# LIGHT Helmets

> LIGHT Helmets is a Carlsbad, California company that builds football and flag-football helmets weighing roughly half what traditional helmets weigh. Founded when former racecar driver Nicholas Esayian bought the assets of a legendary racing-helmet maker, the company borrows materials from the military, aviation, and motorsport to cut mass - and, it argues, the kinetic energy that drives secondary head impacts. Its Apache model is now the highest-rated football helmet Virginia Tech has ever tested, and the helmets sit in dozens of NFL and college locker rooms while the company chases a market dominated by two giants.

- **Founded:** 2018
- **Headquarters:** Carlsbad, California, United States
- **Founders:** Nicholas Esayian (CEO and Founder), Justin Bert (Co-founder and COO), Joseph Hegener (Co-founder / Investor)
- **Team size:** ~27 employees
- **Products:** Apache / Apache Pro, Apache Lightning / Apache Tomahawk, LS-1 / LS2 helmets, SS1 Soft-Shell Headgear, Youth helmet line
- **Notable:** Apache named the #1 rated football helmet ever tested by Virginia Tech (December 2024), Apache Pro named top-performing new helmet in NFLPA/NFL testing (2025), SS1 ranked #1 by Virginia Tech for flag-football / 7v7 head protection

## Products & services

- **Apache / Apache Pro** — Flagship varsity football helmet. Rated the #1 football helmet ever tested by Virginia Tech (Dec 2024) and named top-performing new helmet in NFLPA/NFL testing (2025).
- **Apache Lightning / Apache Tomahawk** — Varsity and youth football helmet variants built on the lightweight LS platform.
- **LS-1 / LS2 helmets** — The LS family holds recognition as among the lightest varsity and youth football helmets in the world.
- **SS1 Soft-Shell Headgear** — Soft-shell headgear for flag football and 7v7, ranked #1 by Virginia Tech for flag-football head protection.
- **Youth helmet line** — A roughly $300 youth football helmet with a Virginia Tech 5-star rating, priced under $400-500 competitors.
- **Helmet reconditioning services** — Reconditioning and fit services to maintain certified performance over a helmet's life.

## Achievements

- Apache named the #1 rated football helmet ever tested by Virginia Tech (December 2024)
- Apache Pro named top-performing new helmet in NFLPA/NFL testing (2025)
- SS1 ranked #1 by Virginia Tech for flag-football / 7v7 head protection
- Multiple helmets awarded Virginia Tech 5-star ratings
- Recognized as maker of among the lightest varsity and youth football helmets in the world
- Adopted across roughly 28-30 NFL locker rooms and dozens of NCAA programs

## Latest updates

- **2025-09** — Mater Dei High School partnered with LIGHT Helmets to enhance player safety and performance.
- **2025-04** — Apache Pro named the top-performing new helmet in NFLPA/NFL testing.
- **2024-12** — Apache earned Virginia Tech's #1 rating - the best-rated football helmet ever tested.
- **2024-03** — Closed $3.3M in debt financing to fund growth and U.S. manufacturing.

## Links

- Website: https://lighthelmets.com
- LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/light-helmets
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/TheLightHelmets
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/thelighthelmets

---

Profile page: https://yespress.io/light-helmets
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-08-20