A helmet is the one piece of tack that has a single job: protect the rider’s head. Everything else on this list, from carbon shells to crystal trim, is about how well it does that job while looking right in the ring.
As riders prepare for the 2027 season, the standard has moved. Lighter shells, better airflow, removable liners and fit systems that adjust to the rider have become baseline expectations at the top of the sport. Below are the helmets we would put on our own heads this year, selected from the EQU Lifestyle Boutique Helmets & Protective Gear collection and organized by the rider each one serves best.
The 2027 Shortlist at a Glance
| Award | Helmet | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Best Overall | Samshield XJ 1.0 Helmet | $990 |
| Best Carbon Helmet for Women | Kask Star Lady Carbon Matt Helmet | $1,700 |
| Best Carbon Helmet for Men | Kask Dogma Carbon Shine Riding Helmet | $1,700 |
| Best Italian Statement Piece | KEP Elight Carbon Helmet | $1,449 |
| Best Signature Edition | Kask Star Lady Jessica Springsteen Riding Helmet | $1,195 |
| Best for the Show Ring Spotlight | Samshield Miss XJ 1.0 Swarovski Crystal Helmet | $1,250 |
| Best Customizable Helmet | KEP Cromo 2.0 Polish Helmet | From $950 |
| Best for Sun Protection | Samshield Miss Shield 2.0 Helmet | $649 |
| Best for the Hunter Ring | Kask Star Lady Hunter | $690 |
| Best Value | KEP Nova Smart Polish Helmet | From $470 |
| Best for Young Riders | Kask Kooki Black Shine Riding Helmet | $399 |
Prices as listed on equlifestyleboutique.com in November 2026.
The Reviews
1. Samshield XJ 1.0 Helmet: Best Overall
$990 | Shop the Samshield XJ 1.0
The XJ is Samshield’s newest platform, and it is the helmet we would recommend to the widest range of riders. It pairs a technical, modern profile with the comfort Samshield is known for, so it moves easily between the schooling ring and the jumper ring.
What earns it the top spot is range. It comes in four shell sizes from S (51 to 56 cm) through XL (61 to 64 cm), three finishes (glossy, matt and glossy Darkline) and two colors, black and blue. That breadth makes it far easier to land a correct fit and a finish that suits your turnout.
Best for: Jumper and equitation riders who want one helmet that does everything at a high level.
2. Kask Star Lady Carbon Matt Helmet: Best Carbon Helmet for Women
$1,700 | Shop the Kask Star Lady Carbon Matt
The Star Lady is one of the most recognized silhouettes in the sport, and the carbon version is its top expression. The carbon shell keeps weight down without giving up protection, and adjustable ventilation keeps air moving through long show days.
The matt finish reads quiet and expensive in the ring. Sizing runs in single centimeters from 51 to 62, which matters: a helmet that fits precisely is safer and more comfortable than one that is “close enough.”
Prefer a gloss finish? The Kask Star Lady Carbon Shine is the same helmet with a polished surface.
Best for: Riders who want the lightest, most refined helmet in Kask’s lineup.
3. Kask Dogma Carbon Shine Riding Helmet: Best Carbon Helmet for Men
$1,700 | Shop the Kask Dogma Carbon Shine
The Dogma is Kask’s clean, classic shape, and the carbon shine edition gives it real presence. It is offered in black and in brown, a less common choice that pairs well with tan breeches and brown boots.
For a lower-sheen look, the Kask Dogma Carbon Matt offers the same construction in a matte finish, also in black or brown.
Best for: Male riders and anyone who prefers a more traditional profile than the Star Lady.
4. KEP Elight Carbon Helmet: Best Italian Statement Piece
$1,449 | Shop the KEP Elight Carbon
KEP builds its helmets in Italy, and the Elight Carbon is where its design language is most confident. The carbon construction is light on the head, and the shape is unmistakably KEP: sculpted, architectural and different from what most of the ring is wearing.
It is available in black or navy. Riders who want a fully matte look should see the KEP Elight Carbon Black Matt at $1,270.
Best for: Riders who want top-tier materials and a design that stands apart.
5. Kask Star Lady Jessica Springsteen Riding Helmet: Best Signature Edition
$1,195 | Shop the Jessica Springsteen Edition
A signature edition of the Star Lady designed with Olympic show jumper Jessica Springsteen. It keeps the protection and fit of the standard Star Lady and adds a distinctive finish created with one of the sport’s most visible riders.
Best for: Riders who want a Star Lady with a story behind it.
6. Samshield Miss XJ 1.0 Swarovski Crystal Helmet: Best for the Show Ring Spotlight
$1,250 | Shop the Samshield Miss XJ Swarovski
This is the XJ platform with Swarovski crystal detailing, made for riders who want their helmet noticed. Underneath the crystals it is the same modern Samshield construction as our Best Overall pick.
