Crafting the Future of Rider Safety.

It is absolutely critical to replace your equestrian helmet after any fall in which you hit your head, regardless of whether there is visible damage. The helmet's most important safety feature is the internal liner, made of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) foam. This material is designed to save your life by crushing on impact to absorb and dissipate energy. This crushing action is a one-time event. Even if the outer shell looks perfectly fine, the EPS liner underneath may be compromised, leaving it unable to provide adequate protection in a subsequent fall. Think of it like the airbag in a car; once it deploys, it must be replaced. As a manufacturer, we at SPIRIT build our helmets to sacrifice themselves to protect you. Continuing to use a damaged equestrian helmet is a dangerous gamble that is never worth taking.

A proper fit is essential for an equestrian helmet to provide maximum protection. At SPIRIT, we engineer a multi-faceted approach to ensure a secure and comfortable fit for a wide range of head shapes. It starts with the internal shape of the helmet itself, which we have refined over 17 years to provide a comfortable, accommodating fit. The core of our system is the adjustable retention harness. A dial-adjustable cradle at the back of the helmet allows the rider to fine-tune the circumference for a precise, 360-degree grip. This system is also vertically adjustable to sit perfectly at the base of the skull. We use a secure 3- or 4-point harness made from soft, durable webbing to ensure the helmet remains stable without causing chafing. Finally, we provide interchangeable padded liners of different thicknesses, allowing the rider to achieve a truly customized fit. This comprehensive system ensures a SPIRIT-made equestrian helmet is both safe and exceptionally comfortable.

When an equestrian helmet is "SEI Certified," it means it has been independently verified to meet the current ASTM F1163 safety standard. The process works in two stages. First, the manufacturer, like SPIRIT, must design and produce a helmet that meets the ASTM performance standard. Then, the Safety Equipment Institute (SEI), a third-party organization, audits the manufacturer's quality control processes and tests product samples at an independent laboratory. It's not a one-time event; SEI conducts ongoing audits and random product testing to ensure the manufacturer consistently maintains the standard. Therefore, seeing the SEI logo on an equestrian helmet provides a high level of assurance to the consumer. It signifies that the helmet not only passed the necessary safety tests once but is produced in a facility with a verified, ongoing quality control program dedicated to maintaining that level of safety.

A modern equestrian helmet is a highly engineered system of components working in concert to protect the rider. The outermost layer is the cosmetic finish, such as velvet, matte paint, or a gloss coat. Beneath this is the hard outer shell, often made from a durable polymer like ABS or polycarbonate, which prevents sharp objects from penetrating the helmet and spreads the force of an impact. The most critical layer is the energy-absorbing liner, made of high-grade Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) foam. This is the part that crushes to absorb the energy of a fall. Some helmets may also include a MIPS slip-plane layer for rotational impact protection. Finally, the comfort liner, which is typically removable and washable, and the multi-point retention harness work together to ensure a comfortable and secure fit. Every component in a SPIRIT-made equestrian helmet is chosen and integrated for optimal safety and performance.