Baseball poses several risks to players with cuts, concussion, heat prostration, black eye, broken jaw, and leg sprains being the most common risks. Unquestionably, using the right gear is non-negotiable to ensure long-term safety and comfort.
One of the most important pieces of baseball equipment is a batting helmet. Being quite different from conventional helmets, a batting helmet is designed to absorb the most forceful impacts while keeping you comfortable and cool.
You have plenty of options when purchasing a helmet, but you ought to consider several factors to pick the right piece. Undoubtedly, you cannot deliver your full potential if you don’t have confidence in your helmet. You want a piece that will keep your head safe and ventilated besides fitting you well, whether you’re running the base, inside the batter’s box, or in the on deck.
Stick around as we take you through some of the most critical factors to consider when buying a batting helmet and the best pro and budget products we recommend for 2022.
Table of Contents
Best Batting Helmets
DeMarini Paradox Protege Pro Batting Helmet
DeMarini boasts several baseball accessories, with one of their best products being the Paradox Protégé Pro batting helmet. Fit for baseball professionals and beginners looking to ensure optimum safety and comfort during the action, the DeMarini is available in a variety of glossy finishes besides enjoying generous customer reviews on online markets.
The sturdy construction incorporating durable plastic guarantees a longer lifespan and maximum protection against the strongest of the throws. You can also install a facemask on this helmet effortlessly without tearing the pads or drilling.
DeMarini Paradox batting helmet interior boasts a dual-density foam padding that provides the wearer with a snug fit without being too tight while helping in shock absorption.
For breathability, you don’t expect large holes on this helmet’s shell. Instead, there are several small ventilation canals strategically placed in the product to ensure optimum ventilation and thus keeping your head cool and dry throughout the game. The vents do not compromise the integrity of DeMarini’s structure, so they pose little threat to your head.
This helmet is available in a variety of head sizes, including the Small/Medium, Youth, and the L/XL.
Pros
- A comfortable liner that ensures a snug fit
- Durable construction
- Room for a removable facemask
Cons
- The logo is likely to come off quicker than expected
Rawlings R16 Series Metallic
Landing position 2 in our list is the Rawlings R16 series metallic helmet, a sleek product available in several colors for varying customer preferences.
What distinguishes the Rawlings R16 from most competitors is the ability to automatically cool and heat, depending on the existing temperatures. As you already know, several baseball games take place during winter, where the temperatures can be overly low. You also need a helmet suitable for the summer games.
You don’t need to keep on switching helmets to suit varying heat exchange needs. The Rawlings R16 is equipped with the CoolFlo XVI venting technology to enables responsive heat exchange, effortlessly choosing between heating and cooling the interior. The metallic finish also helps to reflect as much summer heat as possible while giving the helmet a stylish appearance.
A conventional helmets wrap themselves around the ears, which is good enough but leaves the jaws vulnerable to injuries. The R16 batting helmet goes an extra mile to wrap itself around your jaws, and thus protects you from jaw breaks, which are quite hard to heal compared to leg and arm injuries.
The interior is made of comfy dual-density padding that also wraps around the jaws for extra padding. This helmet is available in junior and senior sizes.
Pros
- Wraps around the jaws and ears
- Has an Excellent heat exchange mechanism
Cons
- Sticker tends to peel off the paint
- Several complaints about the color being plain rather than metallic
Easton Senior Z5 Grip Batters helmet
A healthy balance between practicality and aesthetics is essential in sports gear, and Easton Senior Z5 seems to understand this concept very well. This helmet comes in a variety of bright colors that are discernible from a distance. At the bottom is a grip, which makes it easy to remove the helmet, besides augmenting the stylish look.
The wrapped ear guards protect your ears from cutters, while still allowing you to hear whatever the coach or teammates are saying. For maximum protection, Easton Z5 features ABS plastic construction, so you can bet it will stand up against impacts during a long season. Besides, the build promises a long lifespan that’s devoid of wear and tear.
