The Quebec company Kollide took advantage of 2024 to begin a solid breakthrough in the United States, with its Gladiator ATK Football helmet, which found its way into the locker rooms of 24 NFL teams. Now its latest, the Apache, has risen to the top of an essential American reference ranking.
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The most recent model from the Montreal company innovating in protective structures was awarded a perfect 5-star rating in Virginia Tech’s helmet rankings.
This reinforces Kollide’s position as a leader in the field of effectiveness and safety in terms of protection against blows to the head. The thorny issue of concussions is a major issue in football and in sport in general.
“Virginia Tech is an independent laboratory that does impact tests on helmets. The people there test several sports equipment such as hockey, polo, cycling, skiing… Of course, for us, to be recognized as the number one helmet for football is an incredible accomplishment,” explained Kollide president Éric Gaudreau.
The tip of the iceberg
The Apache helmet, from Kollide, was awarded the highest rating in the Virginia Tech rankings.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY KOLLIDE
The Quebec company uses 3D printed structure technology for its helmets, with the material for the interior of the helmets being made from recyclable materials.
With its new Apache model, Kollide sought to significantly reduce the weight of the helmet, while finding the perfect balance between comfort and safety.
It’s clearly mission accomplished, in light of the results conferred by Virginia Tech’s ranking.
“The fact of arriving number one on an independent ranking which is recognized demonstrates that we can develop innovation through helmets and our objective for Kollide becomes to enter different sports. It can be in helmets, but also in all protective equipment,” noted Mr. Gaudreau.
In the NFL and elsewhere
The Golden Eagles of Dalbé-Viau secondary school are part of the school programs that trust the Gladiator ATK model, from Kollide.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY KOLLIDE
In the NFL, Kollide helmets are part of team inventory. The players then make their personal choice from the available stock and already, around fifteen of them have opted for the Gladiator TK model.
“The year 2024, with our commercial partner LIGHT Helmets, which distributes the technology in the United States, was an introductory year. In 2025, we are aiming for a year of conversion, therefore being able to increase the pool of players who will wear our helmets during training and official matches,” explained Éric Gaudreau.
Beyond the NFL, Kollide intends to seduce the Canadian market, both for the school component and for the college and university components.
“The NFL is our market in the professional sector. Our biggest goal is to bring our technology everywhere. That’s why we’re working hard to make helmets ever lighter and more affordable for Canada,” said the company’s president.
