Replacing the peak and panels in a KEP helmet – how the service works

Everyone knows that sound: a helmet sliding off a shelf in a trailer or catching on a stall door frame and hitting the floor. You pick it up, inspect it, and see a damaged visor. The shell is intact, the liner is in place, the helmet is six months old and looks new. And the question remains: buy a new one, ride with a cracked visor, or can it be repaired?

There's also a second, much more serious version of this story: the visor cracks during a fall, when the helmet hits the ground along with the rider. The damage then looks identical – the same cracked visor, the same outwardly intact shell – but the answer is completely different. A helmet that has taken an impact is not a matter for service, no matter how good it looks. This is the most important boundary in this entire service, and we'll return to it in more detail later in the text.

If, however, the helmet has not made contact with the ground, there is a third option – though not in every KEP model. In Cromo 2.0, the visor, front and rear panels, and liner are separate parts that can simply be replaced. In Smart Nova, you can replace the visor and liner, while in Smart Polo Visor, E-Light, and older models, only the liner can be replaced. In order: what can be done in which helmet, how it changes safety, and when no service is a good answer.

What can be replaced in your KEP model?

This is the first thing to check, because the scope of replacement depends on the model, not the brand. Full interchangeability of external elements is a feature of the Cromo 2.0 model. In this helmet, the elements connect to the shell with a mechanical hook system, not permanently – and the manufacturer states directly that the helmet can be customized even after purchase.

The rest of the models offer fewer possibilities. It's easiest to see this in a comparison:

It's worth noting one thing: the manufacturer only provided an independent visor replacement system in Cromo 2.0 and Smart Nova. In Smart Polo Visor, the visor cannot be replaced – only the liner. And in Cromo 2.0 and Smart Nova, the visor can not only be replaced with the same type but also its cut can be changed – from standard to wider, polo style, or vice versa. So if you have Cromo 2.0, the scope for maneuver is wide; with Smart Nova, we're talking about the visor and liner; and if you have a model not in the table, or simply don't know what can be replaced – write to us before ordering the service. The model name is right there, and we'll immediately tell you if there's anything to replace, or if it's not worth your time to ship it.

In Cromo 2.0, the following are subject to replacement:

• visor – in various cuts and finishes, also as a ready-made set with a panel,
• panels: front and rear – elements that most determine the appearance of the helmet,
• internal liners – in the Smart Lock system, in summer and winter versions.

One thing remains untouched: the shell. We do not touch it in any variant of the service – neither external nor internal. It is responsible for head protection and is part of a certified construction, so any interference with it would mean a helmet for which no one can be responsible.

This is not a matter of fashion. Modularity means that damage to one element does not condemn you to buying a whole new helmet – and that's important in a segment where a helmet is an investment for years.

There's one more thing that's easy to forget. The front panel in KEP helmets is not just an adornment – it's an element through which air flows. The brand develops the Air Control ventilation system precisely in this part of the helmet, and ventilation in a helmet is not just a matter of comfort. A rider whose sweat drips into their eyes in the heat loses concentration and tires faster. A damaged or poorly chosen panel means not only a different look but also a different airflow than the one the manufacturer designed.

And here's exactly what we replace and why – using Cromo 2.0, where the choice is widest, as an example:

What does parts replacement look like at Equishop?

We perform helmet parts replacement exclusively for KEP Italia helmets and exclusively with original manufacturer tools. This is not caution for show: the KEP hook system requires the right tool, and an element tightened "by feel" or pried with a screwdriver results in a damaged socket in the shell.

The process is simple:

1. You select the service in the Equishop service section and pay for it online.
2. You deliver the helmet – in person to our store and service at ul. Oświęcimska 9 in Ruda Śląska or by courier, in packaging that will protect the shell during transport.
3. We inspect the entire helmet, not just the damaged element. We check the shell, mounts, strap, and condition of the liners, and we tell you what is realistically worth doing.
4. We replace the parts with original ones, and we confirm the timeline after inspecting the helmet and checking the availability of the element.
5. You pick up the helmet in person or by courier.

For the first message to be sufficient, prepare three things: the model name from the label inside the helmet, a photo of the damaged element, and information on whether the helmet made contact with the ground. The latter is the most important – it determines whether we even discuss service.

In return, you get a helmet with original parts and information on what else we checked. If we see something along the way that wasn't in the report – a loose mount, a worn strap, a liner that has lost thickness – we'll tell you before we do anything.

If you're sending the helmet by courier, it's worth taking five minutes to pack it: fill the inside of the helmet with soft material, wrap it separately, and only then put it in a box with padding on the sides. Tape applied directly to the lacquer or visor is the most common reason a helmet arrives in worse condition than when it left.

Incidentally, it's worth knowing that we also do two other things for helmets in the service: polishing – which removes scratches and dullness from the lacquer, but is not a method for concealing cracks – and safety checks for Samshield helmets. So if you ride in a different brand, an inspection of the helmet is still possible; parts replacement is a service reserved for KEP.

