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Top 5 Football Helmets for 2025

Updated for 2025 — Whether you’re stepping onto the field for the first time or prepping for your senior season, the right football helmet can make all the difference. With safety innovations, customizable fits, and pro-level features, today’s helmets go far beyond the basics. Here’s our list of the top 5 football helmets for 2025, available now at Sports Unlimited.

1. Riddell SpeedFlex – Best Overall Football Helmet

Why It’s #1: The Riddell SpeedFlex continues to dominate in 2025. Its innovative flex panel system in the crown helps disperse impact forces, while the Ratchet-Loc chinstrap ensures a locked-in feel. With dozens of color options and facemask styles, it’s also a top pick for teams and custom builds.

Best For: High school, college, and elite athletes
Weight: ~4.8 lbs
Tech Highlight: Patented Flex System

Shop Riddell SpeedFlex Adult Football Helmet

2. Schutt F7 2.0 – Best for Impact Absorption

The upgraded F7 2.0 from Schutt is built around TPU cushioning—a material that absorbs impact better than traditional foam. Its Tektonic Plate Technology allows sections of the shell to move independently, reducing rotational forces.

Best For: Varsity and collegiate players
Weight: ~4.3 lbs
Tech Highlight: TPU + Tektonic Plate system

Shop Schutt F7 2.0 Adult Football Helmet

3. VICIS ZERO2 – Most Innovative Helmet Design

VICIS blends science and sports in the ZERO2—an ultra-light helmet with a multilayer shell that deforms on impact to absorb energy. It’s widely used in the NFL for its focus on reducing both linear and rotational forces.

Best For: Athletes seeking top-tier protection and innovation
Weight: Lightest on this list
Tech Highlight: Deformable outer shell + RFLX impact layers

Shop VICIS Zero2 Adult Football Helmet

4. Schutt Vengeance A11 2.0 – Best Youth Helmet for Budget & Performance

Schutt Vengeance A11 2.0 Youth Football Helmet

A go-to helmet for youth leagues and intermediate players, the Schutt Vengeance A11 2.0 combines lightweight protection with Schutt’s signature TPU cushioning system. It’s built for speed, comfort, and style at a more accessible price point.

Best For: Youth and intermediate players
Weight: ~3.9 lbs
Tech Highlight: Lightweight shell + TPU padding

Shop Schutt Vengeance A11 2.0 Youth Football Helmet

5. Riddell SpeedFlex Youth – Best Helmet for Young Athletes

The SpeedFlex Youth offers the same trusted protection and aggressive look of the adult version but scaled down for developing athletes. With its flex panel, composite shell, and lightweight padding, this is Riddell’s best youth option for 2025.

Best For: Youth players ages 8–14
Weight: ~4.0 lbs
Tech Highlight: Flex system + youth-specific fit

Shop Riddell SpeedFlex Youth Football Helmet

Final Thoughts: Which Helmet Should You Choose?

The best helmet depends on your position, level of play, and budget. Here’s a quick breakdown:

Helmet	Best For	Highlight Feature
SpeedFlex	All-around	Flex Panel System
F7 2.0	Heavy hitters	TPU Cushioning
ZERO2	Elite players	Deformable Shell
Vengeance A11 2.0	Budget Youth	Lightweight TPU Build
SpeedFlex Youth	Youth Safety	Flex Shell + Fit

At Sports Unlimited, all helmets are in stock, customizable, and ship same day when ordered by 3 p.m. ET. Whether you’re playing Pop Warner or prepping for college ball, we’ve got your head covered.

Need Help Choosing?

Check out our full Football Helmet Buyer’s Guide or contact our experts for personalized help.

All-Season Hood vs. Thermal Winter Hood Comparison Guide

It’s that time of year to start thinking about winter gear, if you haven’t already been hit with cold temps. A must have for any outdoor winter activity is the thermal hood, our best selling winter accessory. You may have heard the hood referred to as a balaclava, ski mask, face mask, gaiter, skull cap, or neckwarmer. Whatever you call it, we will break down the differences between the All-Season Hood and Thermal Hood, so you can be prepared for whatever the weather brings.

