A riding helmet that feels fine while you are standing still can become a problem the moment you start trotting. If it rocks backwards, pinches above the ears or drops over your eyebrows, it is not doing its job properly. When asking what size riding helmet you need, the number on the label is only the starting point. A secure, comfortable fit is what matters most.
A correctly fitted riding hat should sit level on your head, feel snug all the way around and stay in place without relying on an over-tight chin strap. It should be comfortable enough for a quiet hack, a lesson or a full day at a show, while still giving you the protection you need if the unexpected happens.
What size riding helmet do I need?
Start by measuring the circumference of your head in centimetres. Use a soft tape measure and place it around the widest part of your head, roughly 2.5cm above your eyebrows and just above your ears. Keep the tape level rather than letting it slope down at the back.
Write down the measurement and use the manufacturer’s own size guide for the helmet you are considering. A 56cm in one brand may not feel the same as a 56cm in another. Shell shape, lining thickness and the way a brand designs its harness all affect the fit, so do not assume the size you wore in an old hat will automatically work in a new one.
If your measurement falls between sizes, try both where possible. The smaller option may be right if it feels evenly snug without pressure points. If it causes a headache within a few minutes, presses sharply at the forehead or leaves you feeling squeezed at the temples, move up a size or try a different shape. Tight is not the same as well fitted.
Many modern riding helmets use removable or adjustable liners to fine-tune the fit. This is particularly useful for children, whose heads can grow quickly, and for riders who wear their hair differently from one day to the next. Adjustment systems help, but they cannot make the wrong shell size safe. Begin with the closest shell size, then use the liner or dial to achieve a secure finish.
How a riding helmet should fit
Put the helmet on before fastening the harness. It should sit around one finger’s width above your eyebrows, covering your forehead without obstructing your vision. A hat tipped too far back leaves too much forehead exposed; one pushed too low can affect your sightline and may be uncomfortable at the brow.
With the helmet in position, gently shake your head from side to side and then nod forwards and backwards. The skin on your forehead should move with the helmet. If the hat slides independently, wobbles or rotates easily, it is too large or the shape is not right for you.
Next, fasten the harness. The side straps should form a neat V just below each ear, while the chin strap should be secure enough that you can fit one or two fingers beneath it. Do not pull it so tight that it is uncomfortable or restricts movement. The harness keeps the helmet in place in a fall, but it should not be doing all the work. A loose helmet with a tightly fastened strap is still a poor fit.
Wear it indoors for several minutes before removing tags or using it outside. Pressure points are often not obvious immediately. Pay attention to the forehead, temples and the back of the head. A good riding hat should feel firm and reassuring, not painful.
Head shape matters as much as the measurement
Riders often focus on centimetres, but head shape is a common reason a helmet does not feel right. Some heads are more oval from front to back, while others are rounder or broader at the temples. One helmet may create a gap at the sides but press at the front and back; another may feel tight across the temples even when the stated size appears correct.
This is why trying a few recognised brands can be worthwhile. If one model repeatedly causes pressure in the same area, do not simply size up. A larger version may become unstable. Instead, look for a different model with a shape that better suits your head.
The style of helmet also makes a difference. A lightweight vented riding helmet may be a practical choice for regular schooling, hacking and summer riding. A traditional velvet-covered helmet can suit showing or competition requirements where a smarter finish is preferred. Jockey skulls offer a close-fitting, low-profile option and can be paired with silk covers for cross-country and fast work. Whichever style you choose, fit and the relevant safety standard come first.
Measuring children for a riding helmet
For children, it is tempting to buy a riding hat with plenty of room to grow. Avoid this. A helmet that is too large can move out of position in a fall, which defeats the purpose of wearing it.
Choose the size that fits properly now, ideally with an adjustable liner or fit system where suitable. Check the fit regularly, especially after a growth spurt, a change in hairstyle or a period away from riding. Parents should also make sure children fasten the harness correctly every time rather than relying on a loose strap under the chin.
Pony Club families may need a helmet that can cope with lessons, rallies, hacking and competitions. In that case, practicality matters. Look for a comfortable model with a clear, secure adjustment system and a standard accepted for the activities your child takes part in. Competition rules can change, so check the current requirements of your governing body or organiser before an event.
Choose a helmet with the right safety standard
A well-fitting riding hat should carry an appropriate, current safety standard for riding in the UK. Standards and competition rules are not always identical, so check what your riding school, insurer, Pony Club branch, riding club or competition organiser requires. For affiliated competition, it is worth confirming the rules before purchasing rather than discovering at the venue that a helmet is not permitted.
Look for the safety labels inside the helmet and make sure the product is intended for equestrian use. A cycling, ski or work helmet is not a substitute for a riding helmet, even if it appears similar. Equestrian hats are designed and tested for the particular risks involved in riding.
It is also sensible to replace a helmet after a significant fall or impact, even if there is no obvious damage. The protective layer inside can be compromised without visible cracks. Replace a hat that is damaged, has been dropped heavily, no longer fits correctly or is old enough that its materials and harness have deteriorated.
Hair, hat silks and everyday comfort
Try a helmet wearing your usual riding hairstyle. A low ponytail, bun, thick plait or hair clip can alter how the helmet sits and may create a pressure point. Keep bulky clips and hard accessories out from underneath the helmet. If you regularly wear a hat silk over a skull cap, try it with the silk as well, as a thick or poorly fitted cover can affect ventilation and fit.
Comfort is not a luxury feature. Riders are more likely to wear a helmet correctly when it does not distract them. Good ventilation can be helpful for busy lessons and summer hacking, while washable or replaceable liners make sense for regular use. For riders who share helmets at a yard or riding school, hygiene and easy adjustment are especially useful, although a helmet fitted to the individual is always the better option.
Dufinkle Saddlery stocks riding helmets and skull caps from familiar equestrian brands, with practical options for everyday riding, children and competition use. Check each product’s size guide carefully, then take the time to assess the fit when it arrives.
The right riding helmet should soon become something you barely notice while riding - secure, comfortable and sitting exactly where it should, whether you are popping a small fence, heading down the lane or tacking up for a weekend show.