My Hunt for a Helmet

[Hockey Player 0]

Hi all.

My search for a new helmet isn't going anywhere fast.

I've been looking at the Intake and the 6k for a really long time, and just recently added 2 Nike Bauer models to my search.

Thanks to many people here, the 4500, and by myself, the 8500.

Yes, I know it's ugly, but I've heard many people love it, and never had problems.

I've read the reviews here, and some on epuck and epinions, but I don't think it's enough. I'd love to get as much information as possible on all lids listed here...especially those NBH ones.

Thanks,

Hockey Player

[GSHL99 0]

It's a hockey helmet, not a 500,000 dollar investment. Go to a LHS, try on several, pick the one that fits best and buy it.

[Monty22 835]

Is there a shop near you where you could try them on and determine which one(s) fits your head the best? This would likley narrow your search very quickly.

[trevor13478 1]

if you don't mind the style, id say go with the intake, i have one myself and i love it, it took me a while to grow acustomed to the looks but now i love it, it fits me like a glove and is very comfortable. The best advice i can give you however is to go to your LHS and try them all on, helmets will all fit differently, you just have to find the one that fits your head the best.

[kredmore 2]

It's a hockey helmet, not a 500,000 dollar investment. Go to a LHS, try on several, pick the one that fits best and buy it.

well put.....it's too easy sometimes to let "research" spin out of control.

[bombit 0]

My Intake looks goofy, but I've never owned a better helmet for comfort and protection.

[Hazard14 0]

if money isnt an issue, id go for the intake, nice helmet that has good protection and comfort, but if it is go for the Itech hc100 (i believe) its the same helmet with a different logo and alot cheaper

[Panther16 0]

intake!

[Fury of One 6]

Try out a 4K. I recently picked one up and I gotta say it's one of the best fitting helmets I've owned and I've owned a CCM 652, Bauer 4000 & 5000, 8K. I'm not a fan of the EPP foam and the VN is so much more comfortable.

[Chadd 916]

Is there a shop near you where you could try them on and determine which one(s) fits your head the best? This would likley narrow your search very quickly.

That just about sums it up right there.

[Quintin 16]

Rbk helmets tend to be pretty comfy. I made the mistake of getting a Bauer 8000 online. Then an LHS opened and tried on a 6k helmet. My god, I wish I had bought that instead!

Moral of the story??

GO TO YOUR LHS :D

[Doctor Hook 0]

4500 helmet is the best bucket I've ever used. Very protective, lightweight, good airflow, looks great, good price. I'll also never get tired of pimping it in helmet threads.

[hunterphfr 12]

Intake

pros very light, very comfortable, breathes incredibly well

con damn locky thing at base of back of head means you can't

comfortably push it back on your head at all, not even on

the bench... no wonder crosby doesn't wear one

[duch 0]

For protection nothing beats the top end Nike/Bauer high end helmets. The 4500,5000,5500,8000 and 8500 are all very good helmets. I also recommnend the Mission Intake. You will need to decide which on is more comfortable for you as that is a personal preference issue. I prefer the comfort of my 8500 helmet but I also wear the Intake which has excellent air circulation. The Bauer top end models tend to be a little heavier than others on the market but for the extra protection they are well worth consideration.

[trevor13478 1]

no wonder crosby doesn't wear one

that and maybe the whole RBK deal ;)

[hunterphfr 12]

no wonder crosby doesn't wear one

that and maybe the whole RBK deal ;)

Reebok pays him to wear that? :o (sarcasm)

[colt45 0]

It's a hockey helmet, not a 500,000 dollar investment. Go to a LHS, try on several, pick the one that fits best and buy it.

well put.....it's too easy sometimes to let "research" spin out of control.

yes but then again, for a 15 yr. old who refs to get money, 100 could seem like a lot of money.

plus he doesn't want a helmet thet fits good at the store but falls apart quickly...

I'm not defending a ton of research, but a litttle research is good...

He should've added a poll, that would've helped a lot.

[Chadd 916]

It's a hockey helmet, not a 500,000 dollar investment. Go to a LHS, try on several, pick the one that fits best and buy it.

well put.....it's too easy sometimes to let "research" spin out of control.

yes but then again, for a 15 yr. old who refs to get money, 100 could seem like a lot of money.

plus he doesn't want a helmet thet fits good at the store but falls apart quickly...

I'm not defending a ton of research, but a litttle research is good...

He should've added a poll, that would've helped a lot.

A poll is nothing more than a popularity contest, it will give you no real information. It's much better to know what people think about a product, that also makes it easier to throw out comments that only relate to the appearance of the product.

[hockechamp14 0]

A poll is nothing more than a popularity contest, it will give you no real information. It's much better to know what people think about a product, that also makes it easier to throw out comments that only relate to the appearance of the product.

And on that note.... who was the idiot who modified the look of the 4000? Whoever at NBH who did that should be shot.

[Hudson14 0]

Get a 5000 or 5500 same thing. I love it, its light, protective, and air goes through it well as well as great vision with a cage. But go and try on what fits best to your head. But consider that bauer has been makeing helmets for as long as i can remember and others take there ideas from the old helmets made by jofa, and bauer and ccm.

[cabreezy 0]

I have the 4000 and the 8500 and they are two completely different fits. I'd say the 8500 is more a snug fit and really cradles your head, while the 4000 for me is a little wider and looser. I own both in a senior small. I'mnot sure about the technicalities but if you like the feel of the 4000/4500 and the look of the 8500 then you might want to consider this prostock helmet I found while searching ebay, its apparently an 8000 bucket with 4000 padding (sorry if this was posted in another thread).

http://cgi.ebay.com/BRAND-NEW-PRO-STOCK-BA...1QQcmdZViewItem

[Monty22 835]

A poll is nothing more than a popularity contest, it will give you no real information. It's much better to know what people think about a product, that also makes it easier to throw out comments that only relate to the appearance of the product.

And on that note.... who was the idiot who modified the look of the 4000? Whoever at NBH who did that should be shot.

Do you mean adding the indentations around the adjustment screws to solve the shell cracking issue? I ‘m not sure what purpose the ridge down the back serves, but it’s really minor as well. I don’t get what you have a beef with.

[JR Boucicaut 3805]

A poll is nothing more than a popularity contest, it will give you no real information. It's much better to know what people think about a product, that also makes it easier to throw out comments that only relate to the appearance of the product.

And on that note.... who was the idiot who modified the look of the 4000? Whoever at NBH who did that should be shot.

He posts on MSH.

[Sven 1]

Whoever at NBH who did that should be shot.

He posts on MSH.

Haha, thats bad luck, champ!

[Hockey Player 0]

I have the 4000 and the 8500 and they are two completely different fits. I'd say the 8500 is more a snug fit and really cradles your head, while the 4000 for me is a little wider and looser. I own both in a senior small. I'mnot sure about the technicalities but if you like the feel of the 4000/4500 and the look of the 8500 then you might want to consider this prostock helmet I found while searching ebay, its apparently an 8000 bucket with 4000 padding (sorry if this was posted in another thread).

http://cgi.ebay.com/BRAND-NEW-PRO-STOCK-BA...1QQcmdZViewItem

Why would you want to buy that? The 8500 is ugly, while the 4500 is the best looking lid out there.

BTW, yes, going to a local hockey shop would shorten my list, but I always do research. I want to see the one many people reccomend, or think is the most protective, light and that has great ventilation. I'll go check this week (earliest) or whenever this summer before I get back on the ice.

Thanks alot for your posts.