Riddell VSR4 Mini Helmet Conversion Series
The Riddell VSR4 Mini Helmet has been around for decades. If you’ve collected mini helmets for any length of time, chances are you already own one—or several. While the VSR4 was once the standard, its stock look and hardware now feel dated compared to more modern mini helmet designs.
That doesn’t mean the VSR4 is obsolete.
This series is about re-imagining the VSR4 mini helmet—sometimes pushing it forward into a modern aesthetic, and other times intentionally leaning into an old-school, period-correct style. The goal is not to “fix” the VSR4, but to show how simple, thoughtful modifications can transform it into a clean, cohesive display piece.
What This Series Is (and Isn’t)
This is not a helmet restoration project, and it’s not about advanced customization. Every build in this series focuses on accessible upgrades that most collectors can do at home.
What is covered:
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Step-by-step modifications using readily available accessories
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Upgrades that range from fully reversible changes to minor, intentional shell modifications
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Both modern-inspired and throwback-inspired builds
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Clean, cohesive design choices that elevate the finished look
What isn’t covered:
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No painting
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No cutting or reshaping shells
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No advanced fabrication or structural alterations
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Display builds only — not intended for on-field use
Modern vs. Throwback: Intentional Design Choices
Not every VSR4 conversion is about making the helmet look newer.
Some builds in this series will modernize the VSR4 with updated facemasks, hardware, and proportions. Others will intentionally lean into a vintage or period-correct look, embracing what makes older helmet styles distinctive.
In both cases, the focus is the same: intentional design. Every accessory choice serves a purpose, whether that purpose is modernization or authenticity.
Why Start With the VSR4?
The VSR4 mini helmet is one of the most common platforms collectors have access to, especially on the secondary market. That makes it an ideal candidate for customization.
While some conversions may require adding new mounting holes to properly install modern or period-correct accessories, these modifications are simple, controlled, and intentional. The goal is not to preserve the VSR4 in factory-original condition, but to transform it into a finished display piece that feels cohesive and well thought out.
Throughout this series, Rocker T accessories will be used to demonstrate how these conversions can be executed cleanly and consistently. While many collectors may source their base helmet elsewhere, this series shows how the right components—and proper installation—make all the difference.
What’s Coming First
The first build in the Riddell VSR4 Mini Helmet Conversion Series starts with one of the most impactful upgrades you can make: removing the bulky Kra-Lite facemask and replacing it with a more modern Riddell Z2B Mini Facemask.
It’s a simple swap, but one that dramatically changes the profile of the helmet—and sets the tone for what this series is all about.
Follow along as we break down each conversion step-by-step.
Riddell® is a registered trademark of Riddell, Inc. Rocker T is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Riddell. All product names are used for identification purposes only.
