No matter the destination - whether you are cantering across the Masai Mara at sunrise, navigating mountain trails through the Spanish sierra, or following a hedge-lined bridleway through the English countryside - there is one rule that applies everywhere, without exception: a properly fitted, certified safety helmet is non-negotiable.
So is a body protector or air vest on any ride. These are not optional upgrades. They are the foundation of every ride.
Helmets and vests save lives every day. Be smart. The helmet and the vest is the outfit!
Pack your safety gear first. Pack everything else around it.
At Equestrian Destinations, we curate the best horse riding destinations all around the world- we are not a booking site, not a gear retailer. We recommend first, partner with brands we believe in after. The brands and items featured on this page represent our genuine editorial judgment: the safety equipment we believe is worth knowing about, investing in, and traveling with. Destinations are partnerships that have been vetted and invited to the curated collection.
PART ONE: THE HELMET
A riding helmet is the single most important piece of safety equipment a rider owns. It is also, frequently, the piece riders are most tempted to borrow, delay replacing, or choose based primarily on aesthetics. None of those instincts serve you well.
A helmet should be replaced after any fall in which it sustains impact - even if there is no visible damage. The foam inside compresses on impact and cannot be inspected from the outside. Most manufacturers also recommend replacement every five years regardless of falls, as materials degrade over time. When traveling, always pack your own helmet. Never borrow one.
What the Certifications Mean
Before shopping, it helps to understand what the standards on the label actually mean. Look for helmets certified to one or more of the following:
- ASTM F1163 - the primary American standard for equestrian helmets; SEI-certified means it has been independently tested
- EN 1384 / PAS 015 - European standards; PAS 015 is the UK standard and considered one of the most rigorous globally
- VG1 - a German standard that tests at higher impact velocities than most others - increasingly adopted as a gold standard
- MIPS (Multi-Directional Impact Protection System) - not a certification standard but an important technology: a slip-plane layer inside the helmet designed to reduce rotational forces on the brain during angled impacts - the most common type in equestrian falls
Helmets We Recommend
The following represent our editorial recommendations across two of the most trusted names in equestrian safety headwear.
Samshield
The French brand Samshield has become synonymous with the intersection of elite safety and exceptional design. Favored at Olympic level and across the A-circuit show jumping world, Samshield helmets are recognised as much for their technical precision as for their extraordinary customisation options - over 1,000 variations of finish, trim, and lining are available across the range.
Samshield Miss Shield 2.0
The defining helmet of the modern show ring.
The Miss Shield 2.0 is Samshield’s flagship model, built on a polycarbonate outer shell - the same material used in high-end motorcycle helmet construction - and a variable-density polystyrene inner shell engineered for optimal energy absorption on impact. The removable, washable memory foam liner comes in three fit profiles (Rounder, Shadow, and Premium) to accommodate different head shapes, and the semi-rigid chinstrap is designed to prevent helmet tipping even during violent sudden movement. An exclusive 6-point ventilation system draws fresh air through the helmet without visible external vents - maintaining the clean, elegant silhouette Samshield is known for. Anti-scratch paint and a 5-year after-sales service commitment (including post-fall replacement support) speak to the brand’s long-term quality promise. Certified to CE EN1384-2023 and ASTM/SEI 2023 standards.
ED note: The Miss Shield is available in a long-visor (Miss Shield) or standard visor version, in Shadowmatt, Glossy, or Premium finishes. For travel, the Shadowmatt is the most practical - matte surfaces show fewer marks in transit.
Samshield Shadow Glossy 2.0
For the rider who wants a statement piece that performs at the highest level.
The Shadow Glossy 2.0 shares the Miss Shield’s technical architecture but presents in a high-gloss lacquer finish with premium chrome trim details - a more overtly luxurious look that transitions effortlessly from schooling to the competition arena. The same three liner profiles, the same 6-point ventilation, and the same ASTM/CEstandard certification apply. Available in both the standard and Miss Shield (long visor) versions.
Charles Owen
Founded in 1911, Charles Owen is arguably the most trusted name in equestrian safety - a British manufacturer with over a century of helmet engineering and a reputation built on uncompromising protection standards. Charles Owen helmets consistently meet or exceed the most rigorous international certifications and are the choice of many professional riders, equestrian coaches, and safety-conscious travelers.
