Helmets - best for money

[kilner 0]

Looking for a new helmet to buy asap, whats the best 'helmet for money' out there at the min? Looked at an 8k but is it worth spending that much on a helmet when i could buy a Bauer 5000 which is cheaper but would do the same job.

Thanks in advance people!

[Rustpot 1]

8k and 5500 fit completely different.

Either it fits your head or doesn't. Helmets and skates are the two things you can't buy sight-unseen, IMO, unless you're just buying replacement of the same model.

[kilner 0]

Ahh right, which is the lightest of the two?

[Rustpot 1]

8k is being marketed by RBK as the lightest helmet on the market... But most, if not all, of your answers can be found by looking this information up yourself.

If you've never worn the 8k or the 5500, DON'T buy it. Proper fit is essential in getting proper protection. The 8k fits more circular and the 5500 is more narrow, IIRC. COMPLETELY DIFFERENT FIT between the two. If a 5500 fits you like a glove, I'm going to bet you'd hate the 8k.

[VECHKIN08 0]

I just bought a pro-stock ccm 892 helmet on hockey monkey for $35. I've never used a VN helmet but I love it and definitely worth the price.

[maestro 1]

Definitely try to get in to your LHS and try on a few different brands. I've used an old school CCM HT2 for years and recently decided to look into a new lid - I'm a broke university student so I just wanted something cheap. Came across the Bauer 8000 at cyclonetaylor.com for 39.99CDN and considered it but I've never liked EPP foam helmets before. Went locally to check it out and it fit WAYYYY better than my CCM, I was blown away. I'd suggest checking out that deal for sure - amazing helmet for super cheap - but make sure you try some on and see what you think feels best.

[McDougalfaschnitzer 32]

I'm a 5500 wearer and I found that the 8k doesn't fit my head as well as I'd hoped. However, the 4k fit my head perfectly, and is on the way for me.

[duch 0]

Also take a look at the Mission Intake. A very comfortable and light helmet.And if you wait a bit you may be able to check out the new Easton helmet. It'll be out soon. It's just a matter of time because the NHLers are already wearing them to showboat them.

[McDougalfaschnitzer 32]

The Intake is a very nice helmet as well. It fits well, but it gave me big head syndrome.

[TopProspect91 0]

I have more of a narrow head, so the NB 4500 fits me perfectly.

I've also tried on both the Mission Intake and the RBK series helmets and found that they were not comfortable for me. Definitley better helmets for people who have more of a round head.

[Leafsrok 0]

I have more of a narrow head, so the NB 4500 fits me perfectly.

I've also tried on both the Mission Intake and the RBK series helmets and found that they were not comfortable for me. Definitley better helmets for people who have more of a round head.

i agree completely, i have a fairly narrow head and the 4000 fits me perfectly, havent even bothered trying anything else on for about 3 years i liek it so much :P

ok thats a lie, of course ive tried just about every other helmet out there on, but the only other one that fit me respectably well was the Intake

[jimmy 194]

Definitely try to get in to your LHS and try on a few different brands. I've used an old school CCM HT2 for years and recently decided to look into a new lid - I'm a broke university student so I just wanted something cheap. Came across the Bauer 8000 at cyclonetaylor.com for 39.99CDN and considered it but I've never liked EPP foam helmets before. Went locally to check it out and it fit WAYYYY better than my CCM, I was blown away. I'd suggest checking out that deal for sure - amazing helmet for super cheap - but make sure you try some on and see what you think feels best.

OK, how about this, don't go into your LHS and try on a few helmets if intend to buy online. Be a honest person and just make your online purchase using the little picture on the screen. Don't scam your local store. If you make an online purchase and choose the wrong fit, suck it up. Online prices are cheaper because they don't have showrooms or staff to deal with customers. Jeeze, are there no honest people out there. LHS's are not showrooms for cyclonetaylor or any other web site. And being a poor college student is a BS excuse.

Oh and for the orig poster, there was SOME very good advice in this thread. Fit is very important. All the manufacturers make great helmets with similar features that are priced very close to each other. The B5000/5500 and the 8k/6k are both great helmets packed with features. Find the one that fits you best and go for it.

[msander 0]

Definitely try to get in to your LHS and try on a few different brands. I've used an old school CCM HT2 for years and recently decided to look into a new lid - I'm a broke university student so I just wanted something cheap. Came across the Bauer 8000 at cyclonetaylor.com for 39.99CDN and considered it but I've never liked EPP foam helmets before. Went locally to check it out and it fit WAYYYY better than my CCM, I was blown away. I'd suggest checking out that deal for sure - amazing helmet for super cheap - but make sure you try some on and see what you think feels best.

