As I eluded alluded to on Twitter the rumors are true, the Illinois helmet maker Schutt has released a new helmet. The company is very excited about its newest entry in the football helmet world. Below is the final version of the, revised 1/11/12 press release;
San Antonio, Texas – Monday, January 9, 2012 – NFL and college-level football players will soon have the opportunity to face their foes head-on with Vengeance – the newest and most technologically-advanced helmet released by Schutt Sports. Schutt announced it will debut the helmet, which includes four new impact-absorbing features, for the first time at the American Football Association Conference (AFCA) this Sunday, Jan. 8.
The Vengeance helmet will feature the fourth generation of Schutt’s patented TPU Cushioning: Dual Density TPU, which the company explains will improve absorption on high-level impacts, as well as low-level impacts. There will be two distinct types of TPU within each helmet – each type designed to perform against their types of impacts and hits.
“TPU Cushioning is already proven to absorb more high-level impact in game-like conditions than traditional foam padding,” Glenn Beckmann, director of marketing communications for Schutt Sports, said. “Our new Dual Density TPU is designed to also meet and better absorb those lower level impacts, which have been shown to potentially have a cumulative, negative effect on the brain, leading to progressive degenerative diseases.”
The Vengeance will be the first football helmet released with Schutt’s patented back-shelf design – a shelf built into the back of the helmet intended to increase the strength and protective properties of the helmet.
“This is a great improvement for the many times players fall backwards and hit their heads on the ground,” Beckmann said.
The Vengeance also will include a re-designed air liner that, for the first time, is made from TPU and adds another layer of impact absorption to the helmet’s performance.
Finally, the Vengeance will feature a completely re-designed set of faceguards, made exclusively for the new helmet. These new faceguards are made to increase impact absorption of the helmet on direct frontal impacts.
“There is nothing like this helmet on the market,” Beckmann explained. “Between the new Dual Density TPU, back-shelf design, air liner and faceguards, the Vengeance will be the best helmet we’ve ever made to address both high-level and low-level impacts and hits.”
It is always exciting to see new improvements in technology that could, stress could, make a difference. If anything else the newest model will help with further advancements.
The Concussion Blog 
Dustin:
I believe you mean “alluded” not “eluded.”
Thanks John!
Just like all others, it attaches to your jaw and forces are transmitted to the skullbase. What is being done to research and upgrade oral protection regarding these forces.
Oral protection is great from mouthguards, but if you want to say that they can prevent concussions then I would say you are trying to sell snake oil…
I passed along this information to our football coach and our athletic director yesterday. I’m all for new helmets and look forward to seeing this “great” technology as it comes out. But the concern I have (and passed along as well) is we must consider the stuff around the helmet as well.. We can have the world’s safest helmet (as if there was such a thing) but if we don’t have the parts to maintain it, then it won’t do us much good. If the medical staff is unaware of proper removal procedures, it sets up a greater liability.
People purchasing helmets need to be aware of this and cover those bases as well. You can’t just buy a new model helmet and be done..
Schutt looks like they copied and pasted the things ridell is working on and called it ther own
I agree the the back of the helmet does look like a Speed. But the TPU liner is Schutt’s and is a much better liner than Riddell’s. I’ve used both the Revo and DNA. I see stars after I hit with the Revo. None at all with the DNA.
In regards to the quote from the article shown below, are you sure the 4 generations of TPU cushioning is patented by Schutt?
“The Vengeance helmet will feature the fourth generation of Schutt’s patented TPU Cushioning”
The people at Schutt have made a huge leap forward with the new Vengeance helmet. The dual density TPU concept is very interesting…but the two improvements in the TPU system that really stand out are the new improved rounded edges and the mehcanically fastened(using stainless steel hardware) anchoring system. This will eliminate the need for velcro, but more important, will be the consistent fit the player will feel. The corrugated back shell design should add strength which should allow the shell to disperse energy more efficiently.
The other interesting new feature is the mask attachment system. The top loop straps can be substituted with a very unique snubber mask holding system that athletic trainers and equipment people are going to love because of the quick release feature.
We also found it very interesting that Schutt has introduced a new “T” nut that is actually round….for all you equipment guys that means no more flesh getting torn off the tips of your fingers….it will be a cleaner look…when you see it you will know what I mean.It will keep the TPU in good codition as it will not “cut” when it spins. The shell is made thicker at some critical spots which should play well in the durability factor at hardware areas.
Schutt also added the sure-fit slot in this model….people who are serious about helmet fitting should be using this feature frequently…it really works.
The new hardcup chinstrap that comes with this model gets a high grade on its’ comfort…not shallow…good depth…”fits” chin nicely…”slippage ” should be reduced.
I have not seen the “new ” airliner system….will look forward to that…but understand it will have a new “pad” system built into it…should be good.
And as always , Schutt has stayed true to its’ commitment to the integrated approach to the airliner on the padding(very comfortable)….when pads are “IN” the air liner like in the Riddell helmets you can not see the padding additionally, changing the” padding” requires changing the air liner too. You can see the padding(TPU) in the Vengeance and you can easily change out an airliner if needed.
The other very smart thing Schutt did was to make the facemask design as universal as possible….DNA facemasks, Super-pro XL masks, and of course the new masks developed for the Vengeance all fit on the Vengeance…Schutt was thinking of their customers here. Inventory compatibility is huge with coaches …facemasks are expensive…this saves money for teams…hats off to Schutt!!!
Do you know what the facemask names are? Cause there is a website on the facemask but they don’t have pictures they have the names but not the picture so i don’t know what mask I’m getting, and thank you that really helped me a lot.
The facemask looks stupid
If Godell is really interested in player safety then he should take away the
offensive weapon of a assasin player who is spearing players with solid helmets.
Personally, I think the name of the helmet is a “flag” for one of the problem areas of the sport — using the head as an offensive weapon, especially in the interest of payback or grudges. The name “Vengeance” seems to correlate with the “bounty hunter” or “payback” mentality, which are other issues to be addressed in their own right. If you’re going to build protective gear, why label it in a retaliatory way? Just sayin’…
I totally agree with this!!!
Yeah, they should have named it “Bunny Hat”. The name “Vengeance” implies aggression and toughness, which are what football is about. Is a Dodge Ram named as it is to imply that the driver will smash the hood of his truck into someone else’s? Nope.
Maybe it’s time Football does away with pads! Seriously, give a player pads to help disperse the impact and they will hit much harder. Give a player a helmet and they will aim with the head. Now take away the helmet and players will be much more likely to avoid the contact.