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Buying guides

News, buying guides and gear reviews. Our scores and verdicts are only published after field testing.

Illustration of a head in profile with an orange measuring tape around the skull, inside the dashed outline of a football helmet Buying guides

Football helmet sizing: how to measure and fit

Football helmet sizing explained: measuring head circumference, the Riddell and Schutt size charts, the between-sizes rule and how to check the fit.

 Illustration of a football glove seen palm-up, with its grip patch and wrist cuff on the grass Buying guides

How to choose football gloves: grip, padding and fit

Football gloves compared: what the IFAF rulebook and the SFIA seal require, receiver versus lineman palms, measuring your hand and keeping the grip alive.

 Illustration of a mid-cut football cleat in profile, with its studded outsole on the grass Buying guides

How to choose football cleats: moulded or detachable, cut and fit

Choosing football cleats: moulded or detachable studs, cut height by position, playing surface, sizing and what European rulebooks actually allow on the pitch.

 Illustration of three football helmets standing on a podium, topped by four, five and three orange stars Buying guides

Virginia Tech helmet ratings: how to read the scores

Virginia Tech helmet ratings explained: 48 impacts per helmet, a score where lower wins, the July 2025 star thresholds and the scores in our catalogue.

 Illustration of a football helmet seen head-on, with its white facemask and an orange bar below the eyes Buying guides

How to choose a football facemask for your position

Football facemask buying guide: helmet compatibility, the NOCSAE ND087 standard, positions listed by Riddell and Schutt, steel or titanium, rules and EU prices.

 Illustration of football shoulder pads from the front, with the shoulder width measured from one AC joint to the other Buying guides

Football shoulder pad sizing: how to measure and choose your size

Football shoulder pad sizing explained: how manufacturers measure shoulder width, skill, lineman and all-purpose cuts, size charts by model and back plates.

 Illustration of a white football helmet in profile next to five orange stars Buying guides

How to choose a football helmet: certification, ratings and sizing

How to choose a football helmet: NOCSAE certification, Virginia Tech star ratings, adult vs youth models, head sizing, facemasks, recertification and EU prices.