What Does a Virginia Tech 5-STAR Rating Actually Mean?
Virginia Tech’s Helmet Lab runs one of the most trusted independent helmet safety programs in the world. Their ratings are completely free from the manufacturer’s influence.
How it Works
Each piece of headgear goes through 36 lab impact tests, measuring how much force reaches the head from the front, side, and back at three impact energy levels: low (common, everyday hits), medium, and high (impacts most likely to cause a concussion). Both are linear and rotational forces are measured, since both contribute to concussion risk.
What it Means
STAR stands for the Summation of Tests for the Analysis of Risk. The score represents how much a piece of headgear reduces your risk of concussion compared to wearing nothing at all. Scores range from 0 – 1; a score of 0.5 means 50% fewer expected concussions than a bare head. The lower the score, the better the protection.
Why it Matters
Most headgear certifications only verify that a product meets a minimum safety threshold. Virginia Tech’s ratings rank products against each other, so consumers can actually compare protection levels, not just know something “passed a test”.
LOOP Virginia Tech Rating
LOOP is the superior soft-shelled headband with precision fit and performance, built to better protect. Guardian Sports and Schutt teamed up to advance athlete safety through innovation.
Ranked 91% Better Than Competitors
The LOOP is the top-ranked U.S.-based headband, better than 91% of all headgear tested, earning the highest possible rating from Virginia Tech’s independent lab. Ranking #4 out of 45 other headgear products tested, LOOP is an elite choice for athletes.
5-STAR Rated
LOOP received a STAR value score of 0.02 out of 1.0. The lower the score, the better the protection, and 0.02 is nearly perfect. Because of this exceptionally low score, LOOP earned a 5-STAR rating from Virginia Tech, the highest possible rating in their independent headgear testing program.
Impact Score
At high impact, the energy level most linked to concussions, the LOOP scores over 60% better than the average 5-STAR product.
Affordable Price
LOOP is the lowest-priced option among the top 10-ranked headgear at $59.99, making it the highest-rated and most affordable choice for flag football players.
