Learn More About The Company
We are a family-owned company with 20+ years of experience in material science.
At Guardian Sports we have a true passion for protecting athletes, and we aim to continually develop technologies that can enhance sports equipment. Our goal remains the same: advance technologies to bridge the gap between the products that athletes deserve/need and what is currently available on the market.
Erin and Lee Hanson started Guardian in 2011 with one goal in mind – innovating equipment to better serve athletes. Their 20+ years of experience owning and operating a material science and technology company enabled them to create the Guardian Cap – now used by over 500,000 youth, high school and college athletes nationwide and mandated by the NFL. The purpose of the Cap is to reduce the force of impact upon collision experienced by players, and to prove that soft-shell helmet technology is superior to that of a hard shell. This project stems from our passion for player safety, foundation in material sciences and the generally accepted physics behind impact reduction.
Since the 2022 season, the NFL has mandated the use of the Guardian Cap in practices. This 2024 season, defensive backs and receivers have joined the list of positions required to wear Guardian Caps for all contact practices through the post season. Positions mandated to wear the Guardian Cap now include: OL, DL, LB, DB, TE, RB, FB, WR. Additionally, due to the efficacy of the Guardian Cap in practice, the NFL has now permitted players to wear the Guardian Cap, if they so choose, during games for the 2024-2025 season.
Our team continues to build the Guardian brand and recognition in the sporting goods industry. In addition to the Cap, we have re-engineered the lacrosse ball by developing PEARL.
The first PEARL was engineered in 2015 to address the greasing issue with rubber lacrosse balls; the Guardian team introduced the American made PEARL X, a greaseless game day ball.
The team expanded the PEARL line in 2018 by creating PEARL NX balls – practice balls that limit rebound, do not grease, and do not affect muscle memory during practice. PEARL NX balls are the same size, weight, and softness as PEARL X official game balls, so players no longer have to practice with a ball that’s heavier, smaller, or harder.
In 2019, the Guardian team once again innovated in the lacrosse ball market and introduced the PEARL LT textured game ball; the first game-day certified textured lacrosse ball. PEARL LT’s slight texture prolongs its grip and delays the effects of greasing in tough conditions.
In 2022, the PEARL team introduced the first ever dual colored lacrosse ball. PEARL DUAL X, is our newest lacrosse ball innovation that provides better tracking using it’s unique 50/50 color design. Just like PEARL X, PEARL DUAL X is the same greaseless, made in the USA lacrosse ball but the first lacrosse ball with a distinct dual color design. PEARL DUAL X’s unique 50/50 color produces a strobe effect while spinning, revealing the speed and direction of spin on each of your shots.
Late in 2022, PEARL also introduced PEARL X in Optic Yellow that provides better visibility and tracking on the field, in your backyard and on game film. Optic Yellow was chosen as the color of choice for tennis balls and was adopted by the PLL in 2021 to increase visibility on TV. Our Optic Yellow is a PEARL X ball – greaseless, made in the USA and game-day certified.
Guardian continues to innovate the lacrosse ball and create products that are reliable, consistent, and innovative.
OUR PROCESS
At Guardian Sports, our design process is a collaborative experience that integrates the diverse perspectives of our team, partners, and customers. We ensure that every product we plan to bring to market is thoroughly evaluated through multiple lenses, focusing on how well it aligns with our core mission: enhancing the safety of athletes through innovative sports equipment. We strive to create products that not only meet but exceed safety standards, ultimately contributing to a more secure and protective sporting environment.
PHASE 0
LEARN
Guardian initiates projects with meetings to define the unmet need in the market and gather input on the customer, product, and design goals.
PHASE 1
CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT
Guardian illustrates a unique design direction that addresses project requirements such as: core functionality, ease of use, distinctive/quality styling, human elements, ergonomics, technical feasibility, among others.
PHASE 2
CONCEPT REFINEMENT
The concept from Phase 1 will be modified to enhance overall design, ergonomics, feature sets, material selection, finishes, and basic part geometry.
PHASE 3
ENGINEERING
Our engineers will develop the control drawings for the design. Multiple reviews internally will ensure the technical documentation is aligned with the product requirements and the design intent.
PHASE 4
PROTOTYPING
Guardian coordinates in-house/trusted partner prototyping and testing in order to verify and validate the final design concept prior to production.
PHASE 5
MANUFACTURING
We conduct our own manufacturing of products and also work with our trusted manufacturing partners to develop the best production strategy based on the project.
OUR WORK
At Guardian Sports we approach each project with a problem-solution-result strategy. Our portfolio displays our product development thought process.
At Guardian we are first and foremost scientists and engineers working to improve sports equipment.
We have several projects that have made it to consumers either through our sales team or through consulting projects.
Impact from hard-shell helmets
Solution
Padded helmet cover to reduce impact of hits
Result
Worn by youth, college, CFL and NFL athletes & NFL HeadHealthTECH Challenge I Winner.
U.S. Patents:
10537148, 9907346, 9314061, D701999, 11064752
Climbing holds that weren’t durable
Solution
Durable, polyurethane rock climbing holds
Result
Aragon Elastomers manufactures 90% of the rock holds in the USA and supplies top climbing hold retailers with the strongest, most reliable and innovative product on the market.
Since been divested by PlayCore Corporation in 2021
Current infill options are abrasive, contain dangerous chemicals, and get very hot
Solution
Bio-based, non-abrasive, cooler infill
Result
A US-made, lower cost, cleaner & safer playing surface for athletes
U.S. Patents:
11821150, 11512438
There was only one cast urethane golf ball because it was patented but others wanted a similar ball that didn’t infringe.
Solution
Shenshen Wu was a brilliant chemist who worked for 27 years at the largest golf ball manufacturer. She invented the #1 golf ball in the sport and wrote over 200 patents around it. We created a cast urethane cover with Shenshen that performed as well or better than the #1 ball and we obtained our own patents.
Result
Our cast urethane golf balls exhibit excellent cut and sheer resistance while providing long distance off drivers and high spin off short irons. It is now being private labeled for several recognizable golf brands.
Comfortable, protective headgear for multi-sport athletes
Solution
Partnered with Xenith to create a VT 5-STAR rated soft-shell headgear
Result
Innovative soft-shell headgear designed to be worn without a helmet for multiple sports, including 7v7, flag football, non-tackle football, rugby, field hockey, and cheerleading of all levels.
U.S. Patent: D956,359 S
OUR TEAM
