Readers Say Fit Trumps Fashion in Riding Helmet Design

More than 1,200 readers of TheHorse.com responded to a poll asking, “When it comes to riding helmets, what is more important to you?”

results of poll on riding helmets

Results were as follows:

The helmet fit/comfort 92.26% (1,133)
The helmet design/look 7.74% (95)

Readers shared what they look for when purchasing a riding helmet in the comments below.

Poll sponsored by Troxel Helmets.

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I like Troxel – saving for a new Sierra model
I get so hot in a helmet. So glad they have put more air holes in them
Efficacy is actually more important
Protection is most important, then comfort
Design/look is important when showing and I never have a problem finding one to fit.
Christopher Reeves makes me put my helmet on EVERY time. Carolyn Moran
The safety standards!!
why can’t we have both?
if the helmet does not fit correctly, you are comprimising the safety and protection
i dont war one
if it doesn’t fit it isn’t safe and if it isn’t comfortable it’s hard to wear.
Not worried about looks, just protection and comfort
I don’t wear a helmet
don’t use a helmet, so I don’t care either way.
I also look for the safety rating…To make sure that it is ASTM/SEI
They all look stupid to me…
if it doesn’t fit properly, it may not be safe
Why cant helmet companies make something more fashionable as well as safe?!More folks wouldwearthem!
A helmet’s a helmet – no matter what it looks like. People have issues with vanity nowadays.
helmet must be comfortable, but still look good and not too funny looking
looks are also important but fit/comfort comes first
I don’t wear a helmet as a fashion statement , but I ALWAYS wear a helmet
Fit and comfort is the most important thing and they usually go together with design and lok. So, I
actually both
safery –/I do not ride without one. Already cracked 2 through felling against tree & rock
the fit ans safety should always be most important, otherwise what is the point of wearing one?
Best helmet I ever owned is a Charles Owen
Both are important – no fit/comfort – no wear, looks goofy – no wear
no helmuts
The thing I care about the most with a helmet is the safety. It could save your like!
safety and protection
If it’s not comfortable, who wants to wear it all day?
In TX we need cooler helmets that let our head breathe and not sweat so much, like a western hat.
Never worn a helmet on horses, but do on motorcycles!
The absense of a helmet
it has to be comfy! Looking good is nice too
first the look, but it has to fit properly also!
most important of all: will it take a hit to save my life?
Both
and function!!!
If the helmet’s not comfortable, it’s just going to look nice handing on a hook!
The price!
and that it protects my brain!
low profile helmet best for me but MUST fit properly & be comfortable! no headache after 1hr of use!
and safety/protection most of all
I am a dressage rider and I always wear a safety helmet
safety
light weight, good air flow, and comfortable fit is what I look for in a helment.
I wear one EVERY time I get on a horse
Don’t forget function!
but most of all the SAFETY
safety is THE most important but that was not an option
safety comes from proper fit
When you are wearing it, yu can’t see what it looks like – comfort is paramount!
Would like more Choices in styles, too!
It is more important that it does what it was designed to do.
I never wear one…
Although looks do count
Ability to adjust helmet fit (to accommodate a hat in winter, for example) is also important
but looks are a bonus
Hard to pull off looking cool in a helmet.More concerned about it working to keep my head safe.
Not a well-worded survey question!
That it protects my head if my head needs protecting!
But the MOST impotant facto is that it is actually worn every time you ride.
It must fit right to protect & if it looks cool, too, then great!!
Actual head sizes instead of ranges are essential
Neither, I didn’t grow up riding with a helmet
and make darn sure it works
saftey first!
I want it to look very nice, but also it has to fit well and be confortable.
just WEAR one!
more than design or fit, PROTECTION!!
My helmet saved my life when I was kicked in the head. Fit is everything.
I don’t care what it looks like. I want my brain protected. I don’t want to sweat too much.
First, it must meet ASTM standards, then fit
If it is not comfortable, it won’t get worn.
safety safety safety!
Cost also plays a role, and look becomes more important when it is a show helmet
the cominess of the hat is a lot more important. also so is the fit because otherwise it won’t be as
I have the old fashioned velvert type very comfortable and still good protection
safety is more important to me than looks
EVERYONE should wear one!
The most important thing is that you wear it! Even professionals should wear their helmets
safety record of the company’s product is number 1