Charles Owen Halo MIPS
Next-generation performance. Triple-certified. Made in Britain.
The Halo is Charles Owen’s most technically advanced helmet, and among the most rigorously certified riding helmets available anywhere. It meets three international safety standards simultaneously - PAS 015:2011, VG1 01.040 2014-12, and ASTM F1163 - and incorporates MIPS technology for rotational impact protection. The signature Halo ring design creates a 360-degree ventilation channel around the crown of the helmet, supplemented by additional ventilation at the top - exceptional airflow for warm-weather riding. The unique lattice harness is engineered to grip the occipital bone at the base of the skull, preventing the helmet from shifting its position during a fall. A sustainably sourced leather harness, anti-microbial silver ion lining, and removable washable padded headband complete a helmet that is as considered in its details as it is serious in its protection. The wide-peak Halo Luxe variant offers enhanced all-weather visibility.
ED note: The Halo is our top recommendation for riders undertaking demanding terrain - safari, mountain trails, cross-country - where the combination of ventilation, fit security, and MIPS protection genuinely matters.
Charles Owen AYR8 Plus
The trusted everyday helmet. Exceptional value, uncompromising standards.
The AYR8 Plus represents Charles Owen’s most popular model worldwide - a low-profile, microfibre suede helmet with 12 front-to-rear ventilation apertures and the brand’s patented GRpx technology harness, which uses self-adjusting cups locking onto the occipital bone for a fit that stays precisely where it should throughout a ride. A removable, washable headband addresses the hygiene reality of daily riding. Certified to ASTM F1163-23 (SEI). Also available in a leather-look panel version (AYR8 Plus Leather Look) for a more refined aesthetic. Available in regular and round fit profiles.
ED note: An excellent choice for riders who want Charles Owen’s safety pedigree at a more accessible price point, or as a second helmet for travelling when they prefer to keep their show helmet in better condition.
A Note on Helmet Fitting
No helmet - regardless of price or certification - offers its intended protection unless it fits correctly. A properly fitted helmet sits level on your head (not tipped back), with the brim approximately two finger-widths above the eyebrows. It should feel snug without creating pressure points, and should not move when you shake your head or open your mouth wide. The chinstrap, fastened, should allow only one or two fingers to pass between it and your chin. When in doubt, visit a retailer for a professional fitting before traveling.
PART TWO: BODY PROTECTION
The decision between a traditional body protector and a modern airbag vest - or wearing both - is one of the more nuanced choices a rider makes about their safety kit. Both categories have evolved significantly in recent years, and understanding the difference matters when you are planning a riding holiday to unfamiliar terrain with unfamiliar horses.
Traditional Body Protectors
A conventional body protector uses foam panels to absorb and distribute impact energy across the chest, back, and sides. Certified to BETA Level 3 (the standard required for cross-country and eventing competition), a good body protector meaningfully reduces injury risk in a fall - particularly rib fractures, soft tissue damage, and bruising from contact with the ground or fence rails. They work immediately, require no activation mechanism, and function reliably across repeated use without reset.
Charles Owen Kontor Body Protector
The most fashion-forward traditional body protector Charles Owen has made.
The Kontor is the newest addition to Charles Owen’s body protection range and represents a genuine step forward in wearable design. Slimming style lines, outer contoured blocks, and inner panels of high-impact-absorbing foam are combined with adjustable shoulder straps and a bungee side fastening for a truly customisable fit. The result is a body protector that looks far closer to a stylish riding vest than traditional safety wear - reducing the aesthetic resistance many riders feel toward wearing one consistently. Certified to EN 13158:2018 and BETA 2018 Level 3.
ED note: An excellent choice for everyday schooling, trail riding, and any destination where you want reliable traditional protection without feeling encumbered.
Charles Owen JL9 Body Protector
The long-standing competition standard. Trusted, proven, and consistently certified.
The JL9 has been a fixture in equestrian safety for years - a go-to body protector for cross-country and competition riders who need a BETA Level 3 certified vest that fits reliably and moves with them. The dual-security fastening system - elasticised hook-and-loop shoulder straps, a zip front, and a quick-release three-pronged stretch belt - provides a secure, non-restrictive fit. Coolmax ventilation panels manage heat during extended wear. Certified to ASTM F-1937-04/SEI.
Charles Owen Shadow Back Protector
For riders who want protection without the bulk of a full body protector.
