Schutt, VICIS Dominate NFL/NFLPA’s Helmet Performance Testing Rankings

New Schutt F7 Pro Debuts Amongst Top-Ranked Helmets; VICIS Has Top-Ranked Helmet for Quarterbacks, Offensive Linemen, Defensive Linemen

PLAINFIELD, Ind.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The National Football League (NFL) and the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) released the annual Helmet Laboratory Testing Performance Results, and Certor Sports—parent company of Schutt and VICIS—is once again the top-performing helmet manufacturer in the league for player safety.

Four Certor Sports helmets finished in the Top 5 of the NFL’s annual helmet safety test, which ranks helmets based on their ability to reduce head impact severity at the NFL level. Not only did Certor Sports dominate the overall rankings, VICIS helmets finished atop every position-specific helmet ranking: quarterback-specific helmets, offensive linemen-specific helmets and defensive linemen-specific helmets. And the newly launched Schutt F7 Pro is the highest ranked new helmet, making its debut in the NFL this season.

This year’s overall rankings included 11 helmets “recommended for use by NFL players.” The VICIS ZERO2 Matrix ID, Schutt F7 Pro, Schutt F7 Pro WR/DB and VICIS ZERO2 ranked in the Top 5. Rounding out the bottom of the rankings were Riddell with four helmets and LIGHT Apache Pro, respectively.

“At Certor Sports, player safety isn’t a feature — it’s the foundation of everything we do. This is evident by our new Schutt F7 Pro, which will debut in 2025 and is already one of the top-ranked helmets in the league, ” said Certor Sports CEO Jeremy Erspamer. “With VICIS helmets holding the top three position-specific rankings, and VICIS and Schutt combining for four of the top five overall helmets, the message is clear: we are leading the way in protecting athletes at every level of football. This isn’t about hype; it’s about hard data and real protection. We’re committed to making sure every athlete, from youth to pro, has access to the safest gear on the field. Because protecting players means protecting the future of the game itself.”

The Schutt F7 Pro, the next generation of the most iconic helmet in football, is engineered to meet the uncompromising demands of today’s elite athlete. The Schutt F7 Pro features revolutionary 3D-printed lattice construction for unmatched impact absorption and player protection, while the OCTO-Fit system and onboard AiR-Lock technology deliver a fully customizable, ergonomic fit that adapts to each athlete in real time - no tools or pumps required. Together, these innovations redefine performance, comfort, and confidence on the field, and is the only helmet ranked in the Top 5 available for players at the varsity level.

The VICIS ZERO2 TRENCH, the first approved position-specific helmet in NFL history, finished first in both the position-specific helmet testing results for defensive linemen and the position-specific helmet testing results for offensive linemen. The VICIS ZERO2 MATRIX ID QB retained its top spot in the position-specific helmet testing results for quarterbacks.

The VICIS ZERO2 MATRIX ID, Schutt F7 Pro and Schutt F7 Pro WR/DB were also approved for players to wear without a Guardian Cap during practice.

Since 2015, the NFL and NFLPA have collaborated with these independent experts on an annual report that assesses the performance of helmets worn by NFL athletes, empowering players to make more informed decisions about their protective equipment. Laboratory tests are designed to represent head impacts in the NFL and are focused on the ability of these helmets to reduce the severity of those impacts.

To learn more about all Schutt and VICIS helmets, visit certorsports.com.

ABOUT CERTOR SPORTS

Certor Sports specializes in manufacturing products under the VICIS, Schutt, and TUCCI brands. As a premier provider of athletic protective gear and high-performance apparel, Certor Sports is committed to safeguarding athletes with cutting-edge solutions. With a strong emphasis on quality and performance, Certor Sports has established itself as a trusted leader in athletic protection. To learn more about Certor Sports, visit certorsports.com.