Helmets: Xenith X1

Born out of a desire to reduce concussions after having experienced several throughout middle school and college, Vic Ferrara, a former Harvard quarterback, decided to start Xenith, a football helmet designer. The Xenith X1 is very unique because of the technology it employs--a custom fit seeker and shock absorbers. The fit seeker is a tool of the X1 that allows the helmet to adjust to the player's head for a custom fit. The fit seeker is integrated with the shock bonnet (interior padding) and the chin strip. When the player pulls the chin strap and buckles it, the interior padding snugs down on the player's head. No pump is required--a feature exclusive to Xenith. The second feature of the X1 is that instead of using firm padding in the inside it uses shock absorbers. These shock absorbers work by compressing and releasing air as impact occurs to the helmet's shell. By utilizing both the fit seeker and shock absorbers Xenith has contributed to reduced concussion percentage for football players. In a 2009 on-the-field study, an outstanding only 20 of 534 players wearing a Xenith suffered a concussion. Xenith, like Riddell, has started a race for safer helmets in a gladiator sport.