What VICIS does

VICIS, LLC is a Seattle-originated (now operating from Plainfield, Indiana) football equipment manufacturer founded in 2013 and operating as a brand within the Certor Sports portfolio alongside Schutt and TUCCI. The company designs, engineers, and sells protective football helmets built around the ZERO2 platform, which combines a deformable outer shell, the proprietary RFLX 2.0 buckling-column impact layer, a reinforced inner shell, and the DLTA pod-based fit system that uses interchangeable pods at six locations in five thickness options. The portfolio includes varsity models (ZERO2, ZERO2 Elite, ZERO2 QB Elite), position-specific designs (ZERO2 TRENCH and ZERO2 TRENCH Elite for offensive and defensive linemen), and youth variants, with helmets priced from $464.99 to $949.99.

VICIS generates revenue primarily through direct-to-consumer e-commerce sales on vicis.com, a dedicated Team Sales B2B program for outfitting rosters, and marketplace participation via the Certor Sports B2B platform. The company also sells ARC_V1 shoulder pads (launched 2024), titanium and carbon-steel facemasks, compression apparel, replacement parts, and offers NAERA-member helmet reconditioning services with RFID tracking. Customer segments span youth athletes, high school and college programs, NFL franchises (Indianapolis Colts, Green Bay Packers, player endorsements), and a Protector Program providing 15% discounts to military, first responders, and teachers. Geographic distribution is concentrated in the contiguous United States, with shipping restrictions to Hawaii, Alaska, Canada, and Mexico.

Name

VICIS

Legal name

VICIS, LLC

Website

https://vicis.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

VICIS designs and sells premium football helmets built on the ZERO2 platform with proprietary impact-absorption technology, serving youth through NFL athletes via direct e-commerce and Team Sales B2B channels as part of Certor Sports.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Football Protective Equipment

NAICS

Sporting and Athletic Goods Manufacturing (33992)

SIC

Sporting & Athletic Goods, Nec (3949)

akta.pro primary industry

Helmets & Protective Headgear Retail (Motorcycle/ATV/Snow) (CRAMANAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Protective Armor & Impact Protection Retail (Body/Back/Chest) (CRAMANAC), Safety Accessories & Wearables Retail (Neck Braces, Hydration, Earplugs) (CRAMANAL)

Keywords

• Football helmets
• Athletic protective equipment
• Shoulder pads
• Helmet technology
• Football safety gear

Headquarters

HQ city

Seattle

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Helmet Sales: VICIS generates primary revenue through direct sales of football helmets across multiple tiers including ZERO2, ZERO2 Elite, ZERO2 Trench, ZERO2 QB Elite, and youth models. Prices range from $464.99 to $949.99 per helmet depending on model and configuration.
2. Shoulder Pads Sales: Sales of ARC_V1 shoulder pads in varsity and youth models, with Elite tier pricing at $749.99 and varsity models at $299.99.
3. Accessories and Replacement Parts: Revenue from accessories including DLTA pods, stabilizer pads, ANKR locks, chinstraps, fit kits, and replacement parts like Rapid Mount hardware and chinstrap buckles.
4. Facemask Sales: Direct sales of facemasks including carbon steel and titanium options ranging from $140 to $265, available in multiple colors for customization.
5. Padded Compression Apparel: Sales of padded compression shirts ($64.99) and shorts, providing body protection for football athletes.
6. Helmet Reconditioning Services: NAERA-member licensed helmet reconditioning and recertification services with RFID tracking, accepting both team and individual orders.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

VICIS designs, engineers, manufactures, and sells football helmets built on the ZERO2 multi-layered platform with a deformable outer shell, RFLX 2.0 impact absorption layer, and DLTA pod fit system. The company also sells ARC_V1 shoulder pads, facemasks, compression apparel, and accessories, and provides NAERA-licensed helmet reconditioning services. Products are sold direct-to-consumer through vicis.com and via a Team Sales B2B program for teams, leagues, and schools.

