Schutt Sports Begins Shipping All-New AiR XP™ Football Helmets

Litchfield, IL (PRWEB) May 19, 2008 -- Excited football players across the country will soon be getting their hands on one of the most anticipated new helmets in years - the AiR XP™ from Schutt Sports. The company has already begun shipping XPs, and teams across the country are putting them on their players as fast as they get them.

Many college and pro teams have already had the chance to get some playing time in the new AiR XP™ Helmets. Gus Granneman, Equipment Director for the New York Jets, got his hands on his set of AiR XP™ helmets a couple of weeks ago.

Schutt Sports rocked the football helmet industry by introducing two new helmets within the last seven months. The ION4D is a large standoff helmet that uses TPU Cushioning in the form of SKYDEX2®, while the AiR XP™ is a traditional helmet shell shape that also packs the TPU Cushioning. According to test results from independent research labs, the AiR XP™ absorbs up to 37% more impact than a Riddell® VSR-4 in game-like conditions. As opposed to the foam padding found in older traditional helmets, TPU Cushioning performs equally well at higher temperatures, does not take a compression set, eliminates the break-in period for the helmet and, unlike, is highly resistant to mold, bacteria and mildew.

"We've been overwhelmed by the demand for this helmet," says Mark Watts, Regional Sales Manager for Schutt Sports. "I've been here 18 years and have never seen reaction to a helmet like this. The NFL® teams are eating it up, as are the major college programs. We're sending them out the door as fast we can make them."

College teams have been so impressed with the AiR XP™ that they're buying bunches of them all at once. Traditionally, teams are cautious about adopting new helmets, buying a few here at a time, slowly acclimating their players to the new product. That's not the case with the AiR XP™. One major Division 1 program, for example, has purchased 60 of the helmets and already has plans in the works for more next year.

Other colleges that have lined up heavily with the AiR XP™ already include: USC, Michigan, Georgia, Tennessee, Air Force, Stanford, SMU, Oklahoma State, Boston College, Illinois, BYU, Texas A&M, South Florida, TCU, Kentucky and Wyoming. More are on the way, as sales indicators at the Division 1 level are overwhelming.

The AiR XP™ has also picked up a lot of traction at the team dealer level, both in the United States and internationally. Hayden's Athletic, in Montgomery, Illinois - near Chicago, received AiR XP™ helmets, which they plan to sell to high schools in their territory, as well as to collegiate and pro customers.

"We've had very good success pre-selling the AiR XP™," says Dave Cruz, of Hayden's Athletic. "Now that we have them in our hands, we'll fill existing orders for the helmet and really get out there and push. We think we'll be able to open some doors with the XP."

For those players who prefer the traditional helmet shell, the AiR XP™ is the perfect choice to help them perform at their best. And, thanks to some fantastic work by the manufacturing staff at Schutt Sports, the AiR XP™ is in the hands of players, coaches and equipment managers right now - ready to hit the field.

About Schutt Sports
Schutt Sports is the world's #1 maker of football helmets and faceguards and is the only football helmet maker to use TPU Cushioning in the form of SKYDEX2. Founded in 1918, Schutt Sports has poured technology and innovation in the products it makes for nearly a century. With three facilities across the United States, Schutt Sports makes products for football, baseball, softball, basketball and the collectibles markets. Schutt Sports is also the Official Base Supplier to Major League Baseball™, a position it's held since 1939.