Something new · Rider to rider
Samshield vs Trauma Void Helmets: Which Fits Your Head?
A Trauma Void with a dial-fit shell shaped for your head, a price tier below Samshield.
Trauma Void makes the Lynx for rounder heads, the Pardus for oblong heads, the magnetic-snap EQ3 NEOZ and an eventing skull, each with MIPS listed and a washable Coolmax lining. Riders weighing one against a Samshield choose by head shape first. Here is how the two compare, in riders' own words.
The short version
If you like a Samshield: the Trauma Void helmets to try first
Trauma Void's Lynx Smooth Top is the standard-brim helmet to try against a Samshield 2.0, and the Pardus Smooth is the one for a long oval head.
If you like
Samshield 2.0, standard brim
Try Trauma Void's
Lynx Smooth Top HelmetA matte smooth shell with a round fit, a dial at the back and front and rear vents.
Shop nowIf you like
Shopping by Virginia Tech's table
Try Trauma Void's
EQ3 NEOZ HelmetSixth of 54 at 4 stars in Virginia Tech's 2026 table, with a one-hand magnetic fastener.
Shop nowIf you like
A Samshield on a long oval head
Try Trauma Void's
Pardus Smooth HelmetA slim fit the maker suits to oblong heads, with a screw adjustment at the rear.
Shop nowIf you like
An eventing or skull-cap look
Try Trauma Void's
Lynx Eventing SkullNo visor and a lacing at the nape, made for eventing riders and jockeys.
Shop nowIf you like
Crystal and glitter finishes
Try Trauma Void's
Lynx Micromocca HelmetBlack micromocca with a center part in black glitter, on the dial-fit Lynx shell.
Shop nowIf you like
2.0 Premium Alcantara
Try Trauma Void's
EQ3 Micromocca HelmetA microfiber shell with silver glitter piping. It is a texture match, not Alcantara.
Shop nowRider voices
What riders say about Trauma Void next to Samshield
Riders tell us a Trauma Void fit when other helmets did not, costs less than a Samshield and rides cool.
The fit that settled it
The helmets they point to
Try the Lynx and the Pardus on before you decide.
See head shapeSeveral helmets for the price of one
The helmets they point to
Several Trauma Voids can cost what one Samshield does.
See the price tiersCool, light and comfortable
The helmets they point to
Riders mention airflow, a light feel and all-day comfort.
See finishes and ventsThe fit that settled it
One rider tried a One K, a Samshield, a Charles Owen and a GPA and found none fit as well as the Lynx; another had better luck with a Samshield liner but ended up in a Trauma Void and loves it.
Trauma Void Lynx
I tried on a OneK, Samshield, CO, GPA etc. None fit as well as the TV Lynx. I LOVE it!
Trauma Void helmets
I’ve found GPAs to fit very round. I had better luck with the Samshield with a particular liner, although I’ve ended up with the TraumaVoid and love it.
Several helmets for the price of one
One rider owns four Trauma Voids in blue, brown and black for the price of one Samshield, and a buyer on her third calls it a great product at a great price.
Trauma Void helmets
That's why I own 4. I have 2 blues, 1 brown and 1 black. All for the price of 1 Samshield.
I purchase a new helmet every two years. This is my third trauma void with mips and I love it. Great product great price.
Cool, light and comfortable
Riders call their Trauma Void much cooler than the helmet before it, the most comfortable they have owned and lighter than the one they replaced.
Trauma Void helmets
I own the helmet and it is much, much cooler than my CO Ayr8 - closer to how cool my old Tipperary was.
Trauma Void Lynx
I have a Trauma Void Lynx and it’s the MOST comfortable helmet I’ve ever had (CO always fit me well too).
Trauma Void helmets
It is lighter than my Troxel and very comfortable. I would call it oval but not long oval. And it's pretty.
Trauma Void EQ3
I got a new Trauma Void EQ3 and so far it's MUCH better than almost all my CO helmets.
Side by side
Samshield vs Trauma Void: shapes, fit tools and finishes side by side
Samshield builds around one shell family with three liners, and Trauma Void builds around separate shells for round and oblong heads with a dial or screw adjustment. Samshield's details are the maker's.
| What you compare | Samshield | Trauma Void we carry | Honest note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Head shape | Leans oval, with Round, Shadow and Premium liners | Lynx listed with a round fit; Pardus slim fit for oblong heads | Head shape decides fit more than brand. |
| Fit adjustment | Replaceable liners | Dial on the Lynx, wheel on the NEOZ, screw on the Pardus, lacing on the Eventing Skull | A dial fine-tunes a size; it does not change the shell shape. |
| Lining | Memory-foam liners, sold separately | Removable, washable Coolmax lining | Both brands let you wash or change the lining. |
| MIPS | Check the maker's page for the model you want | MIPS listed on every Trauma Void we carry | Confirm MIPS on each helmet's own page. |
| Finish | Matte, glossy, Alcantara and crystal | Smooth matte, Micromocca microfiber with glitter, Eventing Skull | Pick the finish after the fit. |
| Price tier | Higher | Lower: see the tiers below | One rider owns four Trauma Voids for the price of one Samshield. |
Price tiers
Which Trauma Void to try for each Samshield look, by price tier
Samshield sits above every Trauma Void pick here, and the Trauma Void line spans three price tiers.
