Something new · Rider to rider
Shopping for Alternatives? Tipperary Helmets and Vests
The helmet or vest that fits the way your Tipperary did, matched to your head shape and the job.
Moving on from a Tipperary? Match the reason: the Troxel Spirit or Trauma Void EQ3 NEOZ for a rounder head, the One K Defender in Long Oval for a long oval one, the Ovation Deluxe Schooler for cool schooling, and the Equinavia Crown MIPS for a wide-brim MIPS look.
The short version
If you wore a Tipperary: the helmets and vest riders try next
The closest swap depends on the Tipperary you wore: the Ovation Deluxe Schooler or Troxel Spirit for a Sportage, the Equinavia Crown MIPS or One K Avance Wide Brim for a Windsor MIPS, and the TuffRider FLEX PRO for an Eventer Pro.
If they wore
Sportage or Sportage Hybrid (cool schooling)
Riders switch to
Deluxe Schooler HelmetA lightweight, low-profile helmet with high-flow vents and an easy-adjust dial.
Shop nowIf they wore
Sportage that pressed on your forehead
Riders switch to
Spirit HelmetTroxel describes the Spirit as deep and low profile, with a DialFit system.
Shop nowIf they wore
Windsor MIPS, wide brim
Riders switch to
Crown MIPS Riding HelmetMIPS with a flexible wide brim and a dial fit, a tier lower than the Avance.
Shop nowIf they wore
Windsor MIPS, wide brim, a step up
Riders switch to
MIPS CCS Avance Wide BrimOne K pairs MIPS with a wide brim and a moisture-wicking lining.
Shop nowIf they wore
Windsor, Devon or Royal, traditional brim
Riders switch to
Defender HelmetMade in Regular/Round and Long Oval, so you can choose your head shape.
Shop nowIf they wore
Eventer Pro vest
Riders switch to
FLEX PRO Back ProtectorA lightweight back protector, EN 1621-2:2014 as TuffRider reports.
Shop nowRider voices
What riders say after moving on from a Tipperary
Riders who left a Tipperary describe three things: pressure on a rounder head, a fit that felt too oval or narrow, and how the helmet they moved to compares for heat.
Forehead pressure: try a rounder fit
The helmets they point to
Troxel SpiritTrauma Void EQ3 NEOZ
The Troxel Spirit is the first helmet to try when a Sportage or Windsor presses at the front.
See the Troxel picksToo oval or too narrow: match the head shape
The helmets they point to
One K DefenderTrauma Void Lynx Smooth Top
The One K Defender in Long Oval and the Trauma Void Lynx give you more than one head shape to try.
See the long oval picksCool schooling: how the swaps compare for heat
The helmets they point to
Ovation Deluxe SchoolerTrauma Void EQ3 NEOZ
Riders compare the Ovation Schooler, One K and Trauma Void with the Tipperary they wore.
See the cool schooling picksForehead pressure: try a rounder fit
Two riders describe a Sportage that pressed on the forehead until it hurt.
Tipperary Sportage
My last Sportage (the 8500 version) would press on my forehead a bit and after a period of time it would start to hurt.
Tipperary Sportage
I loved the look of the Tip Sportages and bought one, but it pressed on my forehead so that I had a headache within an hour.
Too oval or too narrow: match the head shape
A Windsor pinched one rider at the sides, and another found Tipperary helmets too long and narrow.
Tipperary Windsor
The Windsor was a little too oval for my head shape and pinched a little on the sides.
Tipperary helmets
Tipperary helmets are too long and narrow and do not fit me.
Cool schooling: how the swaps compare for heat
One rider finds the EQ3 no hotter than her Sportage, and another ranks the Ovation Schooler first for ventilation among the helmets she compares.
I find the Trauma Void eq3 to be no hotter than the Sportage
I have an oval head, but I find in terms of ventilation my CO AYR8 is better than the old velvet helmets; the OneK (oval) is better than the AYR8; the Ovation Schooler is the best (maybe even a bit better than Tipperary, but it's been a while since I had one of those as they didn't quite work on my head after they changed it).
