As conversations surrounding soft-shell helmet cover legislation continue to grow across the country, more football programs are evaluating supplemental protective equipment than ever before.
Whether your state is considering new legislation or your school is simply looking to strengthen its player safety program, one question inevitably follows:
How do you choose the right soft-shell helmet cover?
With multiple products on the market, varying marketing claims, and evolving research, making an informed decision requires more than comparing prices or reading product brochures.
The best purchasing decisions are built on evidence, transparency, and a clear understanding of your program’s needs.
Here’s what every football program should evaluate before investing in soft-shell helmet covers.
The first question every coach or athletic director should ask is simple:
Has this product been independently tested?
Independent laboratory testing provides objective performance data that can help schools compare products beyond marketing claims. When reviewing testing, look for information such as:
Transparency matters and manufacturers should be willing to explain how their products were tested and make those results available.
Laboratory testing is important and real-world experience is equally valuable. Ask questions like:
Equipment that performs well both in the lab and on the field often provides greater confidence during the evaluation process.
Football equipment takes a beating. Your helmet covers should too. Before purchasing, evaluate:
A lower initial purchase price doesn’t always translate to the lowest long-term cost if equipment needs frequent replacement.
Implementation should be simple. The best supplemental helmet protection works with your existing equipment program—not against it. Consider:
The easier a product integrates into your equipment operations, the more likely it is to be used consistently.
Purchasing equipment is only part of the process. The right partner should also provide ongoing education and support. Ask:
Football safety continues to evolve and your equipment partner should evolve with it.
Every manufacturer believes in its product. That’s expected. Instead of focusing solely on marketing language, focus on evidence.
Ask for:
The goal isn’t to find the loudest voice, It’s to find the most transparent one.
Perhaps the most important consideration is understanding what supplemental helmet protection is—and what it isn’t.
No helmet.
No helmet cover.
No piece of equipment can eliminate the risk of concussion.
The safest football programs build multiple layers of protection through:
Soft-shell helmet covers are one component of a comprehensive football safety strategy—not a replacement for coaching, education, or medical oversight.
Before making a decision, every football program should be able to answer “yes” to these questions:
✅ Has the product undergone independent testing?
✅ Is there published data supporting its performance?
✅ Has it been used successfully by football programs similar to ours?
✅ Is it durable enough for multiple seasons?
✅ Will it integrate easily with our existing equipment?
✅ Does the company provide education and ongoing support?
If the answer to any of these questions is no—or if the information isn’t readily available—it may be worth asking additional questions before moving forward.
As football continues to evolve, schools deserve access to clear, evidence-based information when evaluating player safety equipment.
The conversation shouldn’t be driven by marketing.
It should be driven by science, transparency, and what’s best for student-athletes.
Whether your school is preparing for potential legislation or simply exploring ways to strengthen its player safety program, taking the time to thoroughly evaluate soft-shell helmet covers will help ensure you’re making the best decision for your athletes, coaches, and community.
At SAFR Sports, we’ve always believed that informed decisions are better decisions. That’s why we’re committed to sharing independent testing, supporting ongoing research, and helping football programs evaluate supplemental helmet protection with confidence.
Start by reviewing independent testing, published performance data, product durability, compatibility with your helmets, and the level of education and support provided by the manufacturer.
Schools should consider independent laboratory testing, field experience, long-term durability, ease of implementation, customer support, and transparency from the manufacturer.
No. No helmet or helmet cover can eliminate the risk of concussion. Soft-shell helmet covers are intended to serve as one component of a comprehensive football safety strategy.
Independent testing provides objective data that allows schools to evaluate equipment based on measurable performance rather than marketing claims.
