Get team pricing on guardian caps

We’re happy to offer direct shipping to Canada for orders under $200. These orders ship via GlobalPost Go and typically arrive within 10 –15 business days. If you’re ordering from another country, your order exceeds this amount, or you’d like expedited international shipping, just email us at sales@guardiansports.com—we’ll be glad to help arrange shipping to your location and make sure it gets to you smoothly.

No helmet, practice apparatus, or helmet pad can prevent or eliminate the risk of concussions or other serious head injuries while playing sports. Researchers have not reached an agreement on how the results of impact absorption tests relate to concussions. No conclusions about a reduction of risk or severity of concussive injury should be drawn from impact absorption tests.  Guardian has always stood by the fact that Guardian Caps reduce the impact of hits and that its use should be one piece of the puzzle to an overall safety strategy.The NFL’s statements about a reduction in concussions is based on a qualified study that evaluated Guardian Caps NXT alongside additional protective measures, which collectively contributed to a reduction in concussions.

What is the purpose of a Guardian Cap?

The Guardian Cap adds a soft, padded outer layer to traditional hard-shell helmets, helping reduce impact by absorbing and redirecting force. Its low-friction surface also lessens grabbing during play, and lighter colors can lower helmet temperature by up to 20°F.

Physics shows that a soft outer layer reduces initial impact severity, allowing less force to reach the head — similar to soft walls in NASCAR or car airbags. Guardian Caps offer that same added protection for athletes.

They’ve also helped reduce hits to ribs, hands, fingers, knees, and heads — making practices safer for all positions.

Yes, Guardian Caps XT fit the Axiom helmets, Trench helmets, and all other football helmet designs and sizes. Both the Guardian Cap XT 1.8 and 2.0 fit all football helmets the same.

For the Axiom helmet, the Guardian Cap's two front straps attach through the top of the helmet and the two side straps reach and attach around the top bar of the facemask.  Make sure all snaps are snapped and the Velcro is in place.

Watch our how to attach video here for more details.

Guardian Caps weigh about 7 ounces, making them extremely lightweight for players.

Learn more about our Guardian Caps benefits HERE.

The NFL has permitted Guardian Cap NXTs in all NFL games, and many high school and youth teams wear Guardian Caps during their games. Read more HERE.

NFL stars such as Damar Hamlin, Jabrill Peppers, Kevin Dotson, and Romeo Doubs have worn Guardian Caps in games. Check out the full list of NFL players who use Guardian Caps in games HERE.

If you'd like to customize your Guardian Cap with number decals, find them HERE on our storefront. They are compatible with all models of the Guardian Caps. 

We've teamed up with SportDecals to offer custom vinyl decals that easily stick to your Guardian Cap. Made from durable 12-mil vinyl and the same high-quality materials you trust, these flexible decals are guaranteed to last and withstand the grind and grit of games and practices.

Request a quote from SportDecals here.

Learn more about how to apply them here.

Guardian and Certor are proud to partner in protection. All Schutt and VICIS helmets worn in practice or games with a properly installed Guardian Cap remain fully certified and warrantied, provided they comply with applicable league regulations and are used at the discretion of players, parents, or coaches. See press release here.

Yes, Guardian caps are permitted by the NFHS for high school lacrosse. Request the official letter here.

The NFL has allowed Guardian Caps to be worn since 2020.  The NFL mandated the use of Guardian Caps for contact practices in 2022.  Guardian Caps are now mandated for contact practices for all positions except QBs, Kickers, and Punters and players are given the option to wear a Guardian Cap NXT or NXT 2.0 in games if they choose. An update on protective equipment in the NFL.

The Guardian Cap is one-size-fits-all. The elastic attachment straps stretch to fit all sizes, makes, and models of helmets. The straps pull through the facemask and attach back to itself.

Watch our “How To Attach” video here for more information. Call us if you have issues fitting your specific facemask.

Check out our blog, “Do Guardian Caps Fit Youth?”

The lifespan of a Guardian Cap depends on the usage and size of player. Please note that Caps that are compressed, torn, or broken should not be assumed to have the same reduction in impact as a new Guardian Cap. Frequently inspect your Guardian Cap.

