Fit guide
Football helmet size chart
Helmet sizing is not standard across brands. A Large in a Schutt F7 is not the same shell as a Large in a VICIS 02, and youth shells run smaller than adult shells wearing the same letter. Measure the head first, then check that number against the model you are actually buying.
Step 1 — Measure the head
You need a soft cloth tape measure. A length of string and a ruler works just as well.
- Wrap the tape around the head roughly one inch above the eyebrows and just above the ears, across the widest part of the skull.
- Keep the tape level front to back. Pull it snug, not tight.
- Measure twice and write down the larger of the two readings.
- If the player wears a skull cap, or has hair that adds bulk, measure them the way they will actually take the field.
Note the figure in both inches and centimetres. Some manufacturers publish one, some the other.
Step 2 — Match the measurement to the model
Every helmet on this site ships with the manufacturer’s own sizing and fitting instructions, and each brand publishes a chart for that specific model. Use that chart. Do not assume a letter size carries over from a helmet the player already owns, or from a different brand.
Not sure which size to order? Send us the head measurement along with the player’s age and position, and we will tell you what we have in stock that fits. Email sales@riddellhelmetszone.com or use the contact form.
Helmet sizes we stock
These are the size options currently available to order on this site. Availability moves, so the size dropdown on each product page is always the live list.
| Helmet | Brand | Level | Sizes available |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riddell SpeedFlex | Riddell | Adult | S, M, L, XL |
| Riddell SpeedFlex Youth | Riddell | Youth | S, M, L, XL |
| Riddell Speed Icon Youth | Riddell | Youth | M, L, XL |
| Schutt F7 2.0 | Schutt | Adult | S, M, L, XL |
| Schutt Vengeance XXL | Schutt | Adult | XXL |
| VICIS 02 | VICIS | Adult | M, L, XL |
| VICIS ZERO2 Youth | VICIS | Youth | XS, S, M, L, XL |
| Xenith X2E+ | Xenith | Adult | M, L, XL |
Pads, chin straps and accessories
| Product | Type | Sizes available |
|---|---|---|
| Riddell SpeedFlex Cam-Loc Hard Cup Chin Strap 2.0 | Chin strap | S, M, L |
| Riddell Biolite 7-Piece Pad Set | Shoulder pad set | S, M |
| Riddell Youth Rib Vest | Rib protection | S |
| Riddell Victor / Victor-i Youth Inflatable S-Pads | Helmet liner pad | 3/4 in, 1 in, 1 1/4 in (left and right) |
Step 3 — Check the fit before first contact
With the helmet on and the chin strap fastened, work through the list below. These are general checks; the fitting instructions packed with your helmet take precedence.
- The helmet sits level, about one inch above the eyebrows. It should not tilt forward or sit back off the forehead.
- The jaw pads make firm, even contact with both cheeks, with no gaps at the sides.
- Push down on the crown and rotate the helmet. The skin on the forehead should move with the shell. If the helmet slides over the skin, it is too loose.
- There should be roughly three finger-widths between the nose and the facemask.
- The chin strap sits centred on the chin, with all four straps at even tension.
- After a few minutes the player should feel even pressure all the way round, not one hot spot.
If any of those are off, the size or the pad configuration is wrong. A loose shell is not fixed by over-tightening the chin strap.
Have the finished fit checked by a coach, equipment manager or athletic trainer before the player takes contact. Helmets with inflatable liners need re-checking through the season, because liners lose air and growing players change size mid-year.