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2013 Sports Unlimited Football Equipment Draft – Top 10 Picks

Welcome to the 2013 Sports Unlimited Football Equipment Draft. With all of our minds on the upcoming NFL Draft, we decided to present our own style of draft that features the best of the best football equipment that you can find at SportsUnlimited.com because we want to equip you with what you need to make 2013 the most memorable season of your life.

We have randomly generated a draft order for some of our expert compatriots at SU and I will be documenting the draft so that you can stay informed with the top-of-the-line, most advanced products in the industry. Here are the top ten picks!

1. Schutt Titanium Big Grill 2.0 Super Pro XL Football Facemask

With the luck of the draw, the coveted first overall pick in our draft goes to Andre from the Customer Service department. With every product still on the board, Andre selects the Schutt Titanium Big Grill 2.0 Football Facemask. Lighter and stronger than steel, this facemask brings the performance of a No.1 pick. Peak performance with the most intimidating and wicked design on the market make the Titanium Big Grill 2.0 one fearsome mask only available at Sports Unlimited.

2. Schutt AiR Maxx Flex Adult Football Shoulder Pads – QB / WR

With so many incredible products remaining, Jason felt the pressure when he was on the clock and let it get down to 00:01 before deciding that the Schutt AiR Maxx Flex Adult Football Shoulder Pads – QB / WR were worthy of the 2nd pick. I have to agree with him because the Quarterback to Wide Receiver connection can put six points on the board on any given play. Ultimate protection with strategically placed TPU and superb range of motion give these pads the best draft rating in the biz. Drafting performance and protection for some of the most important positions on the field is always an excellent choice.

3. Cutters X40 C-Tack Revolution Adult Football Receiver Gloves

In an early shock, Steve from our Web Team is going deep with the Cutters X40 C-Tack Revolution Adult Football Receiver Gloves. Equipped with a self-restoring C-Tack grip and available in an array of colors, these gloves make plays. Steve knows that fumbles and drops can cost dearly on the gridiron and he wasn’t afraid to snag an elite pair of ‘hands’ this high in the draft. Great pick!

4. Schutt Vengeance DCT Adult Football Helmet

The fourth pick belongs to our wise leader and President, Don who makes the most popular pick of the draft with the Schutt Vengeance DCT Adult and Youth Helmets. Don goes with the numbers here because he knows this popular helmet lives up to the hype and “has been our number one selling helmet this year”! The TPU in the DCT is the same material used in United States Armed Forces fighter pilot and paratrooper helmets. Combined with a re-imagined shell design, I wouldn’t have been surprised to see this go first overall!

5. Riddell 360 Adult Football Helmet

Having had head and jaw injuries in the past, I knew from the start that I needed to draft a great helmet. With Don having taken the Schutt Vengeance DCT off the board, my decision became a lot easier because my internal argument was between the former and the Riddell 360 Adult Football Helmet. With Concussion Reduction Technology, Flex Face Guard, and Riddell’s Hexagonal Liner System, I may have just picked up the best helmet in the world.

6. Oakley Football Eyeshield

Web Team is here with another pick, and Steph, with an understanding of how important vision is on the field, dashes to our imaginary podium to select the Oakley Football Eyeshield. Steph trusts the Plutonite construction and HDO (High Definition Optics) technology from Oakley because wherever you are on the field, your decision-making relies on vision. The value here is playing smart and Steph’s team is going to be built on great vision and smart decisions.

7. Schutt Vengeance DCT Hybrid+ Youth Football Helmet

At the seventh pick, Doug, the feared Web Team Manager, picks up the product at the top of his draft board, the Schutt Vengeance DCT Hybrid+ Youth Football Helmet. “I like the combination of all the latest protection technologies and the value you get versus the Youth Vengeance DCT.” The innovative combination of Dual Compression TPU and traditional vinyl nitrile padding makes this youth helmet high in protection and low in price. This could be the steal of the draft!

8. New Balance 993 Mid Mens Lacrosse / Football Cleats

Michele, one of our Customer Service Supervisors, has the football knowledge and competitive spirit to know that winning on the gridiron takes great footwork and her strategy is speed, speed, speed. She’s getting some traction with the New Balance 993 Mid Mens Lacrosse / Football Cleats. These cleats were designed to have the versatility, durability, and lightness to make a player dangerous. Speed with stability can go a long way.