The Shadow is designed for riders who want meaningful back protection in a format discreet enough to wear under a show jacket. Shaped to follow the spine and scapulae, it can be worn as a standalone layer or underneath outerwear for competition. Certified to motorcycle back protector standard EN1621-2-2014 and engineered specifically for equestrian use. An important note: the Shadow protects the back but does not cover the ribs or chest - it is a supplement to full body protection, not a replacement.
ED note: Particularly useful for dressage and hunter/jumper riders competing in fitted show jackets who want behind-the-scenes protection.
Airbag Vests
Airbag technology represents the most significant advance in rider safety equipment in a generation. Rather than absorbing impact after it happens, an airbag vest deploys before the rider hits the ground - providing a cushioned, stabilising layer in the fraction of a second between separation from the horse and contact with whatever is below.
The mechanism is elegantly simple: a lanyard connects the vest to the saddle. When a rider falls, the lanyard extends beyond its trigger point and activates the CO₂ canister, inflating the airbag in approximately 100 milliseconds - faster than the blink of an eye, and faster than any reflex a rider could consciously deploy. After inflation, the bag deflates gradually over several seconds, having done its job. The canister is then replaced and the vest reset - a process that takes minutes and requires no professional assistance.
Helite Zip’In 2 Airbag Vest
The most versatile airbag vest in the sport. Made in France.
Helite is the pioneering name in equestrian airbag technology, and the Zip’In 2 is their most refined standalone model. On deployment, 14 to 28 litres of air (dependent on size) inflate in approximately 100 milliseconds to protect the cervical spine, thorax, back, pelvis, sacrum, and vital organs - the areas most at risk in a fall. The vest weighs 650 grams and is built from water-resistant, stretchy fabric that holds its shape through repeated inflations. The central zip design allows it to be worn as a standalone vest or invisibly as an inner lining inside any Helite-approved outer garment - meaning it integrates seamlessly with a show jacket, a softshell, or a riding vest without disrupting turnout. Certified by CRITT Sport Loisirs, the independent certification body for equestrian protective equipment. Compatible with all disciplines.
ED note: The Zip’In 2 is our top airbag recommendation for traveling riders. It packs lightly, resets easily, works across every discipline, and - critically - can disappear under your existing outerwear. Carry a spare CO₂ cartridge in your luggage.
Airbag vs. Traditional: Do You Need Both?
The short answer: for high-risk disciplines and terrain, or someone previously injured, yes - many experienced riders now combine a Helite airbag vest with a traditional body protector, particularly for cross-country and eventing. The airbag provides pre-impact protection for the spine and neck; the body protector provides post-impact protection for the ribs and torso. They are complementary, not competing.
For trail riding, safari, dressage, or light hacking - a well-fitted airbag vest alone provides meaningful protection and travels far more easily than a full body protector. Consult the requirements of your specific destination operator, as some require BETA Level 3 certification - which an airbag vest alone may not satisfy for certain regulated environments.
THE RULES THAT APPLY EVERYWHERE
Regardless of destination, discipline, or experience level, these safety principles apply on every ride:
- Always wear a certified helmet - on every ride, every time - not just on difficult terrain or competition days
- Replace your helmet after any significant impact - even if there is no visible damage; the internal foam has likely compressed
- Replace your helmet every five years - materials degrade over time regardless of use; most manufacturers formally recommend this
- Never borrow a helmet when traveling - fit is everything; a helmet that does not fit correctly cannot protect you as designed
- Check your airbag cartridge before every trip - CO₂ cartridges expire; verify yours is within date and the system is functioning before you travel
- Wear your body protector on unfamiliar horses - even if you typically ride without one at home - a horse you do not know behaves in ways you cannot predict
- Inform your guide or host about your safety gear - if you are wearing an airbag vest, show the saddle attachment point to your guide before the ride begins
- Travel with your own safety gear - do not assume destination operators will provide helmets or body protectors to the standard you require
A Note from Equestrian Destinations
We have ridden in a lot of places. The destination does not change what your head or life is worth. The most beautiful ride in the world becomes a different story if you are not wearing the right equipment. Pack it first. Wear it every time. Arrive ready to enjoy every moment - knowing you have done everything you could to take care of yourself. You wear a seat belt in a moving vehicle. Period. You hope to never need it but it only takes one accident to change your life.
PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
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