Wearing a hood in the cold has many benefits, including:

Warmth: Hoods cover your head and neck, two of the areas of your body that are most susceptible to heat loss. This can help to keep you warm and comfortable in cold weather.
Protection: Hoods can protect your face and ears from the elements, including wind, snow, and rain. This can help to prevent frostbite, windburn, and other cold weather injuries.
Moisture management: Hoods are made from wicking materials that help to keep you dry. This is important because sweat can make you feel cold and can also lead to frostbite.
Versatility: Hoods can be worn on their own or under a helmet. This makes them ideal for a variety of cold weather activities, including skiing, snowboarding, snowboarding, and snowmobiling.

The comparison chart below shows the main features of the All-Season and Thermal Hood.

Feature	SU All-Season Hood	SU Thermal Hood
Temperature	For temperatures above 32 degrees	For temperatures under 32 degrees
Configurations	Six different configurations for personal comfort and need	Six different configurations for personal comfort and need
Design	Form-fitting, can be worn under helmet or on its own	Form-fitting, can be worn under helmet or on its own
Moisture management	Yes	Yes
Stretch	4-way	4-way
Seams	Flat	Flat
Lining	Nylon lining for comfort and wind protection	Soft, fuzzy lining for maximum warmth
Head size	Fits 22-25″	Fits 22-25″
Material	95% polyester, 5% spandex	92% polyester, 8% spandex

With 6 different ways to wear a hood, it’s such a diverse accessory. Find your most comfortable fit, and change the way you wear it when temperatures fluctuate.

Along with our traditional all-season and thermal hoods, we also have football hoods for both adult and youth players, so you stay warm on the field! They are designed to be worn under your football helmet, for a comfortable, distraction-free fit.

Football Hand Warmers: A Secret Weapon for Cold Weather Performance

Football handwarmers are a great way to keep your hands warm and comfortable during cold weather games and practices. They are durable, portable, and effective, and they come in a variety of styles and sizes to meet your needs.

Football handwarmers offer a number of benefits, including:

Improved performance: Warm hands help to improve grip strength, dexterity, and reaction time. This can lead to better performance on the field, especially in cold weather games.
Reduced risk of injury: Cold hands can be stiff and numb, which can make them more susceptible to injury. Football handwarmers can help to reduce the risk of injury by keeping hands warm and flexible.
Increased comfort: Cold hands can be uncomfortable and distracting. Football handwarmers can help to improve comfort and focus on the game.
Convenience: Football handwarmers are portable and easy to use. You can simply slip them on and off as needed.
Affordability: Football handwarmers are relatively affordable, making them a great value for the money.

Here are some specific examples of how football handwarmers can benefit different players:

Quarterbacks: Warm hands help quarterbacks to grip the ball better and throw more accurate passes.
Receivers: Warm hands help receivers to catch the ball more consistently.
Linemen: Warm hands help linemen to grip the ball and block more effectively.
Defensive backs: Warm hands help defensive backs to make better interceptions and tackles.
Kickers and punters: Warm hands help kickers and punters to make more accurate kicks.

Overall, football handwarmers are a valuable tool for players of all positions. They can help to improve performance, reduce the risk of injury, increase comfort, and provide convenience.

Get ready to gain an edge on the competition with The Sports Unlimited Adult Football Hand Warmer! With a two-point attachment system, this hand warmer easily fastens around your waist. The belt has breakaway Velcro to prevent it from aiding would-be tacklers and also a buckle that allows you to adjust the size to fit any player. It also includes a zipper pouch where you can fit a heating pouch to further fight the cold. It’s also available in youth sizing!

Let footballrs break it down for you…

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Pink Football Socks for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is just around the corner and you know what that means! Time to gear your players up for Breast Cancer Awareness month. We have tons of different options from crew socks to over the calf socks. Not to mention, different color options to meet your needs. We have black & hot pink socks, all pink socks, Hot Pink & Pink, and we even have the digital camo black & hot pink socks! All of the Twin City Knitting socks have a ribbon on them, whether it be on the back, side, or front of the sock, we’ve got you covered! The socks have moisture control, blister control and odor control technology, these socks are perfect to keep your feet dry. The breathable mesh fabric will make these socks feel nice and light on your feet. Support the cause and get your Breast Cancer Awareness socks today!

