Day: October 1, 2021

After a hiatus in the states, SSK is back with a vengeance. The company exited the US market due to distribution reasons but after sorting that out with a direct-to-consumer model, SSK is back with some high quality leather. The ZPro glove line is a product of this resurgence. Every ZPro model will be limited to a production run of only 30 gloves. Once they sell out, they’re gone forever. This glove line features the same quality and specs that the pro guys receive. Each ZPro glove is a clone of the glove used on a big league diamond.

SSK is currently offering eight models in the ZPro line, all coming in at $350. The line features four Javy Baez models, two Luis Urias models, and two Wander Franco models. This post will take a look at all eight offerings currently available.

Javier Baez

Javy Baez has been SSK’s flagship athlete for a few years now and it shows with the line they have released for him. The only difference between these gloves and Javy’s gamers is the lack of his sister’s name on the pointer finger. Other than that these are carbon copies.

All of Javy’s models come in at 11.25″, a good option for sure-handed middle infielders. The first of his is this royal blue piece with the unique yellow and white accents. El Mago (The Magician) graces the thumb of all of his ZPro models as well. I am a huge fan of the home plate/diamond inlay on the one-piece web.

The elephant print design is a cool touch. The red palm liner and the accents on the pinky make this glove super unique and quite flashy. It all ties together and, overall, I like this color combo.

The next offering from Baez is this tan beauty. I love the web on this one! The inlay combined with the unique lacing makes this web one I had not seen before. The classic tan leather makes this glove a little more understated than the previous blue one.

This glove features the same trim design as the previous glove but this time with red on white. It adds a little touch of flash to an otherwise classic glove.

This piece is by far the most traditional in the Baez glove line. A simple black and blonde color combo is always a winner. That paired with a classic one-piece web makes this glove clean.

This glove is certainly not as flashy as the rest but retains the same level of rarity for those who don’t like the loud colors.

We jump from the most classic to probably the loudest. SSK created this show-stopping pink glove for Baez for Mother’s Day. This glove is about as crazy as it gets. It’s not often you see a pink and white glove featured on an MLB infield.

While this certainly isn’t for everyone, for the right person, this is probably a dream glove.

Luis Urias

Luis Urias is a Brewers infielder with huge potential on a team already loaded with the tools to be special.

Urias’ primary gamer is this all blonde, 11.5″ I web. This glove is classic and clean – not much else to say.

In a world of kaleidoscope gloves, this is a refreshing dose of simplicity that will age like a fine wine.

This Urias glove adds a little more Brewers flair to the 11.5″ I web base. The gray and navy blue pair well together, allowing the yellow to pop.

This is a pretty unique design that works really well. It’s a color combo you don’t see everyday but a great design overall.

Wander Franco

By now, I think just about everyone in the baseball world knows about Wander Franco. The switch-hitting, five-tool phenom is one of baseball’s brightest future stars and his glove-game matches the hype.

Wander marries classic and flashy beautifully with this 11.75″ stunner. El Patron, or The Boss, graces the thumb of this black-based I web glove. The elephant print leather makes another appearance on this glove and I am a huge fan.

The awesome pinky trim returns and is paired with baby blue to add a touch of color. The tan laces are an interesting choice but work really well, in my opinion. This glove is a winner!

The final offering from this ZPro drop is this 11.5″ eye-catching I web. Wander went much louder with this teal and yellow combo. The gold laces add even more swag to this Rays-themed beauty.

It is worth emphasizing that Wander created two gloves at two different sizes. Wander plays both positions on the left side and likely opts for the larger glove at third base.

Final Thoughts

SSK has created some epic limited edition leather. These gloves are pro quality and stunningly designed, making the ZPro line a winner for SSK. Stay tuned as they continue to add more models but don’t forget, each model will only ever have 30 made. If you see one you like, don’t sleep on it.