OK, how about this, don't go into your LHS and try on a few helmets if intend to buy online. Be a honest person and just make your online purchase using the little picture on the screen. Don't scam your local store. If you make an online purchase and choose the wrong fit, suck it up. Online prices are cheaper because they don't have showrooms or staff to deal with customers. Jeeze, are there no honest people out there. LHS's are not showrooms for cyclonetaylor or any other web site. And being a poor college student is a BS excuse.

Oh and for the orig poster, there was SOME very good advice in this thread. Fit is very important. All the manufacturers make great helmets with similar features that are priced very close to each other. The B5000/5500 and the 8k/6k are both great helmets packed with features. Find the one that fits you best and go for it.

I am so tired of reading your contributions. I'm prety certain every 2nd post you make is to complain about people who try things on at a LHS and end up buying it online.

You're calling people "dishonest" for doing this? There is practically no one on earth who has not gone to a retail store to try on/see an item, and ended up purchasing it at a different location. That's taking advantage of the store and then robbing them of business b/c you'd rather save some money by going elsewhere!

By that definition then, you are correct. There are no honest people out there!

[Chadd 916]

Definitely try to get in to your LHS and try on a few different brands. I've used an old school CCM HT2 for years and recently decided to look into a new lid - I'm a broke university student so I just wanted something cheap. Came across the Bauer 8000 at cyclonetaylor.com for 39.99CDN and considered it but I've never liked EPP foam helmets before. Went locally to check it out and it fit WAYYYY better than my CCM, I was blown away. I'd suggest checking out that deal for sure - amazing helmet for super cheap - but make sure you try some on and see what you think feels best.

OK, how about this, don't go into your LHS and try on a few helmets if intend to buy online. Be a honest person and just make your online purchase using the little picture on the screen. Don't scam your local store. If you make an online purchase and choose the wrong fit, suck it up. Online prices are cheaper because they don't have showrooms or staff to deal with customers. Jeeze, are there no honest people out there. LHS's are not showrooms for cyclonetaylor or any other web site. And being a poor college student is a BS excuse.

Oh and for the orig poster, there was SOME very good advice in this thread. Fit is very important. All the manufacturers make great helmets with similar features that are priced very close to each other. The B5000/5500 and the 8k/6k are both great helmets packed with features. Find the one that fits you best and go for it.

I am so tired of reading your contributions. I'm prety certain every 2nd post you make is to complain about people who try things on at a LHS and end up buying it online.

You're calling people "dishonest" for doing this? There is practically no one on earth who has not gone to a retail store to try on/see an item, and ended up purchasing it at a different location. That's taking advantage of the store and then robbing them of business b/c you'd rather save some money by going elsewhere!

By that definition then, you are correct. There are no honest people out there!

Jimmy is absolutely correct in this case. Please re-read his post if you are confused, especially this part.

don't go into your LHS and try on a few helmets if intend to buy online.

In these particular cases, it is dishonest to use a store as a fitting room for a website.

Sure we all shop around to look for deals and try on equipment all the time. He's referring to specifically going into a shop knowing that you don't intend to purchase from them and using them as a fitting room.

[TBLfan 25]

I don't need to defend jimmy but I agree with his comments. I don't care if you're saving $30 or $300 for buying online because you're using their shop as a fitting room. You should at least tip them for their time, for wasting their A/C or heat. $5 is going to take your $30 and make it $25... but it will do wonders even if they don't accept the tip.

Customer service is a two way street, you can't expect to spit in a shop owners face by trying in his shop and buying online then expect him to treat you like a king when you come in because your skate's holder is messed up.

[maestro 1]

Ok, so I go into a big retail chain like Nation Sports here in Canada - don't ask for any help, simply walk to helmet section, try on a couple helmets, see how they fit, then leave. I later come across a good deal online and jump on it. How the hell is that being dishonest? I didn't waste any employees time by asking for help, and it doesn't mean I don't plan on ever making a purchase from them. I like to conserve as much money as possible while making sure that I buy equipment that works for me. If not for local stores how is someone supposed to make an informed online purchase?

That being said, I wouldn't go into a store and ask for help to be fitted for a skate then turn around, walk out and buy the skate online. If I don't plan on buying anything I don't bother asking for help.

And being a poor university student does make a difference. If I NEED a new helmet and NEED to pay rent and NEED to buy groceries, I'm going to go with the cheapest price I can find for the best equipment I can find. If I had a solid bank account sure I'd be more inclined to buy locally and spend the extra buck, but that's not the case.

[Doctor Hook 0]

I've rocked a wide variety of helmets in my puck life, and my favorite is the NBH 4500. The fact that it comes in XL to fit my 7.5 dome is a big plus.

