Equipment suppliers: who makes the gear
New safety standards are reshaping protective equipment across every level of football, from youth leagues to the pros.
Riddell launches youth helmets ahead of new safety standard
Riddell unveiled its ND6 youth football helmet line built to meet the new ND006 performance standard from NOCSAE, more than a year before the standard's September 2027 effective date. The standard sets a maximum helmet weight of 3.5 pounds along with impact specifications tailored specifically to youth players, not adapted from adult equipment.
Source: Riddell Newsroom →The SpeedFlex platform keeps evolving over a decade later
Riddell's SF Echo, new for 2026, builds on the SpeedFlex platform first introduced in 2014 — adding inflatable face frames and updated energy-management liner components. The company also launched Her Fit Cleats this year, a cleat line engineered specifically for female athletes in flag and tackle football, developed with Leif J. Ostberg.
Source: Riddell Newsroom →Retail distribution widens as new safety lines roll out
The new ND6 line is shipping directly to teams now, with retail availability following through major sporting goods chains including Dick's Sporting Goods, Academy Sports + Outdoors, and Scheels — signaling equipment makers are treating the new youth safety standard as a mainstream consumer moment, not a niche compliance update.
Source: Riddell Newsroom →