Buying The Best Football Helmet
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Buying The Best Football Helmet
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| How do I find my helmet size? | ||
No matter which
football helmet you choose, it will do you no good if it doesn't fit
correctly. A properly fit helmet will cradle your head and protect
exactly where and what it is meant to. But to find the best size and fit
helmet for you, you're going to need accurate measurements. Follow these
instructions to determine your perfect size helmet:
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| Are different helmets sized differently? | ||
| The short answer is "Yes." Due to different manufacturing processes, technologies, and features, different football helmets will fit differently. To truly get the most accurate information, it's best to review the sizing chart found on each individual helmet's product page. However, for a general idea of how the most popular helmets and brands are sized, please consult the following charts: | ||
| Riddell Adult Football Helmets | Riddell Youth Football Helmets | ||||||
| Size | Hat Size | Cranium | Size | Hat Size | Cranium | ||
| S | Up to 6 1/2" | Up to 20 3/8" | XS | 6 3/8" - 6 1/2" | 20 - 20 3/8" | ||
| M | 6 1/2" - 7" | 20 3/8" - 22" | S | 6 5/8" - 6 3/4" | 20 3/4" - 21 1/4" | ||
| L | 7" - 7 1/2" | 22" - 23 1/2" | M | 6 7/8" - 7" | 21 5/8" - 22" | ||
| XL | 7 1/2" and Up | 23 1/2" and Up | L | 7" - 7 1/2" | 22 3/8" - 22 3/4" | ||
| XL | 7 1/2" and Up | 23 1/8" - 23 1/2" | |||||
| Most Schutt Football Helmets | Schutt XP Hybrid / Recruit Hybrid / AiR Standard II | ||||||
| Size | Head Size | Head Circumference | Size | Head Size | Head Circumference | ||
| Small | 6" - 6 1/2" | 19" - 20 1/2" | 2X-Small | 6" - 6 1/4" | 19" - 19 1/2" | ||
| Medium | 6 1/2" - 7" | 20 1/2" - 22" | X-Small | 6 3/8" - 6 1/2" | 20" - 20 1/2" | ||
| Large | 7" - 7 1/2" | 22" - 23 1/2" | Small | 6 5/8" - 6 3/4" | 20 3/4" - 21 1/4" | ||
| X-Large | 7 1/2" - 8" | 23 1/2" - 25" | Medium | 6 7/8" - 7" | 21 1/2" - 22" | ||
| Large | 7 1/8" - 7 1/4" | 22 1/4" - 22 3/4" | |||||
| X-Large | 7 3/8" - 7 1/2" | 23" - 23 1/2" | |||||
| How do I know which helmet is right for me? | |||||||
| To help you determine which helmet is right, it's important to consider your age, league, skill level, needs, and budget. Consult the following chart to get a better understanding of which helmets are designed for which players: | |||||||
| League / Age | Recommended Helmet | ||||||
| Pop Warner |
Please Note: Youth players can wear any youth helmet at a Pop Warner level. Listed helmets above were chosen due to their affordable price. |
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| Middle School |
Please Note: Schutt Hybrid helmets are designed to be lighter, and are only designed for players aged 6-10, not Middle School age players. |
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| High School / Semi-Pro |
Please Note: No Youth helmet should be worn by high school players and above, due to the inability of the ABS plastic shell to properly protect older players. Only Adult level helmets with polycarbonate alloy shells are approved for this age play. |
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| What are the typical safety and comfort features on modern helmets? | |||||||
| Schutt and Riddell are the leaders in safety technology, and have stocked their lines of helmets with the latest and greatest features on the field today. Check out the advanced materials and technologies available in the Schutt and Riddell helmets we offer: | |||||||
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TPU Cushioning Thermoplastic Urethane (TPU) cushioning is what sets Schutt helmets apart from anything else. Proven superior to any traditional foam padding, TPU excels during in-game conditions, providing better impact absorption, heat management, and hygienics. TPU doesn't break down, and is naturally resistant to bacteria and molds, protecting you from big hits and small infections. |
