Opening Soon

The
Riding Room

The finest hats, boots and safety equipment — fitted by hand, for every rider

Hampshire · New Forest and beyond

Flagship fitting room at Forest Oaks in the New Forest, plus satellite days in Southampton and Basingstoke

Plan Your Visit

Quietly Luxurious

The best hats and boots in the world — and no reason to feel nervous walking in.

The Riding Room is a boutique shop at Forest Oaks, a working competition yard in the New Forest. We carry a wide range of standard models and pre-configured bespoke models from KEP, KASK and Samshield, a wide range of sizes in the most popular riding boots and the facilities to order in unique hats and boots made to your exact requirements.

You can park easily, sit down and have the time to get the fit right — on a child's first safety helmet just as much as on a premium hat or a made-to-measure boot.

Every fitting is carried out by a trained fitter and fitting is always complimentary. Come in muddy, bring the children, bring the hat you already own and aren't sure about. Walk in on Fridays from 9.30am to 3pm, or book a time and have the room to yourself.

About Us

Our Story

Why we opened The Riding Room

We wanted somewhere close to home where riders and parents could get helmets and riding boots fitted properly, without it feeling rushed or inconvenient. Buying something where fit really matters shouldn't mean queueing at a show stand, keeping children entertained while you wait, or driving somewhere and hoping the right sizes and the right expertise will be there.

So you book a time that suits you, park outside, sit down and take as long as it takes. The same welcome applies whether you're buying a first helmet for a child, replacing an everyday boot, choosing a premium hat or ordering something made to measure. There's no spend that earns you an appointment.

And afterwards, if something isn't right, there's somewhere local and someone you've already met to come back to. Adjustments and repairs are things we can genuinely do.

Proper fitting. Enough time. Somewhere to come back to.

Hats & Boots

A riding hat on a shelf in The Riding Room

Riding Hats

KEP Italia · KASK · Samshield · uvex · LeMieux

Children's through to adult hats, from entry-level safety options to premium and limited-edition models. Head shapes and sizes differ, so we measure, try genuine alternatives side by side and explain the choices without rushing.

Tall Boots

Tucci · Parlanti · Petrie · EGO7

Height, calf, instep and ankle measured by hand. Brands and models fit differently, so we help you find the one that suits your foot and leg — with made-to-measure options where standard sizing isn't right, depending on the brand.

The houses we hold

Hats, Boots & Brands

Safety First

A first helmet, or
international level

We fit hats for six-year-olds on their first pony and for riders competing abroad, with the same care either way. We only hold brands that meet current standards and we'll talk you through the options honestly — a higher price doesn't automatically mean a safer hat.

Race Safe body protectors and air jackets are fitted here too.

How Fitting Works

Close detail of a riding hat harness being adjusted by hand during a fitting

Service & Aftercare

Somewhere to come back to

Adjustments & aftercare

If something isn't quite right afterwards, you know where we are and who to ask. Fit checks and adjustments are part of the service.

Repairs

Hat liners and harnesses, boot zips, elastics and stretching — whether or not you bought it from us.

Made-to-measure & custom

Where standard sizing isn't right, made-to-measure boots and custom hat specifications are available depending on the brand.

Limited editions & sourcing

Small runs and colourways we've specified ourselves, plus hard-to-find sizes we'll do our best to order in.

More service. Not a higher price.

We price match any authorised online retailer, so the fitting, the adjustments and the aftercare don't cost you extra. Show us the price from an authorised UK stockist and we'll match it.

Riding bag, magnetic safety stirrups, gloves and a hat silk on a driftwood table

Accessories

Bags, stirrups and useful things

A considered range of bags, gloves and hat silks, plus selected safety stirrups including Ophena magnetic stirrups. If there's something particular you're after, we can usually source it — including custom goods.

A body protector and air jacket laid out ready for fitting

Protection

Body protectors & air jackets

We stock Race Safe body protectors — fitted, checked and explained in plain English — for pony rides, hunting, eventing and everything between.

Find Us

Forest Oaks

Sway · New Forest · Hampshire · SO41 6DF

Our main fitting room, with Friday walk-ins (9.30am to 3pm) and appointments, plus satellite fitting days in Southampton and Basingstoke.

All Locations

Book an Appointment

Two easy ways to book

Fill in the appointment form and we'll confirm a time by email or WhatsApp — or if you'd rather just chat, message us on WhatsApp and we'll sort a fitting around you, 7 days a week.

Book an Appointment Book by WhatsApp

Gift Cards

Give an experience, not just a gift

Cards by value, or by experience — a bespoke boot or bespoke hat fitting, with a glass of champagne (or a non-alcoholic alternative) and a complimentary product bag or accessory. Off-the-shelf cards include free personalisation or an accessory.

Gift Cards & Experiences

Suggestions

We love a suggestion

Is there a brand you can't get hold of? A product we should stock, or a service we should offer? Tell us — and if we act on it, we'll treat you to a special gift as thanks.

Send a Suggestion Read the FAQs

Opening

Opening
soon

Appointments that fit around riding — and life. Friday walk-ins at Forest Oaks from 9.30am to 3pm, or book a time and take as long as you need.

Questions, fittings and opening times:

info@riding-room.co.uk