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The NFL pre-season is underway and we’re getting our first look at the 2021 Draft Class in action. We already covered what brands some of these future superstars are signed with but now we’re going to dive into the specifics. We’ve researched what each of the 32 first round draft picks is wearing. This research provides us with valuable insight on what gear some of the worlds best are wearing on the field. In this article, we’ll be focusing on the most popular helmets, cleats and gloves.

Helmets

We’re gonna kick things off with helmets. Helmets are arguably the most crucial piece of equipment for a football player. During the game of football, players are going to get hit in the head, a lot. That’s just part of the game but the job of a helmet is to absorb that contact and protect your brain from both short term and long term injuries. Helmets are getting more and more innovative each year so let’s see what these guys are wearing.

Riddell | 78%

Riddell has been the leader in football helmets for a very long time and this year is no different. Twenty-five of the thirty-two First Round Picks are wearing Riddell, all 25 in the Speedflex. The Speedflex debuted in 2014 and has been the most popular helmet in the NFL since. It has top of the line safety ratings (check our Top 5 NFL & NFLPA Helmets article) and has a very sleek design. The Speedflex’s outer shell has a unique, hexagon panel that ‘flexes’ to absorb contact. For the inner padding of the helmet, Riddell has a couple different options for players; the diamond, the precision fit, the diamond precision fit, regular precision fit, and lastly the regular Riddell Speedflex. All versions score exceptionally well across multiple tests and are a great choice for any player. All QBs drafted in the first round (Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson, Trey Lance, Justin Fields, and Mac Jones), wear the Riddell Speedflex. You can purchase your own from Riddell.com for about $425.

Schutt | 22%

1st Round Rookies not wearing Riddell, are wearing Schutt. Seven of the thirty-two draft picks are wearing Schutt football helmets, most in the Schutt F7. The Schutt F7 is a personal favorite of mine because of it’s sharp looks and low-key profile. There appears to be a trend of “Skill” players gravitating towards the Schutt F7 and that’s because it’s much lighter than the Speedflex. The F7 weighs in at 4.1 pounds while the Speedflex is nearly 5 pounds. The F7 is also packed with advanced technology like their “Tektonic Plates”. These plates can be seen on the top of the shell and actually move independently from the rest of the helmet to disperse contact. While they do look a little strange, they are proven to work. The F7 is one of the top rated helmets across all testing and was also featured on our Top 5 Helmets rated by the NFL & NFLPA article. Some of the rookies wearing the Schutt F7 are Ja’Marr Chase, Kyle Pitts, and Najee Harris. The Schutt F7 is available from Schutt in different models ranging from $500-$1,000.

Cleats

Now, let’s move onto cleats. Football cleats come in all different shapes and sizes for different positions on the field. There are big, bulky ones built to support the lineman, lightweight, low-cut ones for the speedsters and then everything in between. Let’s take a look at what brands and models the Top 32 Draft Picks are wearing.

Nike | 75%

Nike remains King. Three quarters of the players drafted in the first round are wearing Nike cleats. Nike is one of the best in the game and one of the key factors is that they build cleats with the players in mind. They have three main lines of cleats, the Vapor line, built for “Skills”, the Alpha line, built for the “Big Skills” and the Savage line, built for the lineman. Let’s go through the most popular Nike cleat for each position group.

The most popular cleat among these thirty-two guys is the Nike Vapor Edge 360 Speed. This is Nike’s most affordable speed cleat and it’s very lightweight. The new “Edge” traction plate is one of the best in the biz. It features edge studs placed at the outermost points of your foot which allows guys to cut quickly and turn up field. These cleats are worn by Zach Wilson, Devonta Smith and you can grab a pair from Dicks for $95.

The 2nd most popular Nike cleat amongst these guys, to my surprise, is the Nike Alpha Menace Elite 1. The Alpha Menace Elite 1 was initially dropped in 2017, yet 4 years later, these rookies are choosing to wear them. These cleats feature a flyknit upper and were the first cleats with the Alpha traction plate. This plate has long, triangle studs that grip very well into both grass and turf. One of the most underrated cleats ever, the Alpha Menace Elite 1 is getting the respect it deserves. Micah Parsons, Kwity Paye and Payton Turner are all rocking these cleats. They are pretty tough to find so I recommend checking Ebay.