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SUREFIT Air Liner A two-piece system with inflatable ports provides incredible comfort and a customized fit. Made from a soft, yet durable anti-microbial material, this inner liner can be inflated with a Schutt pump to provide air cushioning and a more comfortable fit around the head. |
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Energy Wedge Faceguard This unique facemask connector created by Schutt also acts as a shock absorber for compatible helmets. Stronger than traditional faceguards, and wider, for a better field of view, the Energy Wedge also absorbs up to 15% more impact from direct frontal hits! |
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Quarter Turn Release A fast and easy method of removing your facemask on the field, produced by Schutt. A quarter turn of the screws easily lock your facemask in place. Another quarter turn releases it for fast removal. |
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Schutt AiR Maxx TPU Jaw Pads Using the same TPU cushioning found in the shell of the helmet to protect your jaw, these pads feature a comfortable vinyl covering for a great feel. They also maximize air flow and breathability, keeping your head cool as the game heats up. |
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SUREFIT Slots |
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Riddell Quick Release
Face Guard System |
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Inflatable Z-Pads /
S-Pads |
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| What are the differences between the football helmet brands you carry? | |||||||
| Sports Unlimited carries a huge variety of helmets from the top brands in the industry. These days, Schutt, Riddell, and Adams are at the top of the game, and in turn, we only carry helmets from these brands. Each company offers great products with amazing features, all at different prices and meant for different players. To get the right helmet for you it is important to understand what each brand offers: | |||||||
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Schutt Football Helmets:
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Riddell Football Helmets:
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Adams Football Helmets:
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| What are the differences between the types of helmet shells? | |||||||
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The shell of the helmet is the hard outer
layer that protects your head from serious injury. It also keeps all of
the helmet's features and padding properly placed and in working order,
to reduce impact energy from damaging you or causing concussions. There
are typically two different designs of helmet shell (Traditional and
Oversized), and two different materials used in shell manufacturing (ABS
Plastic and Poly Carbonate Alloy): Shell Design: Oversized - Larger and more spherical than traditional shells, to provide a larger offset, or area between the head and shell. A larger offset features better impact dispersion, and allows for more cushioning (typically foam or TPU) which has been shown to protect players better during collisions. The drawback is a larger profile, and heavier helmet. Traditional - The sized shell typically used by players for decades. This shell provides a normal offset with typical amounts of padding and cushioning. A comfortable feel, low profile, and low weight make it popular amongst more seasoned players. Shell Material: ABS Plastic - Primarily used in youth helmets, since it is lightweight and protective, without being overly expensive. Since youth games typically do not involve high-speed, high-energy collisions, ABS Plastic is a perfect shell material. Poly Carbonate Alloy (PCA) - An incredibly strong shell material used in high school, college, and pro-level helmets. PCA is durably enough to pass NOCSAE certifications for adult play, and is made to withstand high-speed, high-energy impacts. |
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| How do I find the best face mask for my football helmet? | |||||||
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If your football helmet does not come with a
facemask,
you'll have to purchase one separately. You can tell whether a helmet
comes with a facemask by consulting your helmet's product page.