Read about how to know when to replace your cap HERE.

No, wearing a Guardian Cap will not make your helmet hotter. Independent research actually showed the opposite. The addition of the Guardian Cap in 90°F+ temperatures insulated the helmets and kept the head 15-20°F cooler. The reason: while polycarbonate conducts heat, the foam of the Guardian Cap does not, and acts more as an insulator.

Yes, the Guardian Cap is waterproof. The exterior material is similar to Olympic swimsuits designed to repel water and the interior padding is a closed cell material that will not absorb water. Hand-wash or clean in a front-load/non-agitator machine using cold water and mild detergent.

Guardian Caps are currently being used across all levels of organized play, including youth leagues and feeder programs, high schools, college teams, CFL, and the NFL.

Guardian Caps Warranty
We offer a 6-month Limited Warranty on the Guardian Cap to ensure customer satisfaction and product reliability. This warranty applies only to the original purchaser of the Guardian Cap and is non-transferable. This warranty covers manufacturing defects in materials and workmanship under normal use for six (6) months from the original purchase date. Caps should be inspected before play.

What Is Covered:
– Defects in materials or workmanship affecting performance or usability.
– Malfunction or failure, including to snaps & straps, due to normal, intended use.

What Is Not Covered:
– Damage resulting from misuse, abuse, or neglect.
– Compression of pads due to normal use.
– Damage caused by improper installation or unauthorized modifications.
– Cosmetic wear and tear, including scratches, dents, or aesthetic changes.
– Damage from accidents, improper storage, or exposure to extreme conditions.
– Products purchased from unauthorized retailers or sellers.

Warranty Claim Process:
To file a warranty claim contact Guardian Sports Customer Support with your proof of purchase, description of the issue, and photos (if applicable). Guardian Sports will evaluate the claim and, if approved, repair or replace the Guardian Cap at no charge within six (6) months from the date of purchase. Replacement/repaired Guardian Caps do not extend terms on the original 6-month warranty. The warranty ends six (6) months from the date of purchase of the original Guardian Cap.

*Guardian Caps that are compressed, torn, or broken should not be assumed to have the same reduction in impact as a new Guardian Cap.*

The Guardian Cap is made of a closed cell foam so that it won’t pick up weight in the rain (or wash); and is covered by a spandex fabric.

Contact us and we’ll get you what you need to present your case.

Guardian Caps are permitted for high school football practice and official games by the NFHS. Please email for the official letter.

Guardian ships Caps the next business day for orders placed by 5pm. We offer FedEx Ground (3-5 business days), FedEx 2Day (2 business days), and FedEx Priority Overnight (next business day).

The Guardian Cap is available in 11 colors: black, red, white, Vegas gold, navy, maroon, orange, green, yellow, purple, and royal blue.

Helmet manufacturers cannot remove themselves from liability without showing how a product has negatively affected the performance of their helmet, or made it more dangerous/less safe for an athlete to play football.

A full, comprehensive legal and regulatory packet is available, as well as a conversation between administration and a Guardian representative. For either, please send us an email at regulatory@guardiansports.com

NOCSAE does not have a category for add-on equipment. Since the Guardian is not eligible for NOCSAE certification on its own, we had a NOCSAE certified laboratory test the Guardian according to the protocols to ensure that the addition of the Guardian did not affect the helmet’s ability to pass the NOCSAE standard; all helmets tested passed the requirements for recertification. These helmets included models from Schutt, Riddell, Rawlings, Xenith, and Cascade.

For Guardian Caps/LOOP/Chinstrap: An unworn Cap, LOOP, or Chinstrap with tags attached, may be returned for a full refund within sixty (60) days of purchase, minus the cost of original shipping fees (where applicable). An unworn Guardian product with tags attached, may be exchanged for another color (depending on availability) at any time. The customer will be responsible for all shipping fees, and a $5 restocking fee will be applied to all returns. Refunds and exchanges will be given once the returned product has been received at the Guardian office. Clickhere to start the return or exchange process.