Explore the Hedkayse R5 Rugby Headguard, featuring innovative Enkayse® foam. Since 2015, we've led head safety advancements, working with experts to innovate in head safety. Our headguard offers exceptional performance, full head coverage, and customisability. Learn about our journey, discover the 'why' and see our rigorous testing, as we commit to innovating, educating, and safeguarding rugby players.
Head injuries in rugby, and other sports, can take various forms, each with unique implications for player health and safety. It's crucial to understand the different types of head and brain injuries to better mitigate their risks.
While mild traumatic brain injuries (concussions) prompt immediate actions such as recognise & remove, adhering to return-to-play protocols, and the principle of 'If in doubt, sit it out'; non-concussive impacts often go unnoticed or are dismissed. Despite their subtlety, these impacts still contribute to the cumulative risk of developing CTE and other neurodegenerative diseases.
A headguard can only offer mitigation for 1 of the 3 causes of brain injury. Safer tackle height & technique, reducing contact load, increasing neck strength and many other measures all help mitigate against head injuries.
4 types of head & brain injury
4 types of head & brain injury
Head injuries in rugby can take various forms, each with unique implications for player health and safety. It's crucial to understand the different types of head and brain injuries to better mitigate their risks.
Skull Fractures: While extremely rare, skull fractures can occur from severe impacts to the head. These are the most serious type of head injury and require immediate medical attention.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) / Concussions: Concussions are the most commonly recognised form of head injury in rugby. They occur when the normal functioning of the brain is temporarily disrupted due to an impact or jolt to the head.
Non-Concussive / Subclinical TBIs: These are head impacts that do not result in obvious concussion symptoms but can still cause damage to the brain. They are often missed or dismissed, but can contribute to long-term neurological issues.
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) and Other Neurodegenerative Diseases: Repeated head impacts (RHI) and head acceleration events (HEA) over time have been linked to the development of CTE and other neurodegenerative conditions. Minimising the total 'head injury debt' is crucial to mitigate these long-term risks.
NHS - Causes of CTE
NHS - Causes of CTE
If you've had repeated blows to the head or concussions over many years, you may have a higher chance of getting chronic traumatic encephalopathy.
You're most at risk if you:
regularly played contact sports, such as boxing, martial arts, football, rugby and American football
served in the military and have had blast injuries
have been physically assaulted often, such as from domestic violence
Anyone who's had repeated head injuries is at risk, but not everyone will get it.
It's thought the only way to lower your risk of getting CTE is to avoid repeated head injuries.
For example, you can do this by wearing the correct protective equipment for any sports you play and making sure head injuries are treated properly.
Repeated Head Impacts (RHI) and Head Acceleration Events (HAE), which occur from both traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and non-concussive impacts, have been linked to the development of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE).
The cumulative effect of these injuries can be likened to 'compound interest' - each impact adds to the overall risk of long-term damage. Therefore, minimising the total lifetime 'head injury debt' is essential in mitigating the potential risks of CTE and other neurodegenerative diseases.
Cause and mitigation
Cause and mitigation
Brain injuries in rugby can arise from three primary causes: direct linear impact, rotational impact, and whiplash. Each of these causes requires specific strategies for mitigation.
Direct Linear Impact: This occurs when a direct impact is made to the head. Can be mitigated with a force diffusion / load spread headguard.
Rotational Impact: A glancing blow to the head can cause rotational forces. These cannot currently be mitigated by any form of 'protection'.
Whiplash: A referral injury, caused by contact elsewhere on the body that leads to a snapping motion of the head, an HEA. Strengthening the neck can help to mitigate the effects of whiplash by providing better support and stability.
A headguard can only offer mitigation for 1 of the 3 causes of brain injury. Other strategies such as enforcing safer tackling techniques, reducing tackle height, and minimising contact load are crucial in mitigating the risks associated with brain injuries.
Anything that can be done to reduce head impacts to a level below non-concussive threshold is to be applauded.”
— Dr. Marshall Garrett MbChB, L/RAMC, MEWI, MIDFHonorary Clinical Senior Lecturer,University of Glasgow School of Medicine
'Play like you are not wearing it'
No headguard can claim to prevent concussions.
The R5 aims to mitigate non-concussive load & ‘rugby incidents’
Are headguards needed?
What do youth level parents think?
Independent research conducted by The British College of Osteopathic Medicine (BCOM). 176 parents & 131 coaches March-April 2023
79%
Of parents expressed concerns that their child could suffer a potential brain injury from playing rugby
36%
Of parents believed traditional scrum caps protected the brain from concussion (They don't!)
World Rugby Regulations
World Rugby's Law 4 Regulation 12: “When tested in accordance with the procedures specified in Section 4.3, the peak acceleration of impacts delivered to test locations shall not be less than 200g."