One K helmets
One k. Cooler than my Tipperary sportage was, much cooler than my ayr8, love the washable liner. Love the fit- only helmet I've ever worn where I forget I'm wearing a helmet.
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- and cooler than my old OneK.
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 Tipperary Sportage Hybrid at 3 stars (17th) and the Windsor MIPS at 2 stars (37th); other Tipperary models are not in it.
| 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 Tipperary you wore and what to try
Find your Tipperary in the left column. The picks 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sportage or Sportage Hybrid | Both have a dial fit; the Schooler adds high-flow vents and the Troxel a deeper, low-profile shape. | |
| Windsor MIPS, wide brim | MIPS and a wide brim in both; the Crown adds a dial fit and the Avance is One K's step up. | |
| Windsor, Devon or Royal, traditional brim | The Defender comes in Regular/Round and Long Oval; Trauma Void lists the Lynx as a round fit with MIPS. | |
| A Windsor that pinched at the sides | An adjustment wheel and a one-handed magnetic fastener, in a rounder fit. | |
| Eventer Pro vest | A lightweight back protector with mesh ventilation and adjustable side closures. |
Fit tip
Measure about 1 inch above your eyebrows, then compare front-to-back with ear-to-ear: nearly equal points to a round fit, longer front-to-back to a long oval one. Size to the new maker's chart, not your Tipperary size.Rounder heads
Tipperary pressing on your forehead? Try a Troxel
The Troxel Spirit is the first helmet to try when a Sportage or Windsor presses on your forehead. Troxel describes it as deep and low profile, with a DialFit system that adjusts for a variety of head shapes and a removable, washable headliner, and lists ASTM/SEI certification.
The Trauma Void EQ3 NEOZ is the other rounder pick: an adjustment wheel, a one-handed magnetic fastener, and SEI ASTM F1163-23 certification as Trauma Void reports.
In fairness
Look elsewhere if your head is longer front-to-back than ear-to-ear: the long oval section below suits you better.Troxel helmets
Tipperary is for oval heads, doesn't fit me, I have tried them. Troxel fits round heads, it does mine, if you need one more option.
Troxel helmets
For this price, you cannot find a more comfortable and adjustable helmet. I switched from Troxel helmets for several years to Tipperary. My last helmet was ready to be retired, and I thought I would try Troxel again. This did not disappoint. Ridiculously comfortable, and it's very sharp-looking.
Shop Troxel helmets
Shop all ›Long oval heads
Long oval head? One K Long Oval and Trauma Void Lynx
The One K Defender in Long Oval is the first helmet to try for a long oval head. One K makes it in Regular/Round, for a head with nearly equal front-to-back and side-to-side measurements, and in Long Oval, for a head longer front-to-back than ear to ear.
The Trauma Void Lynx Smooth Top is the second choice. Trauma Void lists it as a round fit with a rear dial, MIPS and a washable Coolmax lining, yet two riders below settled on a Lynx after a Tipperary.
In fairness
Trauma Void lists the Lynx as a round fit, so try it on before you commit if your head is very long.Trauma Void Lynx is what my very large, long oval head settled on. I also really liked the Tipperary Clover
For anyone who loves the Tipperary helmets: they fit me best out of all the helmets. I just got a TV Lynx.
Shop Trauma Void helmets
Shop all ›Hot-weather schooling
Sportage alternatives for cool schooling: Ovation Schooler
The Ovation Deluxe Schooler is the closest match for a Sportage in hot-weather schooling: a lightweight, low-profile helmet with high-flow vents and an easy-adjust dial.
Ovation lists a removable, washable liner, breakaway visors, a rubberized finish and a YKK adjuster clip placed to stay off your face, certified to ASTM standards. The Trauma Void EQ3 NEOZ and the One K Defender are the other two riders compare for heat.
In fairness
Ovation fits a range of heads but is not made in a long oval shape; the One K Long Oval is the pick for that.Shop Ovation helmets
Shop all ›Show ring
Windsor MIPS alternatives: wide-brim MIPS helmets
The Equinavia Crown MIPS and the One K MIPS CCS Avance Wide Brim are the wide-brim MIPS helmets to try in place of a Windsor MIPS. Equinavia lists the Crown MIPS with a flexible wide brim, front, top and rear vents, a washable memory-foam lining and a dial fit.
