Schutt Vengeance A11 2.0 vs. VICIS Zero2 Youth Football Helmet

General Overview

The Schutt Vengeance A11 2.0 and VICIS Zero2 Youth helmets are both designed specifically for younger football players, with each brand taking a distinct approach to structure and impact management. The Vengeance A11 2.0 is the latest in Schutt’s Vengeance line, featuring a non-inflatable design and a compact, lower-profile shell for reduced weight and neck strain. It maintains the signature Vengeance look with a raised Mohawk design and a flexural resistant back shelf. In contrast, the VICIS Zero2 Youth is a youth-specific adaptation of VICIS’ advanced adult model, optimized for the lower-speed impacts typical of youth football. It keeps the core elements of the adult version but adjusts the internal layers and shell to better serve younger athletes.

Protection and Safety

Each helmet employs a unique system for managing impacts. The Vengeance A11 2.0 uses single-layer TPU cushioning that is mechanically attached inside the helmet. Poron inserts are included in the frontal liner for additional support in the forehead area. Its rigid polycarbonate shell is built with a compact standoff to reduce profile height while maintaining strength. The VICIS Zero2 Youth features a five-layer protection system, including the RFLX 2.0 column layer designed to buckle and absorb impact. This RFLX layer is placed between a deformable outer shell and a reinforced inner shell, both of which work together to manage force efficiently. While both helmets aim to reduce the effects of collisions, they take very different paths—TPU and Poron pads in the A11, and columnar structure with deformable shell layers in the Zero2.

Comfort and Fit

The helmets also diverge in their approach to comfort and customization. The Vengeance A11 2.0 is a non-inflatable helmet and uses fixed foam components, including a 3/8" non-inflatable crown liner. It comes equipped with Inter-Link jaw pads and a soft cup chinstrap for a secure fit. In contrast, the Zero2 Youth utilizes the DLTA Fit System, which involves six adjustable pods that snap into the interior and can be swapped for different thicknesses. These pods rest against a Form Liner to provide both impact protection and a close, customized feel. The absence of an inflatable system in both helmets makes them lower-maintenance, but the Zero2 offers more modular adjustment options for fit.

Materials and Weight

Both helmets use polycarbonate for the outer shell, a material known for its strength and durability in football helmets. The Vengeance A11 weighs approximately 3.6 lbs with a facemask attached, while the VICIS Zero2 is designed to be lighter than its adult counterpart, though its exact weight varies based on configuration. The internal materials also differ significantly: the A11 relies on mechanically fastened TPU and Poron pads, while the Zero2 uses RFLX 2.0 columns and DLTA pods for a more layered, energy-absorbing interior. The material choices reflect differing priorities—traditional impact resistance versus innovative deformation and modular cushioning.

Facemask and Vision

Facemask systems and visibility also vary. The Schutt Vengeance A11 is compatible with Youth Vengeance facemasks and uses a Twist Release retainer system for easier facemask removal and attachment. Facemasks are sold separately. The VICIS Zero2 includes one stainless steel tubular facemask and uses a hard-mount system. Its facemask is designed to offer optimized vertical and horizontal sightlines, providing enhanced situational awareness. Both helmets offer modern facemask designs, though one includes it standard and the other does not.

Summary

The Schutt Vengeance A11 2.0 and VICIS Zero2 Youth Football Helmets provide two different paths to meeting the demands of youth football. The A11 emphasizes a streamlined, non-inflatable design with traditional padding and a familiar shell style, while the Zero2 brings a more modular and impact-responsive approach with features like the RFLX column system and DLTA fit pods. Both helmets are built for durability, comfort, and field performance, but they offer distinct combinations of fit systems, padding materials, and facemask configurations tailored to different player needs and preferences.