When buying a hockey helmet, it’s important to choose the right size to ensure optimal protection. Modern helmets can also be adjusted to fit the head for a better fit. Here’s how to choose the right helmet and what to consider before making your purchase.

With a CE-certified hockey helmet in the correct size, you minimize the risk of serious head injuries (young players under 18 years old should also wear a full-face cage for additional facial protection). By comparing your head measurement with the size charts available on product pages, you can ensure the helmet fits correctly. The head measurement is the same as the circumference of your head, taken just above the eyebrows and around the back of the head. At Hockeystore, you can find hockey helmets for kids, juniors, intermediates, and seniors, with or without a cage.

See our selection of helmets, combo helmets (with cage), visors, cages, and other accessories.

Why the Right Size Matters If the helmet is too large or loose, it will offer poor protection because it may slide out of position, exposing sensitive parts of the head. Even if you’ve purchased a helmet in the right size, it’s essential to adjust it so that it fits snugly. On the other hand, if the helmet is too small, it can cause pain because it’s too tight. Additionally, a small helmet offers less protection as it may not cover the entire head.

How to Adjust the Helmet When you receive your hockey helmet, start by opening it as wide as possible before placing it on your head. Note that the front edge of the helmet should sit just above your eyebrows. From there, tighten the helmet until it’s secure, but without causing discomfort. The exact way to adjust the helmet may vary between different models and brands, but the common feature of today’s hockey helmets is that this can be done simply by hand. This is a significant advantage if you need to adjust the helmet in the penalty box during the game.

Children and juniors should always play with a full-face visor or cage attached to the helmet. Be particularly careful to ensure the cage or visor is securely fastened to the helmet, and that it provides a comfortable fit and protection for the chin.

Here you can find helmets with cages.

Here you can buy cages for your hockey helmet.

Which Helmet Should I Choose? In general, more advanced helmets offer better fit and greater adjustability to match the shape of your head. The better the helmet fits, the better the pressure distribution during impacts from hits or collisions. For a player who plays hockey regularly, this can be a worthwhile investment to optimize both protection and comfort. If you only play hockey occasionally, a simpler model may suffice, as long as it’s certified, the right size, and fits securely on the head.