How to Find the Best Field-Use Helmet for You

If you are in the market to buy a new field-use helmet, it’s important to make sure you are in the right helmet for you. We only provide the best and safest helmets available. With proper care and maintenance, a game-use helmet can last up to 10 years. There are a few things to take into account when choosing what field-use helmet to wear. 

Helmets 

We currently carry four youth helmets and three adult helmets. The youth options are the Riddell Speed Victor-I Helmet, the Schutt Vengeance A11 Helmet, the Schutt F7 LX1 Helmet, and the Riddell SpeedFlex Helmet. The adult options available are the Schutt F7 VTD Helmet, the Riddell SpeedFlex Helmet, and the Vicis Zero2 Helmet. All helmets in our selection are top-rated for safety and are big in popularity. All field-use helmets in our store do not come with facemasks. This allows you to customize your helmet to fit your position, your team, and the look you want!

Sizing

Manufacturers that make field-use helmets use the same or similar sizing for youth and adult helmets. All helmet listings contain a size chart so you are able to find the best-fitting helmet for you. 

In order to measure for a helmet, you need a flexible measuring tape. Wear your hair the way you plan on playing. For example, if you wear your hair in thick braids or you wear a durag underneath your helmet, wear that style when taking your measurements. 

Now take your measurements! Wrap the measuring tape around your head, starting from the back of your head. Meet the end of the measuring tape at the middle of the front of your forehead. That number is the circumference of your head and should translate to a helmet size. Each helmet size fits a small range of measurements. The internal padding is inflatable, allowing for a more customized fit when wearing the helmet. Always use a Short Pump Needle and pump air in slowly when inflating padding. 

Age

Players under 14 years old can use a youth helmet. Youth helmets are safe to use when playing against younger players. The Riddell Speed Victor-I Youth Helmet comes in flexible sizing to keep your youth helmet longer. It is the only helmet in our catalog that includes XXS and XS helmet sizes. These helmets are great for players who start football as early as they walk!

Players 14 and older should wear an adult helmet. When you take on larger and stronger opponents, you need a more durable helmet to protect you. Adult helmets have more robust interior padding and a stronger external shell. If you are approaching age 14 and want an upgrade, it never hurts to be in an adult helmet. 

Accessories

All helmet accessories (Visors, Chinstraps, Facemasks, etc) fit all size helmets. Accessories may be built to provide a universal fit for multiple helmet styles, or they may be made for one specific helmet. The XXS/XS Riddell Speed Victor-I Helmet is the only helmet that requires a special-sized facemask. There are 2 Visors designed to fit the SpeedFlex Helmet: the Oakley Pro Visor and the SHOC Zero G Plus Visor.

Chinstraps are the only accessories that come in different sizes. If you’re unsure what size chinstrap to get, we recommend getting the same size as your helmet. Your chinstrap should fit comfortably against your chin using the adjustable straps. Chinstraps with Buckles can work on any helmet. SpeedFlex helmets usually take Cam-Loc Chinstraps, but you can use chinstraps with buckles if you replace the strap-locs with Snap Posts and SportStar Chinstrap Adapters in placement of cam-locs. If you are a larger player, an extra deep-sized cup might provide more comfort.