What does a Virginia Tech 5-star rating mean?
A 5-star rating means the model cut concussion risk the most in the lab's tests. The Virginia Tech Helmet Lab hits each model 36 times, at the front, side and back of the head and at low, medium and high energy. It turns the measured linear and rotational acceleration into a risk score from 0 to 1, where 1 is the same as wearing nothing. Fixed cutoffs on that score set the star band.
Stars compare flag football headgear to each other, not to football helmets or other sports. They do not mean a player cannot get a concussion, and a rating says nothing about fit. A model that slips or sits high on the head will not perform the way it did in the lab. The lab's published test protocol explains the method in full.
Halo or full coverage: which style should you buy?
Both styles can earn 5 stars. The choice is about coverage, comfort, and what your league allows.
| Halo or headband | Full coverage | |
|---|---|---|
| What it covers | A padded ring around the forehead, temples and back of the head. The crown stays open. | A padded cap over the whole top of the head, including the crown. |
| Feel | Lighter and cooler. Many players forget they have it on. | Warmer and more noticeable, especially in summer heat. |
| Ponytails and hair | Usually fits over or around a ponytail. | Depends on the model. Check for a hair opening. |
| Ratings | Can earn 5 stars. | Can earn 5 stars. |
Style is our label from each maker's product page. Check the product page before you buy.
Which states require a minimum headgear rating?
The Georgia High School Association requires Virginia Tech 5-star rated soft-shell headgear or protective headband starting with the fall 2026 season (GHSA rule). We found no rating threshold in any other state association as of November 5, 2026. Many youth leagues set their own rule, so ask yours.
See the headgear status for every state →Every rated flag football headgear model
Some links are affiliate or partner links. Flag50 does not accept payment for ratings or placement in the table.
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| Buy | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd Skull | BOLT | Halo or headband | 5 stars | about $75 | Yes | See it on the 2nd Skull site |
| Adidas | Force PRO (2020) | Full coverage | 5 stars | Not checked | Yes | No link |
| Atlanta Athletics | Cloud 9 Pro (2025) | Full coverage | 5 stars | Not checked | Yes | No link |
| Champion Sports | Soft Shell | Full coverage | 5 stars | about $51 | Yes | See it on the Champion Sports site |
| Champro | Crown | Halo or headband | 5 stars | Not checked | Yes | No link |
| Champro | SH7 | Full coverage | 5 stars | Not checked | Yes | See it on the Champro site |
| Cloud Athletic | Halo | Halo or headband | 5 stars | about $40 | Yes | See it on the Cloud Athletic site |
| Cloud Athletic | Halo Lite | Halo or headband | 5 stars | about $40 | Yes | See it on the Cloud Athletic site |
| GameBreaker | AURA (2023) | Halo or headband | 5 stars | about $60 | Yes | See it on the GameBreaker site |
| GameBreaker | AURA (2024) | Halo or headband | 5 stars | about $60 | Yes | See it on the GameBreaker site |
| GameBreaker | Multi-Sport (2024) | Full coverage | 5 stars | about $60 | Yes | See it on the GameBreaker site |
| GameBreaker | PRO | Full coverage | 5 stars | about $80 | Yes | See it on the GameBreaker site |
| GameBreaker | PRO (2025) | Full coverage | 5 stars | about $80 | Yes | See it on the GameBreaker site |
| Guardian | LOOP | Halo or headband | 5 stars | about $60 | Yes | See it on the Guardian site |
| Guardian | Xenith | LOOP | Halo or headband | 5 stars | Not checked | Yes | No link |
| Impact Sports | Cal Praesidio (2023) | Full coverage | 5 stars | Not checked | Yes | No link |
| LIGHT | SS1 | Full coverage | 5 stars | about $89 | Yes | See it on the LIGHT site |
| Shock Doctor | HEX 1 | Halo or headband | 5 stars | about $67 | Yes | See it on the Shock Doctor site |
| Shock Doctor | Showtime Pro | Full coverage | 5 stars | Not checked | Yes | No link |
| SWAARM | Halo | Halo or headband | 5 stars | Not checked | Yes | No link |
| SYZMIK | X7 (2022) | Full coverage | 5 stars | about $99 | Yes | See it on the SYZMIK site |
