Something new · Rider to rider
Champion Helmets No Longer Sold in the US? Alternatives to Try
The helmet that matches the Champion shape you wore, by model and head shape.
Toklat has stopped distributing Champion helmets in the US. Match the shape of the Champion you wore: the Trauma Void EQ3 NEOZ for a round, deeper fit, the Pardus or IRH IR4G XLT for oval and long oval heads, and the Lynx Eventing Skull for cross-country.
The short version
If you wore a Champion: the helmets riders try next
Trauma Void's EQ3 NEOZ, Lynx Eventing Skull and Pardus cover the Champion shapes most riders ask about, with IRH and Equinavia for long oval heads and everyday riding.
If they wore
Revolve X-Air MIPS (round, deeper)
If they wore
Revolve jockey or X-Air Plus skull
If they wore
Revolve Vent-Air MIPS (oval, low profile)
If they wore
Ventair for a long oval head
If they wore
A Champion for everyday schooling
Riders switch to
Gardian Riding HelmetDial fit, adjustable for hair up or down, a tier lower.
Shop nowIf they wore
A Champion show hat for a large oval head
Riders switch to
Crown MIPS Riding HelmetA MIPS show helmet; one rider with a very large oval head loves it.
Shop nowIn the US
Is Champion still sold in the US?
No: Champion helmets are no longer sold in the US, as of November 2026. Toklat has stopped distributing them here, and Champion's own website lists the United Kingdom and Ireland only. Write down your Champion's model name and size before you shop; these three Trauma Void helmets match the most common models.
Rider voices
What riders say about Champion fit, and the helmets they chose
Riders tell us fit decides the helmet: some found it in a Champion, and the riders who moved on found it in a Trauma Void or an IRH.
Round or oval? Match the model
The helmets they point to
Trauma Void PardusTrauma Void EQ3 NEOZ
Retailers list the X-Air as a round, deeper fit and the Vent-Air as oval and low profile.
See the swap guideRounder heads: Trauma Void
The helmets they point to
Trauma Void EQ3 NEOZTrauma Void Lynx
The EQ3 and the Lynx are the Trauma Void helmets to try with a rounder head.
See Trauma VoidLong oval heads: IRH and Pardus
The helmets they point to
IRH IR4G XLTTrauma Void Pardus
Riders with long oval heads point to the IRH XLT and the Pardus.
See the long oval picksRound or oval? Match the model
Riders disagree whether Champion suits round or oval heads, so match the Champion model you wore, not the brand name.
Champion helmets
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 helmets
I always thought the Champions fit oval heads and Charles Owen the rounder ones. I have a Champion which fits me nicely.
Rounder heads: Trauma Void
One rider finds the EQ3 fits where Charles Owen doesn't, and another who also wears a Kask prefers the Lynx for its lower profile.
The EQ3 fits my head, which is the GPA shape. Charles Owens don’t seem to work for me.
Trauma Void helmets
I have a Kask that I like and fits well, then I tried the TraumaVoids – both the EQ3 and Lynx. Both fit very well, but I prefer the Lynx. It is lower profile and seems to wrap around more.
Long oval heads: IRH and Pardus
Riders call the XLT their best fit for a long oval head, and one with an oval head likes the Pardus dial fit.
IRH helmets
IRH is the current best fit for my long oval head with a taller crown.
CO/long oval one k fit me and I ended up in an IRH ir4g xlt.
The IRH IR4G XLT also has a long oval fit and is extremely comfortable, it is actually slightly more comfortable than the Samshield.
I have an oval head and like my Back on Track Pardus very much. It has a dial fit that I did not think I would like, but I do.
Independent lab ratings
How the helmets we carry rate at Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech's helmet lab rates the Trauma Void NEOZ EQ3 and Lynx Eventing MIPS at 4 stars, sixth and seventh of 54 helmets in its 2026 equestrian table, and the TuffRider, Pardus and Equinavia helmets below at 3 stars. The same table lists the Champion Revolve X-Air MIPS Peaked first, with 5 stars.
| Helmet | As Virginia Tech lists it | Rank of 54 | Stars |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trauma Void EQ3 NEOZ Helmet | TRAUMA VOID NEOZ EQ3 | 6 | 4 stars |
| Trauma Void Lynx Eventing Skull | TRAUMA VOID LYNX EVENTING MIPS | 7 | 4 stars |
| TuffRider Carbon Fiber Shell Helmet | TUFFRIDER CARBON FIBER | 13 | 3 stars |
| Trauma Void Pardus Smooth Helmet | TRAUMA VOID PARDUS MIPS | 18 | 3 stars |
| Equinavia Gardian Riding Helmet | EQUINAVIA GARDIAN | 20 | 3 stars |
| Equinavia Skylar Riding Helmet | EQUINAVIA SKYLAR | 26 | 3 stars |
Ranks, stars and model names as Virginia Tech's 2026 table lists them. A rating belongs to that model, not the whole brand, and the table does not measure fit or comfort.
Swap guide
Swap guide: the Champion you wore and the helmet to try
Find your Champion model in the left column. The helmets riders move to sit beside it, with a price tier for each.