Price tiers among these picks: $ (lowest) to $$$ (highest)
| If you like | Try Trauma Void's | Why riders choose it |
|---|---|---|
| Samshield 2.0, standard brim | A round fit with a dial at the back and a washable lining. | |
| Starting from Virginia Tech's table |
| Sixth of 54 at 4 stars, with a magnetic snap and an adjustment wheel. |
| A long oval head | A slim fit for oblong heads, sized up if you fall between two. | |
| An eventing profile | No visor and a lacing at the nape for a close fit under a cover. | |
| Alcantara, crystal or glitter | Microfiber shells with glitter piping or a glitter center part. |
Fit tip
Measure around your head about an inch above your eyebrows, then compare front-to-back with ear to ear: close to even points to the Lynx, longer front-to-back points to the Pardus.Fit first
Head shape: Trauma Void Lynx and Pardus vs Samshield liners
Trauma Void's Lynx is listed with a round fit, and the Pardus Smooth has a slim fit the maker suits to oblong heads, while Samshield keeps one oval-leaning shell family and changes the fit with Round, Shadow and Premium liners. Match the shell to your head before you compare anything else.
Riders tell us the shape lines are not rigid: one rider calls the Lynx her go-to for a round head, another settled a very large, long oval head in a Lynx, and a third says the Pardus fits slightly more oval than the Lynx. If your head is longer front to back than it is wide, try the Pardus before the Lynx.
In fairness
Samshield's liners change the fit inside one shell, and some riders whose heads suit that shell find a Samshield fits them better. Trying both settles it.Trauma Void Lynx
Traumavoid Lynx is what my very large, long oval head settled on. I also really liked the Tipperary Clover
it's a true long oval! It fits slightly more oval than the Lynx (which I can also wear) and the liner is comfier.
The TV Lynx is my go-to for a round head! It's lightweight, comfortable, adjustable
Trauma Void Lynx and EQ3
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.
Shop Trauma Void Lynx helmets
Shop all ›Sizing
Dial fit and sizing: tuning a Trauma Void vs swapping Samshield liners
Trauma Void fine-tunes a measured size at the back of the helmet: the Lynx Smooth Top and Lynx Micromocca use a dial, the EQ3 NEOZ an adjustment wheel, the Pardus Smooth a screw and the Lynx Eventing Skull a lacing in the neck. Samshield tunes the fit by changing the liner instead.
Measure your head about an inch above your eyebrows and choose the size from the chart on the product page; for the Pardus and the Eventing Skull, the maker suggests the larger size if you fall between two. Riders tell us the dial earns its place: one says it takes the small Lynx down to pretty darn small, and another says it made the Lynx fit her long oval head.
In fairness
A dial tightens the fit around your head but does not change the shell's shape, so a Samshield liner may suit a head no Trauma Void shell matches.Trauma Void Lynx
Try the Trauma Void Lynx… It’s got a dial that can take the small helmet down to pretty darn small.
Trauma Void Lynx
My head isn't just oval-shaped, it's a long oval, and the dial-fit made the Lynx fit me as well as my dial-fit Ovation schooler.
Trauma Void EQ3
I fit exactly my measurement (57cm/7 1/8) in the EQ3.
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.
Look and feel
Finishes and vents: Trauma Void Smooth, Micromocca and Skull
Trauma Void comes in a smooth matte finish, Micromocca microfiber with glitter detail and an eventing skull, where Samshield offers matte, glossy, Alcantara and crystal finishes. Every Trauma Void we carry lists a removable, washable Coolmax lining.
The Lynx Smooth Top has a matte glossy surface and weighs about 600 grams, the Lynx Micromocca (about 650 grams) adds a black glitter center part, and the Lynx Eventing Skull weighs about 560 grams with no visor. The EQ3 Micromocca carries silver glitter piping, and the EQ3 NEOZ keeps a minimalist look with a magnetic fastener you work with one hand. Front and rear vents are listed on the Lynx and Pardus.
