The NFL and NFLPA have recently released their annual helmet performance rankings.
Each year both sides partner to put together a panel of experts that test which helmets best reduce head impact severity based on a number of extensive laboratory tests.
The release from the NFL shares that tests conditions are "intended to represent potentially concussive head impacts in the NFL. The results of this study should not be extrapolated beyond the NFL, including to collegiate, high school or youth football."
Still, high school coaches around the country anxiously await this list each year to share with parents, or use it for ammo to go to their athletic directors or boosters to get the safest possible equipment for their roster, along with the study Virginia Tech shares as well.
Topping this year's NFL list in the Riddell Axiom 3D, followed by the VICIS ZERO2-R Matrix ID 2025 model.
The Schutt F7 Pro has two models along with the other VICIS ZERO2 model round out the top five.
New on the "Not Recommended" list are the Schutt F7 2.0 and the Schutt F7 URI2.0 2024 models along with the popular Riddell Speedflex.
Popular helmet outfitter Riddell features five helmets listed among the top performing group, while Schutt and VICIS each have two along with LIGHT, a relative newcomer to the helmet space that is gaining traction among high school coaches.
The NFL also shared a list of the best performing helmets for quarterbacks, offensive lineman and defensive lineman as well, which you can also take a look at, and at the bottom you'll find a list of prohibited helmets that cannot be worn by NFL players due to poor lab testing, or because the helmet provider is no longer in business.
See this link to view the full results.
