The Virginia Tech Helmet Study

Interesting findings from the much-discussed helmet study

I don’t really know why I got soo excited about this new helmet study from The Virginia Tech Helmet Lab. But I suppose that confirms that I am a true riding-gear nerd. A couple of findings really stood out to me and I wanted to highlight them here. Something else that I noticed was that these results were the first set of equestrian helmet ratings from their renowned Virginia Tech Helmet Lab. Many other varsity sports have been researched in depth, the most highly researched being college football.

This research was funded by private donors and three national equestrian foundations: the U.S. Equestrian Federation, the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association, and the U.S. Eventing Association.

The ratings came together for each sport through the process of translating metrics from real-world head impacts into evidence-based test methods that look at helmet performance under simulated conditions.

Helmets can do a lot to mitigate the likelihood of traumatic injury when a rider’s head comes into contact with the ground (or other object: pole, hoof etc… okay, this is extremely triggering, I’ll stop). This study aims to find out which helmets perform the best in different types of falls at different speed, heights, and different footing. 40 models of helmets were included in the trial, and only two earned the top score of 5 stars. Eleven earned 5 stars, and the rest earned 3 or lower. One very hot topic that came out of this study was that one of the 5 star helmets cost $460 USD, and the other retailed for just $58 USD.

So let’s jump in. The number one point I want to look at is the price vs. quality debate.


Price Versus Quality

I bought a new helmet this summer, before the study came out. The one I really wanted cost around $900. I thought long and hard on this, keeping in mind that if I were to have a fall and hit my head, I’d essentially have to toss that helmet into the trash. Reselling used helmets, damaged or not, is also a HUGE no-no, unlike the other equestrian tack and equipment that is often easily resold on Facebook marketplace or other online marketplaces or used tack shops. I did my homework, and found out that this helmet that I was looking at did not boast anything particularly compelling when it came to safety (it just looked cool AF). It didn’t even have MIPS. Ultimately, I decided that this was not a good way to spend a months’ worth of full board for my horse. So, I went back to the drawing board and found a MIPS helmet that fell into the middle of the road price range, and still looked good in the show ring (and of course approved by all the cool trainers and riders, derp). 


Then, this study came out on December 7th. Annndd, I couldn’t find my $500 helmet that I thought was the safest choice (and also acceptable in my riding social circle). The exact model of mine wasn’t on the list, but a similar one from the same brand was on there, and only received 2 stars (que deep-seated rage inducing hormone surge). I also noticed the one that I had REALLY wanted because it was so so pretty and all the top showjumping riders were wearing it ranked about the same, 2 stars. I always strive to ride as safely as I possibly can, and the release of this study and the findings related to price not even being part of the conversation when it comes to safety has really made me reconsider. I will be headed out to buy a new helmet that is 4 stars or more, and that won’t break the bank. All I can say is: Let’s make safety great again! MSGA?

That brings me to my next finding related to the fit of your helmet.


Wearing your hair inside your helmet can actually make it safer!

Come again?! My heart skipped a beat when I heard this because I have always loved the classic and sleek look of hair covering your ears and tucked into your helmet neatly. I was under the impression that in doing this for style, you were sacrificing safety, because the helmet was not truly fitted to your head. Not so, I learned from this report. The extra hair and the slightly slippery nature of the hair, can actually offset the impact directly to your skull. That is actually what MIPS sets out to do, by rotating and moving slightly on impact, your head doesn’t take on the full force of the blow.

Sticklers for that classically turned out style, rejoice!


Did you buy a helmet before or after the study was released? Are you questioning your decision and looking for a new one that has a higher star rating?

Let me know in the comments!

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