Realistic rugby impacts
Regulatory implications
World Rugby Regulation 12 states that headguards cannot reduce impact forces from 530g to below 200g. Reg 12 headguards are designed to protect against cuts, abrasions and cauliflower ears only. They are not designed to provide impact protection. This limit is significantly above the accepted concussion threshold of 95g. Ideally, head and brain protection should target impact reduction below 95g, minimizing the potential for brain injuries associated with impacts.
The reality of rugby impacts
What constitutes a realistic impact in rugby remains currently unknown, although there are many trials and research studies underway. However, 530g figure has never been practically experienced; it represents a scenario where two 140kg players sprint into each other at 12m/s (no human can run this fast) stopping head-on in 0.02 seconds - it is a red herring in practical terms.
Necessary impact reductions
Currently the highest recorded impact from an instrumented mouth guard is around 200g. Both the medical community and head protection standards advocate for reducing impacts below 250g and as low as possible. We've accounted for some flexibility by measuring impact mitigation starting from 300g and at body temperature, ensuring a more realistic criteria and results.
Our impact data
Independent impact testing on the HK R5 and 5 others on the market.
Impact data verified by independent expert Dr. William G Proud, Director of the Institute of Shock Physics & Reader of Shock Physics at Imperial College London, through Imperial Consultants.
Best sellers
Best sellers
A number of headguards on the market make claims about protection.
Rhino Pro - "Rhino Pro Headguard provides unbeatable protection against head injuries."
Body Armour Ventilator - "Offering the best protection available. Protects major head impact zones."
Canterbury Raze - "...more protection… The durable 360 padding absorbs high impacts from every angle."
Gilbert Air - ""...the best high performance head guards available...provides excellent shock absorption in key contact areas such as the temple"
N-Pro - "The only rugby headguard that reduces impacts to the head by up to 75%. Impact protection that’s 4x better."
Impact sites
Impact sites
Independent testing covered 5 main impact sites, at 300g impacts and at body temperature. (Wearing a headguard means it will be at body temperature)
Occipital lobe
Vertex (crown)
Frontal lobe
Temporal lobe (left)
Temporal lobe (right)E
Each site was impacted 5 times per headguard and the average impact result was recorded.
The results
The results
When tested from 300g at body temperature, different headguard materials show varying levels of impact reduction across different parts of the head.
Headguards using EVA foams, commonly found in most headguards, averaged an impact reduction to 207.2g, with the highest impact reduction in the frontal lobe (190.0g) and the least in the occipital lobe (278.0g).
The Defentex material (used in N-Pro headguards) achieved an average impact reduction to 121.8g, demonstrating notable protection, especially in the frontal lobe (57.8g).
The Enkayse® 5mm material, utilized in Hedkayse R5, consistently reduced impacts across all areas, averaging 72.0g, with the most significant reduction in the RHS temporal lobe (69.9g) and occipital lobe (78.4g).
This data demonstrates the benefits of Enkayse® as a performance foam, working at body temperature, and the design of the R5 which covers the entirety of the head.
What makes the R5 different?
Designing the Ultimate Headguard: A Collaborative Approach
The mission to create an advanced, unparalleled headguard began with the Design Council, a diverse group of unpaid and independent former and current players, coaches, referees, doctors, surgeons, designers, and engineers.
Together, they explored how to design a headguard from scratch, focusing on addressing key issues and features to create unparalleled comfort and performance - the ultimate headguard.
Comprehensive coverage
With full head coverage, the headguard never leaves any area exposed beyond 10mm. The absence of lacing and dedicated occipital lobe coverage, ensures no weak areas across all critical head zones.
Ventilation and awareness
Superior ventilation in the headguard enhances player comfort, allowing them to maintain focus. Importantly, the design ensures zero reduction in hearing and full visibility so you can always hear your teammates...and the ref!
Revolutionary Enkayse® foam
The headguard features our innovative load-spreading foam that distributes impact effectively and at body temperature. The design design meets World Rugby standards, making it suitable for both training and competitive matches.
Hedkayse R5: Innovation in Head Protection
The Hedkayse R5 stands out with its unique design, reflecting its commitment to innovative head protection. As a PPE Category I product and a member of the British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF), it is approved under World Rugby Regulation 12.
While the HK R5 is not a silver bullet solution to head impact concerns, it represents a vital component of a broader strategy. Alongside education, awareness, proper tackle techniques, neck strength, recovery protocols and more, the HK R5 contributes to a comprehensive approach to player safety. Our design philosophy, 'Play like you are not wearing it,' underscores our commitment to comfort and functionality. No headguard can claim to prevent concussions, the HK R5 aims to mitigate non-concussive impacts and everyday rugby incidents, aligning with the mission to Innovate, Educate, and Protect.
