Cricket Helmet Size Guide

Size Chart, Fit Advice & Buying Tips for Cricket Helmets

Choosing a cricket helmet should not be too complicated. You need something that fits properly, feels comfortable, and keeps your head safe from fast deliveries. Whilst the process for choosing a cricket helmet might seem simple, the importance of a helmet cannot be overstated. Cricket helmets were introduced in 1978 in an attempt to prevent serious head injuries. Helmets have developed and evolved over the years to incorporate a grill. Modern certified helmets, have been able to make cricket exceptionally safe to play, even against the world's fastest bowlers!

Cricket Australia guidelines require players wear certified and approved helmets in all official competitions/matches for batters, wicket-keepers and fielders within 7m of the batter. Helmets must meet the BS 7928:2013 standard. Cricket neck protectors are also recommended, especially when facing a fast bowler. These safety measures are designed to reduce the risk of potentially fatal injuries that have occurred in the past when players have not worn the recommended safety equipment. It's important that helmets and neck guards are regularly checked for damage, to ensure they provide full protection.

How Should a Cricket Helmet Feel?

A well fitted helmet should settle on your head with an even feeling of support. It should feel steady without being too restrictive. When you turn or tilt your head the helmet should move with you. If it doesn't, then it is probably the wrong size. Clear vision is also important for safety, as well as performance. Your vision should be clear through the space between the peak and the grill. The grill should cover your chin and your jaw, protecting the softer areas of your face including your nose and cheekbones. You can adjust the internal padding if required, but check the manufacturer's instructions and ask an experienced cricketer for advice on the fit if possible - as you don't want to damage or alter the efficiency of the padding's protection.

Common Cricket Helmet Fitting Mistakes

Even a certified, pro-quality helmet won't provide adequate protection if it doesn't fit properly. Here are the most common mistakes to avoid when choosing or wearing your cricket helmet:

• Choosing the Wrong Size
A helmet that's too small will cause discomfort and restrict your vision. A helmet that's too large may move on impact and fail to protect the critical areas of your head. Always measure your head accurately and choose the size that matches your measurement, or sits just above it.

• Helmet Sitting Too High or Too Low
If your helmet sits too high, your face and forehead will be exposed. If it sits too low, your vision can be obstructed. The helmet should sit level on your head, with the peak positioned just above your eyebrows.

• Incorrect Peak-to-Grill Alignment
The gap between the peak and the grill is a critical safety feature. A grill that sits too close to your face or too far forward can increase the risk of facial injury if it deforms on impact. Check with the manufacturer and an experienced cricketer if you are unsure if your grill is correctly aligned.

• Loose Chin Strap or Rear Adjuster
A helmet that isn't properly secured can shift during play or upon impact. Always adjust the chin strap and rear adjuster so the helmet remains stable when you shake and nod your head.

• Ignoring Neck Protection
Many players overlook neck protectors, despite the increased risk from bouncing deliveries. Using a compatible, certified neck protector significantly improves protection to the rear of your head and neck.

• Continuing to Use a Damaged Helmet
Cracks in the shell, compressed padding, or bent grills can severely reduce your helmet's protective performance. If in doubt, replace the helmet, especially after a significant impact.

Why Does Cricket Helmet Size & Fit Matter?

In short, helmet size & fit matters for comfort and safety. When the helmet fits correctly, impacted forces from the ball are distributed effectively across the external material and the shock-absorbing padding inside the helmet. This shock-absorption significantly reduces any force that impacts the head and skull. In turn, the reduction of force greatly reduces the risk of a concussion or soft tissue damage to the face. The face including the eyes, nose and teeth are particularly vulnerable to high impact forces from a cricket ball, with "facial fractures" one of the most commonly reported injuries. With this in mind, it is crucial that the grill provides enough room and fits correctly, so that if a cricket ball does bend or dent the structure, it doesn't have any impact on the player's face.

Beyond safety, a correctly fitted helmet is also important for performance. A poorly fitted or uncomfortable helmet can be a major distraction. In addition, it's possible that a helmet that is too small could negatively impact a batter's vision. A 'cognitive distraction' such as discomfort caused by an ill-fitting helmet, can significantly increase reaction times and reduce focus - negatively impacting performance and increasing the risk of injury.

How Do You Measure Your Head for a Cricket Helmet?

Equipment - A soft measuring tape.

Process for measuring your head:

• Stand in front of a mirror or ask someone to help.
• Place the tape one or two finger widths above your eyebrows.
• Wrap it around the widest part of the back of your head and keep it level. The tape should touch your head gently without feeling tight.
• Take three readings and use the largest one.
• Most heads have small variations in shape and this method gives a size that is comfortable and reliable.

Once you have your measurement number, compare it with the FORTRESS size chart. Pick the size that matches your measurement or sits just above it. A small helmet can cause discomfort. A loose helmet can move around and cause a distraction. A helmet that is significantly too small or too big can be a major safety issue.

How Often Should you Replace a Cricket Helmet?

As a general rule, most recreational cricketers will look to replace their helmets every three to five years. This will depend largely on how often it is used and what impacts it has endured. If you train often, or store your helmet somewhere that isn't particularly cool or well ventilated, then the protective padding could degrade in under three years.

Whilst the general rule above holds true, there is an important exception - one hard hit to the helmet. If your helmet takes a severe blow from a cricket ball (or anything else), that it will need replacing immediately. Even if the cricket helmet looks fine, it normally will need replacing. Check with the manufacturer if you are unsure, but make sure safety is always prioriterised and replace the helmet if you are unsure if the impact was significant enough to warrant purchasing a new one. Modern cricket helmets contain foam that is designed to compress to absorb major impacts to protect your head. Once the foam is compressed, it won't absorb a second impact nearly as effectively.

Watch out for these additional signs that you need a new helmet too:

• Any tiny cracks on the exterior shell
• Any padding that feels loose, flat or loses its shape
• If there is any rust or structural damage to the grill

If in doubt, swap it out. Cricket head and neck injuries have been fatal in the past; so make sure your helmet is functioning optimally.

How Do You Choose a Cricket Helmet Design?

Once you have measured your head and know your size, the next step is to look for a safe helmet look for helmets with the BS 7928 2013 mark and check that the helmet accepts or comes with a neck protector. The safety mark ensures that the helmet has been independently tested for impact protection against a cricket ball at high speed. Neck protectors provide additional coverage and protection to the rear of the head and the upper neck - without restricting movement.

A quality cricket helmet should sit comfortably on your head without any discomfort or specific pressure points. The grill should be correctly aligned to protect the face whilst allowing for full visibility. Look for rear size adjusters and adjustable chin straps for fine-tuning the fit. These adjusters should also help keep the helmet stable throughout play.

Ensure that your cricket helmet:

• Correct head circumference size
• BS 7928:2013 certification
• Stable fit with no movement when shaken
• Clear vision through peak–grill gap
• Compatibility with a certified neck protector

FORTRESS cricket helmets are designed by our in-house team and manufactured with professional-grade materials to the highest specification.  The helmets also boast advanced safety features, and they come in multiple size and colour options. FORTRESS cricket helmets offer reliable protection, comfort, and confidence for players at every level of the game.  

Cricketers, parents and coaches may also be interested in our full range of cricket equipment which includes cricket training equipment, cricket whites and cricket bats.