Thankfully though, almost every football helmet brand makes facemasks
specially designed for their helmets. For instance, the Schutt DNA
helmets have a collection of specially designed
Schutt DNA facemasks to go along with them. Once you decide on a
helmet, it is easy to find the facemasks that will properly fit that
helmet. The major question to ask yourself when picking out a new facemask is, which metal to go with? Facemasks today are made from three types of metal: Carbon Steel is the standard, moderately weighted, durable facemask metal, great for younger, or newer players. Stainless Steel is a bit lighter than Carbon, still strong, but a bit more expensive, so it is typically used by more skilled, or serious players like high school and college players Titanium is the lightest, strongest facemask metal around. Perfect for the incredibly serious or pro player, titanium facemasks give players the edge they need. |
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| FOOTBALL HELMETS | Shop all Football Helmets |
| Consult this list to immediately see the differences between the football helmets we offer |
| Style | Age | Technology | Special Features |
| Schutt ION 4D | Adult / Youth |
SUREFIT Air Liner - lateral and crown sections Energy Wedges Polycarbonate Shell - large standoff Quarter Turn release hardware Moisture Management Pad Air Maxx TPU Jaw Pad |
Top of the line Schutt helmet Large standoff gives it a bold design Hard cup chin strap included AiR-LOC inflation ports, for easy inflation/deflation of air liners |
| Schutt DNA Pro + Adult | Adult |
SUREFIT Air Liner - later and crown section Polycarbonate shell - large standoff AiR Maxx TPU Jaw Pads SUREFIT slots |
Highest tested helmet in the NFL's independent study AiR-LOC inflation ports for easy inflation/deflation of the air liners |
| Schutt DNA Pro + Youth | Youth | High Impact ABS Plastic Shell - large standoff All other features similar to Adult size |
Highest tested helmet in the NFL's independent study AiR-LOC inflation ports for easy inflation/deflation of the air liners |
| Schutt AiR XP Adult | Adult |
TPU cushioning SUREFIT Air Liner - later and crown sections Polycarbonate shell - traditional standoff AiR Maxx TPU Jaw Pads SUREFIT Slots |
Hard cup chin strap included AiR-LOC inflation ports for easy inflation/deflation of the air liners |
| Schutt AiR XP Youth | Youth |
High Impact ABS Plastic Shell - traditional size shell All other features similar to Adult size |
Hard cup chin strap included AiR-LOC inflation ports for easy inflation/deflation of the air liners |
| Schutt Recruit Hybrid | Youth |
ABS Plastic Shell - large standoff AiR Maxx TPU Jaw Pads TPU Cushioning SUREFIT Slots |
TPU liners on the front and crown Non-inflatable, anti-microbial comfort liner Lighter design Replaced the DNA Recruit Popular Pop Warner football helmet |
| Schutt Recruit Hybrid + | Youth |
ABS Plastic Shell - large standoff SUREFIT Air Liner - lateral and crown AiR Maxx TPU Jaw Pads SUREFIT Slots |
TPU Liners - front and crown Lightweight design AiR-LOC inflation ports for easy inflation/deflation of air liners Popular Pop Warner football helmet |
| Schutt XP Hybrid | Youth |
ABS Plastic Shell - traditional standoff AiR Maxx TPU Jaw Pads SUREFIT Slots |
TPU liners - front and crown Non-inflatable, anti-microbial comfort liner Soft cup chin strap included Lighter hybrid cushioning Great value |
| Schutt XP Hybrid + | Youth |
ABS Plastic Shell - traditional offset SUREFIT Air Liner AiR Maxx TPU Jaw Pads SUREFIT Slots |
TPU Liner - front and crown Soft cup chin strap included Lighter hybrid cushioning AiR-LOC inflation ports |
| Riddell Revolution | Youth / Adult |
Aero-Cell Liner - shell vents improve breathability Tru-Curve Front Pad and Optical Lock - superior front-to-back fit Tru-Curve Shell - extends forward to protect side of head Inflatable Z-Pad - jaw pads |
Increased shell offset Official helmet of the NFL |
| Riddell Revolution Speed | Youth / Adult | Oversized vent holes improve air circulation Push-button Quick Release Face Mask Removal Inflatable back/neck/side and crown liner Tru-Curve Shell - extends forward for side-of-head protection Inflatable S-Pad - jaw pads |
Increased shell offset New face mask design with wider range of vision Removable, moisture-wicking, antibacterial overliner |
| Riddell Revolution IQ | Youth |
Aero-Cell Liner - shell vents for improved breathability Tru-Curve Front Pad and Back Pad - front-to-back stability and fit Tru-Curve Shell - extends forward for side-of-head protection Inflatable Z-Pad - jaw pads |
Increased shell overset Ideal fit liner system Handles a broad range of impacts |
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Be sure to choose your helmet carefully and consult your trainer for additional guidance or advice. If you have further questions be sure to call our resident football expert Jamie at 1-800-693-6368 |