Shop Pink Football Socks Now

What’s In A Football Helmet Safety Rating?

With safety concerns mounting and new concussion research taking place every season, the football helmet has quickly become one of the most scrutinized pieces of protective apparel in sports.

Each year, manufacturers introduce new technologies to make their helmets more equipped to handle head impacts, rotational forces and linear impacts that occur during standard course of play. And now there are two laboratory studies that give us even more insight into how football helmets work.

Virgina Tech Study

NFL/NFLPA Study

In 2011, Virginia Tech’s Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics released its first STAR rating system, putting football helmets to test in a lab environment. The study assigns a rating to each helmet and breaks them into six categories ranging from five stars (Best Available) to zero stars (Not Recommended).

In 2014, the NFL followed suit, forming an Engineering Subcommittee as part of its existing Head, Neck and Spine Committee. The subcommittee completed its first project in July of 2015, a helmet study jointly sponsored by the NFL and NFL Players Association (NFLPA). Initially, the study set a threshold and broke 10 of the 17 helmets into a “Top Performing Group” meaning none was statistically significant from the others. Continue reading “What’s In A Football Helmet Safety Rating?”

New 2018 Adult and Youth Football Shoulder Pads from Sports Unlimited

For the first time in Sports Unlimited’s history as a major equipment retailer, football shoulder pads have been added to the Sports Unlimited branded product roster. With so many years of experience selling the best shoulder pads in the world from companies such as Schutt, Riddell, Douglas, Gear Pro Tech, Xenith, X-Tech, and more, 2018 is the time to add Sports Unlimited to that list of equipment brands. Using customer feedback, extensive football gear knowledge, and an in-house design and testing team, the PROSPECT ($42.95) for youth and PROSPECT PRO ($114.95) for adult have been released. Take a look at the designs below.

Sports Unlimited Prospect Youth Shoulder Pads

The 30 years of experience Sports Unlimited has had as a retailer helps it break into selling its own products because using the millions of interactions directly with customers and seeing the successes and failures of selling other brands provides a deep knowledge of products across the category. As a small business in America, it takes creativity and the ability to change who you are to compete with the biggest stores in the world and going from a sports equipment retailer to a sports equipment brand and retailer is a necessary move to combat those challenges.

Sports Unlimited Prospect Pro Adult Football Shoulder Pads — Sports Unlimited Prospect Pro Adult

The goal for developing the Prospect line was to create superb quality, lightweight, and cheap football shoulder pads that would stand up against the already well-known brands in the industry. Football is an expensive sport to play with equipment to buy for every part of the body and dealing with so many players, parents, and coaches over the years, it’s important to provide these people that are passionate about football an option that is able to balance on the line of quality and price. If someone can afford $600 shoulder pads, a $600 football helmet, cleats, pants, girdle, gloves, jerseys, back plates, among other equipment, that’s fantastic (and Sports Unlimited can provide it), but that isn’t true of the vast majority of football players and parents. The game should be accessible. Gear should be accessible. And that shouldn’t come at the cost of quality or safety. The Prospect and Prospect Pro for youth and adult aim to make the game more accessible through low costs, but also without being ‘cheap’.

Product Info:

The Prospect Pro uses a flat pad design, dual density foam, and stainless steel hardware among other great features that have had first users saying it is “amazingly light, breathable, comfortable, and [gives] the best range of motion”. The youth pad is built for all positions, uses an extended body length design with double layer EVA foam. As always, the best place to look for more features and specifications for these football shoulder pads is on the product pages themselves at SportsUnlimited.com. If you want more information about the differences between the adult and youth versions of these shoulder pads you can check out our comparison page here: Adult vs. Youth Shoulder Pads Comparison.

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Sports Unlimited Unveils Custom Football Helmet Builder

Since last October, SportsUnlimited.com has been operating on a brand new platform. After years of designing and developing their new website, the ecommerce sporting goods retailer has looked to provide its customers with an unrivaled shopping experience. As part of this process, new features have been added in throughout the last year, all aimed ti and give consumers more options. Their latest unveiling has been well received, and allows Sports Unlimited to do what they do best (football) in a whole new way.

