How to Choose a Cricket Helmet: Complete Buying Guide

Cricket helmets are now an essential safety product in the modern game, providing crucial head and neck protection for cricketers at every level of the game.

This article provides a comprehensive step-by-step guide to buying a cricket helmet – including what to look for in a cricket helmet, important size and fitting information, as well as key features and benefits for different Masuri helmet models. By the end, you’ll know exactly which helmet to purchase that best suits your game.

As the Official Helmet Safety Partner for many International and Domestic cricket teams across the globe, Masuri provide helmets for players at every level of the game, from Test Match openers to the grassroots level and everything in between.

This comprehensive guide includes:

1. Helmet Safety Standards explained

2. Getting the right fit – how to measure before you buy

3. Choosing your grille – Steel vs Titanium

4. Helmet finishes – Cloth vs Paint

5. Buying by level – Junior, Club or Elite

6. Personalisation and Club orders

7. FAQ – Common questions answered

BEGINNER PICK C-LINE PLUS	CLUB PICK T-LINE PLUS TITANIUM	ELITE PICK TF3D T-LINE TITANIUM
SHOP C-LINE PLUS	SHOP T-LINE PLUS	SHOP TF3D

 

THE SAFETY STANDARDS EXPLAINED

BS 7928:2013+A1:2019 represents the British Safety Standard requirements for all helmets that are used in senior and junior cricket.

As per the British Standards Institution website, this British Standard specifies the methods to assess impact attenuation properties during a drop test of the helmet, and the protection provided against a ball or faceguard contacting a specified no contact zone of the face during a projectile test.

In simple terms, passing these drop tests requires the helmet to pass a specific level of impact absorption and clearance from the head upon impact. All Masuri helmets are subject to these impact-absorption tests.

As one of the market leaders, Masuri helmets are 70% stronger than required by this British Safety Standard, translating to better protection and confidence on the field.

Unfortunately not all helmets available to buy are certified under these Standards, so it is important to check for the BS 7928:2013 label when identifying a helmet to purchase. Masuri BS labels can be found on the internal helmet sticker, as well as in the information on the box.

Masuri Cricket Helmet impact testing

 

GETTING THE RIGHT FIT - HOW TO MEASURE BEFORE YOU BUY

A correctly fitting helmet is the most important factor to consider when purchasing a brand new certified cricket helmet, as an incorrect fit can negatively affect comfort, vision and protection coverage for the head and neck.

To measure basic head circumference at home, simply wrap a measuring tape around your head slightly above the ears and record the measurement where the tape overlaps. This provides a rough translation for the shell size needed as per the below Masuri size guide:

Whilst this is a basic guide to choosing the right size, it is important to consider the following factors when trying on a helmet:

1. The helmet should sit low on the head, only slightly above the eyebrows and ears

2. The helmet should feel comfortable on the head without any tight areas or ‘pressure points’

3. With the chin strap done up tightly, the helmet should provide only a small amount of movement/rocking when tested (e.g. shaking the head sideways) – if there is excessive movement when this is done, consider a smaller shell size or adding thicker internal foams to the front and rear of the helmet for stabilisation

4. The helmet grill should be at least two-fingers width clear of the chin, providing clearance in the case of an impact to the grill.

It is recommended that for any tightness inside the helmet when trying on, you switch to a larger shell size and use Masuri’s different thickness foams to achieve a stabilised and comfortable fit. In our entry level helmets, the manual adjuster can assist with this stabilisation.

With the introduction of the TF3D-PRO model, this fit becomes fully bespoke through a digital head scan that maps the entire shape of your head, and is available for players wanting a fully custom fit.

TF3D & TF3D-PRO – Learn more

 

CHOOSING A GRILLE TYPE - TITANIUM OR STEEL

Whilst both Titanium and Steel grills provide equal and adequate protection under the British Safety Standards, there are two key differences between the two models – price and weight.

Steel grills are heavier than titanium grills, but are more affordable for club and recreational play. Steel grills are used by the majority of entry level and grassroots cricketers, including juniors.

Titanium grills provide a lighter option at a slightly higher price point, and are better option for comfort during long innings’ or for players at a higher standard who might be wearing the helmets for longer periods across a season.

For the entry level and local club cricketer we recommend a steel grill helmet as a starting point for best value, whilst for serious amateur players through to the elite level we recommend a titanium grill model. The titanium helmet models available at Masuri.com are the exact same models worn by the professional players across the world.

