Football helmets

What to look for in a football helmet

Fit comes first. A premium shell that sits badly on your head will not perform as intended, so treat the points below as a checklist rather than a ranking.

Certification

American football helmets are certified to NOCSAE standards, the benchmark manufacturers cite on their product pages. Check that the model you are considering is certified and that the certification label on the shell is intact. Steer clear of second-hand helmets with an unknown reconditioning history.

Virginia Tech helmet ratings

Virginia Tech's independent lab tests adult (varsity) and youth helmets and publishes a score and a star rating from one to five for each model. The lower the score, the better the helmet performed in their tests. Ratings apply to one specific model rather than a whole range, so two helmets from the same family can score very differently. Our product pages always show the rating of the exact model.

Adult or youth football helmet

A youth helmet is not simply a smaller adult one: shell, padding and weight are designed for lighter players, and Virginia Tech rates youth helmets separately. When to move up to an adult helmet depends on head size and playing level, so follow the manufacturer's guidance rather than age alone.

Sizing and fit

Measure your head circumference with a soft tape roughly an inch (2.5 cm) above the eyebrows, then check the manufacturer's size chart, as ranges vary between brands and models. A well-fitted helmet feels snug without pressure points, sits about two fingers' width above the eyebrows and does not twist when you rotate it by the facemask. On helmets with inflatable liners, the final fit is fine-tuned with a pump.

Facemasks, visors and chin straps

• Facemask: open designs suit receivers and defensive backs, while linemen generally prefer more bars. Always check compatibility with your shell.
• Visor: clear or tinted, it shields the eyes. Some rulebooks restrict tinted visors, so check your league's rules first.
• Chin strap: it keeps the helmet in place. Make sure it suits your helmet and replace it as soon as it shows wear.

Care and maintenance

Clean the shell and pads with products approved by the manufacturer, let everything air-dry and inspect screws, clips and pads regularly. Avoid solvents and non-approved stickers. Follow the manufacturer's guidance on reconditioning and recertification, and take any cracked or deformed helmet out of use straight away.