Which Samshield helmet should I choose?

Every helmet in the Samshield range carries the same safety certifications, so the choice comes down to four things: the peak, the finish, the shell and the decoration. Decide those in that order and the right helmet picks itself. As the UK's largest Samshield stockist we fit these helmets every day, and if you would rather talk it through, email us or use live chat before you order.

Miss Shield or Shadowmatt: which peak?

The peak is the first decision. The Shadowmatt is the original Samshield shape, with the standard peak and no front band, so the detail sits in the top, trim and blazon and the look stays understated. The Miss Shield has the wider peak, which gives a softer, more flattering profile and more shade, and it has a front band that carries the decoration, which makes it the most customisable helmet Samshield make. The name and the wide peak have made the Miss Shield popular with female riders, but it is the same shell and sizing as the Shadowmatt and is worn by men and women in every discipline. Shell, liners, safety certification and the choice of tops, trims and blazons are the same on both, so it is purely the look you prefer.

Shadowmatt or Shadowglossy: which finish?

Shadowmatt is also the name of Samshield's matt finish, and Shadowglossy is the gloss finish. Both are available on the Shadowmatt and the Miss Shield, and neither affects fit or protection, so it is a matter of taste. Matt hides fingerprints and suits a quieter, tonal look; gloss catches the light and sets off crystal work. The Dark Line is the most discreet option of all: a Shadowmatt where shell, trim and blazon are all matt, with no chrome or gloss anywhere. The Premium versions of both models have the whole shell wrapped in Alcantara.

2.0 or XJ: which shell?

Most riders choose the Samshield 2.0, the current generation of the classic polycarbonate shell: rounder and deeper than the 1.0 it replaced, with more ventilation, a liner system that works with any hairstyle including a bun, and shells from Small to Extra Large. The XJ is the carbon fibre helmet: a lighter, sportier shell with the same fixed peak in your choice of standard (XJ) or wide (Miss XJ), in matt or glossy or as a Darkline. Most riders choose the XJ for show jumping, though it is not limited to that. The XJ has its own shell sizes, Medium and Large, and its own liners, which do not interchange with 2.0 liners.

Is Samshield an oval or round fit?

Samshield is naturally a slightly oval fit. If your head is rounder, the Round V2 liner adjusts the fit, and we will advise which liner to choose before you order. KEP and Kask are rounder by design, so riders who have struggled to get those to fit often find Samshield is the answer. Every helmet from Espayo includes a free liner, and our Samshield helmet size guide shows how to measure: 2.0 shells take liners 52 to 56 (Small), 55 to 58 (Medium), 57 to 61 (Large) and 61 to 64 (Extra Large); XJ shells take 53 to 58 (Medium) and 57 to 61 (Large), and if you measure 57 or 58 start with the larger liner and we will swap it if the helmet feels loose.

What are the tops, front bands, trims and blazons?

Once the peak, finish and shell are settled, the decoration is where a Samshield becomes yours. The trim and blazon come in matt, chrome, black chrome or, on the Miss Shield, pink gold. The top, and on the Miss Shield the front band, come from Samshield's range of materials and finishes, including Alcantara, crystal fabric, leather, Flower Swarovski, Crystal Leaf, Crystal Bloom, Tiara, Night Pearl, Crystal Intarsia and Ultra Fine Rocks, with optional Swarovski crystals across the shell. All Samshield crystals are genuine Swarovski. A rule of thumb: if you compete in dressage or want one helmet for everything, a plain or Alcantara top with a matt or chrome trim goes with any jacket; if you show jump or want the helmet to be the statement, the crystal tops and front bands are made for it.

What if the combination I want is not in stock?

We hold the UK's largest live Samshield range, so many configurations are in stock for same-day dispatch on orders placed by 1pm, with next-day delivery if you choose it at checkout or standard delivery in 2 to 3 working days. If your exact combination is not in stock, use our Samshield helmet configurator to choose the model, finish, top, front band, trim, blazon and crystals, send us the configuration, and we will order it from Samshield for you, currently around five weeks. You can also change the look later: Samshield's ReStyle service, valid for five years from purchase, sends your helmet back to the Samshield Workshop for refreshed personalisation, and every ReStyle includes a full ReStart safety check. See our Samshield helmet repair and restyle page.

Which Samshield helmet is best for my discipline?

For dressage, the Shadowmatt or Miss Shield in a plain or Alcantara finish is the classic choice, and both are worn at the top of the sport. For show jumping, anything in the range works, and the carbon fibre XJ was designed with jumping riders in mind. For eventing, the same helmets serve for dressage and show jumping; every Samshield has a fixed peak, and some governing bodies do not allow a fixed peak for the cross-country phase, so check your body's current hat rules, and if you need a cross-country helmet as well we can advise on KEP, whose peak removes on every model except the carbon ones, or Kask's cross-country range. Whatever you choose, safety is covered: see Are Samshield helmets safe? for the standards and testing behind every model.

Ready to choose?

Browse the full range in Samshield helmets, or go straight to the Miss Shield, Shadowmatt or XJ pages. Spare liners and helmet bags are in liners and accessories.