Frequently Asked Questions

If you have questions about your Q-Collar, sizing, or bulk orders, you’ve come to the right place.

Sizing

How do I choose the correct size Q-Collar?

Accurate measurement is important to selecting the right size Q-Collar for you. Start by using a soft measuring tape to measure the middle of the neck. Make sure it is snug with zero slack between the tape and neck. Measure three times and use the smallest measurement. If you do not have access to a soft measuring tape, consider using a shoelace or string, then holding it against a ruler.

We do not recommend using a shirt size for this measurement.

Product Overview

How does the Q-Collar work?

The Q-Collar is a simple and safe device that applies light pressure to the neck. This pressure causes a partial occlusion to the jugular veins and a slight increase of blood volume inside the head and helps reduce the brain’s movement upon impact, which is the primary cause of brain injury. Similar to a seatbelt in a car, the Q-Collar helps to keep the brain more secure during impacts. The Q-Collar does not reduce blood circulation or blood flow through the carotid arteries.

How does the Q-Collar compare to other head protection equipment?

What sports can the Q-Collar be used for?

The Q-Collar is designed for any sport or activity where an athlete is at risk of head impacts.

To date, we know of athletes wearing the Q-Collar in football, lacrosse, soccer, hockey, skiing, snowboarding, basketball, volleyball, track & field, bobsled, skeleton, luge, equestrian, rugby, baseball, softball, field hockey, water polo, bull riding, surfing, roller derby, car racing, MMA, boxing & other combat sports!

Visit our Instagram to see the athletes helping protect themselves with the Q-Collar in action.

Which leagues and organizations allow usage of the Q-Collar?

Usage of the Q-Collar is permitted by numerous sports leagues or organizations, including: 

The National Football League, Major League Soccer, National Women’s Soccer League, National Hockey League, Major League Baseball, NCAA, USA Lacrosse, National Federation of High Schools (all sports except wrestling), Canadian Football League, Pop Warner, International Bobsleigh & Skeleton Federation, in addition to other youth and club sports organizations throughout the country.

The US FDA and Health Canada have authorized the Q-Collar for use by all athletes ages 13 and over.

Will the Q-Collar interfere with or prevent me from wearing other equipment?

The Q-Collar is not likely to interfere with existing equipment. The Q-Collar can and should be worn with other protective equipment. It sits comfortably below any helmets, above any shoulder pads and fits comfortably under a hockey athlete’s existing neck guard. It has no impact on the effectiveness or usage of your other equipment.

How does the Q-Collar fit with a laceration guard?

The Q-Collar seamlessly fits with all hockey neck / laceration guards without impacting the functionality of either piece of equipment. The Q-Collar should be worn under the guard.

Is there any evidence the Q-Collar causes athletes to play more recklessly?

There is no evidence that athletes wearing the Q-Collar take additional risks or play more aggressively versus those who do not wear it. During clinical trials, more than 500,000 total impacts were recorded and analyzed. The data collected during the clinical trials indicate that the number and magnitude of impacts were comparable between athletes who were wearing the Q-Collar and those who were not.

Does the Q-Collar come in other colors?

There are currently three options for the Q-Collar. There is the standard grey and two versions of our Tactical product – Blackout & Multicam.

For additional color options, there are 13 different Q-Collar Sleeve colors that can help you match your uniform.

Research & Testing

Has the Q-Collar been researched?

Yes! The Q-Collar was the subject of 28 independent pre-clinical and clinical studies over 10 years performed by leading research institutions in the US and Canada including Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, NorthShore University Health, Boston Children’s Hospital, West Virginia University and the University of Cincinnati.

This extensive body of research led to FDA clearance in 2021, validating that the Q-Collar is both safe and effective. In fact, The Q-Collar was proven to reduce the likelihood of brain damage from contact sports by 66% over a season of play.

In addition to offering protection from injuries caused by head impacts, the Q-Collar is currently being studied for its potential to help soldiers be better protected from brain injuries caused by blast waves as well as for additional medical uses, such as aiding with POTS symptoms.

You can review all the Q-Collar published research studies
here.

What does FDA-Clearance of the Q-Collar mean?