If you were searching for some new football equipment, then Sports Unlimited was probably already on your radar. As the largest online football store, they stock more helmets, shoulder pads, and training equipment than any other football retailer. What that has meant for football players, coaches, and parents alike, is that they can get the gear the need shipped out same day. With more and more players and parents wanting control of the gear they wear on the field, having quick and easy access to the safest helmets and pads on the market has been essential.

This August, Sports Unlimited took that quick football service a step further, rolling out their Custom Football Helmet builder. Now you not only have the ability to choose from Riddell and Schutt’s latest helmets, but you can also select the facemask, chinstrap, and colors of each. This new customizable football helmet experience is made possible by two contributing factors. Sports Unlimited’s extensive stocks of helmets and accessories, and a step by step selection process.

To take advantage of this new feature offered by Sports Unlimited, simply visit the website (www.SportsUnlimited.com) and select your favorite Riddell or Schutt Helmet. On the right hand side of the page, you’ll find all your customizable options. Firstly, you’ll want to select this and color of your helmet. The large picture of the helmet will reflect the change in colors, as you select from an assortment of options.

Next you’ll get to decide which facemask style you want, along with its color. This process used to be complicated and time consuming, as certain helmets require specific facemasks. But Sports Unlimited has done the hard work here and separated the options that will work for your helmet. Choosing a facemask is also important, as different positions prefer different styles. Wide Receivers and Quarterbacks want more open masks so they can see the field. Linemen on both sides of the ball want larger more protective mask to prevent injuries when they are battling in the trenches. Simply select the style and the colors available will populate.

Choosing your Football chinstrap is done the same way as the helmet and face. Choose from the traditional soft shell or select hard cup protection in a range of colors and sizes.

The final step in the custom football helmet construction is a facemask attachment option. This allow you decide if you would like one of the professionals at Sports Unlimited to attach your new facemask to the helmet.

Sports Unlimited won’t be the first retailer to offer helmets and facemasks in different colors, but their large selection and fast same-day shipping make it tough to beat. Whether you shopping on a desktop, tablet, or mobile phone, this process is simple and easy to understand. As parents and players gear up for this upcoming football season, be sure to check out the new custom football helmet designer at Sports Unlimited.

Best Football Chin Straps – Top 5

Even the most casual football fans know the importance of a safe and protective helmet when engaged in competition. With the force and speed of the game, it is essential players equip themselves with a quality helmet. But one piece of the puzzle that is often overlooked, even by the most seasoned players, it’s that of the chin strap. Previously only seen as a way of securing the helmet to the head, the role of the football chin strap has transformed into playing a pivotal part in protecting players.

Helmet manufacturers and sports equipment companies alike have all seen the chin strap as an opportunity to provide players another line of protection from the impacts on the football field. Using the latest technology and protective materials, each has developed a product that will not only be more comfortable, but far more valuable in offering another layer of defense. We’re going to take a look at our Top 5 Football Chin Straps, giving you some insight on gearing up for next season.

Schutt Elite Hard Cup

As one of the leading helmet manufacturers, it’s of no surprising that they have also developed a high quality chin strap. The Elite Hard Cup from Schutt is everything you would expect in an upgraded chinstrap. The hard plastic shell offers an excellent shield against the big hits. The foam uni-cup design uses an integrated splitter for extra strength, as well as providing a comfortable custom fit. Available in both Youth and Adult sizes, the Schutt Elite Hard Cup is a great choice when improving your protection.

Under Armour Gameday Armour Pro

Few brands in sports do style and protection as well as Under Armour, and the Gameday Armour Pro chin strap exceeds expectations on both fronts. Designed to perform as good as it looks, the anodized finish sets the bar very high. But the Armour Flex outer shell is incredible durable and withstands the rigors of a tough football season. Also featuring an internal pad that is removable and washable, and a perforated design that improves breathability. This Under Armour Football Chin Strap offers the protection you need with the look you desire.

SportsStar GX-4 Hard Cup

SportStar may be a brand that is unfamiliar to many. But when it comes to chin strap protection, very few can compete. Specializing in the production of chin staps, SportStar has taken a science first approach, looking to make the chinstap as advanced as modern day helmets. Rated as one of the safest chin straps on the market, the GX-4 is constructed from 4 different pieces to help absorb blows and prevent concussions. The patented GelPad disperse energy and offers a custom fit for every player. Also featuring a high density EVA foam and a NASA engineered plastic shell, GX-4 is not short on technological designs. Even with all the protective measures, the SportStar chinstrap is also a stand out in appearance. The GX-4 is fully customizable, allowing you to perfectly match your team’s colors.