Price tiers among these picks: $ (lowest) to $$$$ (highest)
| If you wore | Riders switch to | Why riders choose it |
|---|---|---|
| Revolve X-Air MIPS (round, deeper) | Trauma Void designs the EQ3 for rounder heads, and it has a dial fit. | |
| Revolve jockey or X-Air Plus skull | A skull-style shell with no visor and lacing at the neck. | |
| Revolve Vent-Air MIPS (oval, low profile) | A slim fit for oblong heads, with a dial at the back. | |
| Ventair for a long oval head |
| IRH ships the XLT in a long oval fit with 2 machine-washable liners. |
| A show hat for a very large oval head | A MIPS show helmet in black and navy finishes. | |
| A Champion for everyday schooling | Each has a dial fit and a removable liner, at the lowest tier here. |
Fit tip
Start with the Champion model you wore, then measure around your head about an inch above your eyebrows and size to the new maker's chart, not your Champion size. Between two sizes, Trauma Void suggests the larger.Closest match
Trauma Void: the EQ3, Lynx and Pardus for Champion shapes
Trauma Void's EQ3 NEOZ is the helmet to try if you wore a round, deeper Revolve X-Air, and the Lynx Eventing Skull is the one for a jockey or cross-country skull. The EQ3 NEOZ has an adjustment wheel, a magnetic fastener and a removable, washable Coolmax liner, and Trauma Void lists SEI ASTM F1163-23 certification.
The Lynx Eventing Skull weighs about 560 grams, and the Pardus, at about 600 grams, adjusts with a screw at the rear.
In fairness
Trauma Void suggests the EQ3 for rounder heads. If yours is long oval, the IRH XLT and Pardus below are the better starting point.Shop Trauma Void helmets
Shop all ›Long oval heads
Long oval heads: the IRH XLT and Trauma Void Pardus
IRH's IR4G XLT is the long oval helmet to try if you wore a Champion Ventair. IRH ships it with 2 machine-washable liners in 2 thicknesses to tune the fit, and lists it as meeting ASTM F1163-15.
The Trauma Void Pardus is the other long oval pick: Trauma Void describes it as a slim fit for oblong heads.
In fairness
IRH makes the XLT without MIPS. If you want MIPS in a long oval fit, the Pardus is the pick.Shop IRH long oval helmets
Shop all ›Everyday riding
Equinavia dial-fit helmets for everyday riding
Equinavia's Gardian and Skylar are the everyday schooling helmets to try in place of a Champion: each has an easy-adjust dial and a removable, washable Coolmax liner, and the Skylar adds a ponytail cut-out.
For a show look with MIPS, the Equinavia Crown MIPS is a MIPS show helmet that one rider with a very large oval head loves.
In fairness
Equinavia's Gardian and Skylar are a tier lower than the Trauma Void helmets above. Choose them for the dial fit and the value.Just love this helmet. Looks great, very comfortable, love that it is adjustable (for hair up and hair down)
Equinavia helmets
I love the size adjustment dial on the back, so it fits regardless of how I have my hair
I am a 79 year old woman who averages four dressage rides a week. This is the most comfortable riding helmet that I have ever purchased.
I have the Equinavia Crown MIPS helmet for my very large oval head and I love it. There's a limited range of brands where I live, I drove around a bunch of tack stores, tried on a few MIPS and CO models and none were right.
Shop Equinavia helmets
Shop all ›In fairness
What Champion does well
Riders who wore a Champion often had good reasons, and some of them still apply.
If a Champion has always been your shape, try any new helmet on before you retire the old one, and bring your model name and size.
If you ride cross-country or in a jockey skull, Champion made its Revolve helmets in peaked and skull shapes, so match the shape you wore.
If you like British-made gear, Champion says it was founded in Great Britain in the mid 1970s and that its helmets are made by hand there.
Champion helmet questions: FAQ
Are Champion helmets still sold in the US?
Champion helmets are no longer sold in the US as of November 2026: Toklat has stopped distributing them here. To replace one, match the shape of the Champion model you wore to a helmet sold in the US.
CloseDo Champion helmets fit round or oval heads?
Both, depending on the model: retailers list X-Air models as a round, deeper fit and Vent-Air models as oval and low profile, and riders disagree about which shape Champion suits. Measure front-to-back and ear-to-ear, then match the model you wore.
CloseWhich helmet do riders try instead of a Champion?
For a round, deeper fit riders try the Trauma Void EQ3 NEOZ, for oval heads the Pardus, and for long oval heads the IRH IR4G XLT. Match the Champion model you wore.
CloseWhich helmet we carry has the highest Virginia Tech rating?
Virginia Tech's 2026 equestrian table lists the Trauma Void NEOZ EQ3 and Lynx Eventing MIPS at 4 stars, sixth and seventh of 54 helmets. The table scores lab impact tests, not fit.
CloseWhat can I wear instead of a Champion skull cap for cross-country?
The Trauma Void Lynx Eventing Skull is the skull-style helmet to try: no visor, lacing at the base of the head and a washable lining. Check your organizer's headgear rules before you buy.
CloseWhere can I read more comparisons like this?
Riders replacing a Champion also read these guides to compare fit and ratings across helmet brands.
- Champion Revolve X-Air MIPS alternatives
- Can't find Charles Owen? Alternatives
- Shopping for alternatives? KASK helmets
- Shopping for alternatives? Tipperary helmets and vests
- Shopping for alternatives: Samshield helmets
- Charles Owen AYR8 Plus, Halo MIPS and velvet-look show helmets: alternatives
- Miss Shield alternatives: wide-brim helmets to try
- Samshield fit and head shape: what riders try instead
- Samshield vs value show helmets: IRH, Equinavia, Karben, Ovation
- KASK Star Lady alternatives: the sleek show and hunter look
Brands we carry
Helmet brands riders chose after a Champion
Every helmet on this page comes from a brand we carry: Trauma Void, IRH, Equinavia and TuffRider.
How we built this guide: Virginia Tech ratings from the Virginia Tech Helmet Lab's 2026 equestrian table of 54 helmets, checked October 2026. Champion's US availability checked November 3, 2026.