It is offered in glossy black or glossy blue. Check your division’s dress rules before wearing it in classes judged on turnout.
Best for: Jumper riders and anyone who wants a little sparkle under the lights.
7. KEP Cromo 2.0 Polish Helmet: Best Customizable Helmet
From $950 | Shop the KEP Cromo 2.0 Polish
The Cromo 2.0 is KEP’s most versatile model. The Polish edition has a glossy finish, a lightweight shell, improved ventilation and an ergonomic fit built for both training and competition.
Choose a standard brim or a polo peak, then pick from black, navy, grey or white. The full Cromo 2.0 family at EQU also includes textile shells, chrome and rose gold frames, and Diamond trim, so you can build a helmet that is entirely your own.
Best for: Riders who want to configure the look, not just pick a color.
8. Samshield Miss Shield 2.0 Helmet: Best for Sun Protection
$649 | Shop the Samshield Miss Shield 2.0
The Miss Shield is defined by its long visor, which keeps sun off the face and eyes. For anyone riding through a Florida winter circuit, that brim is a practical advantage, not just a style choice.
It comes in black, navy or brown, in glossy, matt or Darkline finishes, and in sizes S through XL. It works from dressage to the trails.
Best for: Riders who spend long days outdoors in strong sun.
9. Kask Star Lady Hunter: Best for the Hunter Ring
$690 | Shop the Kask Star Lady Hunter
The hunter ring rewards a quiet, traditional turnout, and this edition of the Star Lady is built for exactly that. You keep Kask’s fit and protection in a finish that will not pull the judge’s eye away from your horse.
Male riders looking for the same understated look should see the Kask Dogma Hunter at $640.
Best for: Hunter and equitation riders who want classic style without compromise.
10. KEP Nova Smart Polish Helmet: Best Value
From $470 | Shop the KEP Nova Smart Polish
The Nova Smart brings KEP’s Italian design to a more accessible price. It uses a lightweight, durable ABS shell, an efficient ventilation system and a removable, washable lining, finished in a glossy polish.
It is available in black or navy, with a regular or polo brim and an optional Star style. For a fabric-covered shell, see the KEP Nova Smart Textile.
Best for: Riders who want premium design and features at the lowest entry price on this list.
11. Kask Kooki Black Shine Riding Helmet: Best for Young Riders
$399 | Shop the Kask Kooki Black Shine
The Kooki is Kask’s helmet for younger riders, built with the same attention to fit and finish as the brand’s adult line. The glossy black shell looks right in any ring, and the price makes it practical for a rider who is still growing.
The Kask Star Lady Kooki offers the Star Lady look in the same youth format.
Best for: Juniors and growing riders.
Complete the Kit: Horse Pilot New Twist Air 2.0 Airbag
$890 | Shop the Horse Pilot New Twist Air 2.0
A great helmet protects your head. An airbag vest protects your torso and spine, and more riders at every level now wear one in schooling and in competition. The New Twist Air 2.0 from Horse Pilot is a slim, wearable design available in black or navy, from XXS up.
Two essentials go with it: the Horse Pilot Airbag Leash ($85) that connects the vest to your saddle, and the Horse Pilot Air Bag Vest Cover ($190) if you want a gilet look over the top.
How to Choose the Right Helmet
Fit comes first. Measure around your head about one finger width above the eyebrows. The helmet should sit level, touch evenly all the way around and not rock when you move your head. A helmet that fits poorly protects poorly, no matter what it costs.
Know your sizing system. Kask sizes in single centimeters (51, 52, 53 and so on). Samshield and KEP use letter sizes that cover ranges, such as Samshield’s M at 55 to 58 cm. If you fall between sizes, try both.
Choose your shell. Carbon shells are the lightest and most expensive. ABS and other composite shells are durable and more affordable. Textile shells offer a soft, matte look and a different feel in the ring.
Pick your brim. A standard brim is the classic show look. A polo peak is shorter. A long visor, like the Samshield Miss Shield, adds sun protection.
Check certification. Confirm the helmet carries the safety certification required for your discipline and your competition rules before you show in it. Rules vary by organization and division, so check current USEF and FEI requirements each season.
Replace after any fall. A helmet that has taken an impact may be compromised even if it looks perfect. Replace it after any fall where your head made contact, and on the schedule your helmet’s manufacturer recommends.
Find Your Helmet for 2027
Every helmet on this list is available now at EQU Lifestyle Boutique, alongside the full range from Kask, Samshield, KEP and Horse Pilot. Shop the complete Helmets & Protective Gear collection, or visit the EQU trailer at the show to try on sizes in person. Find us on the show schedule.
Need help with sizing? Email sales@equlifestyleboutique.com and our team will help you find the right fit.