The interior is lined with BioDri fabric liner specially made to absorb the sweat, so it doesn’t stick to your head and skin. The padding also portrays excellent absorption capabilities, so it can take on shocks generated by the hardest of impacts. The product is made according to the NOCSAE regulations, making it ideal for competitions and leagues as well as various player levels.
Pros
- Excellent interior liner
- Practical and appealing aesthetics
- Durable ABS exterior
Cons
- Padding may loosen overtime
- Available in one size only
DeMarini Paradox Batting Helmet
The DeMarini Paradox batting helmet is available in various colors, including but not limited to charcoal grey, black, white, and scarlet. Nonetheless, it lacks the glossy finish present in the Protégé Pro version we had earlier discussed. Instead, it has rubberized matte finish that pairs well with the low profile made for an excellent fit.
DeMarini Paradox is available in two sizes, unlike the Protégé Paradox Pro, which comes in three sizes. The durable construction ensures optimum protection and extended lifetime. The brim lies parallel to the ground, allowing for optimum sightlines even on the sides while keeping errant pitches away from your forehead.
You can bet on the comfort level offered by the DeMarini Paradox batting helmet. The dual-density foam with padded earpieces safeguards you from massive impacts while keeping away sweat from your head. The vents are placed strategically on the helmet to allow the optimum exchange of hot and cold air during intensely hot moments.
The helmet fulfills the NOCSAE standards, so you can wear it with the assurance of maximum comfort and protection throughout the game. To protect your mouth and face, pair this product with the Paradox fastpitch mask from DeMarini.
Pros
- Robust and long-lasting
- Well-designed ventilation
Cons
- Limited in sizes
- Likely to get dirt easily
Rawlings Coolflo Molded Baseball Batting Helmet
This NOCSAE-approved product from Rawlings features a gleaming, aerodynamic appearance and promises to carry on Rawlings’ tradition of excellent performance. It has a reinvented cooling mechanism enabled with the CoolFlo venting that ensures optimum ventilation.
Rawlings CoolFlo helmet boasts ABS plastic construction and is thick enough to take a two-seamer fastball. However, it’s remarkably light, so you don’t have to worry about if feeling bulky on your head.
You must be assuming that this helmet has an interior lined with a dual-density foam, but that’s not the case. The EVA foam, a derivation of the dual-density foam but with less sweat-absorption power, makes the interior cozier while enhancing a snug, but not tight, fit.
Rawlings CoolFlo has a well-thought design that keeps away intense sun rays, so you don’t have to struggle with bad moods during the game. Also, it comes with pre-drilled holes for a frontal faceguard. The mask is essential if you feel that you need additional protection against those possible hits when running the bases or batting.
Pros
- Fits several head sizes
- Comfy interior made of EVA foam
Cons
- Some customers find the sizing a bit off
Under Armour Classic Digi Camo Batting Helmet
The Under Armour Classic Camo helmet offers a hard-case shell made with ABS plastic to provide optimum protection against hard impacts. It has corrugations that contribute significantly to its durability and high-strength.
Lining the interior of this one-size-fits-most helmet is the fabric-covered, dual-density foam that excellently absorbs sweat. Thus, it keeps your head cool and dry, offering you as much comfort as possible. The padding also complements the shell ‘s function by absorbing the shock generated by major impacts, and thus protects your head from injuries.
Sweat accumulation sets the stage for bacterial development. However, Under Armour’s padding is covered with AEGIS microbe shield that effectively eliminates all kinds of bacteria.
This under Armour product boasts a unique camouflage-like appearance that effortlessly distinguishes it from a selection of helmets with solid colors. Undoubtedly, you won’t have trouble picking your gear from the crowd.
Whereas this product can be considered costlier than most options discussed already, it’s no doubt that most customers appreciate the fact the premium features are worth the price. It comes in tan, red, and navy blue shades and is available in two sizes (youth and adult).
