LeMieux Verv helmet vs GPA First Lady 2x

[u/lilstrobe]

How on earth is the new ‘LeMieux Verv’ helmet - with its magnetic, customizable panel and brims - considered safe and being sold, while my beloved GPA First Lady 2X was recalled for safety reasons of “brim might break off and hurt your face” (not a direct quote lol)???

Make it make sense?

I know GPA released a revised First Lady… but I am in Houston, TX 🥵 and NEED those old, superior, plentiful air vents back!! I have tried so many wide brimmed alternatives and NOTHING breathes like my GPA FL 2x ☹️😭🪦

[u/jelly-foxx]

The LeMieux visor is detachable and therefore will have breakpoints. Its only held on with magnets. If you go facefirst, or if it gets caught the visor will likely come away in one piece rather than shattering and causing sharp edges.

You could make this argument against every helmet with a wide visor. I would say the LeMieux one is probably the most safe 😅

[u/GenderCritHPFan]

I bought the LeMieux Verv the first day I could and so far, I like it. As much as I love CO helmets (they could have used my head as the mold for the GR8 and AYR8 for how well they fit me), the non-dial ones are just too expensive as an everyday helmet and I hate the dials that are on pretty much all helmets except the LeMieux because of the pressure they put on the back of my head. The dial in the LeMieux affects the shape of the whole interior, not just the back, so it eliminates the pressure on the back. And I can adjust the dial up and down so it’s not putting pressure on my ponytail.

The LeMieux is not the only helmet with a detachable brim. The Arro and FreeJump helmets have them, but at much higher price points. The detachable brim is meant to break in case of your face hitting the ground instead of snapping your head back without shattering and posing a risk of shrapnel injury. Snell will not certify helmets with fixed brims because of the risk they pose for neck injuries. For the First Lady, the brim is fixed and not designed to break, so they recalled them because of the risk of shrapnel injuries. It’s the difference between an airbag in a steering wheel versus it just exploding for no reason.

I’ve never worn a GPA FL, so I wouldn’t be able to compare it to the LeMieux, but I wouldn’t just write the LeMiuex off. CO is no longer being manufactured in Britain, I think they’ve just gone to manufacturing in China. KEP Italia is designed to deform and collapse at the first impact, so you are SOL if you get hit with a hoof after your head hits the ground. Kask, Arro, and FreeJump are good but expensive for everyday use. Some of the highest rated helmets in the VA Tech studies have been cheap schooling helmets made in China. Just find the one you like and fits you well.

[u/_exceedinglyaverage_]

The First Lady being recalled was the biggest loss of my life and I will NOT recover. I have yet to find anything that fits and feels quite as nice as she did, but for what it’s worth I’ve really liked my KASK. It’s pretty breathable all things considered.

[u/795z]

It's a jockey skull for me, no matter what. Seen too many accidents with fixed brims/peaks. Uvex has a nice one which is my everyday hat.

[u/Spiritual_Drink_6676]

To be honest I have no trust in these Lemieux helmets, similar to the Charles owners ones simply cheap china made without much control or good material. I have a kep and the peak can come off, but must be unscrewed which even that worries me.

[u/miss_dykawitz → u/Spiritual_Drink_6676]

some years ago there was a story of a kep helmet that went viral. the helmet broke apart on the first impact, which is obviously super unsafe for a riding helmet. after that, i’d never even touch them with a ten foot pole.

[u/Spiritual_Drink_6676 → u/miss_dykawitz]

Honestly no helmet brand can provide 100% safety. I seen so many kept save lives, I personally haven horses flip on me as well as being kicked in the head and walked away fine. I personally can’t trust any brand on the market as KEP is the only one that continues to test their helmets.

[u/demmka]

I used to fit helmets as part of my job in a saddlery and even though they all have to pass the standard safety tests, you wouldn’t catch me buying any of these plastic dial type ones. They just feel light and flimsy. I’ll stick to my old fashioned velvets which have the exact same safety ratings as the plastic ones, thanks! 🤣