The 3rd most popular cleat is one for the lineman, the Nike Force Savage Pro 2. Four of the five offensive lineman taken in the first round are rocking this cleat. The Nike Force Savage Pro 2 is built for lineman. They are a high-top cleat with a strap, plenty of ankle support and a wide alpha traction plate. These are an amazing option for all lineman across all levels of football. Penei Sewell, Rashawn Slater, Alija Vera-Tucker and Christian Darrisaw all wear this cleat. You can purchase the Nike Force Savage Pro 2 from Eastbay for around $100.

Adidas | 19%

Adidas comes in second with 6 of the 32 first round draft picks wearing their cleats. All 6 players are officially signed with the Three Stripes and the 2 cleats worn by these are the Adidas Adizero 11.0 and the Adidas Freak Ultra 21.

The Adidas Adizero 11.0 is the most popular cleat among these Three Stripe athletes. The Adidas Adizero line is very light weight and catered towards skill players. For this years’ Adizero, Adidas updated the traction plate, using triangle studs instead of their usual circle studs. This helps players get in and out of cuts and get up field fast. Travis Eteinne, Kadarius Toney and Rashod Bateman are all wearing the Adidas Adizero 11.0. You can shop the Adizero 11.0 here.

The other Adidas cleat is the Adidas Freak Ultra 21. Trevor Lawrence is the only 2021 First Round pick to be wearing these cleats. They’re pretty sweet though – they have a primeknit upper, an updated Freak traction plate and a Boost midsole. Check out Trevor’s pair here. Overall a great option for QBs or any other “Big Skill” player. You can shop the Adidas Freak Ultra Primeknit at Dicks Sporting Goods.

Jordan | 6%

Only 2 first round draft picks are wearing Jordan cleats – Kyle Pitts and Alex Leatherwood. Pitts is an official Jordan Brand athlete so he’s been in some Jordan 5 PEs while Leatherwood (not a Jordan athlete) has been wearing some Jordan 10s. Jordan 10s are becoming a very popular cleat among lineman because of their wide base and supportive ankle. You think Michael Jordan ever expected his kicks to be on the feet on NFL lineman? Anyway, you can shop the Jordan 10 cleats on StockX.

Gloves

In 2021, football gloves are basically part of the uniform. It’s very rare to see a player (that’s not a QB) not wearing any gloves. Gloves help players catch the ball, protect their hands and they just look cool. Let’s take a look at what this years’ first rounders are wearing on their hands.

Nike | 62%

So not only is Nike the most common cleat brand amongst these guys, they’re also the most popular glove brand. Twenty of the thirty-two 1st round picks are wearing Nike football gloves. There are two Nike gloves that nearly all 20 are wearing so let’s talk about em.

The most popular glove is the Nike Vapor Jet. Of the 20 guys wearing Nike gloves, 12 of them are wearing either the Nike Vapor Jet 5.0 or the 6.0. The Vapor Jet line has been one of the most popular glove lines for over a decade. These gloves are affordable, comfortable and very sticky. When it comes to receiver gloves, these are top of the line. Ja’Marr Chase, Jaylen Waddle and Pat Surtain II are all wearing the Nike Vapor Jets. You can get your own in many colorways on DicksSportingGoods.com for $45.

The 2nd most popular glove is the Nike Superbad. These are Nike’s padded receiver glove and have been around just as long as the Vapor Jets. They offer amazing grip to help you catch passes and then little pads on the fingers to protect your hands. A super popular choice by wide receivers and lineman alike. Devonta Smith, Najee Harris and Penei Sewell all wear the Nike Superbad 5.0. You can shop for the Superbad 5.0 on Amazon or check out the new Superbad 6.0 at DicksSportingGoods.com.

