helmets

[kermit]

I know of many people who would have been hurt alot worse without a helmet. That being said, people still don't wear them (idiots). I ride jumpers and after many horse crashes, and being kicked in the face and head, it's always been a must. The fact there is no research on cycling helmets is probably that most helmets are and have been made the same. The new equestrian helmets just came about after the standard hunt cap just came off and people started suing. Cycling helmets are all just styrophome/plastic, it's the fit that is important. Protect the melon I say!

[aicabsolut]

I'm an equestrian too, and I've smacked my head on the (relatively softer) ground a few times in the old style helmets over the years (that were basically pretty covered plastic shells). I got a concussion (but didn't need to go to the ER or anything) that was no fun when a horse I was on slipped and fell in a turn.

I wear whatever cycling helmet meets the safety standards we have in this country. I went down hard in a race on the pavement, with my head taking the brunt of my fall. The helmet shattered. My head was bruised, I was dizzy, and I had a killer headache for a while, but it wasn't as bad as that bad fall on the horse. My helmet was completely toast. I'm ok.

Helmet safety has been evolving in both sports in terms of design and materials. Getting something that meets the newest standards is probably best, though I will admit I balked at some of the older safety riding helmets about 10 years ago because of how high they perched up on the head. The fit was so compromised by the design, I figured it wouldn't do me any more good. Obviously, things have come a long way with equestrian helmets in terms of safety, style, fit, and comfort. The same is true for bike helmets. I remember the old thing I had as a kid that seemed like pretty cheap styrofoam. All I can say is that the cycling helmet really saved my skull. You may not be that impressed with how the standards are set here, but I think they're at least as reliable as the testing behind your equestrian helmet.