Steel vs Titanium specifications

 

HELMET FINISHES - CLOTH VS PAINT

When it comes to choosing a helmet, a key aesthetic consideration is the outer shell finish – choosing between a traditional cloth or modern paint finish.

The cloth outer finish is seen as the ‘traditional look’ of cricket helmets in the modern game. These helmets often have an embroided logo if the helmet is customised for the player, and are worn by a large portion of club cricketers across the world.

The paint outer finish, which is relatively new in helmet design, is being increasingly used by professional players globally and provides a sleek modern look to helmets as well as being easy to clean. These helmets, if customised, often use a decal logo which is protected by the outer paint layers. A benefit to painted helmets is the ability to fully customise the outer shell to certain designs and colours.

Both the cloth and paint finish of Masuri helmets provide the same Single-Shell protection, distributing initial impacts and spreading this load into the dense EPS inner lining.

When choosing a helmet, this choice comes purely down to the preferences of the player and/or their team.

NECK PROTECTION

An important consideration to add when purchasing a helmet is the neck protector, a crucial piece of equipment that protects against the vulnerable part of the neck behind the ear.

 

In the modern game, this add-on is strongly recommended by cricketing authorities to ensure players are best protected during matches and training.

 

The Masuri StemGuard works by clipping onto the rear bars on each side of the grill, and is locked into place with StemGuard ‘ties’ to prevent the protector from fully dislodging if struck by a ball. Adjustable sizing straps are also available in the box (for StemGuard Pro) to moderate how close each StemGuard pad sits to the neck. 

 

Masuri StemGuards

 

 

BUYING BY LEVEL - JUNIOR, CLUB OR ELITE

Junior Level:

For junior players starting out in the game, fit and certification are non-negotiables when purchasing a helmet. Our junior recommendations include the C-Line Junior and T-Line Junior Steel which provide great protection at an affordable price point, with the option of upgrading to T-Line Junior Titanium for a lighter-weight model.

The T-Line Junior Steel and Titanium models also come with the option of a painted finish in our new Plus Range.

Club Level:

The C-Line Plus and T-Line Steel models are a popular choice for entry level club cricketers, traditional looking helmets at a great price point. At a slightly higher price point are the E-Line and T-Line Titanium models, which are lighter and more suited to players using them for an extended duration.

The E-Line and T-Line models are also available in both Cloth and Painted finishes.

Serious Amateurs:

The E-Line and T-Line Titanium paint/cloth models are the most popular choice at this level, providing premium protection in a lightweight helmet for extended durations at the crease. The Masuri TF3D range is also popular with cricketers at this level, with our 3D-printed, pre-shaped lattice pads providing improved comfort inside the helmet.

Elite/Professional level:

Cricketers at this level are generally wearing the top of the range helmets, including Masuri’s TF3D-PRO models – Bespoke, fully customised helmets utilising 3D printing to mould to the shape of a players’ head. This involves a head scan by the Masuri pro fitting team.

 

PERSONALISATION AND CLUB ORDERS

Interested in kitting our your club with bespoke helmets for the season?

For all custom helmet queries, please contact our customer service team via email at enquiries@masuri.com or get in contact with our UK office at 01962 715 818

FAQ’S

How long does a cricket helmet last?

We generally recommend replacing your cricket helmet after 3 years of solid use, or immediately if you have sustained a significant hit in the helmet. Not all damage to a helmet can be seen from a visual inspection, so it is important to replace a helmet that has been hit hard and may have sustained damage (i.e. a crack to the shell)

What’s the difference between a batting and a wicket keeping helmet?

Our Wicket Keeping helmets have a small notch removed from the rear of the helmet, which allows for more comfort when a keep is squatting down behind the stumps. The rest of the helmet is the exact same specification and build as our batting helmets.

My child’s head is between sizes, should I size up or down?

We generally recommend sizing up if you are between sizes. This way thicker foams can be inserted into the helmet to stabilise, and ensures the helmet sits low on the head without causing discomfort. If the helmet is falling down in front of the eyes despite added thickness foams, it is recommended to go down a size.

Can I replace the grill, or do I need to purchase a new helmet?

No, we recommend replacing a helmet if any damage is sustained to the grill. The grills are attached to the helmet shells using specific tooling to ensure they pass the British Safety Standards, so it is not recommended to try replacing a grill.

Can I adjust the gap between the grill and peak?

No, the gap between grill and peak is certified under the British Safety Standards so cannot be adjusted.