling a bit to find one of these places.

I avoid a fixed peak to avoid jarring my neck, but I ride as a side income (yes I declare the tax as someone once accused me of not doing on MN!!!!) a lot of what people want you to ride is very sharp/quirky/young and I do a lot of fast fittening work for a friend who has a hunting yard, falling off those at speed would be no fun with a fixed peak!!!

I would highly recommend going to a saddler who is trained in hat fitting and getting whichever one fits best. I once saved up for a Gatehouse HS1 but wheb I went to get fitted the one that suited me best was a kids Champion hat. Saved myself £200 which I then spent on custom made riding boots 😆

Sorry just to say that in my personal opinion avoid a fixed peak hat, seen so many broken noses with these! A jockey skull cap is the most practical and versatile.

DD currently has a Charles Owen Ayr8 which she really likes - very comfortable and they look lovely on. It replaced her previous junior version which she rode daily in for 2 years and still good as new.

She’s always worn Brogini boots, they’re brilliant value. Although she’s moved on to long ones I still sometimes wear her jodhpur boots which are 5 years old and still going strong!

A body protector would definitely be on my list of gear to get, it doesn’t have to be a fancy or expensive one but I would never let DD ride without unless doing very light flatwork or dressage, just not worth the risk