Fit for Oval Heads
Champion builds low-profile helmets and skull caps in oval and round fits for riders whose heads don't suit other brands, plus segmented Ti22 body protectors for the same long days in the saddle.
By the Tack of the Day Product Team · Updated November 2026
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Champion helmets, skull caps and Ti22 body protectors
Champion helmets, skull caps and body protectors
Helmets, skull caps and body protectors
If the oval shape and deepness was what made CO a great fit (GR8 and ARY8) then Champions fit identical. Like bang on identical.
Compared to my MS1 Pro, here's what I think. The Champion is more cushy feeling on the head, in a good way. The liner is thicker, and it velcros to an inner flappy-thing of fabric so I can't feel pressure points where the velcro dots are located.
I just cant wear a CO hat. They don't suit my head shape and give me a frightful headache within about half an hour of having one on. My daily hat is a Champion Ventair which fits well.
I recently started wearing a vest due to my latest mount being a bit fractious and not always making the best choices. I am a little afraid of the air vest situation, so i went with a solid one - The Champion Titanium Ti22.
The Champion Edit
Five sections cover how Champion's Evolution and Revolve helmets differ, what the vented skull caps are for, how to size an oval-head helmet, the Ti22 body protectors, and who should look elsewhere.
Champion Evolution and Revolve MIPS helmets give show riders a low-profile, oval-shaped fit with a fiberglass shell and a built-in vent system. The Evolution Puissance Helmet pairs a synthetic suede finish with leather accents and subtle metallic glitter, and the Ventair Hunter Noir Helmet goes all black for the hunter ring. Champion lists British PAS 015 2011, VG1 and ASTM F1163-15 for both.
The Revolve line adds MIPS. Champion describes a low-friction layer that slides 10-15mm in any direction to reduce rotational motion at impact, on a four-point padded harness with rear lacing adjustment. One rider who bought a Champion MIPS helmet wrote that it feels better made than what she had. Look elsewhere if you want a deep, round-fitting hat; our Champion helmet alternatives guide covers current helmets with a similar fit. Compare every Champion riding helmet in one place.
What Riders Say
I just tried (and bought) the new Champion MIPS helmet, it is a world different. It feels better made and the bit that slides is not as slippery all of the time.
I've decided on the 'champion revolve mips vent-air' in navy, I like the look of it more than the others with MIPS technology.
Champion Ventair Deluxe and X-Air Plus skull caps put a ventilated airflow system in a cap Champion lists as handmade in Great Britain, with a four-point padded harness and quick-release buckle. The Ventair Deluxe Skull Cap uses a low-profile fiberglass shell with a shallower, oval fit, while the X-Air Plus Skull Cap uses a lightweight ABS shell, breathable mesh panels and a deeper, traditional, round-head fit.
Riders tell us the shape is the draw: two reviewers could not get another brand to fit and settled on a vented Champion skull cap instead. Champion lists PAS 015 2011, VG1 and ASTM F1163-15 on both caps, so check that against your discipline's rulebook. Look elsewhere if you dislike a snug cap, since the X-Air Plus is cut deeper and Champion notes some suction when it comes off. See the full range of Champion riding helmets, skull caps included.
What Riders Say
Another for champion skull caps, could not get any Charles Owen to fit my head the tack shop fitter said they just don't fit certain head shapes
I could not get the charles owen mips to fit either. In the end i bought the vented champion skull as it fitted better.
Champion helmets fit oval heads, and Champion lists the Evolution styles and the Ventair Deluxe Skull Cap as low profile with an oval shape. Measure around your head just above the eyebrows at its widest point, then find the nearest hat size in the conversion below and confirm it against the size chart on the product page.
Riders tell us the shape is the point: one found her Champion fit nicely where other hats were tight front to back and gappy at the sides, and another, with an almost rectangular oval head, found Champion hats fit when a rival brand did not. A third nearly bought a helmet that squeezed her temples until a fitter had her go up a size so it sat lower on her forehead. Find your size in the Champion riding helmets range.
| Hat size | Head circumference (in) | Head circumference (cm) |
|---|---|---|
| 6 3/4 | 21 1/4 | 54 |
| 6 7/8 | 21 5/8 | 55 |
| 7 | 22 | 56 |
| 7 1/8 | 22 3/8 | 57 |
| 7 1/4 | 22 3/4 | 58 |
| 7 3/8 | 23 1/4 | 59 |
| 7 1/2 | 23 5/8 | 60 |
| 7 5/8 | 24 | 61 |
What Riders Say
I have a CO MS1 Pro and even after 4 years of wear, it gives me a headache from a pressure point on the right side behind/above my temple (where one of the Velcro dots is) so I picked the Pro Ultimate hoping that the “round oval” might be better for me.
I always thought the Champions fit oval heads and Charles Owen the rounder ones. I have a Champion which fits me nicely. When I've tried COs they've been really tight front to back and gappy at the sides, Gatehouses are even worse on me.
I would recommend getting fitted as I almost bought one that was too tight until the lady in the tack shop helped me and advised I got a size bigger so that it would come further down my forehead and not squeeze my temples.
I'm not convinced that's always true. I've most definitely got an oval head (with a narrow face and fairly flat sides - actually, almost rectangular!), but Champion hats fitted me, not Charles Owen.
Champion Titanium Ti22 body protectors are built from SegTek segments of ultra lightweight foam under military grade outer mesh, with a cool-feel titanium-colored lining, an airflow heat release system and a heavy duty YKK zipper. The Youth Slim Body Protector is sized for children, youth and small adults between standard sizes, and Champion lists it as certified to EN 13158: 2018 Beta Level 3.
Riders tell us the Ti22 wears better than it looks: one calls hers the most comfortable vest she has worn despite looking bulky, and another found it a big step up in quality from her last one. The Guardian Shoulder Protectors attach to a Ti22 and, per Champion, add protection to the shoulder area. Look elsewhere if you want an air vest, since the Ti22 is a foam-segment protector. Browse Champion safety vests.
What Riders Say
I love my Champion Titanium. While it looks bulky, it is not bulky at all. By far the most comfortable vest I have ever worn. Racesafe also makes a lightweight vest I have heard good things about.
I have a Champion Ti22 and I love it. I had a Tipperary previously and I feel my new vest is a huge step up quality wise.
Champion helmets suit riders with oval heads, show-ring riders who want a low-profile hat, and schooling or cross-country riders who want a vented skull cap. The Ti22 body protectors suit riders who prefer a segmented foam protector over an air vest.
Look elsewhere if your head is round and you want a deep, round-fitting hat. Our Champion helmet alternatives guide covers current helmets with a similar oval-friendly fit, and the Champion riding helmets page lists the Champion styles themselves.
Questions riders ask
No. Champion isn't distributed in the US anymore, so no further Champion models are coming. You can still shop the Champion styles listed on this page, and for a current helmet with a similar fit, read our Champion helmet alternatives guide before you decide.
Yes, Champion lists the Evolution helmets and the Ventair Deluxe Skull Cap as low profile with an oval shape, and several riders say a Champion sat better than other brands on a longer head. Measure above your eyebrows, check the size chart, and browse the Champion riding helmets.
A Champion helmet, like the Evolution Puissance, has a peaked show finish, while a skull cap such as the X-Air Plus is a brimless cap with a ventilated shell. Both list PAS 015 2011, VG1 and ASTM F1163-15. Check your discipline's rulebook, then compare both on the Champion riding helmets page.
Champion Ti22 body protectors use flexible SegTek foam segments with zip-front and cord side adjustment. The Youth Slim is sized for children, youth and small adults between standard sizes. Check the product size chart, then browse Champion safety vests.