"FDA-Cleared” reflects the highest level of review and authorization by the FDA for a non-invasive, low-risk device like the Q-Collar.


The FDA reserves use of the word “approved” for high-risk devices, such as a pacemaker. Following its thorough evaluation of the independent research, the FDA announced that the Q-Collar (a Class 2 medical device) safely and effectively “provides an additional piece of protective equipment athletes can wear when playing sports to help protect their brains from the effects of repetitive head impacts.”

Ordering

Can I order the Q-Collar for my team?

Yes! Team orders and pricing are available. Please enter some info on our Team Sales page and we'll reach out to you as soon as we can.

Is the Q-Collar FSA or HSA eligible?

While plans may differ, because the Q-Collar is an over-the-counter(OTC) Class II Medical Device, the purchase of your Q-Collar is eligible for payment from either your flexible spending account (FSA*) and health savings account (HSA**).  For convenience, you should use your FSA or HSA card.  However, your account administrator may request a copy of your receipt. If you do not have an FSA or HSA card, you can use your regular credit or debit card and submit the receipt to your account administrator for reimbursement from your FSA or HSA.

*An FSA is an employer offered benefit that lets you set aside pre-tax income so you can save money on qualified health purchases including OTC products, prescriptions, vision health essentials, and much more. 

**An HSA is a tax-advantaged medical savings account available to taxpayers in the United States who are enrolled in a high-deductible health plan.  

Is free or expedited shipping available?

Yes! Q30 offers free domestic shipping for qualifying orders of $35 USD $60 CAD or over. Expedited shipping is available at cost.

For more information on our shipping policies, click here.

Are there any retail locations where I can try on and purchase a Q-Collar?

Yes! See our growing list of retailer locations below.

California

  • Belmont - SlingIt! Lacrosse
  • Danville - SlingIt! Lacrosse
  • San Rafael - SlingIt! Lacrosse
  • Solana Beach - Lacrosse Unlimited
  • Westlake Village - Lacrosse Unlimited

Colorado

  • Colorado Springs - SCHEELS
  • Highlands Ranch - Lacrosse Unlimited
  • Johnstown - SCHEELS

Connecticut

  • Danbury - Lacrosse Unlimited
  • Fairfield - Lacrosse Unlimited
  • Greenwich - Lacrosse Unlimited
  • Madison - Lacrosse Unlimited
  • Newington - Lacrosse Unlimited
  • Norwalk - Lacrosse Unlimited

Florida

  • Boca Raton - Lacrosse Unlimited
  • Jacksonville Beach - Lacrosse Unlimited

Georgia

  • Cumming - Lacrosse Unlimited

Hawaii

  • Aeia - Xtreme Sports Hawaii

Idaho

  • Meridian - SCHEELS

Illinois

  • Naperville - Tama Lacrosse

Iowa

  • Coralville - SCHEELS
  • West Des Moines - SCHEELS

Kansas

  • Overland Park - SCHEELS

Maryland

  • Annapolis - Lacrosse Unlimited
  • Bel Air - Lacrosse Unlimited
  • Bethesda - Woodmont Sports
  • Bethesda - PJ's Soccer/Lacrosse
  • Rockville - Lacrosse Unlimited
  • Timonium - Lacrosse Unlimited

Massachusetts

  • Burlington - Lacrosse Unlimited
  • Danvers - Lacrosse Unlimited
  • Franklin - Lacrosse Unlimited
  • Longmeadow - Lacrosse Unlimited
  • Wellesley - Lacrosse Unlimited
  • Weymouth - Lacrosse Unlimited

Minnesota

  • Eden Prairie - SCHEELS
  • Rochester - SCHEELS

Montana

  • Billings - SCHEELS
  • Missoula - Lacrossewolf

Nebraska

  • Lincoln - SCHEELS
  • Omaha - SCHEELS

Nevada

  • Sparks - SCHEELS

New Jersey

  • Cedar Grove - Lacrosse Unlimited
  • Madison - Lacrosse Unlimited
  • Princeton - Lacrosse Unlimited
  • Red Bank - Lacrosse Unlimited
  • Ridgewood - Lacrosse Unlimited