9. Wilson TDS Leather High School Football

We have back to back Customer Service Supervisor picks and this one belongs to Jamie. One of the friendliest people around, he cares about our products and our customers, which is why he is going with the Wilson TDS Leather High School Football. Without a ball, you can’t play and this beauty is approved by NFHS for high school play. Practice your skills with the ball or play some catch out back because a tight spiral just looks better with an official ball. You can see and feel the quality with 899 full-grain leather.

10. Schutt Y Flex All Purpose Youth Football Shoulder Pads

Ryan received the tenth and last pick in the draft, but with the expertise he has as a Buyer and Customer Service Manager, he can draft in any position and come out with a winner. He calls the Schutt Y Flex All Purpose Youth Football Shoulder Pads, “great youth shoulder pads that our customers love for all positions. Value is excellent.” Ryan picks for strength and versatility with these youth shoulder pads that feature Air Flex tech and vapor holes to maintain protection with great comfort. Safety is paramount whether you are developing football skills or playing at an elite level.

There you have it, our inaugural Sports Unlimited Football Equipment Draft is complete. I’d like to thank the participants for lending their expertise. I’ll declare the draft a success due to my personal happiness with my pick and I know you all were rooting for me. This draft could have gone any which way because the top ten draft picks were only a tiny sample of what SportsUnlimited.com has to offer!

Good luck this season folks!

By Isaac Clark
Isaac is a writer at Sports Unlimited.

Retraction: Football Helmet Weights

An update of the most accurate football helmet weights, in pounds and ounces, including facemask weight, to give you the most consumer information possible, to find the best football helmet for you!

In July, I posted an article, “How Much Does a Football Helmet Weight?” which listed the weights of almost every football helmet we carry at Sports Unlimited. Upon further review, it became obvious to me that our original findings were not presented as clearly as they could have been, and may have been inadvertently misleading. Also, we did not include the weights of other facemask options, such as stainless steel or titanium facemasks.

To correct this oversight, I have re-weighed every helmet and facemask, and have updated our list of football helmet weights. The new findings are listed in lbs/oz, for more weight accuracy, and to make it easier to see just how much, or little these adult and youth football helmets differ in weight. They can be found listed below, and in the previously published article.

I hope these more accurate football helmet and facemask weights help you find the right helmet for you and your child! Please let me know if you have any questions at all.

Please Note: All weights are measured in pounds and ounces. Total weight includes either the attached facemask shipped with the helmet, or the standard ROPO facemask designed for that helmet, as well as chinstraps and all hardware. All helmets weighed were size Large. Other sizes will vary slightly.

Helmets Shipped Without Attached Facemasks:

Helmet	Weight (lbs / oz)
	Helmet Alone	Total w/ Carbon Steel Facemask	Total w/ Stainless Steel Facemask	Total w/ Titanium Facemask
Schutt ION4D Adult	3lbs, 6oz	4lbs, 8oz	—	4lbs, 1oz
Schutt Vengeance	3lbs, 8oz	4lbs, 10oz	—	4lbs, 1oz
Schutt AiR XP Adult	2lbs, 13oz	3lbs, 15oz	3lbs, 13oz	3lbs, 5oz
Schutt DNA Pro + Adult	3lbs, 2oz	4lbs, 6oz	—	3lbs, 12oz
Schutt AiR XP Elite	3lbs, 2oz	4lbs, 4oz	4lbs, 2oz	3lbs, 10oz
Schutt DNA Pro + Elite	3lbs, 5oz	4lbs, 9oz	4lbs, 10oz	3lbs, 15oz
Schutt DNA Pro + w/ Titanium Facemask	3lbs, 8oz	—	—	3lbs, 8 oz
Schutt AiR Varsity Commander	3lbs, 6oz	4lbs, 11oz	—	—

Schutt ION4D Youth	3lbs, 6oz	4lbs, 8oz	—	4lbs, 1oz
Schutt AiR XP Youth	2lbs, 11oz	3lbs, 13oz	3lbs, 11oz	3lbs, 3oz
Schutt DNA Pro + Youth	2lbs, 15oz	4lbs, 1oz	—	—
Schutt Recruit Hybrid	2lbs, 11oz	3lbs, 10oz	—	—
Schutt Recruit Hybrid +	2lbs, 11oz	3lbs, 10oz	—	—
Schutt XP Hybrid	2lbs, 8oz	3lbs, 7oz	—	—
Schutt XP Hybrid +	2lbs, 8oz	3lbs, 7oz	—	—
Schutt Air Standard II	3lbs, 10oz	—	—	—
AiR Youth	2lbs, 9oz	3lbs, 1oz	—	—

