Monday Product Review

To change it up a little, I thought that instead of continuing the Traveller story, I would do a product review! I'm thinking I may do this as a Monday thing..but we'll see.

The Product: Charles Owen AYR8 Helmet

Used Since: End of July

Price: $280 CND (this is 25% off on National Helmet Awareness Day)

I didn’t need a helmet urgently, but the band in my plastic schooling helmet of starting to feel a little loose (detaching from the shell) and I had decided that my velvet show helmet just hurt too much!

I have a very oval head that is narrow from temple to temple but very long lengthwise. It is also quite tall from my chin to the top of my head.

So, in the spirit of National Helmet Awareness Day (okay…in the spirit of discounts) I decided that I might as well head of to the tack shop to see what deals I could find. As a student, I definitely do not have a lot of extra money lying around, so I will take discounts when I can get them!

So..

IRH= to round for my head, could order in the long oval, but to be honest…I can be a bit of a brand snob, so I couldn’t wait to try on a…

GPA= Okay, I have a $$$$ helmet on my head (no I would NEVER spend this, but trying it on couldn’t hurt), and actually, it did hurt!!! Waaaaaaay to round, ouch, ouch, ouch! To make it fit lengthwise I needed a 7 ¾ which gapped horribly at the sides. No good.








There was actually a Charles Owen rep on site, but she was not pushy at all—but very helpful.

GR8= I have always loved the look of this helmet. They seem to be the most popular ‘look’ at the moment, and I think the charcoal/black is fantastic. I measure as a 7 3/8 but decide to try the 7 ½ due to the shape of my head. I can get it on……no good. It felt (and looked) very perched up on my head, I need something that comes down farther in the back (has a deeper fit).

Hmmm.

The AYR8 is one of their newer models and due to that had a very steep price tag of $350 CND….but, I would get 25% off, okay for my comfort, it’s worth a try.

7 ½ *fingers crossed*, yep I can get it on, and yes it goes down much farther on my head, it doesn’t squish my ears….fit=good!

Appearance…hmm. It kinda looks like a GR8, the same basic idea but with 12 vents and a mesh covering with the inside ‘stripe’ coming in black, silver, gold, or pink. After some thought while walking through the store I decide to bite the bullet and put an order in for a 7 ½ in the black with silver-- the silver will look nice with my pretty grey horse and I figure that the vents will help keep my head cool during hot summer schooling sessions.

End result?

I LOVE it. The style really has grown on me and the fit is phenomenal—it gaps the slightest bit at the sides, but not even enough to warrant me padding it. It comes down nice and deep to cuddle my head, it is light, the harness is comfy. It is a winner!

Worth the price? For me, yes. It is one of the only helmets I have worn that really fits my head and due to this I will be more inclined to wear it all the time. Also, it is cool enough to school in and steps right over to the show ring in style.

I give it a 5/5 horseshoe rating!

I do know that stock pictures never give you much to go on, so here is the real thing: