Are you buying your first riding hat? Start Here!
Walking into a tack shop for your first riding hat can feel a bit daunting. So many styles, sizes and a huge variety of prices… where do you even begin?
Here’s the good news: you don’t have to figure it out alone. A professional riding hat fitting takes the pressure off and makes sure you leave feeling confident, comfortable and safe.
What Happens at a Riding Hat Fitting?
When you visit us at RB Equestrian, we guide you through the whole process step by step.
It Starts with a Chat
We’ll ask a few simple questions:
- What type of riding are you doing?
- Are you a beginner or returning rider?
- Do you need your hat for lessons or competitions?
- Are there other things that may influence fit e.g. do you always wear your hair the same or do you wear glasses to ride?
This helps us match you with the right safety standards and styles (for example, if you are thinking about participating in any cross-country, you must wear a skull cap as opposed to a fixed peak). We’ll always start with our least expensive ranges – discussing cost with you as we try to find your perfect fit so you’ll never feel pressurised into buying something that’s outside your budget.
Trying Different Hats (Yes, several!)
Here’s something many riders don’t realise: different brands and styles fit different head shapes.
Just like shoes, one size does not fit all.
You might try on a few options before we find the perfect one. Some hats suit rounder heads; others suit more oval shapes. Our job is to find what works for you.
Getting the Perfect Fit
We’ll check that the riding hat:
- Sits level on your head
- Feels snug and secure
- Doesn’t move when you shake your head
- Is comfortable with no pressure points
We’ll also adjust the harness, so everything sits correctly.
How Long Does a Riding Hat Fitting Take?
A proper riding hat fitting isn’t something to rush. We recommend allowing up to an hour.
Why? Because:
- You may try multiple styles and brands
- Finding the right shape can take time
- Comfort and safety checks are important.
Once we have found a riding hat, we are potentially happy with, we’ll ask you to walk around our store with it on for approximately 10 minutes or so. Don’t worry, it’s very normal (and no-one looks at you funny, promise!). As riding hats are non-returnable, we like to make sure your hat fits comfortably before you leave. Within the first 10 minutes of wearing the hat, you should be able to see whether the hat gives you a headache or is comfortable. Remember, we want your new riding hat to feel tight – but not too tight that it pinches.
Why Professional Riding Hat Fitting Matters
It can be tempting to buy online or pick a size quickly but fit really matters. At RB Equestrian, we’re passionate about rider safety. That’s why we offer free riding hat fittings (no appointment required!) with our BETA trained team.
Common Questions
Yes. Your head shape is unique, and a correct fit is key for safety.
It gives a rough idea on sizing, but it won’t account for head shape or hat style.
That’s completely normal at first. Don’t worry, we’ll keep trying options until we find the right one for you.
Most of our cheapest hats have the highest UK safety standards. Generally, price is influenced by things other than safety – leather harnesses; merino wool liners; lots of Swarovski crystals (yes really!).
No we don’t. A hat needs to be secure so will always be fitted to a head ‘on the day’. But two things to consider – some hats now come with adjustable liners or with a dial fit that may allow for any growth. Secondly, heads grow incredibly slowly. Even hats for children may fit for several years.
Your First Step to Safer Riding
Your first riding hat is more than just a piece of kit. It’s your most important piece of safety equipment. With a professional riding hat fitting, you can relax knowing everything has been checked properly.
Ready to Get Started?
At RB Equestrian, you’re in expert hands. Our team has years (& years!) of riding hat fitting experience, and one of our fitters is even a BETA Safety Equipment Fitter of the Year award winner. We don’t just sell riding hats – we truly understand how they should fit and feel.
Visit us at our Milton Keynes superstore, where you’ll find a huge range of riding hats to try in a relaxed, friendly environment. We’ll take the time to make sure you leave with the right fit for your head, your riding and your safety.
Can’t make it in straight away? We’re still here to help.
Please note: we always recommend that you have a proper riding hat fitting in person by trained staff. This guide is for general information purposes only and should not be relied upon to find your riding hat size or to check if your riding hat still fits.
