NFL helmet ratings for Vicis Zero2 Trech are 0.52, Vicis Zero2 is 0.73 and Riddell Axiom is 0.85 per the Virginia Tech helmet ratings.
This rating system is based on various impact test results. It depends on the line and rotational acceleration received during the impact.
The star-based ratings help determine the safety standards so consumers can evaluate the helmets. Also, they put scores based on the results. If the score is lower, it has better performance results and vice versa.
Some other models with their scores are listed below:
- Schutt F7 2.0 – 1.35
- Riddell SpeedFlex Diamond – 1.69
- Xenith Shadow XR – 1.91
- Vicis Zero1 – 1.92
- Schutt F7 VTD – 2.54
- Riddell SpeedFlex True – 2.60
- Xenith X2E+ – 2.92
NFL Safety Helmets
NFL helmet safety rankings place Vicis Zero2-R Matrix ID Trench at the no. 1 position. It is followed by Vicis Zero2- R Trench and Vicis Zero2 Matrix QB.
NFL collaborates with NFLPA annually and appoints biomechanical experts to evaluate the impact severity test. The outcome is called Helmet Laboratory Testing Performance Results.
The outcome is based on various tests and determines which helmet does the best job at reducing impact severity.
The league categorizes headgear as light green, dark green, yellow, and red from the test. The Greens symbolize the equipment worthy of being worn in the league and get the approval stamp.
The Yellow is called the ‘not recommended’ list, and the Reds are ‘newly prohibited.’ The headwear from these two categories are banned for use in the NFL.
The list of other approved helmets belonging to the top ten list are:
- Vicis Zero2-R: #4
- Vicis Zero2-R Matrix ID: #5
- Riddell SpeedFlex Precision Diamond: #6
- Riddell SpeedFlex Precision: #7
- Riddell Axiom: #8
- Riddell SpeedFlex Dimond: #9
- Xenith Shadow XR: 10
Approved NFL Helmets
List of approved NFL helmets is as follows:
- Vicis Zero2-R Matrix ID Trench
- Vicis Zeri2-R Trench
- Vicis Zero2 Matrix QB
- Vicis Zero2-R
- Vicis Zero2-R Matrix ID
- Riddell SpeedFlex Precision Diamond (R41106)
- Riddell SpeedFlex Precision (R41156)
- Riddell Axiom (R61247)
- Riddell SpeedFlex Dimond (R41175)
- Xenith Shadow XR
- Riddell SpeedFlex True (R61365)
- Vicis Zero1 (2018)
- Schutt F7 UR1 (208300)
- Schutt F7 2.0 (209000)
- Schutt F7 UR2 (308300)
- Riddell SpeedFlex (R41195)
- Schutt F7 VTD II (208801)
- Schutt F7 UR1 2.0 (209300)
- Xenith Shadow
- Schitt F7N
- Schut F7 LTD
- Schutt Air XP Pro VTD II
The Vicis Zero2-R Martich ID Trench and Vicis Zero2-R Trench are the top-performing headwear for Offensive and Defensive Lineman positions.
But they fall under the category of models sported by under 1% of the NFL sportsperson. Other models belonging to the class are:
- Vicis Zero2-R Matrix ID
- Xenith Shadow XR
- Vicis Zero1
- Xenith Shadow
Likewise, Schutt F7N, Schut F7 LTD, and Schutt Air XP Pro VTD II, due to the less use by the professionals in the league, were discontinued and were added to the legacy list.
Top Performers
Vicis Zero2 Matrix QB and Schutt F7 UR1 2.0 are newly approved headgear.
The Vicis Zero2 Matrix QB is the Quarterback-specific helmet. It is the first time that QBs will have this exclusive option.
It is placed at the 3rd spot among the highest-performing headwear. Many QBs might be seen donning this new piece of equipment this year.
Likewise, other popular helmets preferred by athletes who are also in the to-performing tier are:
- Vicis Zero2-R
- Riddell SpeedFlex Precision Diamond
- Riddell peedFlex Precision
- Riddel Axiom
- Riddell SpeedFlex Diamond
- Riddell SpeedFlex True
Banned NFL Helmets
NFL banned helmets list is given below:
- Schutt Air XP Pro Q11 LTD (788600)
- Riddell Foundation (R41179)
- Riddel Speed Icon (R41197)
- Xenith X2E+
- Riddell Speed Classic Icon (R41198)
- Schutt Air XP Pro Q10 VTD
- Schutt F7 VTD
- Schutt Air XP Pro Q11
- Schutt Vengeance Pro LTD
- Schutt F5
- Schutt F7
- Schutt Vengeance Z10 LTD
- RiddellSpeed
- Xenith Epic +
- Xenith Epic
- Riddell Revolution Speed Classic
- Schutt Vengeance VTD II
- Riddell Revolution
- Xenith X2E
- Riddell Revolution IQ
- Light LS1 Composite
- Light LS2
- Rawlings Impulse
- Rawlings Impulse+
- Rawlings Tachyon
- Rawling Quantum
- Rawling Quantum+
- SG Varsity
- SG 2.0
- Shutt Air XP
- Riddell VSR-4
- Schutt Air XP Pro
- Schutt Air Advantage
All the above-listed brands received ‘not recommended’ and prohibition from NFL-NFLPA helmet laboratory testing. Because of that, they won’t be seen in the league.
