Football Equipment Buyers Guide

The Sports Unlimited Inc Buyers Guide - How to Choose the Best Football Equipment for You

	Football Training Equipment
	Football Helmets
	Football Face Masks and Visors
	Football Chin Straps
	Football Neck Rolls
	Football Mouth Guards
	Football Practice Jerseys
	Football Shoulder Pads
	Forearm and Elbow Pads
	Football Flac Jackets
	Football Gloves
	Belts
	Athletic Supporters
	Football Pads
	Football Girdles
	Football Pants
	Knee Pads
	Football Shoes / Cleats
	Football Socks

Deciding the proper protection for football players is both challenging and important.  Below we have tried to give a few helpful hints to help you in your decisions. 

Football Helmets

All helmets that we sell meet NOCSAE standards (National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment).  The fit is critical and we have supplied you with sizing charts for each helmet.  Some helmets come with a built in inflation chamber to customize the fit and protection.  No helmet prevents concussions, but the University of Pittsburg recently completed a study that found that athletes who wore the Riddell Revolution Helmet were 31% less likely to suffer a concussion.

Maintenance of correct fitting is essential to the use of all protective equipment.  Follow these general guidelines when determining your football helmet size.  Measure head circumference using a cloth measuring tape (or piece of string).  Circumference should be measured about one inch about eyebrows.  Take these measurements and refer to the sizing charts accompanying each product description to determine the helmet size to purchase.  The positioning of your football helmet is also key.  With the helmet on and while holding down, the helmet should fit so the front edge is approximately 1 inch about the eyebrows.

Football Facemask / Eye Shields

Facemasks come in various configurations.  Your choice depends on the position you play.  Linemen need more protection from fingers and hands so they use masks with more bars.  Skill positions, QB/RB/WR, generally require more vision so they use masks with less bars that leave their view unobstructed.  It is truly your preference, but if you are getting poked in the eye often then get more eye protection.  We recommend Schutt Face Guards.  Eye shields have become popular in the last few years because players want to prevent eye injuries that have been happening more frequently.  The shields come in clear or darker shades to keep the sun out of your eyes.  Players have finally found a way to keep from being blinded when they look up into the night game lights or the sun.  Eye shields are easily interchangeable, so players often change them according to the conditions.  Oakley makes the most popular eye shield but Under Armour has some new designs that are hot this year.

Football Shoulder Pads

Sizing and position are the most critical variables that you need to choose the perfect shoulder pads.  We have included sizing charts for each of our pads.  The amount of mobility and arm movement needed, help determine the shoulder pad sizes.  Some pads have position specific pad designs.  Generally linemen use the biggest shoulder pads because they take the most punishment, wide receivers have the smallest pads because they need speed and quarterbacks have medium to large pads because they are getting blindsided every other play.  Shoulder injury pads are available for underneath your pads.  Adams makes the best set of shoulder pads that we offer, The Boss, which come in different protection packages and are position specific.

Football Neck Rolls / Collars

Neck rolls help prevent your head from snapping back because of whip lash.  We recommend Meuller Collars for the best protection.

Football Rib Protection

There are various types of rib protection.  There is the standard rib pad that comes in a hard shell or a more flexible high density foam.  Flac jackets are worn like a shirt and are made with moisture wicking fabric to keep you cool under your shoulder pads.  Some come not only with rib protection but with additional shoulder padding.  Zoombang and McDavid make the best shock absorbing padding that is worn by the pros.

Football Gloves

Football gloves are essential in today's game.  Playing time is precious and you do not want to miss a minute of the action because of a dropped a TD or an interception.  Skill positions like running back and wide receiver can not drop a single ball because it could be the difference in the game.  They use gloves that are thin and come with tactified leather palms for extra grip.  We think Cutters makes the best gloves because they use a special material that is more durable than the tactified leather.  Even linemen and linebackers use gloves.  They are made of heavier material than the receiver gloves and they have padding on the back of the hand for extra protection.

Football Socks

Even the technology in socks has changed in recent years.  Socks that are worn for any athletic activity should contain little or no cotton.  The moisture management fabrics are keeping feet dry and cool while players are in game.  We recommend Under Armor Football Socks for the driest and most comfortable foot.  Athletes are finally realizing how important their feet are when playing competitive sports, and their feet are thanking them with better on-field production.

Football Cleats / Shoes

The fit is the most crucial aspect of a cleat purchase.  Football cleats should be comfortable and snug fitting.  If your cleats are too loose then you will not have good grip on the football field.  "You can't teach speed" right?  Well with a perfect fit, you can increase your speed because of maximum traction.  Football shoes can be purchased with a hard molded bottom, detachable studs or turf treads.  The conditions that you are playing on make a difference in what kind of spikes.  The Adidas Detachable Stud Cleats offer the best traction under normal conditions.  The harder the surface the less effective the detachable studs are.

Warning!

When playing football, as with any contact sport, injury is always a possibility.  Choosing the best safety protection equipment with the proper fit can prevent or lessen the severity of injuries, but never prevent them completely.  The best players are on the field for longer and take the hardest hits.  Be smart and protect yourself as best you can.

We have offered our opinion on what our best products are.  What is the right fit for the right price will differ with each player.  We strive everyday to offer the best quality products for a reasonable price.  We care about you more than you care about yourself.

All Football Equipment