One K lists the Avance Wide Brim with MIPS, a polycarbonate composite shell, a moisture-wicking lining and the CCS color system. The two One K riders below tried a Tipperary first.
In fairness
The Avance sits at the top of the price tiers on this page; the Crown MIPS gives you the wide-brim MIPS look a tier or two lower.You need what fits you, but I stuck with One K after trying the Tipperary Windsor. I did go with MIPS, wide brim.
My head is oval but closer to round than long oval, and I like a deeper fit. For comparison the standard One K and Tipperary Devon both fit me pretty well before this.
Shop One K helmets
Shop all ›Body protectors
Eventer Pro vest alternative: TuffRider FLEX PRO
The TuffRider FLEX PRO Back Protector is the lightweight protector to try if you are replacing a Tipperary Eventer Pro, tested and certified to EN 1621-2:2014 as TuffRider reports.
TuffRider lists impact-absorbing materials, a zipper closure, adjustable side touch-tape closures and ventilation through elastic mesh. Check which body protector standard your discipline requires before you compete, and measure your chest, waist and back length before you order.
In fairness
The FLEX PRO is a back protector. If your discipline requires a full body protector, check the rules before you switch.In fairness
What Tipperary does well
Riders who wore a Tipperary often had good reasons, and some of them still apply.
If your head is oval, riders describe Tipperary helmets as an oval fit, so measure front-to-back and ear-to-ear before you move to a rounder helmet.
If you ride in the heat, the Sportage is a vented schooling helmet; compare vents on the helmets above in your own climate.
If your Eventer Pro has worked for you, check back length and the standard your discipline requires on any replacement.
Tipperary alternatives: FAQ
Does Tipperary fit oval or round heads?
Riders mostly describe Tipperary helmets as an oval fit. Rounder heads often move to a Troxel Spirit or Trauma Void EQ3 NEOZ, and long oval heads to the One K Defender Long Oval.
CloseWhat helmet is closest to a Tipperary Sportage?
The Ovation Deluxe Schooler is the closest match: a lightweight, low-profile schooling helmet with high-flow vents and an easy-adjust dial. The Troxel Spirit is the round-head option, with Troxel's DialFit system.
CloseWhat is a good alternative to the Tipperary Windsor MIPS?
Try the Equinavia Crown MIPS or the One K MIPS CCS Avance Wide Brim. Both pair MIPS with a wide brim, and the Crown MIPS adds a dial fit. Try both on with your show hair.
CloseWhat can I wear instead of a Tipperary Eventer Pro vest?
The TuffRider FLEX PRO Back Protector is a lightweight back protector, certified to EN 1621-2:2014 as TuffRider reports. Check which standard your discipline requires, then measure your chest, waist and back length before you order.
CloseWill my Tipperary helmet size be the same in another brand?
Not always: sizes and shells differ between makers. Measure your head about 1 inch above your eyebrows, compare the reading with the new brand's size chart, and try the helmet on: it should sit level and snug with no pressure points.
CloseWhere can I read more comparisons like this?
Riders replacing a Tipperary also read these guides to compare fit and ratings across helmet brands.
- Tipperary Sportage Alternatives: Helmets Riders Try Next
- Tipperary Windsor Alternatives: Wide-Brim and MIPS Helmets Riders Try
- Champion helmets no longer sold in the US? Alternatives
- Can't find Charles Owen? Alternatives
- Shopping for alternatives? KASK helmets
- Shopping for alternatives: Samshield helmets
- Champion Revolve X-Air MIPS alternatives
- Charles Owen AYR8 Plus, Halo MIPS and velvet-look show helmets: alternatives
Brands we carry
Helmet and vest brands riders chose after a Tipperary
Every product on this page comes from a brand we carry: Troxel, Ovation, One K, Trauma Void, 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. Product details as each maker reports them, checked November 2026.