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.

MIPS, or the Multi-directional Impact Protection System, is a safety technology designed to reduce the rotational forces on the brain during an angled impact. Falls from horses often involve such forces, as a rider rarely falls straight down. MIPS consists of a thin, low-friction layer integrated inside the equestrian helmet, typically between the comfort padding and the EPS foam liner. During a crash, this layer allows the helmet's outer structure to rotate 10-15mm independently of the head. This small amount of movement helps to redirect and reduce the harmful rotational energy that can cause certain types of brain injuries. As a manufacturer, SPIRIT can expertly integrate the MIPS system into our helmet designs, providing our brand partners with the ability to offer this advanced layer of protection to their safety-conscious customers.

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.

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.