SoftShox is a hydraulic impact protection technology designed to reduce the forces transmitted during an impact. Unlike traditional foam-only systems, SoftShox adapts to changing impacts in real time, helping provide protection across a wide range of impact conditions. SoftShox has been developed over the past decade by doctors, scientists, and engineers and originated from research in Stanford, California, supported by National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding.

Most protective equipment relies on foam, which is typically optimized for specific test conditions. SoftShox uses wearable hydraulic technology that continuously adapts to different impact angles, blows, and conditions. The result is protection that is designed for the variability of real-world impacts—not just laboratory tests.

No product can prevent all concussions and SoftShox does not claim to eliminate concussion risk. However, SoftShox is designed to reduce the forces that reach the head during impacts. Reducing those forces is an important part of improving athlete protection.

The Guardian FLEX™ SoftShox Chinstrap is the first football chinstrap specifically designed to reduce impact forces.  It combines Guardian Sports' expertise in athlete safety with SoftShox hydraulic technology to help absorb forces from facemask impacts before they reach the athlete's head.

Research shows that approximately 50% of football helmet impacts involve the facemask area. Traditional helmet innovation has focused primarily on other parts of the helmet, leaving a significant opportunity to improve protection where many impacts occur. The FLEX SoftShox Chinstrap was designed specifically to address that gap.

Yes. In laboratory testing at football-relevant impact speeds, the FLEX SoftShox Chinstrap achieved the lowest average HARM (Head Acceleration Response Metric) score among the chinstraps tested. It reduced HARM by up to 35% compared with conventional chinstraps. The results were recently reported in the Annals of Biomedical Engineer, you can read the paper Here.

The FLEX SoftShox Chinstrap is compatible with most major football helmet brands and models and is available in multiple sizes. Always consult the manufacturer's sizing guide to ensure proper fit.

Yes. The FLEX SoftShox Chinstrap was designed to maintain or exceed the comfort, fit, and appearance of traditional premium football chinstraps while adding impact-reduction benefits. Athletes do not have to sacrifice comfort to gain additional protection.

SoftShox was created by a team of doctors, scientists, and engineers with expertise in biomechanics, brain injury research, and impact protection. The company was founded by Dr. David Camarillo, PhD, Dr. Gerry Grant, MD, and Gordon Avery and is headquartered in the Washington D.C. suburbs.

Products powered by SoftShox are designed to provide Adaptive Impact Protection using technology that cushions, absorbs, and manages energy differently than traditional systems. The mission is simple: help athletes stay safer without compromising comfort, fit, or performance.