Charles Owen AYR8 - Feedback? [Archive]

GreystoneKC

Jan. 6, 2009, 09:44 AM

I like the look (basically it's the GR8...) as long as that scrim looking thing isn't cheap-looking and mobile. However, I am getting just a teeny bit frustrated with these darn helmet companies coming out with a new helmet and jacking the price up EVERY SINGLE TIME! You CAN'T tell me there is so much more cost in the production of this helmet! NO! You just jack the price up because it's "new" and then everyone will want it to be the "next big thing" and it can only be that if it's more expensive!

Silly companies... want to make your new helmet the "next big thing"...?

Make it great and then release it with a lot of hype and a LOWER price! THEN watch everyone and their mother snatch it up like hot cakes! Seriously...

GreystoneKC

Jan. 6, 2009, 09:50 AM

This site shows pictures of the black/silver, black/gold, and black/pink in case anyone wanted to see.

http://www.robinsons-uk.com/products/ProductList.asp?topGroupCode=001&parentGroupCode=0104&GroupCode=&BrandCode=CHARLE&PriceLow=0&PriceHigh=0&OrderBy=priceasc&x=55&y=9#sku.20436

Comfortably Numb

Jan. 6, 2009, 10:03 AM

Funny that here in the States they want $350 bucks, at that Robinsons website, the exchange rate comes out to about $175.

luvs2ridewbs

Jan. 6, 2009, 10:26 AM

Is GPA coming out with a new helmet? I don't care for their newest one that came out last year.
And I agree with the frustration over the price raising!

Alterageous

Jan. 6, 2009, 10:40 AM

Well the Pro II skullcap is $198, so I feel like $350 for the same helmet with some extra microsuede might be pushing it.

The other colors are 136 pounds on the site from the UK, which is $199US, and that makes more sense to me. I would have bought this instead of the Pro II if it had been available at that price here.

I have to say the gold is more of an orangish color, which while cute was a little weird. The pink is a hot pink, as well.

I think with tamer colors, they would do REALLY well.

GreystoneKC

Jan. 6, 2009, 01:42 PM

So are we saying here that if you order it from Robinsons, you'll only pay $200, rather than the US price of $350? I know what size I am in most COs (GR8, Hampton, and Welly I'm a 6 7/8) so I'd order one for $200 and if it doesn't fit I'd just pay to ship it back. Hmmmm.....

Comfortably Numb

Jan. 6, 2009, 02:11 PM

You have to be careful ordering from England. Shipping is killer expensive, but if you can find the same helmet in Germany or France it will be less for shipping, or at least it was the last time I ordered.

BigDreams07

Jan. 6, 2009, 03:51 PM

Oooh the pink ones cuteee. Not sure that I'd pay $350 for it if I'm going to spend that much I'd rather get a GPA... Kinds reminds me of one of those IRH ones

Jumper6252

Jan. 6, 2009, 05:27 PM

I don't really like hte mesh on it... If I ever got one I would definatley only get black on black

Elementgrl2

Jan. 6, 2009, 07:20 PM

GPA HAs the new Air S that came out last spring.

I think this new CO looks cheap!

Is GPA coming out with a new helmet? I don't care for their newest one that came out last year.
And I agree with the frustration over the price raising!

ImJumpin

Jan. 6, 2009, 07:55 PM

Well the Pro II skullcap is $198, so I feel like $350 for the same helmet with some extra microsuede might be pushing it.

Oh, I am sure this is what is going on. CO did that with the Wellington Pro and Wellington Classic. Same exact structured helmet with microsuede or velvet, but the Pro is $100 plus more. This one does look like the same helmet base as the pro II, just with the microsuede. I really hate when companies do stuff like that-- makes me feel cheated for certain.

Trakehner-WI

Jun. 2, 2009, 01:54 PM

Be careful about ordering European helmets. They are not ASTM certified, they are certified to the British standards and are not accepted here.

http://http://www.beta-uk.org/Safety/HatStandards.asp

uniongrove

Jun. 2, 2009, 02:05 PM

i recently replaced both my gpa's ("at home" helmet and "show helmet")
with the co ayr 8 black/black and love it! very compfy, fit is great looks great in the hunters and eq. vents work great, yet you can't distinguish them. worth the bucks, esp if you come off- great protection!