What exactly is replaced and why?

The most common reasons KEP helmets come to us for parts replacement are very mundane.

Cracked or scuffed visor

The helmet fell off a shelf, caught on a trailer, flew across the arena after a fall that did nothing to the rider. The visor is the most protruding part of the helmet and takes most of these impacts.

Loose mounting

A wobbly visor is not just an annoying detail. A loose element works with every trot and stresses the mounting sockets in the shell – which is precisely the place you'd rather not strain unnecessarily.

Worn liners

Liners work the hardest of all helmet parts: they absorb sweat, rub against hair, are washed and dried. After a few seasons, they lose their elasticity and thickness. A helmet that once fit perfectly begins to shift when bending down.

Changing appearance without changing the helmet

There's also the most pleasant reason: someone changes club colors or simply wants a different visor and different panels. Since the system allows it, there's no need to buy a second helmet.

Why is a cracked visor not just an aesthetic issue?

It's easy to treat the visor as just an ornament. In everyday riding, however, it does three specific things: it shields the eyes from the sun, stops branches in the field, and protects the face from what flies from the hooves of the horse in front of you. A cracked visor stops doing any of these things properly.

There's also a fourth thing that's rarely talked about: in a fall to the face, a wider visor takes some of the impact with the ground and can shield the face. No standard measures this, and no one buys a helmet with such a scenario in mind – but at that second, it matters whether there's a rigid, intact element above the eyes, or a piece of cracked plastic.

In addition, there are two things that are talked about less often. A crack leaves a sharp edge a few centimeters from the rider's face. And a loose, rattling element takes away what is most difficult to regain in a helmet – trust in the equipment. A rider who adjusts their helmet on their head in every lesson is concerned with the helmet, not the horse.

Panels and liners, i.e. fit as a protective element

Here we come to the most important part of the topic. A helmet only protects if it stays on the head and in the correct position. The British Horse Society states it unequivocally: a helmet must be fastened and properly fitted, and since every head has a different shape, the right model usually needs to be found through trying it on.

However, fit is not a permanent state. A liner that has settled and become thinner creates slack. Slack means that the helmet shifts with sudden head movements – and in a fall, what matters is where the helmet is at that moment, not where it was at the beginning of the ride. Replacing liners is not just refreshing the helmet; it's restoring the fit it had on the day of purchase.

Liners are also the most "democratic" part of KEP – the manufacturer offers them not only for Cromo 2.0 but also for E-Light, Smart, Endurance, and Fast. In Cromo 2.0, they are replaced using the Smart Lock system, and the thickness can be adjusted if the head shape requires correction in one area. This is precisely the thing where it's better to rely on someone who does this every day than to judge the fit of your own helmet in front of a mirror.

You can perform three quick tests yourself to tell if your helmet still fits as it should:

• Shake test. Fasten the helmet, tilt your head, and shake it from side to side. The helmet should stay in place, not slide onto your forehead or the back of your head.
• Bending test. Bend down as if you were picking up a brush from the ground. If the helmet slides over your eyes, the fit is too loose.
• Strap test. The chin strap should be securely fastened, but without pressure. The manufacturer provides a simple measure: one finger should fit between the strap and your chin.

If any of the tests go badly, and the helmet once passed them without a problem, it's usually a sign that the liners need replacing.

What is more cost-effective: replacing an element or a new helmet?

The question is asked almost always and deserves an honest answer. If the shell is intact and the problem is the visor, panel, or liner, replacing the element costs a fraction of the price of a new helmet. Specific rates depend on the element and model, which is why we list them on the service page.

The calculation changes in two situations. The first is a helmet that has taken an impact – there's nothing to calculate here, because replacing an element will not restore its protective properties. The second is a helmet where several things need to be replaced at once, and it turns out that many seasons have passed since the purchase, the liners are worn out, the lacquer has dulled, and the model itself no longer matches your riding style. In that case, it's worth calmly considering both options – and sometimes it turns out that it's better to close the matter with a new helmet.

One thing we will never advise: riding in a helmet with a cracked visor "until the end of the season." That's putting off a few dozen zlotys at the cost of an element located a few centimeters from your eye.

How to make your visor and panels last longer?

Most of the damage we see doesn't occur during a fall. It happens on the way to the horse and after riding. A few habits really extend the life of external elements.

• Carry your helmet in a bag, not loose. In the trunk and in the trailer, the helmet travels with boots, brushes, and a thermos – and the visor always sticks out the most.
• Do not hang your helmet on the pommel or on a door handle. That's where it falls most often, and onto concrete.
• Keep it away from sun and heat. A helmet left behind a car window in July spends several hours at a temperature no one planned for it – this applies to both the lacquer and the glues.
• Dry liners in the shade, after removing them. Drying on a radiator or in full sun shortens their life faster than actual use.
• Fasten your helmet before putting it on the seat. An unfastened strap is the most common reason for a helmet to slide off a shelf.

