As one of my favourite instagramers @joful_dressage once asked, “Is it wrong to love an inanimate object”? Well I am not sure that she ever had that question answered. I do know however, that I am in love with my new Samshield.
As anyone who knows me will attest, this is nothing short of a miracle. My life as an equestrian has been made somewhat less comfortable by my oddly shaped head coupled with my inability to find a helmet which works with this. I guess this is somewhat ironic as I am a huge advocate for wearing helmets, each and every time, a riders swing their leg over a horse.
In 2016, thinking I was onto a winner I handed over an ungodly amount of money for a Casco helmet. I was pretty upset when I found out that the helmet would no longer be ‘competition legal’ due to the updated safety standards. Early in 2017, I proceed to purchase a new competition legal Casco. I’d been assured that the design had not changed. But alas it had changed rather significantly and no longer fit my head. So the search for my ‘Cinderella helmet’ began once again. It was on my recent trip down south that I found my perfect match – helmet wise that is!
Here’s what makes the Samshield is such a great helmet.
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Light weight.
One of the first things that you will notice when you pick this helmet up is just how light it is. You could be forgiven for forgetting it is on your head.
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Ventilation.
The first couple of rides I had in my Samshield were really windy days. The sensation of air swirling around was somewhat bizarre. However after a few weeks riding in this helmet, removing my helmet without my hair being plastered to my head with sweat was rather refreshing. I know that moving into summer in a much cooler helmet will make riding a lot more pleasant. But don’t worry if you live in a colder climate, there is a warm liner option too!
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Elegance.
In matters of style I’ll take elegance and simplicity over flash any day of the week. As such it is no surprise that The Samshield is right down my alley. All of the Samshield helmets have beautiful lines, from the line over the top of the helmet, to the harness of the helmet.
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Velcro chin strap.
This is a feature that I initially thought looked a bit odd. Having ridden in this helmet for a few weeks, I realise that this feature is nothing short of genius. If I had a dollar for every time I had to tighten the chin strap on any other helmet, I’d be rich! Hmm not quite… Nonetheless, I love the fact that the strap holding the helmet on my head does not budge!
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Countless options for customisation.
While I went with the Navy Shadowmatt sans Swarovski crystals, a quick browse of the My Samshield page highlights just how many options there are to customise these already beautiful helmets. https://www.samshield.com
It’s ‘safe’ to say the next helmet I buy will also be a Samshield.
Really delighted to read this. My local tackshop sticks them but I was afraid to try one on! I bought a gatehouse helmet last year, which I love, but the idea of having enough ventilation that you can feel the breeze sounds amazing! I might have to start saving my pennies again!
I didn’t realise what I had been missing out on all these years, but I doubt I’ll ever be able to go back now
Really delighted to read this. My local tackshop sticks them but I was afraid to try one on! I bought a gatehouse helmet last year, which I love, but the idea of having enough ventilation that you can feel the breeze sounds amazing! I might have to start saving my pennies again!
I didn’t realise what I had been missing out on all these years, but I doubt I’ll ever be able to go back now
Stocks them even! (stupid predictive text!)
I have one as my show helmet. I love it. As I show in Florida in the winter ( can be hot) and in Ontario in the summer (can be hot) I love the Samshield’s ability to cool my head the ventilation is the best!!
They really are wonderful! It gets pretty hot and humid in North Queensland in summer too, I feel it’s going to be a much cooler summer this year
I have one as my show helmet. I love it. As I show in Florida in the winter ( can be hot) and in Ontario in the summer (can be hot) I love the Samshield’s ability to cool my head the ventilation is the best!!
They really are wonderful! It gets pretty hot and humid in North Queensland in summer too, I feel it’s going to be a much cooler summer this year