| SYZMIK | X7 (2023) | Full coverage | 5 stars | about $99 | Yes | See it on the SYZMIK site |
| SYZMIK | X7c | Halo or headband | 5 stars | about $67 | Yes | See it on the SYZMIK site |
| SYZMIK | X7C (2026) | Halo or headband | 5 stars | about $69 | Yes | See it on the SYZMIK site |
| SYZMIK | X7C+ | Halo or headband | 5 stars | about $89 | Yes | See it on the SYZMIK site |
| VICIS | ULTIM | Full coverage | 5 stars | Not checked | Yes | No link |
| Athletic Force 1 | AF1 Pro | Full coverage | 4 stars | about $49 | No | See it on the Athletic Force 1 site |
| ATHLETIN | Halo Shield | Halo or headband | 4 stars | about $50 | No | See it on the ATHLETIN site |
| Battle Flow | Full coverage | 4 stars | Not checked | No | No link | |
| EliteTek | (2022) | Full coverage | 4 stars | Not checked | No | No link |
| GameBreaker | Multi-Sport (2019) | Full coverage | 4 stars | about $60 | No | See it on the GameBreaker site |
| Heimdall | Full coverage | 4 stars | Not checked | No | No link | |
| Impact Sports | Cal Praesidio (2020) | Full coverage | 4 stars | Not checked | No | No link |
| ImpactRx | Head Guard | Halo or headband | 4 stars | Not checked | No | No link |
| Rocksolid | RS2 | Full coverage | 4 stars | Not checked | No | No link |
| Shock Doctor | Showtime | Full coverage | 4 stars | about $57 | No | See it on the Shock Doctor site |
| Adidas | Force PRO | Full coverage | 3 stars | Not checked | No | No link |
| All Star | Maxpro | Full coverage | 3 stars | Not checked | No | No link |
| Atlanta Athletics | Cloud 9 (2024) | Full coverage | 3 stars | Not checked | No | No link |
| COOLOMG | (2025) | Full coverage | 3 stars | Not checked | No | No link |
| EliteTek | (2019) | Full coverage | 3 stars | Not checked | No | No link |
| ForceField | FF Ultra PRO | Halo or headband | 3 stars | Not checked | No | No link |
| ForceField | Flag Football | Halo or headband | 3 stars | Not checked | No | No link |
| Funnysoft | Protective Headband | Halo or headband | 3 stars | Not checked | No | No link |
| Schutt | O-Seven | Full coverage | 3 stars | Not checked | No | No link |
| 2nd Skull | 7-on-7 | Full coverage | 2 stars | Not checked | No | No link |
| All Star | Maxlite | Full coverage | 2 stars | Not checked | No | No link |
| Barnett | Heat Pro | Full coverage | 2 stars | Not checked | No | No link |
| COOLOMG | Full coverage | 2 stars | Not checked | No | No link | |
| FAVORGEAR | Full coverage | 2 stars | Not checked | No | No link | |
| LegendFit | Full coverage | 2 stars | Not checked | No | No link | |
| Surlim | Headguard | Full coverage | 2 stars | Not checked | No | No link |
| Surlim | Soft Helmet | Full coverage | 2 stars | Not checked | No | No link |
| TUOY | Full coverage | 2 stars | Not checked | No | No link | |
| Tychon | Full coverage | 2 stars | Not checked | No | No link | |
| VAYEAH | Full coverage | 2 stars | Not checked | No | No link | |
| Venum | Elite Protect | Full coverage | 2 stars | Not checked | No | No link |
| WOSAWE | Full coverage | 2 stars | Not checked | No | No link |
"Meets GHSA rating" means the model holds a Virginia Tech 5-star rating. GHSA also requires coverage of the forehead, temples and back of the head, and sets insurance and availability conditions on the maker, but publishes no approved list. Confirm with the GHSA headgear page. Where Virginia Tech rated several versions of one product, check that the version you buy is the rated one. Prices are approximate, taken from each maker's site on the date shown, and change often.
How do you choose flag football headgear?
- Check your rule first: your state association for high school, your league for youth play.
- Pick from the 4 and 5-star models in the table. Virginia Tech recommends a 4 or 5-star model for flag football.
- Measure head circumference above the eyebrows and order to the maker's size chart.
- Try it on with the player's hair the way they wear it on game day. It should sit level and not shift when they shake their head.
- Replace it when the padding is torn, compressed, or the strap no longer holds it in place.
Sources
- Virginia Tech Helmet Lab, flag football headgear ratings, checked November 5, 2026.
- Virginia Tech Helmet Lab, STAR methodology.
- GHSA, flag football approved headgear requirement.
- CDC HEADS UP for concussion signs and symptoms.