HOW TO FIT A HOCKEY HELMET
The single most important piece of equipment your kid wears. Covers HECC certification, ASTM standards, the shake test, the right position on the head, chin strap tension, and when to replace.
WHY THE HELMET IS NON-NEGOTIABLE
The helmet is the single most important piece of equipment your kid wears. A properly fitted, certified helmet is the biggest factor in preventing head injuries — including concussions. The other pieces of equipment (shoulder pads, shin guards, etc.) protect against impact. The helmet protects the brain. Get this one right above all else.
Two things have to be true: the helmet has to be certified (not every helmet is legal for play), and it has to fit (a certified helmet that doesn't fit doesn't protect).
CERTIFICATION: HECC, ASTM, AND CSA
In the U.S., every helmet worn in USA Hockey sanctioned play (which includes most youth leagues, high school hockey, and college hockey) must carry an HECC certification sticker. HECC certification means the helmet has been independently tested to:
- • ASTM F1045 — Standard Performance Specification for Ice Hockey Helmets. Tests coverage (what areas of the head the helmet must protect), shock absorption, and retention system strength.
- • ASTM F513 — Standard Safety Specification for Eye and Face Protective Equipment. Tests full face masks for stick-blade penetration, impact resistance, and field of vision.
In Canada, the equivalent is CSA Z262.1 — look for the round blue and red tamper-proof label. Half visors use the CAN/CSA Z262.2 standard.
Verify online
You can confirm a helmet is still certified by searching the manufacturer and model at hecc.org (US) or csagroup.org (Canada). If the helmet has a sticker but doesn't appear in the registry, treat it as uncertified.
THE FIT TEST
Work through these five steps in order. If the helmet fails any of them, try a different size, a different shape, or a different brand.
Step 1
Measure the head
Wrap a soft tape measure around the head about 1 inch above the eyebrows — the widest part of the head. Use the measurement to find the right size on the manufacturer's chart.
Step 2
Position
The front edge of the helmet should sit about one finger-width above the eyebrows. Not higher (it exposes the forehead to impact) and not lower (it blocks vision).
Step 3
Shake test
Fasten the chin strap. Have the kid shake their head firmly side-to-side and up-and-down. The helmet should NOT move. If it rocks or shifts, the size or shape is wrong.
Step 4
Cheek pads
The cheek pads should touch the cheeks firmly with no gaps. If you can see daylight between the pad and the cheek, swap in thicker pads (most helmets come with multiple thicknesses).
Step 5
Chin strap
Snug enough that you can fit only one finger between the strap and the chin. A loose strap is the #1 reason helmets fail to protect during a fall or hit.
SIZING (YOUTH)
Youth XS
19" – 20"
Ages 5-7
Youth Small
20" – 21"
Ages 7-9
Youth Medium
21" – 22"
Ages 9-12
Youth Large / Junior
22" – 23"
Ages 12+
These are general ranges. Every brand fits differently — Bauer tends to be rounder, CCM tends to be more elongated, True fits more like a baseball cap. Always use the manufacturer's chart and, ideally, try the helmet on the kid before buying.
WHEN TO REPLACE
Replace the helmet in any of these situations:
- • Immediately after any significant impact — falls onto concrete, pucks to the head, collisions with the boards. Even if the shell isn't cracked, the foam has absorbed energy and is compromised.
- • Every 5-7 years regardless of impact history. The foam degrades over time.
- • If the manufacture date on the certification sticker is more than 7 years old.
- • If the inside foam is crumbling, the chin strap is fraying, or the shell is cracked.
- • If the kid has outgrown the size — the helmet rocks or doesn't sit at the right height on the forehead.
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