Charles Owen Helmets

[Catalina]

If you could have any Charles Owen helmet, which one would you get?

[Jazzy Lady]

I have 3, but if I could only have one of them. A GR8. It is super comfy and is great for all disciplines.

[joharavhf]

I have a ton of CO helmets since I used to work there ;)

I just bought the new Pro Skull II. Love it.

But if I could ONLY have one I'd probably go with a Showjumper. That way I could show in dressage and not look off kilter.

I'd say go with the one that fits your head the best.

[Olequa]

I also have the J3 and I love it. I have a ver small head and found that this one fits better than any other helmet.

[Catalina]

I don't think I have ever posted a poll; what a pain ;).
I somehow posted it too soon and now I can't edit it. Anyway....

I currently have a GPA that I use for all three phases and I love it, but, it is 7 years old and it is time for a new show helmet. I just found out that I won a Charles Owen helmet (thanks USEA!) and I am not sure what the best to get is.

[flypony74]

The Hampton is my favorite (and best fitting) in the CO line.

[curlykarot]

Provided it fit my large, oval shaped head,:D I would look into the Pro 2. I like that it has more venilation so your helmet doesn't stink as badly... which my current CO skull cap doesn't have.

[Sudi's Girl]

I've ever only owned the GR8 - but I really really LOVE it. I wear it in dressage and hunters too. I LOVE that it can get soaked and still look great (Esp when I got dumped in the water complex).

[mythical84]

I also own three. I think the GR8 is my favorite. I would wear it everyday, but the damn thing was so expensive that I save it for shows.

I rode in the Pro Skull for years, and I think went through 2-3 of those. I just got the Pro II and loooooooooooooooove it.

[CANTEREOIN]

I have the GR8 for Stadium/dressage and use the J3 for XC. I really love them.

[Highflyer]

I have a JR8 (cheaper version of the GR8) and a Pro. Love them both. The JR8 is great for all three phases, plus it will pass in the hunters if I need it to.

[myboyludy]

i have 4 of them but my everyday helmet is a gr8 and I love it. I just got it for xmas. Its the breast cancer one and I love it but I also have a j3 a hampton sj helmet and a dressage hunt cap

[2LaZ2race]

I LOVE LOVE LOVE my skull cap (J3) its so comfy and honestly my head doesn't get too hot. I also have a Jr8.. it was cheap but gives a good look for lower level eventing.

[spacehorse]

Love my J3, although it is getting to the point where I can smell it long after it is off my head. :dead:

May be time for an upgrade, it would either be another J3 or a Pro Skull II.

[Dawnd]

I have two, which I love but I'd love to have the Pro II in either gold or pink with the standard black cover.

But I'll probably forgo the expense and just order a different cover for mine to feel like I have a new helmet.

[Zephyr]

I borrowed a GR8 (black/grey) and absolutely loved it. Sooo comfortable and looked really good. But am I going to spend $275 for one? Heck no. I have a Troxel Reliance.

In an ideal world, I'd have an all-black GR8 for dressage/SJ and a black/silver Pro II for XC.

[takethestage]

I love my J3! I use it for XC and schooling and it's really comfortable. I use a Hampton for dressage, stadium, and jumper shows. I won't ride in my Hampton if it's really hot out though because of the lack of ventilation.

[Tamsin]

I have a JR8 (cheaper version of the GR8) and a Pro. Love them both. The JR8 is great for all three phases, plus it will pass in the hunters if I need it to.

Does anyone know why the JR8 is cheaper than the GR8; i.e., what do the manufacturers skimp on to make a cheaper version? Is it just a matter of appearance or is the GR8 somehow more protective and safe than the JR8? I need a comfortable new helmet and I don't need to look fabulous at shows. However, I don't want to treat my brain like a bargain-basement organ so I would pay more if safety is really at stake.

[joharavhf]

Does anyone know why the JR8 is cheaper than the GR8; i.e., what do the manufacturers skimp on to make a cheaper version? Is it just a matter of appearance or is the GR8 somehow more protective and safe than the JR8? I need a comfortable new helmet and I don't need to look fabulous at shows. However, I don't want to treat my brain like a bargain-basement organ so I would pay more if safety is really at stake.

The harness on the JR8 is a nylon black harness. The GR8 harness is padded pittards leather....Big price differential!

From working at CO 5 years ago, they always had the "expensive" version and the "cheap" version....they only changes in the cheap version were cosmetic. So for example - the Rider helmet was the same as the showjumper (or hampton? can't remember!) - except the Rider was covered in a lower pile velvet and had a nylon harness. The shell and "guts" of the helmet was the same.

Hope this helps! I would have NO problems riding in one of their lower end helmets because I know how important SAFETY is to them :) (But I wouldn't ride in the "apparrel only hunt caps" such as the Ascot! No safety to them!)

[Mariequi]

Any of these go better with a smaller 6-3/4 head? Only thing small about me.

[joharavhf]

Mariequi -

You should try all of them in that size (or smaller) to see which one feels best. The helmets fit differently and you won't know which one works until you try them!

[Mariequi]

Thanks. Me and my weird little head.

[joharavhf]

We ALL have weird (little) heads :D
6 3/4 is a perfectly normal sized head!

[Tamsin]

The harness on the JR8 is a nylon black harness. The GR8 harness is padded pittards leather....Big price differential!

From working at CO 5 years ago, they always had the "expensive" version and the "cheap" version....they only changes in the cheap version were cosmetic. So for example - the Rider helmet was the same as the showjumper (or hampton? can't remember!) - except the Rider was covered in a lower pile velvet and had a nylon harness. The shell and "guts" of the helmet was the same.

Hope this helps! I would have NO problems riding in one of their lower end helmets because I know how important SAFETY is to them :) (But I wouldn't ride in the "apparrel only hunt caps" such as the Ascot! No safety to them!)

Great information. Thank you!

[evntr06]

I think you should try the helmets first. When I was shopping for a helmet, Pro did not fit my head at all, but J3 feels like an extention of me! My trainer however, swears by a Pro!

Congrats on the win! How did you win it?

[joharavhf]

I think you should try the helmets first. When I was shopping for a helmet, Pro did not fit my head at all, but J3 feels like an extention of me! My trainer however, swears by a Pro!



Absolutely! Back in the day when I worked at CO, the Pro was made to fit a rounder head, and fit deeper...The J3 was a more oval head. I couldn't stand the J3 on my head, but the Pro was like a glove.

I now have the new Pro II and while I like it, it is definitely more of an oval fit. I have had to make some "adjustments" to the helmet to make it more round. This is not something the 'layperson' should attempt, but basically to adjust, I hug the helmet very tightly and it'll disfigure the helmet shell very subtly. After doing this a few times it'll fit a little better without ruining the helmet!

[Catalina]

Congrats on the win! How did you win it?

Thanks! I won (with the help of my horse :)) the 2008 USEA Master Amateur Rider of the Year award. I knew I was getting a championship ribbon and a certificate but I was completely suprised by the Charles Owen voucher :D.

[Rivertide]

I just purchased a new Pro II and I love it. I would never have any other helmet. All the other helmets, CO, etc. rock on my head because they are oval shaped and my head is round. The Pro II fits perfectly and I love the new silver treated lining. My only beef is that the lining can't be removed for laundering. I got the new helmet because the lining in my old one was so disgusting, I could no longer stand it and that wash stuff doesn't work.