Helmets are one of the most important pieces of equipment in any sport and it’s essential that you protect your most valuable asset. No helmet can completely prevent concussions, but the first step in head safety is to find the helmet that best fits your head and level of play.
No two heads are the same, and all helmets fit differently. The helmet that’s right for you is the one that fits.
Bring your helmet into anySource for Sports Locationfor a free inspection and fit adjustment.
A Proper Fitting Hockey Helmet Begins with the Fitting Experts at Source for Sports
Pro-Formance Advantage Custom Fitting system is a system designed to put you in the right helmet for your game, and considers many factors such as:
- What level of hockey do you play, and how often? Elite level players who play contact hockey require a helmet designed for that purpose. However, even if your child is just starting out in hockey, you need to ensure the head is well protected – after all, learning to play means there will be falling and tripping.
- How often do you get your hair cut? Thick hair and pony tails can give the impression that helmets are fitting smaller than they actually are; a skullcap is a good option for keeping hair out of the eyes, and close to the skull under the helmet.
- Never buy a helmet to “grow into”. A helmet must fit snugly, with one finger width above the eyebrow and ample coverage of the temples and ears. A helmet that shifts on the head does not absorb impacts.
- Are you looking for a helmet and cage combo? If so, the helmet and cage must work together as a unit on your head and face to provide proper protection. Helmets are fitted to head size, and masks are fitted to face size. It is not unusual for a player to have a different mask size on their helmet. The chin cup must be secure and the cage must align with the J clips on the helmet to minimize movement, thereby reducing shock traveling from the face to the skull.
- Are you ready for a visor? When mounting a visor, there should only be about 1.25 cm between your nose and visor. The closer to your face that the visor is, the less likely you are to be hit in the eye with a stick or puck.
Helmet Fitting Tips:
- The best helmet for you is the one that fits the best
- The helmet should fit snugly all around your head
- You should have one finger width between your eyebrows and the helmet
- The chin strap should be always be done up
- The chin cup should fit snugly and directly on your chin
- The helmet J Clips should be properly aligned with the facemask to hold it in place and absorb any impact the facemask may take
Shop All Hockey Helmets
If It Doesn't Fit, It Doesn't Protect. Bring your or your child's helmet into one of our Source for Sports hockey stores to have it inspected free of charge.
For expert advice onhockeygear and equipment that is right for your game, level of play, and budget, come see us at your local Source for Sports hockey store near you. We Fit Your Game.
FAQs
A hockey helmet should not sit too high or too low on their head. To check, make sure that the rim of the helmet is one finger width above the eyebrow and the helmet sits flat on the top of the athlete's head. A cage or facemask that fits well should not be more than an inch from the athlete's face.
How do I know if my hockey helmet is too big? ›
The helmet should fit snugly all around your head. You should have one finger width between your eyebrows and the helmet. The chin strap should be always be done up. The chin cup should fit snugly and directly on your chin.
How should a hockey helmet fit kids? ›
Protection: A hockey helmet should fit snug to prevent any shifting and maximize protection. Make sure the chinstrap can be adjusted so it gently makes contact under the chin when fastened. Hockey rules may require that you wear CSA and HECC certified helmets.
How do you wear an ice hockey helmet? ›
The helmet should sit flat on the head with the rim about ½” above the eyebrows, without tilting forward or backward. Adjust the chin strap so it's firm under the chin. You want the helmet to fit tightly enough so it doesn't shift, but not to the point of where it feels uncomfortable.
How do you know if your helmet is a perfect fit or small? ›
A good-fitting helmet should be snug but not annoyingly tight. It should sit level on your head (not tilted back) with the front edge one inch or less above your eyebrows so that your forehead is protected. Push the helmet from side to side and back to front.
How do I know if my hockey helmet is too small? ›
GENERAL FIT
A hockey helmet should fit snugly all around, with no spaces between the pads and the athlete's head. You can check this by seeing if the skin on the athlete's forehead moves when the helmet is shifted left or right, up or down.
How do I know what size hockey helmet I need? ›
First thing you need to determine your size is your head measurement. Wrap a soft tape measure around your head, just above your eyebrows to get the circumference. Then check that number against the size range on the box of the helmet you're considering, to find out if you need a small, medium or large helmet.
How tight should a kids helmet be? ›
Helmet straps should lay flat against the child's head forming a “Y” at each earlobe. Adjust so it's snug but not uncomfortable – you should be able to fit one finger width between the buckle and the chin. Try twisting or pulling the helmet.
Why do hockey helmets not cover the face? ›
The concerns about peripheral vision come from the fact that full facemasks have a chin cup, which blocks a player's view toward their feet, and the puck. That means that players have to look down to see the puck, and they're taught from the youngest ages that skating with your head down is a recipe for disaster.
How do you break in a hockey helmet? ›
The best way to break in new hockey equipment is to wear and use it regularly. This includes not only wearing it to practice, but also around the house.
Wearing a headband under your helmet is a great way to prevent this from happening. Not only will a headband help to keep the sweat out of your eyes, but it will also help keep your hair out of your face. No sweat or hair in your face will allow you to focus more on the game.
Who is the last NHL player to not wear a helmet? ›
Craig MacTavish – 1996-97, St.
Every hockey trivia buff knows Craig MacTavish was the last player to skate in the NHL without a helmet, but many forget that 'MacT' actually wore one at the start of his NHL career.
What size helmet for a 12 year old? ›
Step 1: Make sure the helmet is the right size.
| Age | Head Circumference (in cm) |
|---|
| 2 years | 48 |
| 3-5 years | 51 |
| 6-10 years | 53 |
| 11+ years | 56 |
1 more rowJun 1, 2023
If the helmet doesn't fit snugly on your head, it can't absorb and redirect impact forces properly. Instead, a big impact will knock the helmet into your skull, potentially causing additional injuries.
Is my skate helmet too big? ›
If your skate helmet is too big, it can slide down and block your vision or slide backward and exposed your forehead. It's very quick to find the right size. Take a measuring tape and measure around the widest part of your head, about one inch over your eyebrows. Then check the size chart below the helmet you want.
How much bigger should a helmet be than your head? ›
After putting the helmet on, the eye port of the helmet should be sitting snugly above your eyebrows. If you can fit your fingers easily between your head and the helmet then it is too big.
