Impact Protective Equipment signed an exclusive agreement with Under Armour to manufacture its football shoulder pads with Under Armours ArmourGrip performance fabric.
“We are extremely excited to bring Under Armours expertise in performance fabric into our line of football shoulder pads,” said Mark D. Monica, President and CEO of Impact Protective Equipment. “Under Armour is synonymous with performance, and the new ArmourGrip® fabric greatly enhances our shoulder pads , which in turn, will ultimately enhance player performance and safety.”
The new shoulder pad was tested on two teams in the NFL during the 2006 season. It is now available to the public on Impacts website, and select sporting goods dealers throughout the world. The ArmourGrip performance fabric will be used on Impacts Pro Model pad, its new Interscholastic Model pad designed for the high school and junior high school levels of play, and pad accessories such as neck rolls and rib protectors.
According to the company, the ArmourGrip fabric keeps the shoulder pad from shifting on the players body during contact, wicks the perspiration away from the body and into the pad, and also produces a lighter-weight piece of equipment. Players will notice a significant increase in movement and mobility, and a significant decrease in shoulder pad weight.
“Performance is key to any athlete, and it is important for Under Armour to work with companies that have the same dedication and commitment to the athlete as we do,” says Tim Dennis, Director of Licensing of Under Armour. “Impact has taken player protection and performance to the next level, and were very pleased to play a role in the success of its unique and innovative design.”