Helmets Shipped With Attached facemask:

Helmet	Weight (lbs / oz)
	Helmet w / Attached Facemask
AiR Team Youth	2lbs, 9oz
Riddell 360 Adult	4lbs, 8oz
Riddell Revolution Speed (Revo Speed)	4lbs, 2oz
Riddell Revolution	4lbs, 4oz
Riddell 360 Youth	4lbs, 6oz
Riddell Revo Speed Youth	3lbs, 12oz
Riddell Revolution Edge	3lbs, 14oz
Riddell Revolution Attack	3lbs, 4oz
Riddell Revolution Youth	3lbs, 14oz
Rawlings Quantum Adult	4lbs, 7oz
Rawlings Quantum Youth	4lbs, 2oz
Rawlings Momentum	3lbs, 13oz

By Brandon Porter.Brandon is a product specialist at Sports Unlimited.

Today’s Best Football Helmets: Riddell 360 vs. Schutt Vengeance

Compare the design and features of the Riddell 360 and Schutt Vengeance football helmets, to decide which is the best football helmet today!

A lot of people have been asking, lately, what is the best football helmet; the Riddell 360 or the Schutt Vengeance, and I’ve found it a really tough question to answer!

Both of these helmets are the absolute pinnacle of performance and protection, from two companies at the top of their game. Schutt and Riddell have spent decades dominating the football equipment industry, and each of their next-generation football helmets are the end result of vast experience, endless experimentation, advanced research and development, and countless hours of on-field testing and hit-analysis. They both not only protect the player better, but with the latest facemask and shell designs, create a more aggressive look than ever before. And while it’s hard to say which the best football helmet is, what I can say is that both are really impressive!

To give you a better idea of what each football helmet offers, and help you decide which the best football helmet is for you, we’ll delve deep into each new helmet, investigate their advanced features and technologies, and review their designs. So without further ado, I give you the Schutt Vengeance vs Riddell 360:

Riddell 360

In a Nut Shell:

After analyzing over 1.4 million helmet collisions with their HITS impact-severity recording devices, Riddell concluded that many of the impacts that result in concussions are caused by massive forces to the front of the head. So with major re-designs and improvements to the traditional helmet, the 360 utilizes new features and technologies to not only protect the entire head, but shifts the focus of protection to the front of the helmet and the jaw area.

Most Interesting New Features:

Flex Impact System: To improve frontal protection, Riddell’s new Flex Face Guard, combined with new facemask hinge clips, absorbs more impact force, reducing the shock felt by the player and the force transferred to his head.

Enhanced Facial Frame: Expanded to protect more of the front and jaw areas, Riddell improved the face frame of the polycarbonate shell, reducing impact force from side hits.

Hexagonal Liner System: One of the most noticeable new features of the 360, the unique hexagonal helmet liner not only looks cool, but is made of energy-managing foam that absorbs more impact force, while improving and securing helmet fit, and delivering comfort and stability to the helmet. This liner is extended around the sides of the football helmet and the jaw areas, adding even more protection to the front of the head.

Occipital Lock: Placed in the back base of the helmet, this new feature cradles the back of the head, creating a more secure fit, and improving comfort and helmet stability. It also helps protect the head in the case of backward falls and tackles.

All-Points Quick Release Facemask System: You saw the Quick-Release face guard system in the Revo Speed. Now the 360 steps it up a notch, giving you quick-releases at each of the four facemask attachment points, letting you remove the new facemask faster and more easily than ever before.

Our Impressions:

This is a serious helmet for serious players. If you liked the Revo Speed, you are going to love the 360. It is definitely heavier than the Revo Speed, but the new liner and frontal protection, along with the lightweight facemask make up for the added weight. It delivers a stiffer, more secure fit inside as well, so you’ll feel almost indestructible. The increased shell offset and more aggressive shell detailing are really impressive too, and give you a great look on the field. Because of its price and weight, I’d suggest it to high school, college, and pro-level players, although it also comes in a lighter-weight youth 360 version, which is great for really serious younger, middle school players.

Schutt Vengeance

In A Nut Shell:

Three words; Dual Compression TPU! Years of clinical and on-field research showed that football concussions can result from consistent low-impact collisions, as well as less-frequent high-impact, violent collisions. So Schutt went about improving the popular TPU cushioning system, found in the ION 4D and DNA, to protect the player from both levels of impact force. DCT adds a second layer of less-dense TPU, on top of the traditional stiff TPU cushioning, designed to protect you from both the typical, low-impact hits, and the infrequent hard, high-force collisions, changing helmet protection forever!

