Helmet Buyer's Guide: Find the Right Helmet for You
Choosing the right riding helmet is one of the most important safety decisions you'll make as an equestrian. This guide breaks down the key factors — head shape, shell materials, and safety certifications — to help you find the perfect fit from our current collection.
Step 1: Know Your Head Shape
Helmets are engineered around specific head shapes. Wearing the wrong shape can compromise both comfort and protection. Measure your head circumference and identify your shape before shopping.
Oval / Slim Fit
Your head is noticeably longer front-to-back than side-to-side.
- Trauma Void Pardus Smooth Top Helmet — Slim fit, best for oval-shaped heads; rear screw adjustment
Round Fit
Your head is roughly equal in length and width. Round-fit helmets provide a more even wrap of protection.
- Trauma Void EQ3 Smooth Top Helmet — Designed for rounder head shapes; size up recommended
- Trauma Void Eventing Field Competition Helmet — Designed for rounder-shaped heads
- Trauma Void Lynx Micromocca Helmet — Round fit with dial adjustment
- Trauma Void Lynx Smooth Top Helmet — Round fit with dial adjustment
- Trauma Void NEOZ EQ3 MIPS Safety Riding Helmet — Dial adjustability; best for rounder head shapes
- FreeJump Voronoi Helmet – Carbon Shell — Three shell sizes (S, M, L)
- FreeJump Voronoi Helmet – ABS Shell — Three shell sizes (S, M, L)
Adjustable / Universal Fit
These helmets feature dial or multi-dimensional fit systems that accommodate a wide range of head shapes.
- Uvex Exxeed MIPS Helmet — Height-adjustable MIPS; adjustable Y-divider harness
- Trauma Void Lynx Micromocca Helmet — Round fit with dial adjustment
- Trauma Void Lynx Smooth Top Helmet — Round fit with dial adjustment
- Trauma Void NEOZ EQ3 MIPS Safety Riding Helmet — Dial adjustability; best for rounder head shapes
- Trauma Void Pardus Smooth Top Helmet — Slim fit, best for oval-shaped heads; rear screw adjustment
Step 2: Understand Shell Materials
The outer shell determines weight, durability, and impact performance. Here's what you'll find across our active range:
Carbon Fiber
The lightest and strongest option. Carbon fiber shells use high-tech interwoven fibers for exceptional impact resistance at minimal weight (~500g without lining). Ideal for cross-country and eventing.
- FreeJump Voronoi Helmet – Carbon Shell — Carbon outer shell + in-molding polycarbonate + low-density EPS foam
ABS Thermoplastic
A durable, injection-moulded thermoplastic that balances impact resistance with affordability. Common in ventilated sport helmets.
- FreeJump Voronoi Helmet – ABS Shell — High-quality thermoplastic polymer + in-molding polycarbonate + EPS
- All others
Step 3: Check the Certifications
Safety certifications confirm a helmet has been independently tested to meet minimum protection standards. Always verify your discipline's requirements — competition rules often mandate specific standards.
Key Standards Explained
- VG1 01.040 2014-12 — European standard for equestrian helmets; required for many EU competitions.
- CE VG1 01.040 2014-12 — CE-marked version of the VG1 standard; widely accepted across disciplines.
- ASTM F1163 — US standard for equestrian helmets; required by many US competition bodies (USEF, etc.).
MIPS: What Is It and Do You Need It?
MIPS (Multi-Directional Impact Protection System) is a low-friction layer inside the helmet that allows the shell to rotate slightly relative to your head during an angled impact. This reduces rotational forces transferred to the brain — a leading cause of concussion and traumatic brain injury in falls.
All of the helmets we carry have been tested by Virginia Tech for rotational impacts and any helmet we carry must be at least a 3* helmet in their testing as well as multi-certified. Note that some of the MIPS helmets in the Va Tech study performed well, while others performed poorly. Conversely, some helmets without MIPS performed beautifully, while others performed poorly.
MIPS helmets in our active range:
- Trauma Void EQ3 Smooth Top Helmet
- Trauma Void Eventing Field Competition Helmet
- Trauma Void Lynx Micromocca Helmet
- Trauma Void Lynx Smooth Top Helmet
- Trauma Void Pardus Smooth Top Helmet
- Trauma Void NEOZ EQ3 MIPS Safety Riding Helmet
- Uvex Exxeed MIPS Helmet
Quick Reference: Find Your Helmet
| Helmet | Head Shape | MIPS |
|---|---|---|
| Trauma Void EQ3 Smooth Top | Round | Yes |
| Trauma Void Eventing Field Competition | Round | Yes |
| Trauma Void Lynx Micromocca | Round | Yes |
| Trauma Void Lynx Smooth Top | Round | Yes |
| Trauma Void Pardus Smooth Top | Oval / Slim | Yes |
| Trauma Void NEOZ EQ3 MIPS | Round (adjustable) | Yes |
| Uvex Exxeed MIPS Helmet | Adjustable | Yes |
| FreeJump Voronoi XC – ABS Shell | S/M/L shell | No |
| FreeJump Voronoi XC Navy Blue Carbon | S/M/L shell | No |
| FreeJump Voronoi – Carbon Shell | S/M/L shell | No |
| FreeJump Voronoi – ABS Shell | S/M/L shell | No |
| FreeJump Voronoi Carbon CRYSTAL – Carbon | S/M/L shell | No |
| FreeJump Voronoi CRYSTAL – ABS Shell | S/M/L shell | No |
| FreeJump Voronoi – CUSTOM | S/M/L shell | No |
| FreeJump Voronoi Navy Blue Carbon Gloss | S/M/L shell | No |
Still Not Sure?
Questions? Contact our team — we're happy to help you find the safest, best-fitting helmet for your riding style.
