Cricket Helmets

The use of cricket batting helmets is compulsory in international cricket and most first-class and List-A matches. However, they are not required in all forms of the game, with some competitions, such as Twenty20, opting to not have their use.

Cricket can be brutal at times, with balls hit at high speeds that can cause severe injuries and fractures. That's why it's compulsory for players near the pitch to wear a helmet. This includes the two batsmen, the wicketkeeper, and any fielder close to the pitch who might be hit by a ball. It's therefore important to choose the right helmet size, one that provides maximum protection and comfort. The right helmet is essential.

The use of cricket batting helmets has been credited with reducing the incidence of head injuries in the sport. A study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine in 2009 found that the use of helmets reduced the risk of head injuries by 84%.

Buying a Comfortable Helmet that Fits

When choosing a cricket helmet, it is important to consider the following factors:

- The type of cricket you will be playing: Test match cricket is played with a red ball, which is harder and heavier than the white ball used in one-day and Twenty20 cricket. As a result, you will need a helmet with a more substantial grille to protect your face from the red ball.

- Your budget: Cricket helmets range in price from around £30 to £200. The more expensive helmets tend to be made from higher-quality materials and offer greater protection.

- The fit: It is important that your cricket helmet fits snugly and doesn't move around when you are wearing it. Most helmets have an adjustable strap to ensure a comfortable and secure fit.

- The level of protection: Some cricket helmets offer more protection than others. For example, some helmets have a faceguard to protect your eyes and nose, while others have an extended back to protect the back of your head.

- The weight: Cricket helmets vary in weight from around 500g to 1kg. The lighter helmets tend to be more comfortable to wear, but offer less protection.

Cricket is played in hot and humid conditions. Some helmets have exposed vents to increase ventilation. If wearing a helmet makes you sweat profusely, go for a helmet with removable headbands and padding that can be run under a tap.

Weight is also an important consideration. You want a helmet that can protect you, but not feel cumbersome. There are helmets made from strong lightweight carbon fiber with titanium grills that are three times lighter than steel.

When choosing a cricket helmet, there are mainly two things you should consider:

- The helmet must protect the player from injury.

- The helmet must be comfortable, that is, be lightweight, well-fitted, and remain stable when running.

All the helmets at Cricketstoreonline have passed the required safety tests, so your choice really comes down to budget and comfort.

How to Choose the Right Helmet Size

You should buy a cricket helmet that fits you well. This is where many people make a mistake. What’s more, a helmet can be adjusted to fit your head. The following are the standard helmet sizes for different brands as each brand has its own standard for adult cricket. Measure your head size and match with it the brand charts below.

Shrey’s Helmet Size Chart

Kookaburra’s Helmet Size Chart

Gray Nicolls Helmet Size Chart

Masuri Helmet Size Chart

What’s in a Cricket Helmet!

Even though cricket helmets are of different shapes and sizes, they all have the same basic parts. Some helmet features may differ based on protection level, comfort, and durability. At Cricketstoreonline, we stock cricket helmets that will protect your head, without hindering you from playing.

The shell of the Helmet

The shell is what protects your head from injury by absorbing shocks from any hits. The outer shell spreads the force of impact over a large surface area eliminating the chances of injury. The inner shell acts as a shock absorber for the force encountered by the outer shell.

Metal Grill of the Helmet

The grill protects the player’s face from impact. It is designed in such a way that it does not affect visibility. The gap between the grill and the shell is enough to provide a good view but not enough to let the ball pass through. With a full-face cricket helmet, you should expect reduced visibility, lower ventilation, and more weight.

Modern helmets are made from composites such as transparent polycarbonates and titanium.

Soft Padding and Neck Guard

Padding reduces the force of impact by acting as a buffer for shock absorption. Also, the foam that makes the padding is designed to ensure the wearer’s comfort and that the helmet holds the head better, and keeping it from moving around. The padding can be adjusted to fit the player’s head.

The neck guard protects the neck from impact. You can put a neck guard as extra padding on your helmet. Depending on the helmet, you will either get a neck guard with it or need to buy one separately for more [protectiion. Check out amazing cricket helmet neck guards in our store.

Chin Strap

The chin strap ensures that the helmet stays in one place, guaranteeing that even on impact, the grill does not cave into the face. The chin strap also protects the chin by acting as a shock absorber.

Steel vs Titanium Helmet Grills

Carbon steel is strong and cheap and is suitable for manufacturing helmet grills but titanium has the highest tensile strength-to-weight ratio of any metal. It is very light but has the strength of steel. As such, it is better than steel in making helmet grills. With the lower weight resulting from the use of titanium, the helmet is more comfortable and applies less pressure on the player’s neck especially when worn for a long time.

Traditional Cloth versus Modern Plastic Helmet

Some helmet manufacturers use a plastic outer shell, while others have a cloth finish. Either option comes in several color options. The traditional cloth finish helmets are more popular. However, helmets with a plastic finish have a more modern look and appeal to young cricketers.

Cricket Helmet Maintenance Guide

The outer shell of the cricket helmet must be cleaned with a damped cloth and a bit of detergent/soap. Gently wipe dirt from the shell and make sure to not rub too hard if it’s an ABS Plastic shell.

You can also use a small brush (even an old toothbrush) with soft bristles to gently clean the helmet’s shell and remove the stuck dust particles.

For the inner part of the helmet, some paddings can be removed and washed under the tap with a gentle rub of soap but if the components aren’t removable, use a cleaning spray to kill the bacteria and clean the inner padding with foam or damp cloth.

You can also use leather cleaning spray and foam that can easily wipe of all the dust collected on the leather components of the helmet.

At last, clean the grill of the helmet, spray perfume on it and let it dry properly.

You can also use an air blower/hair dryer to evaporate the excess moisture and water before leaving it to dry.

Store your helmet away from the sunlight in a dry place.

What we covered in this article:

• Fitting of helmet
• Size guide of helmet
• Maintenance Guide
• Components of a helmet

For the past two decades, Cricketstoreonline has been serving cricketers in North America and all over the world. Our experts know precisely how to serve you. We are the certified distribution partners of major cricket brands and only sell original products. If you are looking to buy a high-quality cricket helmet, allow us to guide you!

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