Pros
- Has an impressive look
- An antimicrobial shield that keeps off bacteria
- Sturdy shell for optimum protection
Cons
- Several customers found the product bigger than expected
Rawlings R16 Series Matte Batting Helmet
The R16 Matte (not to be confused with the metallic model reviewed earlier) comes with a professional one-tone matte paint finish that gives it an impressive and unique look.
It has a generous selection of sizes and colors, being available in 4 sizes (OSFM, Intermediate, Senior, and Junior) and nine colors. You undoubtedly cannot miss out on a piece from the sizeable collection.
The Rawlings R16 Matte batting helmet offers optimum ventilation, thanks to the 16 vents strategically placed on the product to keep baseball players comfortable and cool throughout the game.
As every action in a game tries to knock down your endurance, the interior construction of this helmet has got you covered. It’s lined with a dual-density foam that offers that snugly fit while absorbing the shocks. Added to the interior are small cushions that significantly enhance the comfort provided by this product. The padded jaws will keep your jaws guarded against errant pitches.
Let’s not forget that this batting helmet is made of superior material that maximizes its lifespan, while effectively dissipating hard impacts throughout the matches. The Rawlings R16 Matte meets all NOCSAE specifications, so you can bat more confidently. It has holes drilled on the sides for the quick installation of a NOCSAE-approved faceguard.
Pros
- Optimum comfort, thanks to the heavily padded interior
- Durable construction for a longer lifespan and optimum protection
- Has an attractive appearance
Cons
- Come complaints about cosmetic damage
- Some customers claimed that it’s not deep enough
Under Armour Classic Solid Molded Batting Helmet
This product from Under Armour may be looking old school, but comes with a sizable share of premium and new technology. It’s mostly fit for professional and senior players with substantial experience in baseball. The design is simple and comes in a range of single-tone shades, so you can’t miss an option to add to your collection of sports equipment.
Be sure to enjoy each of the season’s matches in this batting helmet, thanks to its well-constructed interior made of dual-density foam. The coverage extending to the cheekbones will keep your jaws protected all through. Augmenting the protection is the shell made with ABS plastic.
You don’t have to struggle with sweaty moments when batting or running the base. The shell has 12 individual vents that enable flawless air circulation, keeping your head cool throughout. Complimenting this function is the breathable padding that absorbs sweat to keep your head and hair dry.
Something else you will love about this product is the availability of a ponytail channel. Besides, it’s SEI (Safety Equipment Institute)-certified and NOCSAE-approved. This helmet does not come with a facemask, so you might consider pairing it with a NOCSAE-approved one from Under Armour for extra safety.
Pros
- Durable ABS construction
- Light when carrying and wearing
- An inner liner that offers a soft and comfortable feel
Cons
- Removing the adhesive sticker may be challenging
- Complaints about it being too shallow to cover the ears completely
Easton Natural Grip Senior Batting Helmet
This product by Easton features a slim profile and rubberized matte finish that offers it the modern and classy look. Made of ABS plastic, the shell is long-lasting and high-strength to provide optimal protection against a range of impact levels.
Lining the interior is an EVA foam which optimally absorbs shock, keeping you safe from possible head injuries. A soft urethane comfort foam is also included in the interior so that the helmet fits snugly without being tight. The helmet also incorporates a Bio-Dri antimicrobial fabric that not only keeps your head and hair dry but also prevents the flourishing of bacteria.
Optimizing airflow and circulation in this Easton’s batting helmet is a top-notch aerodynamic vent system designed to offer performance and optimum comfort. Players of all levels and ages are sure to rely on this product whose design and construction follows the NOCSAE standards.
Pros
- Soft foam that easily conforms to a player’s head
- Fabric that keeps bacteria away
- Has appealing appearance
Cons
- Complaints citing low quality
Schutt Sports Air Maxx T Baseball Batter’s Helmet
This product by Easton features a slim profile and rubberized matte finish that offers it the modern and classy look. Made of ABS plastic, the shell is long-lasting and high-strength to provide optimal protection against a range of impact levels.