JUMPERROUND

Jun. 2, 2009, 02:32 PM

I had to replace my Charles Owen helmet due to a bad fall. I got the new one and I love it. It is much cooler on the head and now that the weather is warmer that is a big plus!! It is very comfortable, and I am assuming that it will do as good a job of keeping my head safe as my last Charles Owen ( which, by the way, they took back and gave me a 60% discount coupon for the new one!)

BAC

Jun. 2, 2009, 03:00 PM

Its in Dover's new catalog, which I just received last weekend.

Angel Undercover

Jun. 2, 2009, 03:14 PM

Be careful about ordering European helmets. They are not ASTM certified, they are certified to the British standards and are not accepted here.

http://http://www.beta-uk.org/Safety/HatStandards.asp

They are ASTM certified, just not SEI. At least all of the CO's I've looked at have been. Equine Canada requires ASTM or BSI approved, funny USEF doesn't recognize european certification.

rwfarm

Jun. 2, 2009, 03:17 PM

I have one. Like it much better than the GPA. Fits better. Doesnt look so big.

horse-loverz

Jun. 2, 2009, 03:29 PM

I got one recently.. fits better than my GPA and is waaaay more comfortable. I love it!!

Alibhai's Alibar

Jun. 2, 2009, 03:47 PM

Here's what it looks like (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rockandracehorses/3567385828/) on somebody who is NOT a Dover model :D This is the black/black.

I love the AYR8- it is very comfortable and feels secure. My only beef is that the back emblem already fell off! I was never much of a label girl anyway.

LeCorbusier

Jun. 2, 2009, 03:54 PM

I have one and I like it. I have it in black and silver and I think it looks smart and modern. Plus its super comfortable. I tried on about 20 helmets... none of them fit right until I got to the AYR8, it was like Cinderella's glass slipper, it fit perfectly. Mine says its ASTM and SEI certified on the inside. :)

shmon

Jun. 2, 2009, 03:56 PM

LOVE it. From far away it looks like the gray GR8. It seems to fit a little deeper on your head - when I tried the GR8 it felt like it was perched up there like a kid's helmet but the AYR8 felt like a pillow around my head :) I don't exactly feel any breezes blowing through my hair when I'm wearing it, but I don't get any hotter than I got with my previous helmet (an IRH with vents).

Rhody Ram

Jun. 2, 2009, 08:05 PM

They are ASTM certified, just not SEI. At least all of the CO's I've looked at have been. Equine Canada requires ASTM or BSI approved, funny USEF doesn't recognize european certification.

They are both SEI and ASTM certified. I have one that I bought from Scotland and it is stamped with both certifications on the inside.

I love it. It is very comfortable and fits more deeply on my head than the GR8. I don't feel the breeze when I'm wearing it, BUT I don't get too hot either. I used to get very sweaty in my GPA.

Also, I got the black/gold. It is not shiny in the sun or anything. It's nice. I have a photo of me wearing it on a horse if anyone is interested in that color.

EqQueen

Jun. 3, 2009, 06:03 AM

I recently purchased the black/black. I have a GPA that I school in, its the titium I believe, just the single strip. I purchased a GR8 over the winter for shows and I noticed how hot it made me after my first show, wore it on a 15+ mile hunter pace and was extremly uncomfortable so, I had to look into the AYR8, I've always had GPAs so the way the GR8 fit, I felt it was ontop of my head all the time but the AYR8 has a very comfortable fit and the first day I wore it, it was a breezy show and I could feel it, I just love my AYR8, couldn't be more pleased.

cincojumper8

Jul. 1, 2009, 10:20 PM

I have one and I love how it looks but it is too big with my hair cut, so i haven't ridden in it yet but did take the tags off.........if anyone is interested in a trade or wants it just pm me. Thanks!!

smallhorses

Jul. 3, 2009, 10:13 PM

When I first saw the AYR8 I wasn't crazy about it, but it has definitely grown on me. I actually have just purchased an AYR8 and absolutely love it! It has wonderful ventilation and is very cool in the summer. I had a GPA, but I like the AYR8 much better. I highly recommend it! :)

dani0303

Jul. 4, 2009, 01:26 PM

One of my students got one and it looks nice. The GR8 made her head look like a mushroom but this helmet looks nice and fits her oval head well. She likes it.

