Unequal Technologies debuts supplemental head padding

Unequal Technologies, the leading provider of customized, concealed sports protection, unveiled a new suite of supplemental head padding (SHP) available for athletes and recreational use.



Unequal Technologies says recent test results for SHP indicate up to a 50 percent reduction in the Severity Index (SI), a measurement of hazard, or risk of injury, compared to helmets without SHP. Test results are made available at unequal.com.

"Concussions are the injury of our age," said Rob Vito, CEO of Unequal Technologies. "Supplemental head padding is necessary to provide the proactive protection that many doctors recommend to athletes.

"An independent accredited lab conducted NOCSAE tests on helmets that claim to 'meet NOCSAE standards.' One such helmet failed with a 1,980 SI. That is 65 percent over the 1,200 SI NOCSAE safety limit – considered a danger zone.

“Defective helmets can expose athletes to unnecessary risks and increase athletes' propensity for head injury. Much of the helmet testing today is self-regulated, so I am not surprised that helmets fail. Results such as these should caution parents and coaches and corroborate the need for SHP. It's like supplementing your car's seatbelt with an airbag."

"After seeing the scientific data and learning the experiences of players from the high schools all the way up to the professional ranks, I would recommend Unequal to anyone who is a high-risk player or wants to be proactive in their head injury protection," said Dr. Julian Bailes , a neurological consultant to the NFL Players Association and Chairman of the Pop Warner Medical Advisory Board.

"We are confident that the Unequal SHP 'Place-n-Play' design will become the must-have for all helmet sports," said Vito. "Wouldn't every coach, trainer, parent or athlete want to take every precaution to potentially reduce the Severity Index encountered in a sports collision by as much as 50 percent?"

Each SHP is just four to six millimeters thick and has been impact-tested using standard ASTM, HECC and NOCSAE tests at third party ISO17025 accredited test labs. SHP slips on the head or into helmets in seconds, has applications across multiple sports and can be customized to fit individual needs.

Unequal's supplemental head padding is rated for incidental contact (DEFCON 2) to high impact (DEFCON 4) situations. SHP does not modify a helmet, as products are removable.

Unequal Technologies