Most Interesting New Features:

Two-Layer TPU: An outer layer of stiffer, harder TPU cushioning, and an inner layer of softer, less-dense TPU, protects the player from every type of impact on the field. TPU never compresses, cannot be cracked, won’t break down, and resists heat, mold, mildew, and bacteria.

Mechanically Attached Padding: Different than any football helmet before it, the Vengeance TPU cushioning system is now attached directly to the helmet shell with screws instead of Velcro. These mechanical attachments stabilize the TPU cushioning and keep it exactly where it needs to be, even after hard hits.

Aggressive Mohawk Shell: With the largest shell offset of any Schutt football helmet, the Vengeance packs more Dual Compression TPU in, for enhanced protection without a significant weight or profile increase. The aggressive shell also features a new Flexural Resistant Shelf, which makes for a stronger, more impact-resistant back-of-the-head.

New Vengeance Facemask: In a radical move, Schutt completely re-designed the traditional football facemask, creating one of the most innovative, high-performing, and aggressive-looking facemasks ever seen. Its larger offset, flexible design and arched brow take the place of the popular Energy Wedge system, and absorb even more impact force than before, while also providing an incredibly wide field of view. Also, by not using the energy wedges, Schutt lets you use existing DNA and XP XL facemasks on the Vengeance as well as the specially designed face guards.

Fit Liner System: High-impact foam inside the football helmet’s liner increases impact protection to the front and crown, helping to improve force-absorption in critical and vulnerable hitting areas.

Our Impressions:

The Vengeance is a bold, aggressive, and unique looking helmet, that delivers inside and out. The new two-layer TPU is incredibly cool and seems to really absorb a wide variety of impact forces, while the new liner and foam system cradle the head and feels secure and comfortable. The new facemask takes some getting used to, but it looks sick, definitely absorbs more force, and gives you crisp and wide field visibility. Overall, it’s a heavier helmet, but with the aggressive new look and vastly improved protection features, absolutely perfect for upper-end high school, college, and pro players.

There you have it, my review of the top two helmets in football today. I hope this has helped you gain a greater understanding of what these helmets have to offer, and maybe answered the question for you, which is the best football helmet.

By Brandon Porter.Brandon is a product specialist at Sports Unlimited.

How to Buy a Facemask: A Football Video Buying Guide

Find the perfect football facemask for your football helmet, your game, and your budget! Watch this football video guide to learn what to look for in a new facemask, and find the best football facemask for you, in no time!

The best football helmet is nothing without equally great football facemasks. They protect your face from impact and the hands of other players, reducing injury and the likelihood of concussion. But they can also give the opposition more to grab onto, and can be the heaviest part of the helmet, weighing you down and holding you back. That’s why it’s so important to get the right facemask for your helmet, and your game! But with such a wide selection, and so many options out there, finding the best football facemasks can be tough, and confusing!

To guide you through the jungle of football gear, and help narrow your decision down to the perfect football face guard, we at Sports Unlimited put together this short instructional video. Follow along with Doug as he explains the best way to weed through our vast selection of football facemasks, including the latest custom football facemasks like the Big Grill (similar to the Justin Tuck facemask) and the Big Grill 2.0 like you’ve seen on Ray Lewis, to find the one that’s perfect for your helmet, your game, your skill level, and your budget! And for even more information, check out our latest football facemask buyers guide at SportsUnlimited.com!

By Brandon Porter.

Brandon is a product specialist at Sports Unlimited.

How Much Does a Football Helmet Weigh?

Know the weight of football helmets, to find the right helmet for your game! Each helmet from Schutt and Riddell weighs between3 and 5lbs, but even the difference of an ounce can drastically change your performance on the field. So know before you buy.

Recently, we’ve received more than a few inquiries from customers wondering how much does a football helmet weight, both for themselves and for their children, and I found it strange to learn that football helmet weight isn’t readily available. Helmets these days can radically range in weight, from about 3lbs to almost 5, and the difference of a few ounces can dramatically affect player performance. Especially in the case of younger players with developing skills and strengths, a heavy helmet can really slow a youth football player down and even strain his neck muscles. So, I can see why it would be so important to players and parents to know how heavy a football helmet is going to be before purchasing a new one. That’s why I thought it’d be useful and helpful to all of you, if we provided a list of football helmet weights, so at a glance, for instance, you’d have a general idea of what a Schutt ION 4D weighs or what that new Riddell 360 weighs.

