Checking Your Gear: 5 Tips To Ride Safe



Checking your gear is an important part of preparing for a safe ride. As you think about all of the trails you want to explore, the competitions you plan to compete in and the skills you want to practice and improve on, we should not only evaluate our horse and tack but our riding apparel as well, specifically our helmets to make sure they are in good working order.

Here is a Quick Helmet Check-Up list to run through as you get ready to buckle up:

1. How Old Is Your Helmet?

   It's a good rule of thumb to replace your helmet at least every five years from the date of purchase. All active gear will suffer from differing degrees of normal wear and tear, depending upon the user. Equestrian helmets used by a rider for 150 days a year will, by comparison, wear faster than gear used by a weekend rider. Due to evolving standards, technologies and the potential for unseen material deterioration, it is recommended to replace your helmet at least everyone five years.
   
   

2. Have Your Experienced A Fall With Your Helmet?

   ASTM/SEI certified equestrian helmets are designed for one impact event. When you take a fall, your helmet absorbs energy by crushing and extending your head's stopping time to reduce the peak impact on the brain significantly. Once your helmet has taken an impact, those energy absorbing capabilities are spent and cannot offer you the same protection again.
   
   

3. Have You Cleaned Your Helmet?

   Helmets should be wiped down with a soft towel and soapy water then air-dried. Compressed air works great for cleaning the air vents and channels. All Troxel helmets come with a removable and washable headliner which you can hand or machine wash and air dry. Do not use solvents or chemicals to clean any part of your helmet, as they can destroy protective coatings and compromise the structural integrity of the helmet. You want your helmet to look it's best and a quick clean will do the trick!
   
   

4. Have Your Checked Your Helmet's Fit?

   You want your helmet to fit snug around your head and sit level on your head just above your eyebrows. Troxel helmets have FlipFold tabs that are integrated into the headliner that can be turned under to offer more padding if needed. Your helmet also comes with either a DialFit or SureFit comfort system to further personalize fit and comfort.
   
   Next, adjust the slide glides on the retention system webbing to form a "V" under each ear and adjust the chin strap to be snug under your jaw. The retention system is what keeps your helmet in place during a fall. It's very important to have your helmet fit snuggly in place to perform as it is intended to do.
   
   Watch our Quick Fit Tip video to learn more or see our Helmet Fitting Guide. 
   
   

5. Where Are You Storing Your Helmet?

   Helmet Tote Bag is a great option for easy transport and storage.
   
   It is important to choose an ASTM/SEI certified equestrian helmet to ride in. For equestrian helmets, SEI has selected the ASTM standard F1163-15 to evaluate helmet performance which are tested at independent labs. Certified bike or ski helmets are certified to a different standard and do not offer the same impact speed, height or type of impact surface.