No Gloves | 19%

As popular as gloves are in today’s NFL, not every player wears them. Of the thirty-two 1st rounders, 6 don’t wear any gloves – 5 of them QBs. The lone non-QB with no gloves is Cardinals LB, Zaven Collins. He wore gloves in college but hasn’t worn any so far through training camp. Maybe he’ll opt to wear them come gametime.

Adidas | 16%

Just like in the cleats section of this article, Adidas is second best. There are six first round draft picks wearing Adidas football gloves and each one is in the Adidas Adizero 11.0 (or a past model). These are Adidas’ main receiver glove line and this is the 10th version (They skipped the 9.0). They’re pretty lightweight, have solid grip and some of the best designs in the game. Kadarius Toney, Travis Etienne and Rashod Bateman are all wearing Adidas Adizeros. You can shop the Adidas Adizero 11.0 here.

Jordan | 3%

Of all thirty-two players, only 1 player wears Jordan football gloves; Kyle Pitts. Pitts is the only player (so far) to be signed with Jordan Brand. Jordan Brand athletes receive Nike football gloves, just rebranded with the Jumpman. Pretty simple technique but the swag is off the charts.

So there you have it, that is the most popular gear among the thirty-two 2021 first round draft picks. Just to recap, Riddell is dominating the helmet game and Nike is dominating both the cleat and glove game. We can’t wait to see what these rookies are capable of in the regular season!

The post What are the 2021 1st Round Draft Picks wearing? | Helmets, Cleats & Gloves appeared first on What Pros Wear.

Before every NFL season, the NFL collaborates with the NFLPA to thoroughly test every helmet on the market. These helmets go through extensive laboratory research to evaluate which ones best reduce head impact severity. No helmet can fully eliminate the risk of a concussion but here are the ones that have been tested to be the most effective.

IMPORTANT: Keep in mind that the NFLPA testing and results is completely catered to NFL impact and that impact may differ from collegiate, high school and youth football. For a list of the top 5 youth helmets, click here.

With that being said, let’s count down the Top 5 helmets rated by the NFL and NFLPA.

5. Schutt F7 UR1

The Schutt F7 UR1 is the most innovative and newest helmet in the Schutt lineup. The F7 UR1 is Schutt’s custom fit model designed to fit a players’ head perfectly. The custom fit process uses a custom pressure map of a player’s head, utilizing ten, full-contact sensors. During the fitting process, the player will put on a Schutt F7 that will collect the pressure map data and create a diagram of the 20 different sized Opti-Fit inserts. These 20 inserts are custom to the player and can be re-configured as needed ensuring players’ have a custom fit all the time. Check out this video below to watch the process.

Now that we’ve talked about the internals of the Schutt F7 UR1, let’s talk about the outside – the shell. The shell of the F7 UR1 is the same as all of the other Schutt F7 models. The shell features Schutt’s innovative “Tektonic Plates” on the top of the helmet. These plates move independently from the rest of the shell that helps disperse rotational force and protect your head. These plates pair with Schutt’s “TPU” (thermoplastic urethane) cushioning which is one of the most advanced cushioning systems in the game and absorbs heavy impact. The TPU is the blue plastic you see around the plates on top. While the shell looks a little odd, and is a pain to put decals on, it’s proven to be very effective. Check out how the Tektonic Plates and TPU work below.

The Schutt F7 UR1 is one of the most expensive helmets in the game. The F7 UR1 is listed at $1,499 on the Schutt site, but I can’t find an option to actually purchase it. Since the custom fit process is so extensive, you likely need to call Schutt to plan a fitting session and to buy the helmet. You can shop similar Schutt F7s for $500-$1000 but those aren’t on the same level as the F7 UR1. Still, they’re great helmets.

4. Vicis 01

When it comes to innovation and helmet research, Vicis remains king. The company invests so much money into the testing and development of their technology, that the company went bankrupt in late 2019. They’re now back in action and better than ever, but let’s talk about the original, the Vicis 01.