Keep in mind that more advanced helmets with the latest protection systems, padding, and technologies generally tend to weigh more than more economical helmets, and that the following information has nothing to do with how a helmet will perform or protect on the field. For instance, the best youth football helmet on the market will probably weigh more than a moderately performing one. This is simply a list of helmet weights, to give you, the customer, the most amount of information on the best helmets, so you can make the right football helmet decision for yourself or your kids.

Football Helmet Weights

Please Note: All weights are measured in pounds and ounces for accuracy. Total weight includes either the attached facemask shipped with the helmet, or the standard ROPO facemask designed for that helmet, as well as chinstraps and all hardware. All helmets weighed were size Large. Other sizes will vary slightly in weight.

Helmets Shipped Without Attached Facemasks:

Helmet	Weight (lbs / oz)
	Helmet Alone	Total w/ Carbon Steel Facemask	Total w/ Stainless Steel Facemask	Total w/ Titanium Facemask
Schutt ION4D Adult	3lbs, 6oz	4lbs, 8oz	—	4lbs, 1oz
Schutt Vengeance	3lbs, 8oz	4lbs, 10oz	—	4lbs, 1oz
Schutt AiR XP Adult	2lbs, 13oz	3lbs, 15oz	3lbs, 13oz	3lbs, 5oz
Schutt DNA Pro + Adult	3lbs, 2oz	4lbs, 6oz	—	3lbs, 12oz
Schutt AiR XP Elite	3lbs, 2oz	4lbs, 4oz	4lbs, 2oz	3lbs, 10oz
Schutt DNA Pro + Elite	3lbs, 5oz	4lbs, 9oz	4lbs, 10oz	3lbs, 15oz
Schutt DNA Pro + w/ Titanium Facemask	3lbs, 8oz	—	—	3lbs, 8 oz
Schutt AiR Varsity Commander	3lbs, 6oz	4lbs, 11oz	—	—

Schutt ION4D Youth	3lbs, 6oz	4lbs, 8oz	—	4lbs, 1oz
Schutt AiR XP Youth	2lbs, 11oz	3lbs, 13oz	3lbs, 11oz	3lbs, 3oz
Schutt DNA Pro + Youth	2lbs, 15oz	4lbs, 1oz	—	—
Schutt Recruit Hybrid	2lbs, 11oz	3lbs, 10oz	—	—
Schutt Recruit Hybrid +	2lbs, 11oz	3lbs, 10oz	—	—
Schutt XP Hybrid	2lbs, 8oz	3lbs, 7oz	—	—
Schutt XP Hybrid +	2lbs, 8oz	3lbs, 7oz	—	—
Schutt Air Standard II	3lbs, 10oz	—	—	—
AiR Youth	2lbs, 9oz	3lbs, 1oz	—	—

Helmets Shipped With Facemask Attached:

Helmet	Weight (lbs / oz)
	Helmet w / Attached Facemask
AiR Team Youth	2lbs, 9oz
Riddell 360 Adult	4lbs, 8oz
Riddell Revolution Speed (Revo Speed)	4lbs, 2oz
Riddell Revolution	4lbs, 4oz
Riddell 360 Youth	4lbs, 6oz
Riddell Revo Speed Youth	3lbs, 12oz
Riddell Revolution Edge	3lbs, 14oz
Riddell Revolution Attack	3lbs, 4oz
Riddell Revolution Attack-i	3lbs, 5oz
Riddell Revolution Youth	3lbs, 14oz
Rawlings Quantum Adult	4lbs, 7oz
Rawlings Quantum Youth	4lbs, 2oz
Rawlings Momentum	3lbs, 13oz

UPDATE – Schutt Youth Vengeance Helmet Weights:

3/6/13

Since publishing this article, Schutt has released new Youth Vengeance DCT football helmets, including Hybrid, and Hybrid + versions. Below are the average weights, with and without a Schutt Vengeance Youth Facemask, for these new football helmets.

Similar to the above measurements, each helmet weighed was size Large. The facemask used was a Youth Vengeance ROPO-DW.

Schutt Youth Vengeance DCT Helmet – 3lbs, 2oz. With facemask – 4lbs, 6oz.
Schutt Youth Vengeance DCT Hybrid – 2lbs, 8oz. With facemask – 3lbs, 12oz.
Schutt Youth Vengeance DCT Hybrid + – 2lbs, 9oz. With facemask – 3lbs, 13oz.