Wearing helmets while riding is absolutely essential. Fit and comfort promots regular usage.
Troxel Sierra- very lightweight, cool and comfortable. Not bad looking either!
Tipperary has the best fit of any
protection
ALWAYS wear a helment when riding!
Price is important too.
SAFETY features of the helmet are most important to me. My helmet saved me from a very bad head inj
obviously safety matters, but once i have narrowed the group down, looks play a big part.
I wear a helmet whenever I ride, so comfort and durability outrank style.
I like the tan/sandstone more western look too
would want a combination of the two options
It could look like a green mushroom for all I care as long as it protects the brains of my kids
If I wore one, it would have to be comfortable
Its Quality and safety rating. Function over Form vs. Form over Function!
Chronic migraines make helmet weight/fit vital for me, never ride without one.
Been riding in skull caps since the 80’s, they all the only ones I ride in.
Good helmet fit absolutely necessary to ensure the helmet will protect head if a fall takes place.
helmets protection
With all the products on today’s market, you can have both.
none of the above, Safety first
I find many helmets require padding in the sides, or the front, etc to properly fit my head.
The Troxel Sierra has a great look, but the Cheyenne provided a more secure fit
fit/comfort AND safety ratings
no helmet
having said that if it doesn’t look good as well I wouldn’t buy it
If it isn’t comfortable, people won’t wear it when it is needed most.
Make a more wind-resistant sun visor – like the Cashel but with a little more rigidity!!!
quality construction. Troxel quality has dropped significantly.
But even more important is keeping your skull safe!
if it could be breathable, that’d be great too.
Wearing a helmet has saved me from serious injury three times. Looks aren’t important.
I always ride with a certified helmet, so comfort is important, but if it doesn’t fit, it’s useless.
Both are important, If it doesn’t fit or you feel like a dork…you won’t wear it.
Iuse a very light helmet as I get migraines it is also approved by Australian standards
The real thing that should be important is how the helmet will protect your skull
It has to be very comfortable or I won’t wear it!
i want the one that offers the most protection that doesn’t hurt to wear
actually both matter about the same
After an accident last summer and 30 staples in my head fit & comfort would come first.
The better it fits, the better it works! My head’s more important that fashion.
If it fits well, you won’t know it’s there…until it saves your head!
The helmet must be light, comfortable, and ventilated.
A helmet saved me from a more serious injury. I go for a snug fit.
Dont use them
Should cover back of the head. Liner should conform to round/oval heads. Chinstrap shouldn’t choke
Something that doesn’t make my head sweat in the summer.
I can’t see it once it’s on, but I can sure FEEL it!
Combined with all the safety standards. Design does factor in with this as well.
fit is more important but it has to look decent as well
Safety First!
can helmets go back to having the “pony tail” port? I found this MOST comfortable!
comfort is most important, but if I look like a dork I probably won’t buy it!
comfort since there are no pretty helmets…
I never ride without a helmet even if it’s ugly!
I love my ugly helmet but occasionally pop on my daughter’s stylish one – it hurts!
If safety is a given, then I want both!!
I actually appreciate both, it has to look good and be comfortable…
Obviously, if the helm doesn’t fit, it isn’t safe.
Both, design/look and fit/comfort
Protection is the most important thing, not design or looks.
Definitely fit/comfort but also price as must be ASTM approved.
It’s hot in the summer and the helmet must be open to let the heat out
But I’d like both!!!!
the fit and comfort is important because I’ll wear it when I am supposed to
neither don’t wear one
Plese make a top hat style for FEI.
even more – SAFETY!
fit and comfort are number 1, but looks are important too
of course its best when you can have comfort and look cute too.
safety is first, then comfort!
If it doesn’t fit, I won’t wear it, no matter how cute it is!
I’ll save my brain and look like a dork every time!
Safety above all else.
I’ve found a racing helmet works best for me on all fronts.
I can’t see the helmet when I wear it but if it rubs I feel it
safety and protection
coverage of the base of the skull is very important to me
If it’s not comfortable, the ride’s no fun
the abiity to prevent brain injury is a plus too!!!
Protection is the most important factor; without a good helmet I would have died.
It must fit and be comfortable too
The look is also important as I really don’t like looking like a pumkin head.
Comfort Is KING In My Book!!!!!!!!!
I never, never get on a horse until I’ve got my helmet on. Never.
VENTILATION!!!!!
check out what they are doing with cycle helmet design – forget how they used to look