Product overview

VICIS is a football head protection company offering a comprehensive product portfolio centered around its ZERO2 helmet platform. The core offering consists of varsity helmets (ZERO2, ZERO2 Elite, ZERO2 QB Elite) and position-specific helmets (ZERO2 Trench for linemen, ZERO2 Trench Elite), plus youth models (ZERO2 Youth, ZERO2 Youth Elite). All helmets feature the proprietary RFLX 2.0 impact absorption layer, DLTA pod fit system, and deformable outer shell technology. VICIS has expanded into shoulder pads with the ARC_V1 line (Varsity, Elite, and Youth variants in All-Purpose, Skill, and Trench cuts), compression apparel, and a full range of accessories including facemasks, chinstraps, fit kits, and replacement parts. The company also provides reconditioning services through its NAERA-certified program. VICIS is a Certor Sports brand.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ZERO2 Helmet Varsity-level football helmet with deformable outer shell, RFLX 2.0 impact layer, and DLTA fit system; Virginia Tech 5-star rated; priced at $679.99.
• ZERO2 Elite Helmet Premium varsity helmet with titanium facemask (60% lighter than steel), ANKR Locks, Oakley Edge clear visor, and Virginia Tech 5-star rating (0.73 score); priced at $829.99.
• ZERO2 QB Elite Helmet Quarterback-specific helmet head-to-ground impact-tuned for QB mechanics, with Virginia Tech 5-star rating, titanium facemask, and enhanced field-of-view design; priced at $949.99.
• ZERO2 Trench Helmet Position-specific helmet for offensive and defensive linemen, featuring offset design to mitigate repetitive low-velocity impacts (2-4 m/s); top-rated OL/DL helmet by NFL/NFLPA and Virginia Tech; priced at $779.99.
• ZERO2 Trench Elite Helmet Premium position-specific lineman helmet with enhanced protection features and Trench wing design; includes exclusive SO-215T titanium facemask; priced at $929.99.
• ZERO2 Youth Helmet Youth football helmet tuned for lower velocity impacts common at youth level; Virginia Tech 5-star rated at 3.5x better than the average 5-star youth helmet; priced at $464.99.
• ZERO2 Youth Elite Helmet Premium youth helmet with titanium facemask (60% lighter than carbon steel) and Oakley Edge clear visor; tuned for youth impact velocities with Virginia Tech 5-star rating; priced at $584.99.
• ARC_V1 Varsity Shoulder Pads VICIS's first shoulder pad line, featuring CURV thermoplastic composite arch material, VICIS Air Management Cushioning System, and position-specific cuts (All-Purpose, Skill, Trench); priced at $299.99.
• ARC_V1 Elite Shoulder Pads Premium tier of VICIS shoulder pads with AXIS Fit Cushioning System, ratchet adjustment, and premium materials for elite-level protection and comfort; priced at $749.99.
• ARC_V1 Youth Shoulder Pads Youth shoulder pads featuring EXO Shield chest and sternum protection system, rigid HDPE arch material, advanced cushioning technology, and Safety Release System; weighs 3.25 lbs; priced at $149.99.
• ZERO2 Facemasks Complete line of carbon steel and titanium facemasks designed exclusively for ZERO2 helmets, including SO-212, SO-213E, SO-215, SC-223, SC-233 (new), SC-237 (new), and SO-223 series in various colors; priced from $140 to $265.
• Padded Compression Shirt Compression shirt with integrated padding for additional upper body protection during play; available in white and black; priced at $64.99.
• Padded Compression Shorts Compression shorts with integrated padding for hip and thigh protection during play; available in white and black.
• VICIS Reconditioning Services NAERA-member licensed helmet recertification and reconditioning service including RFID tracking, inspection, cleaning, sanitizing, and replacement of rejected parts with OEM components; accepts both team and individual orders.
• Protector Program Discount program offering 15% savings on all Certor brands for verified military personnel, first responders, and teachers, with verification handled through VerifyPass.
• VICIS Gift Card Gift cards available in denominations starting at $25, allowing recipients to choose their preferred VICIS products.

Quantifiable outcome

• ZERO2 Youth scored over 3.5x better than the average 5-Star youth helmet in Virginia Tech's Youth Helmet Rating System
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered parent company, minor, core and regional.

