REF · FB_HELMET_AX3D_C
5/5 VT
Riddell
Riddell is an American maker of American football equipment, best known for its helmets. On AFG the brand is represented by its SpeedFlex platform, and we list six of its helmets: the adult SpeedFlex launched in 2014, the SF Echo for the 2026 season, the SpeedFlex II, the SpeedFlex Diamond with its 3D-printed liner, and two youth models, the SpeedFlex Youth and the SpeedFlex ND6. Each product page sets out the specifications Riddell publishes, the NOCSAE certification and, where one exists, the Virginia Tech lab rating together with the year it was measured. Offers come from European retailers, with prices shown in euros.
United States · www.riddell.com
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REF · FB_HELMET_AX_C
5/5 VT
REF · R41184
NOCSAE ✓
5/5 VT
REF · R43199
NOCSAE ✓
5/5 VT
REF · R41175
NOCSAE ✓
5/5 VT
Riddell
SpeedFlex Diamond helmet
Discontinued by the manufacturer
European price to come
See the product
REF · R41196
NOCSAE ✓
4/5 VT
REF · R41125
NOCSAE ✓
4/5 VT
REF · R41195
NOCSAE ✓
3/5 VT
REF · RSF_HC
REF · RSF_TCP
REF · R954SP2
REF · R954SP11
REF · FB_HELMET_VIC_I
NOCSAE ✓
About Riddell
Riddell was founded in 1929 by John Tate Riddell, who is credited with inventing the removable cleat. The company first concentrated on cleated footwear, until its founder developed the plastic-shell helmet in 1939. Over the twentieth century the brand added facemasks and then air-filled padding to its helmets. Its headquarters are in Illinois. In April 2025 Riddell announced that it had acquired the assets of Xenith, another American helmet maker.
Riddell SpeedFlex helmets in our catalogue
Every Riddell helmet on AFG belongs to the SpeedFlex platform. They share the Flex System, a design in which the shell, the facemask and its attachment all flex, along with in-house features such as the Quick Change Liner and the CAM·LOC facemask attachment. All of them are NOCSAE certified.
Adult helmets
- SpeedFlex: the original model, launched in 2014, with a polycarbonate shell and a five-zone inflatable Air Fit liner. Rated 3 stars by Virginia Tech (score 4.49, measured in 2018).
- SF Echo: the 2026-season helmet aimed at high schools and smaller colleges, with BASF materials and inflatable jaw pads. Rated 5 stars (score 1.48, measured in 2025).
- SpeedFlex Diamond: a 3D-printed lattice liner that fits without inflation. Rated 5 stars (score 1.69, measured in 2020), but missing from Riddell's official shop in September 2026.
- SpeedFlex II: SEI certified and rated 4 stars (score 2.27, measured in 2026). We could not find an official Riddell page for this model.
Youth helmets
- SpeedFlex Youth: ABS shell, for players from youth level through to middle school. Rated 4 stars in the youth ratings (score 2.19, measured in 2025).
- SpeedFlex ND6: released in spring 2026 and compliant with the NOCSAE ND006-23 youth helmet standard. Rated 5 stars (score 1.60, measured in 2025).
How to choose between SpeedFlex models
Start with the player: adults choose from the adult helmets, younger players from the SpeedFlex Youth and the SpeedFlex ND6. Then look at how the helmet is fitted: most models are adjusted by inflating the liner, whereas the Diamond does without thanks to its 3D-printed lattice.
To compare protection, the Virginia Tech ratings are a useful reference: the lower the score, the better the result. Keep the measurement year in mind, as the protocol and the helmets compared change over time. Finally, think about the facemask: at the European retailers we checked, the SpeedFlex is sold without one, and you need a facemask designed for the SpeedFlex platform.
Frequently asked questions
Do all Riddell SpeedFlex helmets have the same Virginia Tech rating?
No. In our catalogue the original SpeedFlex is rated 3 stars (measured in 2018) and the SpeedFlex II 4 stars (2026), while the SF Echo and the SpeedFlex Diamond are rated 5 stars in the adult ratings.
Which Riddell helmets are there for young players?
AFG lists two youth helmets: the SpeedFlex Youth, rated 4 stars in the Virginia Tech youth ratings, and the SpeedFlex ND6, which meets the NOCSAE ND006-23 standard and is rated 5 stars.
Where is Riddell based?
In the United States, in Illinois.