cages

[blues_91 0]

I highly recommend trying out a cage in the store, because every face is different and you may have a bar running straight across your vision on one, but have better visibility through another.

That being said, I'd recommend the Jofa/CCM FM 480. Great protection, looks great and fits on any helmet, and won't break the bank.

I've tried black, white, and chrome, and I settled on chrome because it won't rust and it blends out nicely from a vision standpoint.

I couldn't get a 480 to fit on my Intake, nor could my LHS...

Interesting, what did you end up going with? One player in my league has an Intake with a Itech 908 I2 RBE VIII and it looks like a nice combo.

Ended up with a chrome Itech RBE III...next best looking cage IMO.

[sabre09923 0]

Weird. What size did you try blues? I've got a MD 480 on my small intake.

[blues_91 0]

I tried that exact same combo...for some reason the screws just wouldn't line up with the holes. I tried for a half hour or so at home, then brought it back to my LHS, and they couldn't get it on either...

[sabre09923 0]

It's no problem screwing/unscrewing the cage. I've got these funny plastic J Clips, but I don't know if that makes a difference.

[wrbush31 0]

I never had a problem using a black cage so I don't know how much I buy into the suggestions against it.

I definitely recomend wearing a cage over any other type of face protection. I wear an Oakley half shield but it's stupid of me and I wish I could just go back to my cage. I just struggle because I am not used to it. I need to grow up and be a sensible adult...

[Bmplam 1]

I have not used any face protection in years. I had a broken nose, cut cheek, split lip (met my in-laws for the 1st time with a stiched up lower lip)and a few bumps and bruises over the years. Then I stopped playing for 7 years or so. This past season (1st one back) I played beer league without a scratch. Then we played a tournament and I broke my nose. The next tournament a month later, I got my 2 front teeth pushed in and lip split open. There were alot of other guys holding bloody towels up up against their faces that weekend, so I figured that my luck had run dry and a cage was in order. I put on the chrome Jofa cage that came with my helmet. I have played 2 games with it and am amazed at how easy it is to adapt to. The hardest adjustment for me was the water bottle thing (lol). As far as cage color, I really like the chrome, but have no real frame of reference.

Sorry for the long post ...

[Hawes_4 0]

Should try the Itech Fantom Wire cage, You get the looks of the black cage but the vision of a white one.

I wear a half visor, but if I was to go to a cage, this would definately be the one.

[Jarick 5]

Love the Bauer True Vision cage. $40, it's got the thin oval wires, matte finish isn't distracting. I haven't noticed it since I bought it, except for all the pucks and sticks I've taken off the thing.

[wrbush31 0]

I had some buddy's on my college team with that Itech Fantom cage...they seemed to like it.

[Hockey Player 0]

Should try the Itech Fantom Wire cage, You get the looks of the black cage but the vision of a white one.

I wear a half visor, but if I was to go to a cage, this would definately be the one.

I used to use that before upgrading to the Bauer 4000 cage. I liked it. I hated the chrome cages because you get a glare from the lights in the Arena.

[lawryde 0]

I sweat like a damn faucet, and no matter what I was consistently either fogging or dripping on the half shield that I was using. Have since gone to an Itech Half Cage....and actually took a Dremel to a couple of the vertical bars directly in my line of sight. For me....works out perfectly.

Interesting... I've never thought to do that. Anyone think of any major danger to doing that?, other than a catastrophic failure of the cage. Butt end of a stick getting jammed in your face?

I might just take a hacksaw to a couple bars on my cage...

[fastbrother7 0]

I wouldnt play with anything less than a half shield, as I value my sight, and I have the worst luck with freak incidents. That being said, in my opinion the best cages out there are the old Jofa FM380 and CCM's like it and the new Itech titanium is really nice, but way to expensive for my liking. Half shields remind me of peewees, and I cant go that retro:)

[Spreedizzle 1]

I sweat like a damn faucet, and no matter what I was consistently either fogging or dripping on the half shield that I was using. Have since gone to an Itech Half Cage....and actually took a Dremel to a couple of the vertical bars directly in my line of sight. For me....works out perfectly.

Interesting... I've never thought to do that. Anyone think of any major danger to doing that?, other than a catastrophic failure of the cage. Butt end of a stick getting jammed in your face?

I might just take a hacksaw to a couple bars on my cage...

I did this to my cage 2 years ago (LOVE the cage now, been using it ever since) and have NEVER had anything get through there. I cut 3 of the vertical bars that would be in front of my eyes and across the top of my nose.....it is like I am not even wearing a cage. It would take a pretty perfect shot of a puck or stick to get in there....I'll take my chances.