• Certor Sportsparent companyOthersVICIS is a brand within the Certor Sports family of brands, which includes Schutt and Tucci. VICIS is based just outside of Indianapolis, IN as part of Certor's portfolio of sports equipment companies.
• Elite 11minorGTM or Marketing PartnerElite 11 is featured as a trusted partner on VICIS's website, indicating a marketing or promotional partnership for quarterback development and visibility.
• NFHS (National Federation of State High School Associations)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerNFHS is featured as a trusted partner on VICIS's website, providing credibility and reach into high school sports programs across the United States.
• Indianapolis ColtsregionalGTM or Marketing PartnerNFL franchise featured as a trusted partner on VICIS's website, indicating local/regional partnership with the professional team in VICIS's home market.
• American Youth FootballcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAmerican Youth Football (AYF) is featured as a trusted partner, indicating a partnership focused on youth football development and equipment access.
• USA FootballcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerUSA Football, the U.S. Olympic Committee's recognized governing body for American football, is featured as a trusted partner on VICIS's website.
• Virginia Tech Helmet LabcoreTechnology or IntegrationVirginia Tech Helmet Lab provides independent safety testing and ratings for VICIS helmets, with the ZERO2 platform consistently receiving 5-star ratings across all models.
• NFL/NFLPAcoreTechnology or IntegrationNFL and NFLPA conduct annual helmet laboratory testing in which VICIS ZERO2 helmets consistently rank among the top performers, including top-5 rankings in 2026 testing.
• NOCSAE / NAERAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVICIS is a NAERA member licensed by NOCSAE, meeting and exceeding industry standards for helmet reconditioning. All ZERO2 shells carry a lifetime warranty based on NAERA's 10-year helmet lifespan mandate.
• VerifyPassminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVerifyPass provides verification services for VICIS's Protector Program, enabling military personnel, first responders, and teachers to access 15% discounts.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Riddell: Riddell is the dominant football helmet manufacturer (SpeedFlex, Axiom, Revo Speed) and competes head-to-head with VICIS across NFL, NCAA, and high school channels. Both companies target the same premium-rated helmet category and rely on Virginia Tech and NFL/NFLPA testing for differentiation.
• Schutt Sports: Schutt Sports is a sister brand within the Certor Sports portfolio (alongside VICIS and Tucci) and directly competes in football helmets and protective equipment. Despite shared ownership, the two brands compete in team sales channels, creating internal portfolio dynamics.
• Xenith: Xenith is a premium football helmet brand (XG2, Shadow) using adaptive fit technology and competing in the same high-end varsity and youth category as VICIS. Both brands emphasize independent safety ratings and premium positioning versus legacy incumbents.
• SG Helmets: SG Helmets manufactures football helmets in the USA, competing with VICIS in the varsity and youth categories with a focus on quality domestic manufacturing. Direct competitor for school district and team-level procurement decisions.

Emerging players

• Battle Sports: Battle Sports produces football protective equipment including shoulder pads, gloves, and accessories, overlapping with VICIS's expansion beyond helmets. Targets similar team sales channels at the high school and youth levels.
• EvoShield: EvoShield (owned by Wilson/Brigade) makes protective sports gear including compression shirts with protective inserts, directly overlapping with VICIS's padded compression apparel line. Targets similar athlete and team buyer personas across football and baseball.

Broad incumbents

• Rawlings: Rawlings is a broad sporting goods manufacturer (baseball, softball, football, basketball) with overlapping football helmet and team equipment offerings. Operates at much larger scale across multiple sports categories with established team dealer channels.
• Wilson Sporting Goods: Wilson is a major broad-line sporting goods manufacturer (footballs, basketballs, tennis, baseball) that also produces football protective equipment including helmets and gloves. Reaches team sales channels through deep relationships with schools and leagues.

Others

• Bauer Hockey: Bauer is a leading hockey helmet and protective equipment manufacturer, adjacent to VICIS in the broader protective headgear category. Comparable in applying engineering and safety testing rigor to protective equipment, though serving a different sport.
• Certor Sports: Certor Sports is VICIS's parent company and the strategic operating entity that also owns Schutt Sports and Tucci. Relevant as the controlling owner shaping VICIS's go-to-market, distribution, and capital allocation decisions.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/VicisPro
• Facebookfacebook.com/vicispro
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vicis-inc-

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds11 records

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about VICIS