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TA L K
A R M I S P O LO ; P O LO S P L I C E ; I M A G E S O F P O LO. C O M
P O L O MU S T P U T S A F E T Y F I R S T
A ND MO V E W I T H T HE T I ME S
SAFETY IN NUMBERS
To meet the minimum standard,
as set by the HPA, polo helmets must
be type approved to (at least) one of
these standards:
•PAS015:2011 with CE mark (type
approval must be performed by a UK
headquartered Noted Body for
Personal Protective Equipment)*
•SNELL E2001
•VG1 01.040 2014-12
•UTAC/CRITT 04/2015
*PAS015:1998 is the previous version
of PAS015:2011.
Due to extended lead times retailers
often carry high stocks of helmets and
there are still helmets available that
are labelled PAS015:1998. The HPA will
still permit the use of these helmets.
all the standards required by the HPA. The
design of this helmet is based on cricket
helmet technology developed over many
years. It features a double carbon fibre
shell and a honeycomb crush inner, with
a detachable, or changeable, peak.
Personalisation is offered with the addition
of design details such as a logo and initials.
Other helmets on the horizon include
a new model from Casablanca named Neu,
which features a covered carbon fibre shell
and D30 Decell material for added impact
protection, and the GPA Speed Air Polo 2X,
which is manufactured in France (it should,
however, be noted that this helmet meets
the CE standard, but has no Kitemark or
BSI standard). A new helmet is also said
to be coming soon from La Martina in
Argentina, but the details, specifications
Opposite
: Armis helmet.
This page from top:
Sarah
Wiseman wearing an
Instinct Polo helmet.
England captain James
Beim wearing Armis
and price are yet to be announced. Many
players have commented on how big the
helmets look now – and it’s true. But polo
must put safety first and should move with
the times. Many people don’t realise that
a lot of helmets are made from just one
pre-cast fibreglass mould, with a bit of
foam and rubber padding. That is simply
not enough protection for your head – these
helmets will not withstand a high-impact
40mph slam onto the ground.
With safety helmet prices starting from
as little as £150, the best protection is
affordable, as well as essential. Of course,
aesthetics are a consideration – everyone
wants to look good out on the polo field – but
helmet designs are improving all the time. In
the meantime, at least now everyone will be
wearing one. And if that’s not enough to
persuade you, perhaps the fact it will make
sure your insurance is valid will!
polosplice.co.uk;To purchase from within the
United States, visit totosmallets.com
