Riot Helmet Market Report 2026

The riot helmet market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $1.14 billion in 2025 to $1.24 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.8%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growing procurement of visor-integrated riot helmets to enhance facial protection during civil disturbances, rising adoption of flame-resistant helmets for high-risk riot control environments, increasing demand for modular helmet designs enabling adaptable protection levels, expansion of anti-fog riot helmet use to maintain visibility in challenging operational conditions, early integration of communication-enabled helmets improving coordination among law enforcement units.

The riot helmet market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $1.7 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.2%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to rising demand for lightweight, high-impact-resistant materials to improve helmet durability and comfort, increasing adoption of integrated communication and sensor systems for real-time situational awareness, growing need for advanced anti-fog and anti-scratch visors to support long-duration deployments, expansion of modular and customizable helmet systems aligned with diverse tactical requirements, technological advancements enabling improved ergonomic design, ventilation, and multi-threat protection. Major trends in the forecast period include rising demand for enhanced impact protection technologies, increasing adoption of lightweight helmets for extended wear, growing use of anti-fog and scratch-resistant visor solutions, expansion of modular helmet designs for tactical flexibility, development of chemical-resistant and flame-resistant helmet systems.

The increasing prevalence of civil unrest and protests is expected to drive the growth of the riot helmet market going forward. Civil unrest and protests refer to collective actions by groups expressing dissatisfaction or opposition to political, social, or economic issues, often through demonstrations, strikes, or riots. The rising frequency of such events is linked to growing political polarization, which intensifies societal divisions and fuels public discontent. Riot helmets support law enforcement personnel during civil unrest by providing strong head and face protection. They reduce injury risks through impact-resistant materials and visors, enhancing safety and operational control in high-tension environments. For example, in April 2025, according to Allianz SE, a Germany-based insurance company, the U.S. recorded 8,549 incidents of protests and riots in 2024, a 2% increase from the 8,383 incidents in 2023. Therefore, the rising incidence of civil unrest and protests is contributing to the growth of the riot helmet market.

The growing emphasis on terrorism is also expected to drive the growth of the riot helmet market. Terrorism refers to the use of violence or intimidation against civilians or governments to pursue political, religious, or ideological objectives. Increasing terrorism is often fueled by political instability, which creates conditions that allow extremist groups to expand and operate more freely. Riot helmets support counter-terrorism operations by providing law enforcement officers with essential head protection against projectiles, explosions, and physical assaults during high-risk missions and crowd-control situations. For instance, in 2024, according to the Institute for Economics & Peace, an Australia-based independent think tank, terrorist attacks became more lethal in 2023, resulting in an average of 2.5 deaths per attack compared to 1.6 in 2022. Therefore, the rising emphasis on terrorism is driving the growth of the riot helmet market.

Major companies in the riot helmet market are developing advanced protective solutions such as hybrid-material helmets to enhance comfort and safety for law enforcement personnel. Hybrid-material helmets are made from combinations of materials such as Kevlar, carbon fiber, and thermoplastics to provide improved durability, protection, and lightweight wearability. For example, in January 2025, MLA Ltd., a UK-based protective equipment manufacturer, introduced the Defender Hybrid Riot Helmet. This helmet is designed for public-order policing and features memory foam padding for enhanced comfort, a breathable liner for better airflow, and a face visor with anti-mist and antimicrobial properties. It also includes a one-piece visor bar with rubber edging to prevent fluid ingress, allows tool-free visor adjustments, supports various accessory attachments, and is equipped with a durable VELCRO neck guard.

Major companies operating in the riot helmet market are Gentex Corporation, MSA Safety Incorporated, Point Blank Enterprises Inc., MKU Ltd, Streicher’s Inc., Paulson Manufacturing Corporation, US Armour Corporation, WeeTect Material Limited, Kroll International LLC, Security Pro USA LLC, Sirchie Acquisition Company LLC, Applied Systems Technologies Inc., ​Deqing Fox Armour Co. Ltd., Mangal Security Products, Busch PROtective GmbH And Co. KG, Damascus Worldwide Inc., Electronic Defense Industries Inc., Kejo Limited Company, Super Seer Corporation, United Shield International LLC.

North America was the largest region in the riot helmet market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the riot helmet market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report’s Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

Tariffs are affecting the riot helmet market by increasing the cost of imported raw materials such as polycarbonate, Kevlar, and carbon fiber, which raises overall production expenses and influences procurement cycles for law enforcement and security sectors. These impacts are most visible across ballistic and composite helmet segments in regions dependent on cross-border sourcing, particularly North America and Europe. Higher duties have contributed to supply chain delays and elevated end-user pricing for government and private security buyers. However, tariffs have also encouraged domestic manufacturing expansion and investment in localized material sourcing, improving long-term supply resilience.

The riot helmet market research report is one of a series of new reports that cover riot helmet market statistics, including the riot helmet industry's global market size, regional shares, competitors with the riot helmet market share, detailed riot helmet market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the riot helmet market. This riot helmet market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenarios of the industry.

Riot helmets are specialized protective gear designed for law enforcement and security personnel during crowd control, riots, and civil unrest. They usually feature a hard outer shell, face shield, and padding to protect against blunt impacts, projectiles, and chemical agents. Their main function is to protect the head, face, and neck from injury while allowing for clear visibility and communication.

The main types of riot helmets include ballistic riot helmets, non-ballistic riot helmets, polycarbonate riot helmets, and composite riot helmets. Ballistic riot helmets are built to protect law enforcement and military personnel from high-impact threats, including ballistic projectiles, during riot control and tactical missions. These helmets are constructed from materials such as polycarbonate, Kevlar, fiberglass, and carbon fiber and are used in crowd control, tactical operations, anti-riot efforts, and public safety enforcement. Distribution occurs through online platforms, retail stores, direct government sales, and wholesale distributors, serving users such as law enforcement agencies, military forces, private security companies, and organizers of public events.

The countries covered in the riot helmet market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The riot helmet market consists of sales of visor-integrated riot helmets, communication-enabled helmets, flame-resistant riot helmets, modular riot helmets, and anti-fog riot helmets. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is, the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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