Best football gear for safety

Being one of the most hands-on, rough sports you can play, American football is a game that comes with its fair share of bodily injuries. With the risk of broken bones, cracked knee caps, and concussions, players need the best football gear for safety, including properly fitted uniforms and protective equipment designed to protect vital joints and body parts during hard impacts.

According to The American Journal of Sports and Medicine, for every 100 thousand football games played, there are 60 concussions.

While there's no way to make the sport free of injury, the following list of items are among the essential pieces of equipment every football player should wear when on the gridiron.

What Equipment Is Needed To Play Football

• Football Helmet
• Shoulder Pads
• Mouthguard
• Jockstrap & Cup
• Backplates
• Pads (Hip, Thigh, Knee)
• Football Gloves
• Neck Collars/Roll
• Football Cleats

Football Helmet

The most important item in your equipment bag. Football Helmets offer protection without sacrificing playability. With the innovations in protection equipment, the latest headgear provides superior shock absorption, ventilation and field of view.

Although budgets are a major factor in purchasing decisions, you should never want to put your safety at risk by ordering a cheap helmet.

Price range: $130 to $450

Shoulder Pads

In football, strong shoulders are crucial. To withstand the force of tackles, players wear shoulder pads that reduce the chances of torn ligaments or muscle strain in this area.

Price range: $110 to $200

Football Mouthguard

Mouthpiece that fits well and that is specifically designed for football such as the TWO Mouthguard.

Jockstrap & Cup

Football is an extremely high impact sport. Because the groin is a very sensitive area, severe impact to this area can cause tremendous pain. Wearing a well designed and comfortable jockstrap is crucial for high performing athletes.

Price range: $25 to $80

Backplates

Backplates add lower back protection and help absorb impacts to the spine and kidney area, especially for linemen and linebackers.

Pads (Hip, Thigh, Knee)

Pads (Hip, Thigh, Knee) and rib protectors all help absorb hard impacts and fortify the player from season threatening blows.

Price range: $15 to $30

Football Gloves

Being one of the most hands-on sports, it's crucial that football players keep their hands free of injury. Positions like linemen and receivers demand more hand protection than others and feature padding around the top of hand and finger areas.

Skill players often wear gloves with extra stickiness on the palm to help catch and hold onto the ball.

Neck Collars/Roll

Neck rolls and neck collars protect the neck and shoulder area when impacts get rough. Especially true for positions like linebackers and linemen, neck guards can reduce soreness, increase comfort and increase a players performance between games.

Price range: $40 to $80

Football Cleats

Designed to provide traction in any field or turf condition. Players can choose from low-top to high-top cleats in a variety of stud configurations for the game.

Price range: $70 to $150

Optional Football Gear That Improves Safety

Football Helmet Visor

A football visor helps protect the eyes from fingers, debris, and turf during contact. It can also reduce glare from stadium lights or sunlight.

Always check with your coach or league before using a visor.

Football Compression Gear (Arm & Leg Sleeves, Shirts)

Football compression gear provides muscle support and helps reduce muscle vibration during high-impact plays. It also protects the skin from turf burns and minor cuts.

How Much Does Football Safety Gear Cost?

Equipping yourself for football can be a significant investment. Depending on the quality and brand of each item, the total cost for a complete set of gear ranges from $580 to $1,330.