If you buy one thing properly in this sport, make it your helmet. A riding helmet protects your brain in a fall from height at speed — the most serious risk in riding. Yet many riders spend hours on saddle fit and grab any helmet off the shelf. This guide ranks the best certified helmets, explains the safety standards and MIPS, and lays out the rules that matter more than any product: correct fit, certification, never second-hand, and replace after every fall.
The non-negotiables: Buy only a helmet certified to a recognised standard (such as ASTM/SEI, PAS 015, VG1, or Snell). It must fit your head correctly — snug all round, no rocking, no pressure points. Never buy a helmet second-hand (you can’t see prior impacts), and replace it after any fall or hard knock, even if it looks fine.
Understanding safety standards
- Certification is the baseline. Look for ASTM/SEI (US), PAS 015 or VG1 (UK/EU), or Snell. An uncertified helmet is not worth considering at any price.
- MIPS (Multi-directional Impact Protection System) adds a low-friction layer that helps manage rotational forces in angled impacts. It’s a genuine safety enhancement, increasingly common.
- Fit beats features. The safest helmet is one that’s certified and fits you correctly. A poorly-fitting premium helmet protects worse than a well-fitting mid-range one.
The helmets, ranked
- Meets multiple recognised safety standards
- Excellent, adjustable fit that suits many head shapes
- Good ventilation for warm-weather riding
- Trusted brand with a strong safety reputation
- Mid-to-high price
- Still must be fitted to your head in person
- MIPS rotational protection at an accessible price
- Certified and well-ventilated
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Outstanding safety-per-dollar
- Vented sporty look isn't for everyone
- Fit still needs checking in person
- Beautifully made with a refined, custom-feel fit
- Excellent ventilation and finish
- Certified to recognised standards
- Removable, washable liners
- Expensive
- Premium price won't suit every budget
Side by side
| Helmet | Price | Key feature | Best for | C&F Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charles Owen Halo | $270 | All-round fit | Most riders | 9.2 |
| KEP Italia Cromo | $550 | Premium finish | Show riders | 9.1 |
| Tipperary Windsor MIPS | $200 | MIPS, value | Safety-first | 9.0 |
| Champion Revolve MIPS | $250 | MIPS | All-round | 8.9 |
| Ovation Deluxe Schooler | $60 | Budget certified | Beginners | 8.2 |
What to skip
Any second-hand helmet. You cannot see internal damage from a previous fall, and a compromised helmet may fail when you need it. Always buy new — no exceptions.
Uncertified or fashion “helmets”. If it doesn’t meet a recognised standard, it’s decoration, not protection. Certification is the entry requirement.
Keeping a helmet after a fall. Helmets are designed to absorb one significant impact. After any fall or hard knock, replace it — even if it looks undamaged. The protective foam may be spent.
How to choose
For most riders, the Charles Owen Halo combines proven safety, broad fit, and good ventilation. The Tipperary Windsor MIPS delivers rotational protection at a great price, and the KEP Italia Cromo is the premium choice. But the product matters less than the rules: certified, correctly fitted, new, and replaced after every fall.
Get the fit right with our guide on how to fit a riding helmet, and complete your kit with proper riding boots.