Star_Bound

Jul. 4, 2009, 01:46 PM

My Junior rider just got one... I love the way it fits her - a nice low profile! It took me a little time to get used to the mess, but seeing it on her in the ring - it looks great! Plus she said is vents really well!!

Relative Ease

Jul. 6, 2009, 12:06 AM

I've had mine for 2 months now and I absolutely LOVE it. I always seem to ride at the hottest part of the day here in southern CA, have worn it for 5 hrs in a day and my head is never super hot or sweaty. I also found that it fit deeper on my head than the GR8, which felt perched.

I spent nearly 2 hours trying on every single helmet at the tack shop with a price-is-no-object; brand-doesn't-matter attitude and the AYR8 was the most comfortable (it's very lightweight, and the lining is very soft) and best fitting - with vents being the added bonus for me. I would buy it again in a minute.

rwfarm

Jul. 6, 2009, 09:31 AM

I have had mine for a few months. Purchased from Smart Pak. Cheapest $$ I could find. I love it. Fits great. Better than the GPA. Fits like the old unapproved helmets. Very light. Doesn't make me feel like a have a huge bowl on my head!

chrissymack

Jul. 6, 2009, 10:04 AM

Call VTO saddlery ASAP!!!! They are running their 22% off sale through the end of today.

I had ordered a GR8 from their sale a few months back, and when my size was out of stock, I asked if they could special order the AYR8 for me instead (which was not on their website).
They did! AND honored the 20% off!! :yes: See if they may be willing to do the same!

I love my AYR8! I like the look of the harness in the Wellington Pro, but it did not fit my head right...well, fit my head fine, but it was always a struggle to get my hair up and smooth beneath the harness.

I wore the black/black AYR8 to a schooling show here in south Florida at the end of June. Was 95 degrees, humid and full sun (heat index of 102). I was able to do a flat class and 3 over fences trips back to back and could have gone in for more...the steward called me Superwoman, was scurrying as fast as she could to offer me water ASAP, etc. and the spectators were all fanning themselves in the shade, saying how amazing it was in this heat that I could be in full garb (jacket, etc.) out in the sun without passing out. It was funny, because I felt fine (also had light jacket, coolmax shirt, light breeches)! Mind you, I'm used to riding in the heat from schooling at home, but it was no worse in show clothes with the helmet, and actually felt better than prev. shows in my Wellington Pro.

Usually in my Wellington Pro on hot days I'd at least be lifting up the brim in the schooling area to let some air get to my head, but didn't feel the need at this last show with the AYR8. Did I feel air whooshing through the helmet? No...but obviously it doesn't HOLD the heat in the way some other styles do.

Love it! :yes:

Alibhai's Alibar

Sep. 23, 2009, 02:01 PM

theroanypony

Sep. 23, 2009, 02:51 PM

I've had the AYR8 for a few months now and I still love it. Best-fitting helmet I've ever owned.

The biggest problem I have with it is that the black dye from the harness bleeds on my chin if I'm sweaty or if I get too zealous with the helmet cleaner stuff. Anybody else having bleeding dye problems?

My friend has had hers for a few months now, during the hot summer months in the south, and hasn't had problems with it bleeding. Though she never used cleaner on it. Maybe you should try not using the cleaner for a while and see if the problem goes away.

Alibhai's Alibar

Sep. 23, 2009, 03:03 PM

My friend has had hers for a few months now, during the hot summer months in the south, and hasn't had problems with it bleeding. Though she never used cleaner on it. Maybe you should try not using the cleaner for a while and see if the problem goes away.