If it is not comfortable, I am not wearing it!
SAFETY. Thanks to a $40 Troxel, I am still lhere and walking. It saved my life.
always a helmet!
It needs to fit well, honestly I don’t wear a helmet to look cute, I wear one so I don’t get hurt.
A proper fit is what is going to keep your head safe! Not if it looks good!
safety first, then fit and comfort
All feel awful. I hate the large roll/protective area on the back of the head.
Improper fit nullifies or reduces protection
Ventilation-cool is most important after safety.
There are so many colors available may as well be comfy
safety for my skull!!!
look is important, but not if it hurts!
While design and look are nice, fit and comfort is more important. You have to WEAR it to benefit.
Sadly people are vain and so am I
Actually, neither of these. I want the safest helmet I can afford
As a person who has had horse related head injuries, the fit/comfort is more important.
We wear helmets every time, every ride. They have to fit and they have to look nice too.
for shows i have a nice looking but for every day we cant afford that
Iam an adult with a very small head and The shape of some helmets do not fit comfortalbley I own two
Safety too! A comfortable chinstrap that’s easy to do, but won’t come undone in a fall.
No one is allowed to ride on my farm without a helmet.
I don’t wear a helmet
You can’t beat a Troxel for safety as well as looks.
If several fit, then look at design.
SAFETY — FIRST & FOREMOST IMPORTANCE
Meeting safety standards is most important
I try to find a helmet that is comfortable, vented, AND stylish
better fit, safer head
A good helmet should be designed for safety as well as fit/comfort
It’s gotta fit to be effective; it’s gotta be comfortable for me to wear it
Design is important, but comfort and fit are more important.
Had I been wearing a helmet in a fall a few years ago, I would have suffered a severe neck injury!
To ride 100 mi. must be comfortable, but won’t wear one that looks like ET!
safety
But the look is also important.
Both are very important, I can’t enjoy riding if my helmet isn’t comfy but style is a plus!
the design should be what you want, but when it comes to saftey you shouldnt comprimise
SAFETY is the MOST IMPORTANT factor! Make sure yours is certified!
It must be light and have lots of vents.
If it didn’t fit, it wouldn’t be safe, so what is the point?
i dont wear one
something that FITS, is lightweight & ventilated
I’ve never worn a helmet in 30 yrs
usually don’t wear one
Looks and fit. I hate helmets and only use them IF I have to. So it better look good and fit well.
Actually, fit and safety are my chief concerns.
It has to keep my brains inside the brain pan.
It is really both of them, but fit is first by a tiny bit
BUT i HAVE NEVER WORE ONE AND DON’T PLAN ON IT UNLESS i’M SHOWING THAN FIT IS MOST IMPORTANT& 50 +YO
I don’t wear a helmet.
Both
actually it’s its protectiveness (if that is even a word)!
Affordability is also a HUGE factor!!!
light weight, good ventilation & reasonable pricing win my vote.
Fit & comfort will make me happy!
price, color and a good fit matter to me
I can’t see it when it’s on my head, so looks don’t matter to me!
Fit and comfort definitely
as long as it does its job!
I really would like to select both!
The most important thing is safety.
None of the above are as important as the rating for protection.
although I have selected fit and comfort, the most important thing to me is safety and protection!
safety
The lighter/more comfy the better!!!
ventilation
Having fallen, my helmet is the most important “garment” in my riding wardrobe.
I dont care how it looks as long as it fits, is comfy and protects my head!
I have purchased two expensive helmets and neither is worn-not comfortable period.
But I still want a western style helmet not one that looks so close to an English helmet.
BOTH
low cost doesn’t hurt either – I go through a lot of helmets!
Duh! Fit/Comfort
Whatever works safest.
I don’t compete, so I don’t care how it looks. How well it works it the important part.
Really both are important
venting must be good
The most important thing is wearing it every time you ride.
secondary is the look
Safety is #1, but if it d/n fit and/or is not comfortable, it won’t be worn.
both really
But mostly the safety level…
I’d be lying if I didn’t say the look matters — but if it’s uncomfortable, I’m not going to wear it
I always wear my helmet; I’m too old to become a vegetable
This should be a no brainer. Safety is why we wear helmets!
I wear a helmet for hours at a time on the trail so must be comfortable!
they all look the same from the inside
Fit and comfort. It’s no good if I fall out of the saddle with a migrarine b/c of pressure points.
I’m definitely more comfortable with my brains inside my head than out!
Proper fit means better protection.
like harness to cup back of head so doesn’t slide fwd

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