Riddell TCP

Like Schutt, Riddell is the maker of the helmets most trusted by the game’s elite. The TCP chin strap is the top level of protection offered by Riddell, making it a serious contender for our top rated chinstrap. Like the other chin straps on this list, The TCP features a hard outer shell constructed from a durable polycarbonate. Also featuring breathable ventilation and soft padding inside that provides incredible comfort. The TCP chinstrap is also available with the Rachet-Loc attachments, allowing you to wear it with the highly rated Riddell SpeedFlex helmet. The Riddell TCP Chin strap is seen every weekend of the fall on the best players in the world for a reason.

SportStar Evolution

When you’ve spent the time and effort in designing a piece of sporting equipment like SportStar has, being seen as the best is the expectation. The Evolution chin strap showcases an advanced design that with layers of protection. Beginning with a hard outer shell and an non-slip EVA foam that is anatomically molded to absorb impacts. Also featuring the GelPad at the base of the chin, to offer a great custom fit. Once you put on a SportStar chin star, you’ll see exactly why more and more professional players are turning to them. Its unmatched level of protection has made the SportStar Evolution our top ranked football chin strap.

Written By Dylan Hamilton, Sports Unlimited

2017 Football Equipment Review – Adult

As we continue to build up anticipation for the upcoming football season, we take a closer look at the equipment players will be putting on in just a few short weeks. From high school to the pros, athletes everywhere are in their final preparations before football camp begins. This means gearing up with the necessary protective equipment to handle the bumps and bruises that are on the horizon.

The second installment of our product reviews will focus on the ever important Adult or Varsity equipment. These would be the pads and helmets that players in High School, College, Semi-Pro, and Professionals would be strapping on. With the hits being harder and the game played faster, it’s vital that players have the best possible defense.

Helmet – Riddell SpeedFlex Adult

No other piece of equipment is under the microscope more than the adult football helmet. With the increased attention on the effects of head injuries, helmet manufactures are being asked to develop safer products for today’s players. Since 1939 Riddell have been producing football helmets, and their latest effort has again pushed the bar a step higher than the rest. The SpeedFlex Helmet has now been around since the 2014 season, and is regularly found on the heads of the best NFL and NCAA players around. What has made this helmet a stand out is the technological designs Riddell has introduced, aimed at reducing the force at impact. The Flex System has engineered flexibility into the helmet shell, facemask, and clips to help absorb the impact of collisions to the head. The Ratchet-Loc retention chin strap was a revolutionary new way of looking at how the helmet is attached, offering a more secure option than was previously thought of. With other stand out features like quick release facemask attachments and a Five-Point inflation for a custom fit, the Riddell SpeedFlex is an excellent option when looking for an upgraded head protection.

Shoulder Pads – Gear Pro-Tec Razor RZ15 Adult

Continuing with a focus on technology emphasized protection, the Razor RZ15 All Purpose shoulder pads from Gear Pro-Tec do not disappoint. From a glance, these pads look stealthy and high performance. Under the hood they are much of the same. The SAS-TEC Visco Elastic foam absorbs and flexes better than most of its competition. Range of motion is at premium with 12% more freedom than other pads. The RZ15 also comes with a removable liner that is made up of moisture wicking fabric, allowing you to keep cool in the summer heat. Gear Pro-Tec also makes these shoulder pads for Skilled Position players (RZ7) and Lineman (RZ55). These lightweight pads offer exceptional protection without slowing you down a step.

Backplate – Douglas Custom Pro CP Series

When you get into varsity level football, extra protection become less optional and more necessary. The addition of a back plate becomes vital for most players, particularly those who find themselves being tackled. The Douglas Custom CP Series removable backplate is all you could ask for. Douglas being one of the most trusted names in shoulder pads, the CP back plate is part of their pro level protection. Durable padding with a hard shell shields the lower back from those unwarranted hits. Extra grommets allow you to customize where the pad sits, and is available in a 4” and 6” option.

