Hair Net Choices

As more hair net options become available, it can be difficult to know which one to choose without buying and trying them all. Hair nets marketed towards riders are generally thicker and more durable than ordinary hair nets that you might find elsewhere. There are currently three different types of equestrian hair nets (excluding "show bows", which are a big no-no in the hunter/jumper world!), each with their advantages and disadvantages. No type is perfect (unless you're not at all sensitive to knot pressure), so cost, comfort and ease of use need to be weighed against one another while making a choice.

Colour-wise, you should pick one that is closest to your hair colour as the goal is not to have the hair net itself stand out. If there is no exact match, a hairnet that is slightly lighter or darker that your hair colour is not likely to attract attention.

Two-Knot Hair Nets

Two-knot hair nets are the most traditional, they are easy to find and they tend to be the cheapest option available. Having two knots gathering the material makes for a hair net that is essentially the same shape all the way around to keep the hair fairly well-contained without any looser areas to puff out from under the helmet. They are available in a variety of colours to match most hair colours.

Advantages:

• Inexpensive
• Available in practically every tack shop
• Even stretch all the way around
• Available in a variety of colours

Disadvantages:

• Knots can cause pressure points under a helmet
• Don't contain hair well once the net has stretched

One-Knot Hair Nets

One knot hair nets are similar to the two-knot ones but have the advantage of one less pressure point, so you can choose a neutral location to position the knot at. Because of that, however, all the material is gathered at just one end, which creates a more baggy shape, especially as the weave loosens with wear.

Advantages:

• Single knot can be placed where it won't cause a pressure point
• Relatively inexpensive

Disadvantages:

• Single knot causes the shape to be more baggy even before any stretching occurs

No-Knot Hair Nets

No knot hair nets are the newest on the equestrian market, and essentially consist of a wide band that goes around the head, leaving it open on top. They hold the hair tightest and make it easier to style the hair by holding everything in place against the head. For some, using a hair elastic might not even be necessary and they come with a handy storage pouch to keep them away from things like velcro and shavings that can ruin hairnets. Colour choice is the weakness here, with the colours either very light or very dark, and the packaging appears to be a bit misleading colour-wise.

A no-knot hairnet in its pouch (this
is the so-called "medium-brown")

Advantages:

• No pressure points
• Seemingly more robust netting
• Holds hair more closely against the head 
• Allows the hair to be put up without having to lean over
• Comes with protective bag to help it last longer

Disadvantages:

• Comparatively much more expensive
• The band fits more tightly than the band of a traditional hair net
• Colour options are limited (good for either very light or very dark hair)
• Opaque packaging makes it difficult to find the correct colour
• The band is fairly wide, which could make it blend in to your hair less easily