They are the brands that received poor ratings and remained at the bottom of the list. Xenith X2E+ and Riddell Speed Classic Icon were not worn by any players in 2022.
Among them, these are the newly prohibited ones:
- Schutt Air XP Pro Q10 VTD
- Schutt F7 VTD
- Schutt Air XP Pro Q11
- Schutt Vengeance Pro LTD
- Schutt F5
- Schutt F7
- Schutt Vengeance Z10 LTD
These seven were the top-performing hardhats from 2020 which are now banned in the league.
The curious case of Light Helmets
Light Helmets are not used in the NFL as they are on the prohibited list. The manufacturer claims that they are prohibited because of their lighter weight.
The company believes that safety can be achieved while maintaining the lighter weight of the headgear.
They use the Virginia Tech ratings to back up their claim. Virginia Tech rates the effectiveness and safety of headgear based on different weight-based impact tests and is one of the most trusted ratings.
Light LS2-CV and Light LS1-CV received five stars and got 2.38 and 4.76 ratings. They were at the #9 and #17 positions.
NFL New Helmet Rule
New NFL helmet rule is included in Rule 12 Section 2 Article 10 of the NFL Offical Rulebook. It is directed to penalize the misuse of helmets.
Per the new rule, players are prohibited from lowering their heads and getting in contact with their opponent. The strike made with the helmet is called forcible contact.
There is a provision for a 15-yard loss for the offense. If the defense makes the foul, it will result in an automatic first down. Considering the collision’s severity, the guilty party may be ejected from the field.
The foul may also be called if a player uses the helmet or its part to strike the opponent’s neck or head region. But, the officials won’t call the incidental contact caused by the facemask or other parts of the helmet while carrying out a tackle or block.
NFL’s Executive Vice President, Communications, Public Affairs, and Policy, Jeff Miller, stated, “You can’t use your helmet to hit somebody in the head.” He added, “The goal is to change the culture.”
Guardian Caps In 2023
The NFL Annual League Meeting mandated the use of Guardian Caps in every preseason, regular season, and postseason practice with contact.
The sportspersons playing as linemen, linebackers, running backs, tight ends, and fullbacks must use this soft shell layer outside their conventional headgear.
Last season, the Guardian Caps debuted in training camps, and athletes sported it up to the second preseason fixture. Many teams loved the idea and implemented its use throughout the year.
It is proven that the outside layer on the hardshell will absorb 11-12% of the force and reduce the impact by 20%.
Likewise, they are subjected to reduce radiant heat up to 20°.
New NFL Helmets Design Safety
NFL helmet design changes use advanced energy-absorbing materials like 3D printed mesh, liquid-crystal elastomer, and engineered energy control structures.
NFL is highly invested in doing everything possible to help make football a safe game for all professionals. The organization aims to bring new technology and innovation to help create designs that minimize concussion rates.
Up until the 2nd preseason game, linemen, tight ends, and linebackers will be required to wear the Guardian Cap. Based on testing conducted by NFL-NFLPA engineers, addition of Guardian Cap represents a 20% reduction in head impact severity if two players are wearing them. pic.twitter.com/XG9fx0hIHq
— NFL (@NFL) May 3, 2022
The league provides game-impact data to the manufacturers to help them have precise information about the situation. It allows them to indulge in the latest technology, which can lower the impact rate.
NFL new helmet technology is position-specific helmets. They are designed by processing data of each position group, the location, and the head impact speed experienced at that position.
Using video footage and mouthguard sensors helps collect the necessary data to acknowledge the necessary measures needed in a position.
So far, manufacturers have developed position-specific helmets for Offensive Lineman, Defensive Lineman, and Quarterbacks.
The NFL Helmet Challenge, with a $3 million prize, is an excellent method to encourage companies to invest their knowledge and time in innovating unique ways to create safer helmets.
Kollide, Xenith, and Impressio were the awardees who received the prize for their prototypes.
NFL New Helmets To Prevent Concussions
New NFL helmets to prevent concussions for Quarterbacks are Vicis Zero2 Matrix QB helmets. They are 7% better than the brand QBs wore in the last campaign.
It is known that most concussion cases among QBs occur when their head hit the field. Considering it, NFL and NFLPA have approved the QB-specific helmet manufactured by Vicis.
The Zero2 Matrix QB helmet is one of the league’s safest, per the latest laboratory tests. The design and work on the hard hat started in early 2022.
This particular hard hat delivered a 7% better result per the severity test impact. The company has added a new RFLX layer that mitigates and absorbs the impact force.
Everyone is hopeful that it can help reduce the concussion rate.
Likewise, New York Post covered the Stanford University scientists’ research. It mentioned that adding 21 liquid shock absorbers can reduce the impact rate by one-third.
The prototype scored lowest in the Head Accelerate Response Metric (HARM) in 33/36 impact scenarios. It is reported to reduce the impact by up to 56%.
This can be another answer to NFL’s long search for technology to have an avalanche change in helmet safety.