[Rustpot 1]

I've rocked a wide variety of helmets in my puck life, and my favorite is the NBH 4500. The fact that it comes in XL to fit my 7.5 dome is a big plus.

I can't fit in the NikeBauer, but the Bauer fits me perfect. Bad news is mine is suffering from the notorious rear screw snap and I'll need another soon.

I'm sure there's a $100 helmet that fits me, but the 4000 is so great in every way why would I change?

Finding an XL Bauer 4000 is getting to be a pain though, I can't seem to track down any NewOldStock on them.

[tsanga 0]

I have more of a narrow head, so the NB 4500 fits me perfectly.

Funny, I have a wide round head and found the 4500 to be a great fit. Reason being, it's got VN foam that's flexible as opposed to EPP, and the shell is flexible enough that after a few times wearing it, the helmet can fit the shape of my head.

I've tried on supposedly wide head helmets like Intake and 8K and still experienced pressure on the sides because of the stiff EPP foam. The only other thing I've found to fit was a pro-stock Jofa 690 which had EPP foam with VN comfort inner lining.

[sc37 0]

I have more of a narrow head, so the NB 4500 fits me perfectly.

Funny, I have a wide round head and found the 4500 to be a great fit. Reason being, it's got VN foam that's flexible as opposed to EPP, and the shell is flexible enough that after a few times wearing it, the helmet can fit the shape of my head.

I've tried on supposedly wide head helmets like Intake and 8K and still experienced pressure on the sides because of the stiff EPP foam. The only other thing I've found to fit was a pro-stock Jofa 690 which had EPP foam with VN comfort inner lining.

Glad you mention this as I'm using a Jofa 690 right now...only I'd like to get a black one now. Just too bad they don't make them anymore. But does the fit of the 4500 run close to the 3000? I've had a 3000 before and it pinched like no other. Does the different foam help?

And on using the LHS as a fitting room...I mean sounds like another pissing contest between ppl. But it's like downloading music, everyone still 'shares' and whatever, and you can spin it however you like to justify your actions. But until you work in a shop or own a business, you don't know how it's like for ppl to waltz in and waste your time. And maybe ask your shop if they price match or give you a slight discount so they can win you over on a sale...bargaining is something ppl forget about too often.

[tsanga 0]

I found the thinner foam of the 4500 to help a lot - even though it's thinner, I found the dual density stuff more comfortable. Funny thing is, every now and then when I take the helmet out of the bag, it will have returned a tiny bit to it's narrower "default" shape. I just push the front and back toward each other with my hands to flex it a bit, and it fits great again.

What's helped too is I tweak my cage to make it wider to fit in the j-clips. If the cage is set too narrow, it pinches way more than the helmet!

I just tried on the Jofa 690 and was very tempted to buy it...but it was green and I couldn't really get past that.

[Chadd 916]

I have more of a narrow head, so the NB 4500 fits me perfectly.

Funny, I have a wide round head and found the 4500 to be a great fit. Reason being, it's got VN foam that's flexible as opposed to EPP, and the shell is flexible enough that after a few times wearing it, the helmet can fit the shape of my head.

I've tried on supposedly wide head helmets like Intake and 8K and still experienced pressure on the sides because of the stiff EPP foam. The only other thing I've found to fit was a pro-stock Jofa 690 which had EPP foam with VN comfort inner lining.

Glad you mention this as I'm using a Jofa 690 right now...only I'd like to get a black one now. Just too bad they don't make them anymore. But does the fit of the 4500 run close to the 3000? I've had a 3000 before and it pinched like no other. Does the different foam help?

And on using the LHS as a fitting room...I mean sounds like another pissing contest between ppl. But it's like downloading music, everyone still 'shares' and whatever, and you can spin it however you like to justify your actions. But until you work in a shop or own a business, you don't know how it's like for ppl to waltz in and waste your time. And maybe ask your shop if they price match or give you a slight discount so they can win you over on a sale...bargaining is something ppl forget about too often.

You need a large? I have one of the EPP w/VN model 690s in the closet.

[Doctor Hook 0]

What's helped too is I tweak my cage to make it wider to fit in the j-clips. If the cage is set too narrow, it pinches way more than the helmet!

Just curious, what cage do you have? I've combo'd mine with an FM480 and width is not an issue.

[sc37 0]

Yeah saw your ad ther Chadd...I'm actually in a medium, and that even winds up being a tad loose at times depending on my hair, heheh.

[tsanga 0]

What's helped too is I tweak my cage to make it wider to fit in the j-clips. If the cage is set too narrow, it pinches way more than the helmet!

Just curious, what cage do you have? I've combo'd mine with an FM480 and width is not an issue.

Same, FM480. I had a Bauer before, which was narrower out of the box. Still, the FM480 was more comfortable after spreading the side a bit.