The Helmet Ranking Controversy: Who’s Actually to Blame?
Introduction
On April 10th, the NFL released its updated Helmet Laboratory Testing Results for 2024. Naturally, I posted about it — broke down the rankings, made a carousel for Instagram, and tried to help people understand which helmets performed the best.
And boy… people were pissed.
Comments flooded in. Arguments broke out. Even some helmet manufacturers themselves (yeah, we saw you LIGHT) jumped in.
So, what actually happened? Did I mess up the post? Did I mislead people? Let’s break it all down — the rankings, the drama, and where the blame really belongs.
The NFL Helmet Rankings — What They Test
This year, the NFL changed things up and released four separate helmet ranking categories, each tailored to a specific position group:
Overall rankings
Quarterback-specific rankings
Offensive line-specific rankings
Defensive line-specific rankings
Each of these tests measures impact differently:
The overall test uses a standard velocity of around 9.8 m/s and applies it to general helmet impact zones.
The QB test puts more focus on rear helmet impacts (since QBs are often hit from behind).
The OL and DL tests emphasize frontal impacts, since linemen experience head-on collisions nearly every play.
The NFL doesn’t fully publish the exact test protocols (they keep it pretty hush-hush), but those are the basic ideas.
Highlights from the 2024 Rankings
Let’s break down who finished where in each category.
Overall Rankings:
#1: Riddell Axiom 3D
#2: Vicis ZERO2-R (new version)
#3 & #4: Schutt F7 Pro, including a new WR/CB-specific model
Newcomers: Light Gladiator Thunder and Light Apache Pro
Quarterback-Specific Rankings:
#1: Vicis ZERO2-R
#2 & #3: Light Apache + Thunder
#4 & #5: Riddell Axiom 3D
#6 & #7: Schutt F7 Pro
Offensive Line Rankings:
#1: Vicis Trench (still at the top)
Light models cracked into the top group this year
Defensive Line Rankings:
Pretty much the same top 5–6 helmets, just in a slightly reshuffled order
Why Everyone Was Mad at Me
So what sparked the outrage?
Well, the main accusation was that I “misrepresented the data.”
But here’s the truth: I simplified the data — and I said that in the caption of the post. The problem? No one read it.
(cue screenshot of the caption)
Here’s exactly what I did:
I grouped helmets by platform, not by individual model.
So when I listed “Axiom” at the top of the rankings, I used the performance score of the Axiom 3D, which is Riddell’s highest-rated model in the study. But the helmet that’s actually available to consumers is just the base “Axiom.”
And that’s where things get tricky…
Let’s Talk About Riddell’s Axiom Example
Under the NFL’s study, there are three versions of the Axiom:
Axiom
Axiom 3D
Axiom 3D OL/DL
In my post, I referred to “Axiom” and showed the ranking from the 3D — because that’s what performed the best.
The issue? The Axiom that most players or parents would buy from Riddell’s website is not the 3D. In fact, that one ranks way lower in the study, somewhere around 8th or 9th depending on category.
So someone could easily think,
“Oh sweet, I’m buying the #1 helmet in the NFL,”
…when really, they’re not.
It’s Not Just Riddell — They All Do It
Let’s be clear — every major helmet brand is doing the same thing.
I did this grouping system for Vicis, Schutt, and Light too. Why? Because their naming conventions are just as messy.
Take Vicis, for example. Here’s a sample of what’s listed under the OL-specific test:
ZERO2 Trench Matrix ID 2025
ZERO2 Trench LP 2024
ZERO2 Trench LP Matrix ID
ZERO2-R Matrix ID
ZERO2-R
Now go to Vicis’ website and try to buy one. You’ll only find the “ZERO2” or the “ZERO2 Trench” — not the exact versions tested. The names are too similar and none of them match perfectly.
Same issue with Light: you’ve got the Gladiator, the Gladiator Thunder, and multiple versions of the Apache Pro — most of which aren’t available to the public yet.
Why So Many Helmet Models?
The Optimist View:
The brands are constantly improving helmet safety, even if it’s small tweaks.
If they have a new feature or tech update, they don’t wait, they roll it out ASAP.
That’s awesome for NFL players, who benefit from the newest protection.
The Pessimist View:
Each tweak = a new model name
More model names = more times your brand shows up in the rankings
Scroll the list and you’ll see Vicis’ name over and over, which gives the impression they dominate the market — even if it’s just slight variations
And for the average consumer? It’s straight-up confusing.
Who’s to Blame?
1. The Manufacturers
They make the helmet lineup unnecessarily complicated, and use names that are too similar to what consumers can buy. Their priority is NFL safety innovation, not simplifying decisions for high school or youth players.
2. The NFL
They publish pro-level data, which they’re required to do for transparency. But the way it’s presented makes it look like a buyer’s guide, and people take it that way, even though it says:
“These results should not be extrapolated to youth, high school, or college football.”
They’re not wrong for posting it, but the presentation could be clearer.
3. You (Yes, You)
You didn’t read my caption.
You didn’t scroll to the final slides with the raw data.
You saw three of my 13 slides, got confused, and jumped into the comments to ask “What helmet should I buy?”
Do your own research, especially when it comes to protecting your brain.
And no, I’m not going to recommend a helmet. Ever. For liability reasons, I’ll never say “buy this one.”
4. Me
Yep. I’ll own it.
I made the post look clean and digestible.
I put the high-level numbers up front to keep you engaged.
I grouped helmets by platform instead of listing every single model, because otherwise I’d blow past Instagram’s 10-slide limit.
Could I have been more precise? Sure.
But guess what? That post is now my most viewed post ever, so clearly I did something right.
How Do We Fix This?
We wait for the updated Virginia Tech Helmet Ratings.
They’re specifically for consumer-level helmets.
They’re easier to understand.
And they only include the models you can actually buy.
Until then, don’t rely on NFL data to make your helmet decisions.
Use it for context, not for checkout.
Final Thoughts
So who’s actually at fault here?
The brands, for making a million similar helmet names?
The NFL, for putting out data that’s easily misunderstood?
You, for not doing your research?
Or me, for simplifying things too much?
Let me know in the comments.
Just don’t say it was me…
Or I’m deleting your comment. 😤
Peace.
