I took advantage of the trial offer to get a new helmet + Nek-Tek for my son. Probably a bit of a different slant on the review to the other "trialists". In the next season he will play U13's and up with probably an introduction to adult cricket. He is currently winter training with the county (u13s). With this in mind he will be facing a range of bowling with the pace increasing and being a caring father
I want to reduce any chance of injury.
We received the helmet and Nek-Tek on Friday and he will be netting for the 3rd time in it today. After the initial changing the internal padding to get a good fit and fitting the Nek-Tek my son preferred the fit, weight and comfort compared to his junior specific GN helmet. Just a point on the Nek-tek, I am still not sure the best way to use the velcro tab in the centre, and, to be honest it looks functional but not as neat a fit as the Masuri option, a bit more heath robinson. On the plus side my son said he cannot feel it is there when he is wearing the helmet.
So how does it feel in the nets and compare to the GN (junior specific model)? Like I said earlier, once I got the internal padding sorted the fit was a lot better. The GN has the adjustable headband, but my son said to have the best fit the band always felt a bit too tight and would be uncomfortable after a long batting period, so far the Ayrtek is far superior and with the inserts I was sent, even though a faff, as he grows we should always be able to get a good comfy fit. I could also see that he messed with the helmet less while netting than with his old helmet. You can see that the grill position is closer to the peak than his old helmet but he said visibility is better, whether this is just that the fit is a lot better.
Overall a good helmet and the nek-tek looks like it will do the job, I just think it does look like an after thought.
cheers
Steve