Trail Gear Advisor

Riding Helmets, Boots & Apparel: Choose a Helmet by Size, Finish, and Price

Compare four riding helmets by listed size, finish, style, features, and price-from a low-profile adjustable Dakota Trail design to three Suomy Apex options.

Last updated Aug 26, 2026

Choosing among riding helmets, boots & apparel can come down to a frustrating trade-off: the size and finish you want may sit beside a very different listed price. For the helmet choices here, the useful shortcut is to separate sizing reference, styling, stated construction details, and cost rather than treat one as universally right. The three Suomy Apex entries share a Large Brim style and several specifications; the Dakota Trail entry centers on a low-profile, light, adjustable design.

Quick take

  • For HNT Blue Navy Matte: Suomy Apex HNT Blue Navy Matte makes the finish easy to identify.
  • For HNT Black Matte: Suomy Apex HNT Black Matte is the direct black counterpart.
  • For Chrome Blue/Rose Gold: the Suomy Apex Chrome Blue/Rose Gold version makes color the main styling choice.
  • For a low-profile, light, adjustable adult design: Dakota Trail offers that combination at the lower end of the listed-price range.

Listed-price comparison

The prices form a clear three-helmet Suomy cluster and a lower-priced Dakota Trail entry. The bars show relative position within this comparison and are a price aid, not a performance judgment.

HelmetListed pricePrice position
Suomy Apex HNT Blue Navy MatteUSD 455.20
Suomy Apex HNT Black MatteUSD 455.20
Suomy Apex Chrome Blue/Rose Gold MatteUSD 508.00
Dakota Trail Low-Profile AdjustableUSD 139.99

Decision matrix

Use this order when narrowing the choice:

  • Sizing reference: Suomy Apex Blue Navy and Chrome Blue/Rose Gold are listed at 57 cm, while HNT Black is listed at 58 cm. Dakota uses the 'Saftey L' cue in its title, which is a different sizing reference.
  • Finish: HNT Blue Navy Matte and HNT Black Matte are the straightforward matte choices. Chrome Blue/Rose Gold is the color-led alternative, while Dakota names Turquoise Paisley.
  • Shared Suomy style: all three Suomy entries specify Large Brim. Treat that as a common consideration rather than a differentiator.
  • Price: Blue Navy and Black share one listed price, Chrome Blue/Rose Gold is higher, and Dakota is lower. Use the price split after the sizing reference and visual direction are clear.

Product notes

Suomy Apex Riding Helmet - HNT Blue Navy Matte Horse Riding Helmet

Suomy Apex Riding Helmet - HNT Blue Navy Matte Horse Riding Helmet

Suomy Apex HNT Blue Navy Matte is the natural choice when that exact finish is the look you want. The listed 57 cm size gives it a clear place in the comparison. Its stated specifications include ASTM F 1163-15, VG1 01, PAS 015 2011, a 520-gram weight, and removable, washable inner padding. Those details make it easy to compare on both styling and construction. The limitation is cost: USD 455.20 sits far above the Dakota Trail price. The 57 cm reference also separates it from the 58 cm HNT Black entry. Choose this helmet for navy styling and that size reference, not simply because it shares specifications with the other Suomy helmets.

Suomy Apex Riding Helmet - HNT Black Matte Horse Riding Helmet

Suomy Apex Riding Helmet - HNT Black Matte Horse Riding Helmet

Suomy Apex HNT Black Matte suits the shopper who wants a black finish and the listed 58 cm size. It shares the same stated ASTM, VG1, and PAS standards as the other Suomy Apex entries, giving it a consistent specification profile within that group. The concrete limitation is the sizing reference: 58 cm does not match the 57 cm entries, so this is a separate size choice rather than a color-only swap. At USD 455.20, it also shares the price point of the Blue Navy HNT helmet. Pick it when black matte styling and the 58 cm designation align with your riding kit.

Suomy Apex Riding Helmet - Chrome Blue/Rose Gold Matte Horse Riding Helmet

Suomy Apex Riding Helmet - Chrome Blue/Rose Gold Matte Horse Riding Helmet

Suomy Apex Chrome Blue/Rose Gold is the distinct finish choice, pairing those two colors in the title with a listed 57 cm size. Its specifications include a thermoplastic resin composite shell and removable inner padding, giving the helmet a clearly described construction profile. The main reason to choose it is the chrome blue and rose gold color combination, which stands apart from the HNT Blue Navy and HNT Black wording. Its limitation is price: USD 508.00 is the highest listed figure in the comparison. The 57 cm reference also places it alongside Blue Navy rather than the 58 cm black entry.

Dakota Trail Horse Riding Helmet, Low-Profile Light Adjustable Design, Saftey L

Dakota Trail Horse Riding Helmet, Low-Profile Light Adjustable Design, Saftey L

Dakota Trail is the clearest route when a low-profile, lightweight, adjustable adult design fits your brief. The Turquoise Paisley color gives it a defined visual identity, while the included component is a helmet and the inner material is mesh. Its listed price of USD 139.99 is the lowest in the comparison, making cost a decisive reason to consider it. The limitation is comparability: the title uses the 'Saftey L' sizing cue, whereas the Suomy entries use centimeter references, so the formats are not directly alike. Choose Dakota Trail for its named design, color, and adjustable format.

Final recommendation by use case

  • Choose HNT Blue Navy Matte when the navy finish is the priority and the 57 cm reference suits your needs.
  • Choose HNT Black Matte when black styling and the 58 cm reference are the better match.
  • Choose Chrome Blue/Rose Gold when the two-tone color combination matters more than the higher listed price.
  • Choose Dakota Trail when the low-profile, light, adjustable adult design and lower listed price are the deciding factors.

The simplest buying order is sizing reference first, appearance second, and price third. That approach keeps the direct Suomy color choices separate from Dakota Trail's different design and sizing language.

Products in this article
Suomy Apex Riding HelmetUSD 455.20View on eBaySuomy Apex Riding HelmetUSD 455.20View on eBaySuomy Apex Riding HelmetUSD 508.00View on eBayDakota Trail Horse Riding HelmetUSD 139.99View on eBay
Suomy Apex Riding HelmetUSD 455.20View on eBaySuomy Apex Riding HelmetUSD 455.20View on eBaySuomy Apex Riding HelmetUSD 508.00View on eBayDakota Trail Horse Riding HelmetUSD 139.99View on eBay

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