:P

[lawryde 0]

I sweat like a damn faucet, and no matter what I was consistently either fogging or dripping on the half shield that I was using. Have since gone to an Itech Half Cage....and actually took a Dremel to a couple of the vertical bars directly in my line of sight. For me....works out perfectly.

Interesting... I've never thought to do that. Anyone think of any major danger to doing that?, other than a catastrophic failure of the cage. Butt end of a stick getting jammed in your face?

I might just take a hacksaw to a couple bars on my cage...

I did this to my cage 2 years ago (LOVE the cage now, been using it ever since) and have NEVER had anything get through there. I cut 3 of the vertical bars that would be in front of my eyes and across the top of my nose.....it is like I am not even wearing a cage. It would take a pretty perfect shot of a puck or stick to get in there....I'll take my chances.

:P

I agree. Goalies have larger openings in their masks and I would think the likleyhood of a butt-end hitting them in the eyes would be more likely than a player. The odds seem pretty slim that anything would happen if a few wires are cut out, as long as you don't go crazy with it. Usually I get hit in the lower cage by a stick or an odd bouncing puck anyway. Never have gotten a full slapshot blast to the face.

Looks like I'll be performing a little surgery tonight on my cage

:D

[TBLfan 25]

I believe the referees in usa hockey can warn you and keep you off the ice for a modification like that. I've seen some do it...

Hopefully someone that knows for sure can chime it.

[Hawes_4 0]

I think it depends on what league you are in, beacuse if you are required to use a certified cage, then it will no longer be certified if you cut out a bar. But if it is just a beer league then you should be fine.

Goalies that have the bigger spaces in the cage are using the cat-eye and is an illegal cage in some leagues.

[Spreedizzle 1]

I believe the referees in usa hockey can warn you and keep you off the ice for a modification like that. I've seen some do it...

Hopefully someone that knows for sure can chime it.

Official USA hockey rules state that any league requiring full face, or partial protection may NOT have any portion on that cage or visor altered in any way. Alteration will void any cages, or helmets (including removal of ear pieces) HECC certification and if you do get injured with a modified piece of equipment on, your supplemental health insurance through USA hockey will not be applicable.

[lawryde 0]

I'm just in a beer league so I'm not too worried.

[Hawes_4 0]

But it could also void your insurance (if you get insurance from your league) for doing so.

[TBLfan 25]

I've heard of refs calling it in just beer league games too. Their reasoning was "The cage was modified, making it dangerous." They told them to either get a new cage or to remove it completely. *shrug*

[Steve123 0]

Sorry if this has already been listed, but I just thought I would make sure. The Itech 908Ti is rust-proof, right. I just didn't see it listed, but only listed on the phantom.

[Spreedizzle 1]

Sorry if this has already been listed, but I just thought I would make sure. The Itech 908Ti is rust-proof, right. I just didn't see it listed, but only listed on the phantom.

Interesting....as that is one issue that I am having with my surgically enhanced half cage from Itech. All of the places where I have cut the bars away from, and the areas where the epoxy has rubbed off are rusting pretty good. But that cage and I have been through so much, I simply can't part with it. B)

[hapamatt122 0]

I use a nbh 8500 w/ the oval, I like that cage the best and I've used different ones from black, chrome, white, I think the combination of the oval bars and the matte grey seems to work well. I used to wear half shield but I've taken too many errant high sticks.. if it weren't for that, I'd probably still be using the shield.

[lawryde 0]

Sorry if this has already been listed, but I just thought I would make sure. The Itech 908Ti is rust-proof, right. I just didn't see it listed, but only listed on the phantom.

Interesting....as that is one issue that I am having with my surgically enhanced half cage from Itech. All of the places where I have cut the bars away from, and the areas where the epoxy has rubbed off are rusting pretty good. But that cage and I have been through so much, I simply can't part with it. B)

Buy some Rustoleum mat finish spray paint it should protect the metal where any of the coating has chipped off and where you've cut.

[Spreedizzle 1]

Sorry if this has already been listed, but I just thought I would make sure. The Itech 908Ti is rust-proof, right. I just didn't see it listed, but only listed on the phantom.

Interesting....as that is one issue that I am having with my surgically enhanced half cage from Itech. All of the places where I have cut the bars away from, and the areas where the epoxy has rubbed off are rusting pretty good. But that cage and I have been through so much, I simply can't part with it. B)

Buy some Rustoleum mat finish spray paint it should protect the metal where any of the coating has chipped off and where you've cut.

I'll give that a shot....thanks. I love the cage too much....I probably should protect it before it turns into a pile of rust colored dust.