The Vicis 01 was the first helmet from Vicis and debuted in 2016. It was quickly rated as one of the best helmets on the market and even 5 years after it’s initial release, makes this Top 5 list. What makes this helmet special is its’ super flexible shell and innovative padding. The helmet has 4 layers of protection, check out the diagram below.

The first layer is the Lode Shell. This shell is much more flexible than other shells on the market. The shell itself flexes on impact absorbing a lot of the contact. The second layer is the RFLX. The RFLX layer is made of tiny little structures that collapse to absorb impact and prevent it from getting to your head. The little beams inside fold from an “I” shape to a “C” shape on impact. Then, the third layer is the Arch Shell. This is simply a lightweight, flexible material that bonds RFLX to the fourth layer, the foam liner. The Foam Liner is military grade foam that provides a soft and comfortable fit on the inside of the helmet. The Vicis 01 is one of the most technologically advanced products to ever hit the gridiron. The Vicis 01 is no longer for sale but you can get the Vicis 02 which we will cover later on this list.

3. Xenith Shadow XR

Xenith is one of the most underrated helmet brands on the market. The Xenith Shadow XR is the latest innovation from Xenith and came out in Spring 2020.

Underneath the lightweight, advanced polymer shell is one of the most advanced contact absorbing innovations in the game. Inside the Xenith XR is something called “Rhenon.” These Rhenon cells are what make this helmet special. The Rhenon material is intelligent enough to cushion soft impacts, but strengthen against big hits. Not only do these cells compress to absorb big hits, they also have the ability to move side to side to absorb rotational force. This material will work well in the scorching Texas summer or the frigid Green Bay winter. They do an amazing job dispersing different types of impact effectively which is one of the main reasons they are #3 on this list.

Now let’s talk about a feature unique to Xenith’s helmets. That one-of-a-kind feature is their 360 Adaptive Fit system. Unlike other football helmets, the chinstrap actually wraps around your entire head. Most helmets chinstraps simply buckle up in 4 places on the side of your head. Xenith chinstrap straps go around to the back of your neck so when you tighten up or buckle your chinstrap, it tightens up all around. It gives you a custom fit without paying the price of a custom fit helmet. Not only does this ensure a custom fit, it also feels lighter on your head because it has a lower center of gravity. This custom fit will give you better balance and reduce the fatigue on your neck while wearing the helmet.

The Xenith Shadow XR is the most affordable helmet on this list. It retails for $459 on Xenith.com.

2. Riddell Speedflex (3 Models)

The Riddell Speedflex has been the most recognizable and most popular helmet in the game since its’ debut in 2014. The helmet is so impressive that 3 different versions are on this NFL list.

For all 3 Speedflex models, the shell and overall helmet structure remains the same. The Speedflex has a flexible, polycarbonate shell. The flex panel on the front of the helmet, along with the rest of the shell, flexes upon impact to absorb contact. Another piece of tech protecting you is the Patented Side Impact Protection. The PSIP helps protect players from hits from the side. This helmet also has a very unique Cam-Loc retention system. Riddell revolutionized the way players buckle up their chinstraps. These straps act similar to a ratchet strap – you can pull them tight and then push a button to release it. The Cam-Loc system doesn’t slip and won’t unbuckle during play like your traditional chinstraps.

As for the padding, first let’s talk about the highest performing Riddell Speedflex, which offers the Speedflex Precision-Fit Diamond. Riddell Precision-Fit is a process that utilizes 3D scanning technology to craft a helmet personalized for the individual player. Each pad is custom made for a player for a totally custom fit.

Not only is the padding in the Riddell Speedflex Precision-Fit Diamond custom fit, it’s also made from one of the most innovative manufacturing processes on the planet, Digital Light Synthesis by Carbon. (Note: The same tech is used in Rawlings new REV1X, which we featured in a recent YouTube video.) In a press release, Carbon talked about their partnership with Riddell, “Riddell and Carbon have partnered to bring customized, digital design innovation to head protection through Riddell’s new Diamond helmet platform. Powered by Carbon, the new platform features a 3D printed lattice liner that is digitally manufactured using Carbon’s proprietary Digital Light Synthesis (DLS) technology. The technology is initially available in the Riddell SpeedFlex Precision Diamond helmet model, which features Riddell’s Precision-Fit head scanning and helmet fitting process. The result is next-generation head protection for today’s athletes–a customized, 3D printed helmet liner precisely contoured to the athlete’s head.”

