Established in 2008, SPIRIT (HK) Sports Co., Ltd. is a specialized helmet manufacturer in China providing comprehensive OEM & ODM services. Our team offers over 18 years of experience serving international brands, backed by a factory with more than 20 years in sports equipment manufacturing.
We develop a wide range of safety helmets—including models for cycling, skiing, motorcycling, and climbing—all engineered to meet major international safety standards such as CE, CPSC, ASTM, and AS/NZS.
As an ISO9001 certified company, we are committed to integrity, quality, and customer satisfaction. We leverage our strong R&D capabilities and professional technical team to deliver the safest protection products to a global market, with primary exports to North America, Europe, Australia, and other regions.
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.
Choosing the right OEM manufacturer for your equestrian brand is a critical decision that impacts rider safety and brand credibility. First and foremost, verify their expertise in the required certifications. A premier partner like SPIRIT will not only claim compliance with ASTM F1163/SEI but will also have an in-house testing lab to ensure continuous adherence. Second, evaluate their craftsmanship and understanding of the equestrian aesthetic. Can they execute a flawless velvet finish or integrate leather accents with precision? Third, assess their engineering capabilities. Do they have experience with modern safety features like MIPS and can they design effective ventilation systems that don't compromise the helmet's structure? Finally, look for a partner with a proven track record. With nearly two decades of experience, SPIRIT understands the nuances of the market and has a history of building long-term, collaborative relationships. Your brand deserves a partner who treats every equestrian helmet as a piece of life-saving art.
For equestrian brands that demand excellence, choosing the right manufacturing partner is the most important decision you will make. SPIRIT is not merely a vendor; we are a dedicated partner in crafting premium equestrian headwear. With nearly two decades of specialized experience, we possess an intimate understanding of the unique balance between tradition, style, and safety that defines this market. Our expertise in navigating the stringent ASTM F1163-15/SEI certification process provides an unwavering foundation of trust for your brand. We offer a fully collaborative OEM/ODM process, allowing you to create a signature equestrian helmet that perfectly reflects your brand's vision, from classic velvet finishes to modern designs with integrated MIPS technology. Partner with SPIRIT and leverage our passion for quality, craftsmanship, and the safety of every rider.
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.
The most important certification in North America is ASTM F1163, which is then verified by the SEI (Safety Equipment Institute). In Europe, the prevailing standard is CE VG1 01.040. These standards ensure the equestrian helmet has been rigorously tested for specific equestrian-related impacts, including falls onto hard surfaces and impacts from a horse's hoof. A helmet bearing these certifications, like those made by SPIRIT, has proven its ability to provide the necessary protection.
Absolutely not. Bike helmets and equestrian helmets are certified to protect against completely different types of impacts. A bike helmet is not designed to withstand the force of a fall from the height of a horse, nor is it designed to protect against a focused impact like a kick from a shod hoof. Using the wrong helmet provides a false and dangerous sense of security. Always use a certified equestrian helmet specifically designed for horse riding.
A high-quality equestrian helmet consists of several key components working together. It starts with a strong outer shell to resist puncture and spread impact force. Inside this is a critical energy-absorbing liner, typically made of EPS (Expanded Polystyrene), which crushes on impact to protect the head. A secure, multi-point harness and retention system is vital to keep the helmet in place during a fall. Finally, a comfortable, moisture-wicking inner lining enhances rider comfort and hygiene.
At SPIRIT, the OEM process is a close partnership. It begins with your brand's unique design, which can include specific shapes, ventilation patterns, and aesthetic finishes like traditional velvet, modern matte, or luxurious leather accents. Our engineering team then translates this vision into a design that meets and exceeds ASTM/SEI safety standards. We proceed through prototyping, in-house pre-testing, and material selection to perfect the final product. We then manage the entire manufacturing and certification process, delivering a beautiful, safe, and market-ready custom equestrian helmet.
The standard recommendation is to replace your equestrian helmet every five years from the date of first use, or immediately after any significant impact or fall, even if there is no visible damage. The protective EPS foam is designed for a single impact, and its integrity can be compromised without any outward signs. Additionally, materials can degrade over time due to sweat, heat, and UV exposure. Regular replacement is a crucial part of rider safety.
MIPS stands for Multi-directional Impact Protection System. It is an inner liner, or slip-plane, designed to reduce the harmful rotational forces that can be transferred to the brain during an angled impact. Given that falls from a horse are rarely straight down, angled impacts are very common in equestrian sports. While not yet a required standard, the inclusion of MIPS in an equestrian helmet is considered a significant advancement in safety technology, and it's a feature SPIRIT can integrate into our modern helmet designs.
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