New York

  • Babylon - Lacrosse Unlimited
  • Bronxville - Lacrosse Unlimited
  • Garden City - Lacrosse Unlimited
  • Huntington - Lacrosse Unlimited
  • Latham - Precision Lacrosse
  • Manhasset - Lacrosse Unlimited
  • Miller Place - Lacrosse Unlimited
  • Mount Kisco - Lacrosse Unlimited
  • Rochester - Lacrosse Unlimited
  • Rockville Centre - Lacrosse Unlimited
  • Sayville - Lacrosse Unlimited
  • Smithtown - Lacrosse Unlimited
  • Syracuse - Play It Again Sports
  • Wantagh - Lifestyles Sports
  • Wantagh - Lacrosse Unlimited

North Carolina

  • Cary - Lacrosse Unlimited
  • Charlotte - Lacrosse Unlimited

North Dakota

  • Fargo - SCHEELS
  • Minot - SCHEELS

Ohio

  • Columbus - Lacrosse Unlimited

Pennsylvania

  • Ardmore - Lacrosse Unlimited
  • Horsham - Lacrosse Unlimited
  • Paoli - Lacrosse Unlimited

South Dakota

  • Sioux Falls - SCHEELS

Texas

  • Austin - Lacrosse Unlimited
  • Houston - Lacrosse Unlimited
  • Plano - Lacrosse Unlimited
  • The Colony - SCHEELS

Utah

  • Sandy - SCHEELS

Virginia

  • Alexandria - Lacrosse Unlimited
  • Leesburg - Lacrosse Unlimited
  • McLean - Madlax
  • Vienna - Lacrosse Unlimited

Washington

  • Bellevue - Lacrossewolf
  • Seattle - Lacrossewolf

Wisconsin

  • Brookfield - Lax Shack
  • New Berlin - Burghardt Sporting Goods

What is the Q-Collar’s return policy?

If you’re not completely satisfied with your purchase, you will receive a full refund upon receipt of your returned order, as long as the product is not damaged or misshapen and is returned in its original packaging and with accessories within 30 days.

How do I initiate an exchange of my Q-Collar?

If your Fit Check tool indicates you have the incorrect size, you may exchange your Q-Collar at no charge for the right size within thirty (30) days of receipt. Return shipping and handling are included. Please contact customerservice@q30.com to initiate your exchange. 

Sharing a photo of the wearer of the Q-Collar along with the fit check tool for our team to assess the fit will help expedite the process.

Our Athletes, Partners & News

What are Q-Collar customers saying about the product?

Over 25,000 athletes and servicemembers have already added the Q-Collar to their gear with virtually no reported concerns on the safety or effectiveness of the Collar. In fact, wearers of the Q-Collar have noted experiencing fewer headaches, less fogginess, and more clarity during and after competition since beginning to wear it.

To hear more from our athletes and customers like yourself, visit our blog, YouTube page and see reviews on our product pages.

What athletes do Q30 work with?

To see the amazing athlete partners we work with across sports, visit our ambassador page.

All of our partners opted to begin wearing the Q-Collar prior to becoming affiliated with our company. We want our athlete partners to speak authentically to their experience!

Is this what I saw Luke Kuechly wearing a few years ago?

Yes! Luke began wearing the Q-Collar in 2017 while the product was still going through the FDA review process. To learn more about Luke's experience with the Q-Collar, check out our interview with him here.

What is Q30’s relationship with the Premier Lacrosse League?

Q30, and its product the Q-Collar, is a Proud Partner of the Premier Lacrosse League. The partnership began for the 2022 season and recognizes Q30 as the Brain Injury Protection Partner of the PLL.

Does Q30 have relationships with other organizations?

Q30 is proud to partner with some of the premier organizations and universities in sports and military capacities who believe in our mission to help protect the brains of those at risk. Q30 is currently partnered with:

Where can I read news stories about the Q-Collar?

The Q-Collar has been covered on a variety of outlets such as ESPN, The Athletic, Yahoo!, USA Today, CNN, Bloomberg, CBS Sports, FOX, ABC, Sports Business Journal and more. To see some of the coverage we’ve received, check out our news page!

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For other questions, please call us.

203-349-9643