Once you combine the innovative shell we described earlier with the Carbon DLS custom padding, you get one of the best performing helmets ever. Unfortunately, we can’t seem to find a place to get your own Precision-Fit Riddell Speedflex Diamond unless you’re in the NFL.

The next Speedflex on the list is the Riddell Speedflex Precision-Fit. This is the same shell and Precision-Fit technology that we talked about earlier. The only difference is that this version does not have the Carbon padding. This “‘flex” has the regular Riddell Speedflex padding and still scores incredibly well. The padding is custom fit to a players’ head providing a perfect fit and lots of protection. Again, I can’t seem to find any Precision-Fit models for sale from Riddell.

The final Riddell Speedflex in this Top 5 list is the Riddell Speedflex Diamond. This helmet has the super innovative Carbon padding but it’s not a precision fit. Still, a top helmet on this list and you CAN find this helmet from Riddell for $499.99.

1. Vicis 02 (3 Models)

This is the second Vicis helmet on this list, so I won’t waste my time telling you how innovative and cutting edge they are. Let’s talk about the three Vicis 02 models, because they are the top 3 helmets on the NFL and NFLPA list.

Let’s begin the with #3, the regular Vicis 02. The Vicis 02 is everything the Vicis 01 is and more. There are four layers to the helmet. First, the super flexible outer shell, the Deformable Outer Shell. This shell responds similar to a car bumper and flexes more than any other helmet available. It absorbs the impact, protecting your head. The next layer is the updated RFLX 2.0. RFLX, carried over from the Vicis 01, is Vicis’ system of pillars that bend to absorb impact and then spring back into place. For the Vicis 2.0, they slightly altered the pillars to lighten the helmet while increasing strength. The next layer is the Reinforced Inner Shell. The inner shell has been engineered through data collected from hundreds of head shapes to optimize fit accuracy, maximize player comfort, and accommodate a wider range of players. The final layer is the DLTA Fit System. These are their pad pods that are completely interchangeable ensuring every player can have a custom-fit feeling helmet.

The Vicis 02 is the safest helmet you can purchase right now. You can get one from Vicis for $699.

Now, the second highest helmet on the NFL and NFLPA list, the Vicis 02 Trench. This helmet is basically the exact same helmet as the Vicis 02 but with an extra external pad. This is the first position specific helmet to ever hit the market. Its built for lineman. That extra frontal pad is built for the low velocity impact that lineman face every single snap. Check out the stats on the Vicis 02 Trench below.

The Vicis 02 Trench is available from Vicis for $799.

It’s finally time to talk about the highest rated helmet by the NFL and NFLPA, the Vicis 02 Matrix. The first three layers on the Vicis 02 Matrix are unchanged from the previous two Vicis 02s featured here, but what makes this helmet special is the Matrix padding.

According to Vicis, “The Matrix system is a microfilament structure which is a replacement to the DLTA fit system for the Matrix helmet. Matrix provides ultimate flexibility in the fitting process without having to wait for a custom manufactured helmet. By providing multiple unique fit contours per location and adjustable comfort top layers, the MATRIX pods are ready for gameplay out of the box. This allows for immediate fit feedback from players that can be adjusted at any time.”

The Vicis 02 Matrix is unavailable to the public now but Vicis plans to release them in 2022.

There are the the top 5 helmets rated by the NFL and NFLPA. Its important to reiterate that these laboratory results are completely based off of NFL level impacts and impacts vary by level of play. For youth helmets, check out our top 5 list here. Let us know what you think and if you have experience with any of these super safe helmets, please comment below!

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