Lining the interior is an EVA foam which optimally absorbs shock, keeping you safe from possible head injuries. A soft urethane comfort foam is also included in the interior so that the helmet fits snugly without being tight. The helmet also incorporates a Bio-Dri antimicrobial fabric that not only keeps your head and hair dry but also prevents the flourishing of bacteria.
Optimizing airflow and circulation in this Easton’s batting helmet is a top-notch aerodynamic vent system designed to offer performance and optimum comfort. Players of all levels and ages are sure to rely on this product whose design and construction follows the NOCSAE standards.
Pros
- Soft foam that easily conforms to a player’s head
- Fabric that keeps bacteria away
- Has appealing appearance
Cons
- Complaints citing low quality
Things to Consider in a Batting Helmet
1. Size
For the ideal balance between protection and comfort, you must buy the right size of a batting helmet. The appropriate size of a helmet is directly proportional to the size of your head, which you can quickly determine with a clothing measuring tape. Run the tape around your head above the ear areas to find the circumference.
An oversized helmet could block your vision or fall off during action, exposing you to danger. If the piece moves about excessively when you shake your head, it’s time you reconsider the size. Alternatively, you can purchase padding to give your helmet a snug fit.
The overall sizes of batting helmets differ, depending on the manufacturer, so you want to double-check how the gear’s size corresponds with the size of your head.
2. Materials
The materials featured in a batting helmet have a significant effect on how long and well the gear will serve you. First, make sure that the helmet is constructed with a high-strength material that will hold up against incredible impacts for long. In this regard, we highly recommend the ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) plastic.
Secondly, take a look at the interior liner. The internal liners of several of the best batting helmets are made of materials such as foam, with a few brands using other fabrics. Baseball helmet foam comes in two types: the regular EVA(Ethylene-vinyl acetate) and the dual-density EVA foam. However, the dual-density foam is more popular for its excellent sweat-absorption and shock-absorption features.
3. Fit
A properly fitting helmet should align with your head evenly. First, you want to ensure it sits about 2cm above your eyebrows for optimum protection.
Pick a helmet whose brim lies parallel to the ground, rather than pointing upward or downward. A brim that points too high exposes your forehead while one that’s tilted down exposes the base of the back of your head while blocking your vision. Such exposure poses a risk of injury when running the base or batting.
Some helmets come with a slot that creates extra room for maximum comfort and proper fit when worn with a ponytail. Several brands include an ear guard at least on one side, so ensure that the ear hole aligns with yours.
4. Breathability
Have you ever struggled with sweat buildup and dull, uncomfortable moments during a summer game? If so, you must have realized that breathability comes in handy when selecting a batting helmet.
Manufacturers have come up with a technique to enhance the breathability of their products without poking holes that would interfere with the helmets’ structural integrity. A modern batting helmet has vents that not only allow the inflow of cold air but also push hot air outside to quicken the cooling process.
Some brands incorporate a smart thermal exchange mechanism that selects the exchange between hot and cold air, depending on the current environmental temperature.
5. NOCSAE certification
The National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment(NOCSAE) is mandated to certify and standardize athletic equipment, particularly the helmets. Whereas there several brands of batting helmets for various player levels and ages, not all are accredited by the organization. Be sure to check for the NOCSAE logo in a helmet to ascertain that it meets the necessary safety standards.
6. Functional Faceguard
Partial faceguards are usually optional, but critical accessories for safe batting. The accessory is usually in the form of a metal bracket that spans across the mouth and nose, protecting the parts of the face from injury. A full faceguard features a plexiglass and metal bracket that protects the eyes and mouth, respectively.
You might consider a faceguard as a future purchase, but be sure to select a piece that’s made by your helmet’s manufacturer to avoid installation issues.
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