Explore top choices for safety, comfort, and durability, featuring leading brands and technologies. Whether you’re a professional or amateur, find the ideal helmet to protect yourself on the field while maintaining peak performance. Make an informed decision for your cricket gear.
Why wear a cricket helmet?
A cricket helmet is essential protective gear worn on the head to ensure safety, especially in the event of being struck by a cricket ball. While it may seem obvious, it’s important to highlight this key safety measure. Cricketers of all ages, from batters to wicketkeepers, and fielders positioned near the batter, such as those at short leg or silly point, are required to wear a helmet.
In England & Wales, junior cricketers under the age of 18 must wear helmets, with guidance from the ECB recommending helmets tested for junior cricket balls, which are smaller than those used in adult cricket.
A blow to the head or face from a cricket ball can cause serious, sometimes permanent, injuries. Therefore, taking the time to carefully select a helmet is crucial for protection. A typical helmet consists of the main headgear and a grill, usually made from steel or lightweight titanium, providing vital front-face protection.
What is the best cricket helmet?
The best cricket helmet is one that provides a secure fit, comes from a trusted cricket brand, and ensures safety and comfort while batting.
Choosing the right helmet, considering factors like price, involves several important decisions, which we’ll explore in our comprehensive cricket helmet guide.
How to choose a cricket helmet?
When you’re buying a cricket helmet, you should think about:
Size
- Weight
- Safety
- Price
Let’s explore each of these to understand their importance and guide you on choosing the right one for your needs.
1. SIZE
Choosing the right size cricket helmet is crucial for both comfort and safety. A helmet that’s too big can obstruct your vision or even fall off, while one that’s too small may cause discomfort, distracting you from the game.
Everyone’s head shape is unique, much like fingerprints, so no two batters will have the same fit. To ensure you get the right helmet size, the key is to measure your head properly.
Take a tape measure and wrap it around the circumference of your head, starting from your forehead (just above your eyebrows), over your ears, and around the back. If you don’t have a tape measure, use a piece of string and measure it afterward.
How should a cricket helmet fit?
A cricket helmet should fit snugly to your head. Not move around when you run and not be too tight that it’s distracting or uncomfortable.
The chin strap should be secure against your chin, not hanging loose underneath.
What size cricket helmet should I get?
Masuri Cricket Helmet Size Guide
Brand Helmet Size Head Circumference
Masuri Junior Small 51 – 54 cm
Masuri Junior Large 54 – 57 cm
Masuri Small Mens 55 – 58 cm
Masuri Mens 58 – 61 cm
Masuri Large Mens 61 – 64 cm
Shrey Cricket Helmet Size Guide
Brand Helmet Size Head Circumference
Shrey Youths 52 – 54 cm
Shrey Small Mens 54 – 57 cm
Shrey Standard 58 – 61 cm
Shrey Extra Large 60 – 63 cm
GM Cricket Helmet Size Guide
Brand Helmet Size Head Circumference
Gunn & Moore – Neon Geo Small 53 – 56 cm
Gunn & Moore – Neon Geo Medium 56 – 59 cm
Gunn & Moore – Neon Geo Large 59 – 62 cm
Gunn & Moore – Purist Geo Junior Small 52 – 55 cm
Gunn & Moore – Purist Geo Junior 54 – 59 cm
Gunn & Moore – Purist Geo Senior 54 – 59 cm
Gunn & Moore – Purist Geo Senior Large 58 – 62 cm
For women’s and girls’ cricket, there’s no separate sizing so the same process applies to head measurements to gauge the correct size.
Junior cricket helmets
Cricket helmets for kids are not that different from adults in so much that they need to fit well and usually major brands have plenty of junior sizes to cover all of the bases.
One of the things you’re likely to see in junior cricket is a batter playing with a helmet that is too big for them.
2. WEIGHT
When it comes to cricket helmets, whether you’re batting or wicket-keeping, the longer you wear one, the more you’ll appreciate a lighter design.
Weight plays a significant role.
So, what’s the lightest cricket helmet?
Shrey currently holds the title, though new models are continuously emerging. (A direct comparison of all brands and models hasn’t been done.)
