I need a new riding helmet. I have had my One K Defender for over 5 years now, which means it is time to replace it. I haven’t been riding yet, but I anticipate when I can get back in the saddle. Sadly, that won’t be until May 1st. That is a Wednesday, in case you are wondering.

But I have been searching for my next helmet. And when I was looking more into the safety aspect of riding helmets, I found a very interesting article. And just so you are aware, this article has affiliate links.
Virginia Tech Helmet Safety Study
Did you know that Virginia Tech does extensive reviews of all sorts of helmets? Yes! They do! And they have a very comprehensive list of 48 equestrian helmets. Virginia Tech has received sponsorships from Jacqueline Mars, USHJA, USEF, and USEA and has rated a total of 48 equestrian helmets using the STAR evaluation system. What is the STAR evaluation system, you might be wondering?
Well, STAR is based on 2 fundamental concepts: 1) tests are weighted based on how often people experience similar impacts, and 2) helmets that lower linear and rotational head acceleration reduce injury risk.
A helmet with a lower score offers better protection.

Pretty cool.
Finding A Safe Riding Helmet
So I decided to take a look at the helmets to help me determine which one might be the best for my next riding helmet.
I also considered the factors I want in a riding helmet. I want my next helmet to be lightweight, affordable, and well-ventilated. And while this might be a little self-centered, I don’t want the helmet to make my head look like a mushroom or a bobblehead. I know. It shouldn’t matter what the helmet looks like. But I think it does have to look nice, too, right?

So, I took a deep dive into the article to find myself a safe, affordable, and attractive riding helmet. And these are the helmets that I think I would like to learn a little bit more about.
Tipperary Sportage Hybrid
This helmet has a 4-star rating. Its STAR value score of 2.96 ranked #8 of 48 helmets tested by Virginia Tech. And while it may resemble a bike helmet, this is one that I actually tried on when I last went to Dover’s Saddlery.

It was very light. It didn’t feel restricting at all, and it is very well-ventilated. No, it doesn’t look like a show helmet, for sure. But it also didn’t make me look like a bobblehead or a mushroom. It was also very affordable at $149. So this helmet is probably at the top of my list.
Charles Owen EQx Kylo
I saw this helmet in an ad online, and holy cow – it is gorgeous! However, I was really sad when I saw the rating on the Virginia Tech Rating system.

The Charles Owen EQx Kylo earned a 0-star rating. Its STAR value score of 7.92 ranked #46 of 48 helmets tested. Now they did not do the test on the Kylo helmet with MIPS. Would that make a difference? I don’t know.
But I do know that I love the look of this helmet; again, I know that shouldn’t be a reason to wear a helmet. But it is also affordable at $185 with MIPS and the high gloss finish. It is also very difficult to get right now, everywhere I check these helmets are on backorder. In fact, when I was at Dover’s trying on helmets, the sales girl told me that even Charles Owen had no idea of how popular these helmets would be.
This helmet has passed ASTM standards, so even though Virginia Tech feels it isn’t the best of the best with honors, sir, it is still in my top 5 to consider buying.
TuffRider Carbon Fiber Helmet
Now, believe it or not, this riding helmet is one of the safest in my list, according to the Virginia Tech study. It is also one of the most affordable.

The TuffRider Carbon Fiber helmet earned a 5-star rating. Its STAR value score of 2.43 and it ranked #5 of the 48 helmets tested. How great is that?
It has a dial fit system that makes fitting easier by accommodating a wider size range, making it a great option for riders. It may be a starter helmet, but it fits many of my must-haves in a riding helmet. And at around $75, it is very affordable.
Trauma Void EQ3 MIPS Helmet
This is another lightweight helmet. According to Virginia Tech’s rating system, the Trauma Void EQ3 MIPS earned a 4-star rating. Its STAR value score of 3.05 ranked #10 of 48 helmets tested.

If you are wondering what MIPS stands for, it means the Multi-Directional Impact Protection System (“MIPS”) developed in Europe and used in other sporting helmets for years.
The Trauma Voide EQ3 Helmet reduces rotational motion transferred to the brain by angled impact to the head. The helmet-integrated, low-friction layer allows this motion to be absorbed and redirected without adding any additional bulk or weight to the helmet.
Now this helmet is on the higher end of my price range, and is around $249 at Riding Warehouse.
In fact, almost all of the helmets on my list are available at Riding Warehouse, with the exception of the Tipperary helmet. But you can find that one on Amazon or at Dover Saddlery.
Virginia Tech Helmet Safety Study

If you are searching for a new helmet or are curious about how your current helmet ranks, I encourage you to check out the study done at Virginia Tech. It was pretty eye-opening for me. And it has played a part in my search for a new helmet. If anything, it is informative. And I found it extremely helpful, too. I had no idea there were so many different helmets available, nor did I realize how much goes into determining the safety of a helmet.

Which helmet did I choose? Well, you will have to come back next week when I share my choice(s) with you. Happy Riding!
What helmet did you end up buying? I couldn’t find the follow up blog.