Chin Strap – SportStar Adult Evolution

In times before, little thought was put into what type of chin strap you were using. Often you would just play with whatever came with the helmet, or perhaps upgrade to a hard shell. SportStar burst onto the scenes offering a range of chin straps that are not only comfortable, but remarkably protective. With a built in gel pad that offers excellent protection, comfort, and fit. The non-slip EVA foam is designed to absorb and disperse the impact from a collision. Complete with a hard outer shell, the SportStar Evolution is what you expect to see the professionals wear on Sunday.

Written By Dylan Hamilton, Sports Unlimited

2017 Football Equipment Reviews – Youth

As summer is upon us, we know many across the country are already dreaming of the fall. Football fast approaches, and we’ll spend the next few months anticipating our favorite College and NFL Football teams seasons, and in many cases, gearing up for our own. No matter what level you play at, having the right equipment for the upcoming year is essential. From helmets to pants, shoulder pads to receiver gloves, every player wants the safest gear that will allow them to perform at their best.

We at Sports Unlimited wanted to do our best in helping you prepare, by giving you some insight on newest products from the sports leading manufactures. Over the next several weeks, we’ll highlight some recently released equipment, focusing on the new technology and features. This will allow you to make informed decisions on your purchases for next season.

Our first installment looks at some of the new gear that youth football players will be wearing this year. While the speed of the game is slower, the importance of safety is no less. We’ll take a look at several pieces of equipment that will help protect the upper body of our future football stars, as they foster their passion for the game.

Helmet – Schutt Vengeance Z10 Youth

The most essential piece of football equipment is undoubtedly the helmet. Offering protection to the most valuable asset, a youth football helmet is worthy of upgrade investment. While the Schutt Vengeance Z10 was released in 2016, it is now for the first time available in youth sizes in 2017. The only difference it has with its adult counterpart is the ABS Plastic shell. This shell is durable, lightweight, and required by most youth football leagues. The Z10 from Schutt is a top of the line helmet, packed with all their design features that offer a great fit and defense against contact to the head. A few notable features for the Z10 are its Titanium facemask, which significantly lightens the helmet and lessens the strain on a young players neck. It also comes with internal and external cheek stabilizers for reinforced protection. Available in a range of colors and facemask styles to get the custom look you desire.

Shoulder Pads – Riddell Surge Youth

While youth football shoulder pads aren’t exposed to the intense impact hits of varsity pads, it is still important to have the necessary protection. Riddell has released a new high-end youth shoulder pad for 2017, unveiling their Riddell Surge and its premium look and feel. The most noticeable feature on these pads is the level of padded protection. Some youth pads can limited in the padding, but the Surge offers excellent coverage of the shoulders, chest, and back. The lower back is also looked after with the inclusion of matching back plate. With a velvet collar and flat pad design that sits low on the shoulders, the Riddell Surge is great option for next season.

Rib Protector – Xenith Xflexion Core Guard

You will typically receive sufficient coverage of the upper body with a good pair of football shoulder pads. But for those who play a position that takes extra hits, the added protection of a rib protector is just what the doctor ordered. The Xenith Xflexion Core Guard is a versatile option that allows you to customize the protection you receive. The rib pads on the Xflexion can be adjusted or removed, letting you use this as just a back plate as well. The Xenith’s also come with their own shoulder strap, letting you use them with or without shoulder pads. Size specifically to the dimensions of a youth player, the Xenith Xflexion is exceptional choice.

Back Plate – Gear Pro-Tec Razor Back Plate

The last piece to the upper body protection equation is the addition of a back plate. Some shoulder pads come with a back plate, and some rib protectors have one built in. But for those that don’t already have the lower back coverage they desire, than the Gear Pro-Tec Razor back plate is a perfect solution. Using the same technology found in their highly rated shoulder pads, the Razor back plate features Compressed HEX foam side panels and SAS-TEC foam spine inserts. These make for a lightweight, breathable protection of the lower back and spine. Works for all Gear Pro-Tec Razor and Z-Cool shoulder pads, as well as fitting most other brand pads with its universal T-nut and screw attachment.

Written By Dylan Hamilton, Sports Unlimited