Wilson Youth Batting Helmet

Wilson Sporting Goods, a worldwide-leader in sports equipment, enlisted the help of Design Concepts to design a youth batting helmet with a new appearance, improved ventilation and revolutionary adjustability.

In addition to creating a helmet that looked cool to attract young ballplayers, the helmet design addressed the safety concerns of parents and adults. Design Concepts’ development team created an innovative adjustability feature with a bold new approach to one-size-fits-all. By creating a new sizing option, designers created a competitive advantage for Wilson: a quick, simple method of adjustment. A one-point, pull-tab adjustment system allows any one helmet to comfortably fit all players. By alternating textured and polished surfaces create visual impact and improved durability. A pre-curved brim shades players similar to a baseball cap.

Wilson projected initial sales volume at 10,000 units. In the helmet’s first year on the market, actual sales volume topped 750,000 units. Wilson captured 15% market share where they previously had none. At its introduction in 2003, the helmet was chosen by 15 out the 16 teams in the 2003 Little League World Series.

Wilson was selected as a winner of the USAToday Best Products of 2002 and the 2003 Chicago Innovation Awards.