Thanks! I'll give it a shot.

Pally

Sep. 23, 2009, 08:11 PM

I know a Jumper who wears one, and I think it looks great. From far off it's not that noticeable that it's mesh and not a regular GR8, and close-up it doesn't look cheap or tacky. And I seriously could never call it ugly compared to the bug-eye GPAs, but I guess that's just me.

Horseshowaddict

Sep. 23, 2009, 08:19 PM

I love mine. I had a GPA before. And while I didnt hate my GPA (it was just close to 10 years old), I also couldnt really afford to get a new one. I got a great deal on the AYR8. It fits wonderful. I have the black/black one, very conservative looking as far as "new style" helmets go. The black/silver doesnt look bad either.

superpony123

Sep. 23, 2009, 10:25 PM

Here is a pic from Mary's. They say it has yet to be released though I heard that it was out. :confused:

http://www.marystack.com/aaaaaaaexn.html

i have seen riders wearing it at horse shows. maybe they meant at their own personal shop it has not come in stock yet? but it's definitely been released in general.

TweedADeedle

Sep. 23, 2009, 10:28 PM

I love mine!! Went from a GPA to the CO AY8... will not go back! So much more padding and comfort.

superpony123

Sep. 23, 2009, 10:46 PM

i haven't tried it myself, i'm addicted to the CO Hampton, but i think the ayr8 is an attractive helmet. it's nice. it's definitely a lot nicer than the speed air if you ask me :)

Dressage.For.Life.

Sep. 23, 2009, 11:36 PM

As someone else said, be careful when ordering helmets overseas. I got a GPA a few years ago (shipping BTW is not much worse than when ordering from Dover) and it's not ASTM certified. Went to a show and they made me wear a 5+ year old Troxel lesson helmet. Unless you're just looking for a schooling helmet / one for clinics it's just not worth it. If you do only need it for schooling / clinics try it on at your local tack shop before ordering.

Callison

Sep. 23, 2009, 11:38 PM

I REALLY liked the look of the AYR8... tried it on at a show... wasn't even close to fitting. Looks like I"ll be buying a new GPA instead. Oh well.

Storybook

Sep. 24, 2009, 11:59 PM

I just bought the AYR8 last weekend and really like it. I bought the black/black and you can't really tell it's much different from a GR8 from a distance. It does have a deeper fit than the other COs, and I also found that it has a longer chinstrap (which can be an issue if you have a round face like I do!). The other CO helmets had shorter harnesses/chinstraps--I loved the fit of the Wellington Pro but the harness was so short I felt like I was choking. The CO reps told me I'd have to special order a helmet with a longer harness. So after trying on practically every helmet at the tack store with no luck, either the helmet didn't fit right or the harness was choking me, the AYR8 was the last one I tried and it worked.

It is relatively lightweight & comfy, compared to my old IRH ATH, however, I haven't noticed it was any cooler (but then the humidity here has been 90% or more recently). I will watch out for any bleeding dye. If there's someone who it will happen to, it'd be me... My ATH used to bleed all the time. The one thing I am concerned about is the mesh & its durability. We'll see how long it takes me to snag that thing... Otherwise so far it's really nice!

Mimi La Rue

Sep. 25, 2009, 02:03 AM

I have had my AYR8 for about 3 months now and love it! It fits me perfectly, is very comfy and light weight. I have the black with silver. Usually I like all black helmets, but I really loved the black with silver. I have had no bleeding with mine at all and I have been very sweaty in it riding in 90-100 weather.

RugBug

Sep. 25, 2009, 11:39 AM

I REALLY liked the look of the AYR8... tried it on at a show... wasn't even close to fitting. Looks like I"ll be buying a new GPA instead. Oh well.

I tried one on and like always...looked ridiculous. It didn't help that it was the black/gold version that looks a little bumble bee-ish...but I had to once again make peace with the fact that the best fitting/looking helmet on me is a GPA (but I currently REFUSE to pay the prices for a helmet. They've gotten outrageous.)