Jan 08, 2013

Behind the Charles Owen Badge: From First Thought to Store Shelf

Before a helmet can even begin to head to the first step of production, Charles Owen has to decide what kind of helmet needs to be made. Charles Owen offers a wide variety of helmets that suits the needs of every equestrian. The designers pay close attention to trends in both equestrian and mainline fashion as well as safety and technological innovations before coming up with hundreds of designs, which are then whittled down to a few products that are worthy of the Charles Owen brand. Each helmet released is a direct result of what riders need and want.

The length of the process from first idea to hitting the shelf varies from helmet to helmet. In 2012, Charles Owen released three new products for which the process took six months, one year, and two years.

The Charles Owen SP8 is the perfect example of following the needs of the riders. As people have become more and more aware of protecting their skin from the sun, riders who spend long hours riding outdoors were looking for a helmet that could provide extra protection from the sun, be cool, and still have the ultimate in safety standards. The SP8 gave Charles Owen the chance to incorporate new technologies that were in development to keep the rider cool.

At the beginning of 2012, Charles Owen released the SP8, but the process was actually started way back in 2011. After the team decided to move forward with the new product, sketches were made of the design to determine the area of shade from the visor, location of the vents, and the integration of the new technology into the helmet. The Charles Owen focus is to figure out a way to solve the rider’s problems while maintaining the highest standard of safety.

Once the sketch is selected, a 3D model is made for a computer analysis of the design to fine-tune the safety standards for which Charles Owen is famous. Some of the components that the computer can analyze within the design are the strength of the microscopic bubbles, the airspace at the top of the helmet, and the strength and width of the shell – all integral parts of the protection in Charles Owen helmets. Computer analysis is the technical step in figuring out whether there is enough performance in the helmet to pass the rigorous safety testing that is still yet to come.

As the helmet continues along in the high-tech world of Charles Owen, the computer takes the model and adds in the necessary adjustments to the precise measurements which is then computer carved to become the master component mold. These molds are then ‘graded’ to adjust what the helmet will look like at all the different sizes offered, and a family of molds is then created. Charles Owen uses its collection of head shape references to see how the molds look and fit on all the various head shapes that exist.

Once the molds have been tweaked to perfection, the two halves of the tool are created in aluminum so that the machinery and Charles Owen employees can create the fiberglass shells and EPS liners that are the building blocks for the helmets. Nearly 40 prototypes are produced for submission to the safety certifications for approval and then released to a handful of respected riders for valuable feedback.

Pilot runs and quality specification sheets are generated to ensure each and every helmet can meet the demands of wearing the Charles Owen badge. So the helmets start to be manufactured and the Charles Owen marketing team starts to work on getting the word out about the new helmet. The final, but one of the most important steps, is the training that is done in all of the stores that carry Charles Owen products to teach the sales staff how the new helmets differ and how they fit, so that they can in turn show the customer how the helmets should work and fit.

The process of producing a new helmet may seem arduous (especially for those that work at Charles Owen), but this is only scratching the surface of the Charles Owen method. Stay tuned for the next article of Behind the Badge, a look into the materials that make up a helmet and how they come together to create the safest product possible.

About Behind the Badge
In the upcoming months, Charles Owen will be sharing a series of articles that explores what is truly beneath that distinctive silver badge. The articles will go step by step through the process of creating a helmet from the first sketch to being sold in stores. Topics will include deciding what helmets to make, the materials used in the helmets, quality control and testing, the people behind the design, how the helmets work to protect you, and how helmets work in real life.

About Charles Owen, Inc.:
Charles Owen Inc. represents more than 100 years of innovation and style for a safer world. Each Charles Owen helmet is handcrafted using the highest quality materials. With the largest range of helmet styles and shapes, independently certified to up to four international equestrian safety standards, Charles Owen offers a wider range of protection in a potential accident. For further information, please visit: www.charlesowen.com

Apr 24, 2024 Eventing News

Two Held But All Pass First Horse Inspection at Defender Kentucky CCI5*-L

Thirty-five five-star horses presented today under sunny skies at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event.

Apr 24, 2024 Competitions

Fence-By-Fence: The 2024 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event Cross-Country Course Preview

If all goes according to plan in the first part of the extended weekend, we will see 36 horses galloping across Derek di Grazia's CCI5*-L cross-country course at the 2024 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event (DK3DE). We partnered up with the team at CrossCountry App to bring you a preview of both the five-star and CCI4*-s tracks this year.

Apr 24, 2024 Competitions

The 2024 K3DE Daily: First Horse Inspection

Lights, cameras, action! The first formal horse inspection (which some might informally refer to as "the jog") at the 2024 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event (K3DE) takes place this afternoon at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky. While this part of the event is a fan-favorite historically based on the impeccable turnout of the horses and the stylish and forward fashion choices of the riders (we are looking at you Boyd Martin in hopes that you bring back the American flag suit circa 2022), it serves a very important purpose: ensuring that each horse is fit, sound, and ready to compete at the five-star level.

Apr 23, 2024 Competitions

Grab Your USEA Gear at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event!

There are so many things to love about the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event and the opportunity to peruse the booths of so many amazing vendors is definitely one of them! Don’t forget to stop by the USEA booth, located just behind the Rolex Stadium next to the large Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event booth, to stock up on all of your favorite USEA apparel.

Official Corporate Sponsors of the USEA

Official Joint Therapy Treatment of the USEA

Official Feed of the USEA

Official Saddle of the USEA

Official Real Estate Partner of the USEA

Official Equine Insurance of the USEA

Official Forage of the USEA

Official Supplement Feeding System of the USEA

Official Competition & Training Apparel of the USEA

Official Horse Boot of the USEA