Aspects of the present invention are directed to helmet padding systems. One helmet padding system includes a rigid shell and a spacing pad. The rigid shell includes a body portion and a pair of side portions. The body portion is configured to cover a top of a user's head, and is configured to be worn under a baseball cap. The body portion has a lower front edge between the pair of side portions. The pair of side portions extend downward below the lower front edge of the body portion. The spacing pad is positioned within the rigid shell. The spacing pad includes a layer of elastomeric material. The helmet padding system may further include the baseball cap positioned overtop the rigid shell.