The Shrey Masterclass Air Titanium, weighing just 750g, is touted as the lightest cricket helmet that meets British Safety Standards.
Even lighter is the Shrey Koroyd Titanium helmet, weighing around 730g.
If you’re looking for an alternative in a similar price range, the Masuri E-Line Titanium helmet is another solid option.
Ultimately, the difference in weight may not be noticeable in day-to-day wear, but more expensive helmets typically use lighter materials if you’re willing to invest.
3. SAFETY
Safety is the primary reason for wearing a cricket helmet, and it’s crucial to start with a reliable brand known for both quality and safety. Masuri, Shrey, Kookaburra, Gray-Nicolls, and Gunn & Moore are five trusted brands to consider.
While you don’t need to spend weeks researching, it’s worth exploring the technology behind these helmets. Not only is it fascinating, but it also ensures you’re making an informed choice about your safety.
Now, let’s address vision. A common complaint about helmets is that they can obstruct your view of the ball, as the grille limits your field of vision. However, the protection it offers outweighs this inconvenience—after all, a cricket ball won’t rearrange your face!
Wearing a helmet is also a generational thing. For those in their 20s, it’s second nature from junior cricket, while for those 40+, it’s a later choice since helmets weren’t as common in school cricket.
The Shrey Neck Guard 2.0 provides additional protection in the unlikely event that a cricket ball strikes an area not covered by the standard helmet. This arc-shaped neck guard features a hard outer shell and semi-soft inner foam, designed to offer enhanced safety. Various brands offer similar protective accessories, but past concerns about restricted head movement while batting have been largely addressed with the improved design of these products, making them more comfortable to wear over the years.
How often should you replace your cricket helmet?
If your cricket helmet is hit by a ball, always check it for damage. Replacing it every time isn’t necessary and could be costly. However, if you notice significant damage, like a bent grille or a crack in the surface, it’s time for a replacement.
Remember, the primary function of a cricket helmet is protection. If damaged, it won’t perform its job effectively, so it’s crucial to ensure it’s in good condition.
4. PRICE
Cheap cricket helmets are a false economy.
Are you really willing to gamble on something that could protect your life one day?
Spend a little extra for peace of mind.
In the UK, cricket helmets typically range from £50 to £225, with junior helmets priced at the lower end. Lighter helmets often cost more due to the use of aluminium grilles and lighter materials. They may also offer premium features like sweat-absorbing towelling or air cooling systems.
Like any online purchase, there are always discounts to be found—you just need to know where to look.
Best Cricket Helmets
Masuri E Line Titanium Cricket Helmet
Masuri, a leading brand in cricket helmets, offers this lightweight model featuring their Eye-Line Grille made from titanium. This innovative grille acts as a second bar, reducing the gap through which a ball might pass, while maintaining clear visibility.
Built with safety in mind, the helmet’s single shell is crafted from materials commonly used in spacecraft and armor plating, ensuring durability and maximum protection. An integrated air-flow cooling system adds to the comfort, offering peace of mind for players.
Masuri also offers other models, including the T-Line (titanium & steel), C-Line Plus, and C-Line, catering to various price points.
For the 2024 season, Masuri introduces the TrueFit 3D, featuring pre-shaped 3D printed lattice pads for unrivaled comfort and helmet stability, providing a tailored fit for every player.
Gray-Nicolls Ultimate Cricket Helmet
The Gray-Nicolls Ultimate Cricket Helmet offers 360º protection with its detachable ‘Test Neckguard.’ Featuring a reinforced, contoured peak, it deflects ball impacts while maximizing the wearer’s field of vision.
Other highlights include a durable ABS outer shell, an EPS inner layer, and a soft fill foam liner for both comfort and protection. It also boasts a ventilation system and a factory-fitted, contoured steel grille.
Be cautious of similar-sounding models—Gray-Nicolls offers the Ultimate, Ultimate 360, Ultimate Pro, and Ultimate 360 Pro. A bit of a naming dilemma, perhaps? I might have gone with more distinctive names like NOGGIN, BONCE, MELON, or CRANIUM.
The standout feature of the 360 range is its built-in 360-degree protection, eliminating the need for separate add-ons like those from Shrey and Masuri. The Gray-Nicolls faceguard extends all the way around the back.