Youth Football Helmet Ratings
A total of 28 youth football helmets have been rated using the STAR evaluation system. Our impact tests evaluate a helmet's ability to reduce linear and rotational acceleration of the head resulting from a range of head impacts that youth football players might see on the field. Our lab tests are based on data we collected directly from 10 to 14 year old youth football players that wore helmets equipped with sensors.
Helmets with more stars provide a reduction in concussion risk for these impacts compared to helmets with less stars. While there are some differences in impact performance within groups, other factors such as cost, fit, and comfort should be considered when purchasing a helmet.
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: Best Available
: Very Good
: Good
: Adequate
: Marginal
: Not Recommended
A lower score offers better protection.
Cost shown is what we paid for the helmet at the time of testing.
See our test methodology.
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Xenith Shadow XR Youth
Cost: $449.00
Weight: 4.5 lb
Score: 0.62
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VICIS Zero1 Youth
Cost: $495.00
Weight: 4.0 lb
Score: 0.69
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Riddell SpeedFlex Diamond Youth
Cost: $429.99
Weight: 4.3 lb
Score: 1.24
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Xenith Youth X2E+
Cost: $199.00
Weight: 3.9 lb
Score: 2.11
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Schutt Youth Vengeance Z10 VTD
Cost: $399.99
Weight: 3.5 lb
Score: 2.32
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Schutt Youth F7
Cost: $569.95
Weight: 4.2 lb
Score: 2.35
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Schutt Youth Vengeance Pro VTD
Cost: $199.99
Weight: 3.8 lb
Score: 2.57
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LIGHT LS1CY
Cost: $450.00
Weight: 2.9 lb
Score: 2.71
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Schutt Vengeance A11+
Cost: $199.00
Weight: 3.8 lb
Score: 3.02
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Xenith Youth Epic+
Cost: $284.00
Weight: 4.1 lb
Score: 3.13
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Schutt Vengeance A11
Cost: $159.00
Weight: 3.8 lb
Score: 3.30
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Schutt Youth Vengeance A3+
Cost: $139.95
Weight: 3.9 lb
Score: 3.40
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Schutt Youth Recruit Hybrid VTD
Cost: $94.00
Weight: 3.6 lb
Score: 3.77
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Riddell Youth SpeedFlex
Cost: $324.99
Weight: 4.0 lb
Score: 3.98
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LIGHT LS1-PY
Cost: $325.00
Weight: 3.0 lb
Score: 3.99
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Schutt Youth Vengeance A3
Cost: $109.95
Weight: 4.0 lb
Score: 4.37
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Schutt Youth Vengeance A9
Cost: $159.00
Weight: 3.7 lb
Score: 4.54
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Schutt F7 LX1
Cost: $329.00
Weight: 4.5 lb
Score: 4.96
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Schutt Youth Recruit R3+
Cost: $149.95
Weight: 3.9 lb
Score: 5.32
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Schutt Youth Recruit Hybrid
Cost: $94.95
Weight: 3.5 lb
Score: 6.10
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Schutt Youth Vengeance Pro
Cost: $199.95
Weight: 3.8 lb
Score: 6.24
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Riddell Youth Victor-i
Cost: $124.99
Weight: 3.4 lb
Score: 6.65
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Schutt Youth Air Standard V
Cost: $89.99
Weight: 3.0 lb
Score: 7.21
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Riddell Youth Victor
Cost: $109.99
Weight: 3.4 lb
Score: 7.84
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Riddell Youth Speed 2019
Cost: $199.99
Weight: 4.0 lb
Score: 9.14
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Riddell Youth Speed Classic
Cost: $169.99
Weight: 4.0 lb
Score: 10.50
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Riddell Youth Speed 2017
Cost: $149.00
Weight: 4.0 lb
Score: 11.79
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Schutt Youth Vengeance Z10
Cost: $299.95
Weight: 3.4 lb
Score: 13.17
Notes
A lower score offers better protection.
Cost shown is what we paid for the helmet at the time of testing.
Weight includes the helmet shell and facemask tested. We chose the lightest standard facemask for each helmet.
Documents
See our test methodology.
*Any player in any sport can sustain a head injury with even the very best head protection. This analysis is based on data trends and probabilities, and therefore a specific person’s risk may vary. This variation is likely dominated by genetic differences, health history, and impact factors such as muscle activation.