Below are our top 10 choices for men’s soccer headbands and soccer helmets for 2020. The headgear is listed in the order they were ranked by the Virginia Tech Helmet Ratings study, with a few tweaks in the order based on availability and ease of purchase.
In addition to listing the Virginia Tech rankings of the headgear, which you can read about here, we’ve also added a general average of consumer satisfaction as gleaned from product reviews found on the internet.
These ten picks encompass both thin and thick protective headbands and the full cranial coverage cap-style protective headgear that many people associate with rugby players and goalies.
These are two fairly distinct styles and worth thinking about before you finalize your decision.
Storelli ExoShield
The Storelli ExoShield Head Guard is tied for first as the number one ranked men’s protective headgear in the Virginia Tech Helmet Rankings study and, therefore, is a great choice to help prevent concussions and other brain trauma in men who play soccer and other contact sports where risks are present.
You can read the Virginia Tech Helmet Rankings here and see the ExoShield’s five-star ranking.
Gamebreaker Aura
The Gamebreaker Aura soft shell headband is the top-ranked “headband” soccer headgear in the Virginia Tech Helmet Ratings study, receiving 5 stars. As such, this makes a great choice for adult soccer players that want to give their head added protection from the dangers of the game.
You can read the Virginia Tech Helmet Rankings here.
The soccer headband narrowly beat out the highly rated Storelli Exoshield because of its slightly larger cranial coverage.
Unequal Halo 2
The Unequal Halo 2 is a great choice for adult soccer players wanting a protective headband for soccer.
This 10mm headband doesn’t stand out when you wear it, yet received five stars (the highest designation) when it underwent independent testing at Virginia Tech. It’s a great option for headband-style, protective headgear and actually beat the newer Unequal Halo 3 in the study.
Read more about the Virginia Tech Helmet Study here.
The manufacturer claims that the Unequal Halo 2 doesn’t affect the rebound speed or direction when heading the ball, which will put your mind at ease in competitive matches.
The Halo 2 also wicks well to provide a more comfortable experience.
Gamebreaker Pro
The Gamebreaker Pro soft shell headguard was the top-ranked “cap-style or rugby” soccer headgear in the Virginia Tech Helmet Ratings study, receiving 5 stars. As such, this makes a great choice for males playing soccer and other contact sports.
You can read the Virginia Tech Helmet Rankings here.
The cap-style provides a rugby-type look that is more commonly seen on goalkeepers, but the foam and rubber used make it a good choice for traditional field players, too. It’s adjustable and gets decent air-flow, as well.
Unequal Halo 3
The Unequal Halo 3 is a great choice for men needing a protective headgear for soccer or other contact sports.
It has the look and feel of a headband, so it doesn’t stand out when you wear it, but it also received high marks when it underwent independent testing at Virginia Tech (Four stars). The Storelli ExoShield, the Gamebreaker Aura and the Unequal Halo 2 were the only soccer headbands to beat it in the study. Read more about the Virginia Tech Helmet Study here.
Gamebreaker Multi-Sport
The Gamebreaker Multi-Sport Soft Shell Protective Headgear is another good choice to help protect your noggin and stem the tide of concussions soccer players.
The Gamebreaker Multi-Sport showed well in the Virginia Tech Helmet Rankings, garnering four stars and making it the second-ranked cap-style protection headgear overall. First place in the category went to another product by the same company, the Gamebreaker Pro.
Versatility is one of the Multi-sport’s strong points. As you may have guessed from the name, it can be suitably used in many different sporting activities. It also comes in six different sizes (to ensure the proper fit) and 11 different colors.
ForceField Ultra
The ForceField Ultra Headband is a lightweight, affordable protective headband for men that comes in four colors (black, red, navy blue and royal blue) and scored three stars on the Virginia Tech Helmet Ratings study. You can read the Virginia Tech Helmet Rankings here and see how it measures up against other protective headgear in the study.
Full 90 FN1
Unlike most other available soccer protective headgear, the Full 90 FN1 provides full cranial coverage. This extra coverage makes the Full 90 FN1 a good choice for goalkeepers or men that want the greatest amount of cranial protection.
The FN1 has a 7 point adjustment system to ensure a safer, more comfortable fit and starts conforming to your head after you wear it a few times. For men with longer hair that they like to keep up, it has a ponytail opening.
Don Joy Hat Trick
The Don Joy Hat Trick protective headband for men is a solid entry into the larger headband-style marketplace. Overall, the Hat Trick scored middle-of-the-pack in the Virginia Tech Helmet Rankings study. You can read the Virginia Tech Helmet Rankings here and see how the Hat Trick measured up against its competitors.
The Hat Trick weighs only 1.6oz and has 4 adjustable velcro straps for the best fit possible.
2nd Skull Headband
The 2nd Skull Headband for men ranked solidly in the middle of the pack for safety ratings in the VT Helmet ratings study. You can read the Virginia Tech Helmet Rankings here and see where the 2nd Skull Headband compares to other men’s protective headgear.
The 2nd Skull is lightweight, wicks moisture well and looks for the most part like a normal headband that one would wear. It is made in the USA, has a ponytail opening for men with longer hair and comes in black and pink colors.