In fairness
Samshield's finish range is wider, and no Trauma Void matches its Alcantara or crystal options.Shop Trauma Void EQ3 and Pardus helmets
Shop all ›Independent lab ratings
How the helmets we carry rate at Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech's helmet lab rates 54 helmets in its 2026 equestrian table, and Trauma Void's NEOZ EQ3 leads the helmets on this list at sixth with 4 stars. The same table lists the Samshield Shadowmatt at 30th with 2 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 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, checked October 2026; a lower rank number is a better score. Virginia Tech scores helmets in lab impact tests; its table does not measure fit or comfort.
Where to start
Samshield or Trauma Void: which should you try first?
Try the Trauma Void Lynx Smooth Top first if your head is close to round, the Pardus Smooth if it is longer front to back, and the Lynx Eventing Skull if you ride cross-country under a cover. Then try a Samshield in person if you want both on your head.
Check that the helmet sits level and snug with no pressure points at the temples or forehead, turn the dial until it holds, then shake your head side to side and nod; if it still shifts, try the other shell before the next size. Riders who find their shape stay with it: one bought a second Lynx rather than risk another brand, and another names the EQ3 among the few helmets that fit her.
In fairness
If a Samshield already fits you well, or you want an Alcantara or crystal finish, try the Samshield first.Trauma Void Lynx
I also ride in a Lynx. I was looking into the Kylo and it did not sound like it would be the right shape for my head so I bought another Lynx.
Trauma Void EQ3
CO AYR8, IRH IR4G and IR4G XLT and TV Eq3 fit me well. The EQ3 is what I currently own.
In fairness
What Samshield does well
Samshield is the show-ring helmet many riders picture first, built around finish, materials and a liner system, and its strengths are real.
If you want Alcantara, Darkline or crystal finishes, Samshield's custom range is wider than any Trauma Void.
If you want one shell with three liners shaped to head shape, Samshield's Round, Shadow and Premium liners are built for that.
If your head matches the oval shape Samshield's shell is built around, some riders report a Samshield fit them where a Trauma Void did not.
If a Samshield already fits you perfectly, trust that fit before any other comparison.
Samshield vs Trauma Void: your questions
Is Trauma Void better than Samshield?
It depends on your head. Virginia Tech's 2026 table, in the ratings section above, scores lab impacts, not fit, and riders split on which brand fits them. Match the shell to your head shape, then try the Lynx, EQ3 or Pardus in your size next to a Samshield.
CloseWhich Trauma Void fits a round head and which an oval head?
The Lynx is listed with a round fit, and the Pardus has a slim fit for oblong heads. Riders tell us the lines are not rigid, so measure front to back and ear to ear, then try the Pardus first if your head is longer than it is wide.
CloseDoes Trauma Void have MIPS?
Yes. The EQ3 NEOZ, EQ3 Micromocca, Lynx Smooth Top, Lynx Micromocca, Lynx Eventing Skull and Pardus Smooth all list MIPS in their descriptions. Check the product page of the model you want for the details before you order.
CloseWhat is the Trauma Void Pardus?
The Pardus Smooth is a Trauma Void helmet with a slim fit for oblong heads, a matte glossy surface, a screw adjustment at the rear, a removable washable lining and MIPS. The maker lists it at about 600 grams and suggests the larger size if you fall between two.
CloseWhich Trauma Void looks closest to a Samshield?
For a smooth matte look, try the Lynx Smooth Top or the Pardus Smooth, and for glitter detail the Lynx Micromocca or EQ3 Micromocca. Pick the finish you like, then confirm the shape matches your head.
CloseWhere can I read more comparisons like this?
Riders comparing Samshield with Trauma Void often ask about other Samshield models, other head-to-head comparisons and what riders try when a favorite helmet brand is hard to find. These pages go further.
- Shopping for alternatives: Samshield helmets
- Samshield fit and head shape: what riders try instead
- Samshield vs value show helmets: IRH, Equinavia, Karben, Ovation
- Miss Shield alternatives: wide-brim helmets to try
- Replacing your Samshield: what riders pick next
- Samshield 2.0 Shadowmatt alternatives: standard-brim helmets
- Samshield vs One K: fit, price and look
- Champion helmets no longer sold in the US? Alternatives
- Can't find Charles Owen? Alternatives
- Shopping for alternatives? KASK helmets
Brands we carry
Find your Trauma Void shape
Measure your head, pick the round Lynx or the oblong Pardus, and tune the fit at the back.
How we built this guide: Samshield details are from the maker's pages, checked October 2026. Trauma Void details are from its product listings, checked November 2026. Ratings are Virginia Tech's 2026 table, checked October 2026. Rider words are quoted as posted.