The Virginia Tech Helmet Lab has released new ratings for equestrian helmets, with two of the top three slots filled by helmets costing less than $60. The top helmet on the list is the is the $460 Champion Revolve X-Air MIPS helmet.
With sponsorship from Jacqueline Mars, USHJA, USEF, USEA, the lab rated a total of 40 equestrian helmets using the STAR evaluation system. Manufacturers included in the study are Charles Owen, Champion, IRH, Tipperary, Samshield, Troxel, GPA, One K, Trauma Void, among others.
The ratings are an independent and objective assessment of helmet performance for consumers, free from manufacturer influence. Each rating is based on the results of 12 impact tests in the Virginia Tech Helmet laboratory. A pendulum impactor test rig was used to assess these equestrian helmets, measuring linear and rotational acceleration for each impact, which are correlated to concussion risk. These helmets have passed American standards (ASTM F1163, SNELL E2016) and/or European standards (VG1 01.040, PAS 015).
The lab tests the helmet's front, side, and back at two impact energies based on industry standards for equestrian helmet performance, advanced video analysis of equestrian events, and peer-reviewed equestrian research. The lower and higher severity test conditions represent the range of impacts that could result in concussions.
Each lab helmet impact is weighted to contribute equally to the average helmet's overall score, and the overall score estimates the number of concussions the average person would sustain if they experienced identical impacts to those tested in the lab. A lower STAR score indicates better helmet performance.
Click here to see the complete ratings, and here for a detailed story on the helmet testing behind the scores.
The post Virginia Tech Helmet Lab Releases New Equestrian Helmet Ratings appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