UPDATE – Schutt Air XP Ultralite Helmet Weights:

3/25/13

Below are the average weights of the new Schutt AiR XP Ultralite helmets. With the Air XP design, a titanium faceguard and stripped down hardware, this is the lightest helmet system in the game .

Similar to the above measurements, each helmet weighed was size Large. The facemask used was the Titanium EGOP-II included with the helmet (youth and adult respectively). A Titanium ROPO-SW is also available with the Ultralite helmet shell.

Schutt Air XP Ultralite Adult w/EGOP II Titanium Facemask – 3lbs, 7oz.
Schutt Youth AiR XP Ultralite w/EGOP II Titanium Facemask – 3lbs, 7oz.

By Brandon Porter.Brandon is a product specialist at Sports Unlimited.

How To Size a Football Helmet

How to size a football helmet, and get the most accurate head size measurements. A properly fitting helmet will protect your and reduce your risk of concussions better than a loose or poorly fitting helmet. Follow these simple steps to get the most accurate head measurement, for the highest-performing football helmets.

Football parents have enough to worry about, with the constant flow of news and statistic on concussions, the rising costs of good helmets and gear, and the changing rules in youth football. Thankfully though, one of the most influential things a parent can do to protect their child on the field is also one the easiest, and cheapest. Simply determining your child’s proper helmet size, and finding the football helmet that fits him best, instantly reduces his risk of concussion exponentially…and it only takes about 5 minutes!

A snug fitting helmet that cradles and supports the head has been proven to protect, and reduce the risk of concussions better than a poorly fitting one. That means even the most expensive, best youth football helmets on the market are next to useless unless they fit properly. It also means even a moderately priced helmet is going to protect your little guy if it’s fit well. So be sure to take a few minutes and get the most accurate head measurements, so when you go shopping for a new helmet (at Sports Unlimited of course), you’re getting the best fit, and most protection out of your helmet!

Check out our latest video, starring SU’s youth football star Zach Neff, to learn how to properly and accurately find your helmet size:

These simple steps will help you size a helmet, whether you’re looking for a Riddell, Schutt, Adams, Rawlings, or any other type of football helmet:

1. Find a friend or parent to help you measure
2. Use a flexible measuring tape
3. Find a spot about 1″ above the eyebrows (where the forehead of the helmet will rest)
4. Measure around the circumference of your head
5. Record the measurements in inches and centimeters
6. Consult the size chart of your favorite helmet to find the proper size helmet

Football Helmet Pump If you buy a helmet with an adjustable air liner, you can use a specialized helmet pump to inflate the jaw pads, crown, and side of the head, to get the best, customized fit!

Once you can try on the helmet, make sure it fits comfortably on the head. Then, check to ensure there is no extra space between the temples and the helmet padding or liner, and no space between the jaw and the jaw pad. If this is the case, and it feel comfortable, you’ve got yourself a great fitting and protective helmet!

By Brandon Porter.Brandon is a product specialist at Sports Unlimited.

Football Gear Buyer’s Guides

Learn everything there is to know about football gear with Sports Unlimited’s football buying guides! With fully illustrated, interactive guides on football helmets, shoulder pads, pads, neck rolls, facemasks, and more, there’s no football equipment question we can’t answer.

We know how hard it can be finding the perfect football helmet, shoulder pads, cleats, and pads for you or the player in your life. With so many choices out there, from so many brands, in so many styles, the decision is completely overwhelming!

Do I choose by price?

Do I choose by popularity?

Do I choose by style?

Do I just close my eyes, click, and hope for the best?

Just like G.I. Joe, we here at Sports Unlimited think “knowing is half the battle.” The more you know about shoulder pads, helmets, facemasks, and all of the other complicated equipment out there, the easier it is to choose which one is right for you right? Well, to make life easier, and learn you a thing or two, we have created some amazing and in-depth guides for all of your equipment.

Have you ever wanted to know the differences between a quarterback’s shoulder pads and a full-back’s shoulder pads?

Have you ever sat back and thought; what makes an ROPO facemask different from an NOPO facemask?

Has not understanding the use of TPU cushioning in Schutt helmets kept you up at night?

Well fret no more my football friends! Give these guides a once over and you’ll know everything you ever wanted to about our entire selection of equipment.

In all seriousness though, these guides are a great source of information on:

Proper sizing
Technology
Brand information
Design features
Materials
Age-appropriate choices

Most of our buyer’s guides even feature a comparison chart, so you can instantly see the differences and features of our most popular products!

Fully illustrated, with easy-to-read content, our football buyer’s guides will teach you everything you need to know about: