The Best Football Chin Straps

Buying Guide

Anyone who plays football understands that knees and elbows can hit the chin without warning, which can cause significant damage if you aren’t wearing the right kind of protection. The most important feature of a chin strap is its ability to protect the wearer, followed by comfort, breathability and ease of use. Football helmets are designed to accommodate these straps, and you should always wear chin protection during serious games.

Football helmets have to meet specific safety standards to prevent injuries, including having chin straps with protective chin cups that must be fastened snugly at all times during play. Most of these accessories are made from rugged nylon material, impact-resistant polycarbonate shells and medical-grade foam.

You’ll find chin straps in general sizes such as small, medium and large or one size fits all. Some come in adult or youth-sized versions instead, which may be more appropriate depending on the wearer’s measurements. In any case, don’t share chin straps; the original owner should be the only one who wears theirs, for hygienic reasons. 

Many chin straps attach easily to different helmet brands, although some manufacturers design them to fit only the football helmets that they sell. The two basic attachment styles are high and low hook-up.

High hook-up chin straps connect to snap buttons located just above the helmet’s facemask. They also have two bottom straps that attach to two snaps that are found beneath each of the helmet’s earholes. With low hook-ups, the top two chin straps snap onto the inside cheeks of the helmet, while the bottom straps snap onto the buttons under the earholes.

To put on a chin strap, feed its ends through the face mask and snap it in. Once buckled, the chin strap should rest firmly against the chin. Adjust it as needed.

Also, look for ones that have ventilation channels because heads and helmets heat up during play. The channels make the straps more breathable and allow them to wick off the hot air. You’ll find the straps in different colors and styles, too; shop for ones that match your helmet and team uniform if you have one.

• Some chin straps also have inside gel padding for extra comfort.
• Always read the company’s return policy just in case the chin strap doesn’t fit properly.
• Washable liners are an excellent feature because football uniforms and equipment can get pretty stinky. Be sure to read the label for washing directions.
• Make sure that the chin strap is compatible with your helmet before making a purchase.
• Your chin strap should last an entire season, so look for durability and check for a manufacturer’s warranty.