None of these points are revelations. Together, however, they make the difference between a visor you replace after a year and one that looks good for five seasons.

What will the service not do?

Honesty in this matter is more important than selling a service. The service replaces external elements and liners. We do not touch the shell at all – we do not repair it, sand it, or replace it. There is also no way to restore a helmet's protective properties after an impact.

The rule is simple and has no exceptions: if the helmet has taken an impact – especially contact with the ground – it must be replaced with a new one. The BHS states this directly and adds something worth remembering even beyond falls: with every drop and every impact, the protective properties of the helmet can deteriorate. The material that absorbs energy does so once. On the outer side of the shell, often nothing is visible.

Therefore, a helmet after a fall is not a candidate for visor replacement. It is a candidate for replacement with a new one – and if, after inspecting the helmet, we come to this conclusion, we will say so, even if the service was ordered.

It is worth knowing that KEP helmets are certified according to EN 1384:2023, which replaced the previous EN 1384:2017 and VG1 01.040 2014-12 and introduced stricter tests and broader documentation. The manufacturer also provides SEI certification according to the American standard ASTM F1163-23 and the ISO 9001 quality system. However, the certificate applies to the helmet as a whole, in its factory condition – and this is another reason why elements are replaced with original manufacturer parts, not substitutes.

By the way: the change in the standard itself tidied up quite a mess. Previously, alongside EN 1384, there was also the VG1 standard, making it easy to get confused when buying – two markings, different versions, different dates. EN 1384:2023 consolidates this into one stricter set of requirements and includes more extensive production documentation. For the rider, the practical conclusion is simple: when buying a helmet, it's worth checking what standard and year it has on the label – and when servicing it, make sure that replacement parts come from the manufacturer, as they are part of the certified whole.

Part replacement and personalization

These two things often go together – and again, mainly in Cromo 2.0, because both the visor and panels are replaceable. The same service visit can therefore be an opportunity to change the helmet's appearance: a different visor cut, different panels, as well as finishes such as crystals, initials, or club logos.

It's just important to maintain the correct order. First, we check if the helmet is functional and well-fitted, and only then do we discuss its appearance. There's no point in decorating a helmet that needs to be replaced anyway.

When to submit a helmet for service?

A short list to check at the earliest opportunity. Just one "yes" point is enough to warrant contacting us – and when submitting, provide the helmet model, as what can be done depends on it.

• The visor is cracked, broken, or heavily abraded.
• The visor or panel moves, rattles, or can be pushed with a finger.
• The liner is worn out, flattened, and the helmet has started to move on the head.
• The helmet slides forward when bending down, or needs to be adjusted during riding.
• You've changed your hairstyle enough that the helmet fits differently than before.
• You want to change the helmet's appearance, and the helmet itself is in good condition.

And one point where we don't arrange service, but discuss a new helmet: the helmet hit the ground or something hard.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does replacing the visor affect the helmet's certification? No, if the replacement is done with original manufacturer parts and using the correct tools. That's why the service only covers KEP helmets and original components – a substitute from an unreliable source is an element for which no one is responsible.

Can I replace the visor myself? The KEP system is designed so that replacement is possible, but it requires the right tool and a sense of force. The most common mistake is damaging the mounting socket when tightening. If you have doubts, we recommend bringing the helmet to us rather than repairing the consequences.

How long does part replacement take? The timeframe depends on the availability of the specific component and we confirm it after inspecting the helmet. If the visor or liner is in stock, it's a quick matter.

The helmet fell from the shelf, but I don't see anything. Should I replace it? If the impact was strong, assume the helmet needs to be replaced, even if everything looks fine from the outside. The energy-absorbing layer works once, and its condition cannot be assessed visually. Bring the helmet – we'll examine it together and tell you honestly what we see.

The helmet pinches me in one spot – is this a service issue? Very often, yes, and regardless of the model – the manufacturer offers liners for most KEP helmets, and in Cromo 2.0, they are also available in different thicknesses. Point pressure can usually be resolved without changing the helmet. It's worth doing this before riding in a helmet starts to be associated with a headache.

Will polishing remove a crack? No. Polishing works on the lacquer and removes scratches and dullness. A cracked component is replaced, not masked.

A helmet that stays with you for years

The modular design of Cromo 2.0 offers more than just the ability to choose a color. It allows you to keep the helmet in a condition where it truly protects – instead of riding in a helmet that is "still somehow okay". A replaced visor means full eye and face protection again. A replaced liner means it's the same helmet you bought, not a looser version after three seasons.

If you have a KEP helmet with a damaged or loose visor, bring it to our store at Oświęcimska 9 in Ruda Śląska – or write to us and we'll determine what can be done. We'll inspect the helmet, tell you if it's a service matter, and advise you without pressure to buy. And if you're looking for a new helmet and want to be able to replace components later, in the KEP Italia collection, pay attention to the Cromo 2.0 – and other riding helmets, if you want to compare more broadly.