Top 5 helmets on the market today

[nascam 0]

The five best on the market today are most likely:

Bauer 9500

Mission Intake

Reebok 8K

Cascade CHX

CCM Vector 10

Not necessarily in that particular order.

Keep Cascade out of hockey... worst looking buckets out there. They should stick to Lacrosse. I admit it's an extremely safe helmet, but style has got to be a concern at some point.

[Chadd 916]

The five best on the market today are most likely:

Bauer 9500

Mission Intake

Reebok 8K

Cascade CHX

CCM Vector 10

Not necessarily in that particular order.

Keep Cascade out of hockey... worst looking buckets out there. They should stick to Lacrosse. I admit it's an extremely safe helmet, but style has got to be a concern at some point.

No it doesn't.

[DarkStar50 679]

Why isn't VN foam used as the primary foam for protection in elite level bicycling helmets?

I think we've had this discussion. VN versus EPP It would be great if someone would test all the helmets under realistic conditions, but just designing the tests would be a challenge.

We have had this discussion many, many times. However, I assure you all the vendors conduct tests in RD & D with any helmet they design long before it goes to HECC testing for certification. I have seen the tests that NBH conducts in St. Jerome on their helmets. With insurance liability risks, there is nothing left to chance in the design and test elements. Did you know that every production run of helmets also are tested? If one helmet fails after production, the entire production run is destroyed.

[Chadd 916]

Why isn't VN foam used as the primary foam for protection in elite level bicycling helmets?

I think we've had this discussion. VN versus EPP It would be great if someone would test all the helmets under realistic conditions, but just designing the tests would be a challenge.

We have had this discussion many, many times. However, I assure you all the vendors conduct tests in RD & D with any helmet they design long before it goes to HECC testing for certification. I have seen the tests that NBH conducts in St. Jerome on their helmets. With insurance liability risks, there is nothing left to chance in the design and test elements. Did you know that every production run of helmets also are tested? If one helmet fails after production, the entire production run is destroyed.

I've never said that any helmets were unsafe, except the 235, just that I don't think EPP does as good of a job at preventing concussions.

[joshy207 15]

Still a lot of guys in my league liking the Bauer 4000 and 4500 and the Nike counterpart. The VN helmet is more comfortable to them than the EPP liner in the others I mentioned. You'll never convince them the EPP helmets are more protective either simply because the VN liner is so comfortable a fit for them.

comfort aside, I have yet to see anything that would convince me that EPP is better at protecting hockey players than VN.

I'm with you, which is why my list looks like it does.

I also love the look of the HT2, to me it's THE classic hockey helmet. However, it doesn't fit me at all. I still can't believe it's no longer in CCM's lineup.

[ktang 34]

Do the NHL trainers and players know something that we don't? It seems like players with concussion problems use VN helmets, e.g. Tanguay with a RbK non-8K with VN.

Maybe EPP gives adequate protection with best weight and coolness (comfort), but VN gives the best protection with more weight and less heat dissipation.

[Chadd 916]

Do the NHL trainers and players know something that we don't? It seems like players with concussion problems use VN helmets, e.g. Tanguay with a RbK non-8K with VN.

Maybe EPP gives adequate protection with best weight and coolness (comfort), but VN gives the best protection with more weight and less heat dissipation.

Some of the guys that had concussion problems went to the carbster when that was still available.

[eric42434224 1]

Still a lot of guys in my league liking the Bauer 4000 and 4500 and the Nike counterpart. The VN helmet is more comfortable to them than the EPP liner in the others I mentioned. You'll never convince them the EPP helmets are more protective either simply because the VN liner is so comfortable a fit for them.

comfort aside, I have yet to see anything that would convince me that EPP is better at protecting hockey players than VN.

I'm with you, which is why my list looks like it does.

I also love the look of the HT2, to me it's THE classic hockey helmet. However, it doesn't fit me at all. I still can't believe it's no longer in CCM's lineup.

Yes, I am with you on that. I LOVE the old CCM helmet....but doesnt the 852 really look just like it? I think I am going to pick one up at HM as they are on clearance for like $30 something. Just love the older CCM look helmet. Just says HOCKEY to me....especially seeing that the last time I played before this year was in the 80's.

[pantherfan 0]

I think the 452 and 652 are closer then the 852 to the HT2, for the record I use EPP and find the RBK's fit me best.

[SuperMan3 1]

Do the NHL trainers and players know something that we don't? It seems like players with concussion problems use VN helmets, e.g. Tanguay with a RbK non-8K with VN.

Maybe EPP gives adequate protection with best weight and coolness (comfort), but VN gives the best protection with more weight and less heat dissipation.

He was using the 4K, as far as I know, he never suffered a concussion his whole career, maybe your thinking of another player?

[JR Boucicaut 3805]

Kariya uses oversized VN, Lafontaine did as well

[Smitty34 0]

Do the NHL trainers and players know something that we don't? It seems like players with concussion problems use VN helmets, e.g. Tanguay with a RbK non-8K with VN.

Maybe EPP gives adequate protection with best weight and coolness (comfort), but VN gives the best protection with more weight and less heat dissipation.

He was using the 4K, as far as I know, he never suffered a concussion his whole career, maybe your thinking of another player?

He was wearing the 4k, but now, isn't he wearing the Intake?

[nascam 0]

The five best on the market today are most likely:

Bauer 9500

Mission Intake

Reebok 8K

Cascade CHX

CCM Vector 10

Not necessarily in that particular order.

Keep Cascade out of hockey... worst looking buckets out there. They should stick to Lacrosse. I admit it's an extremely safe helmet, but style has got to be a concern at some point.

No it doesn't.

why not, Chadd? There are plent of safe, better looking helmets out there. Don't you want to look good when you play in your men's league? I mean, let's get serious here. I'm a 20 year old, played jrs and will be playing college next year. I won't go near a helmet that doesn't look good, even if it is concussion proof. Can some under 20s chime in and vouch for this statement?

Dear Cascade,

I respect that you make a safe product, just make it better looking.

[Chadd 916]

why not, Chadd? There are plent of safe, better looking helmets out there. Don't you want to look good when you play in your men's league? I mean, let's get serious here. I'm a 20 year old, played jrs and will be playing college next year. I won't go near a helmet that doesn't look good, even if it is concussion proof. Can some under 20s chime in and vouch for this statement?

Dear Cascade,

I respect that you make a safe product, just make it better looking.

why am I not surprised? It's always the junior aged guys who obsess over appearance. The most important thing is to protect your head and keep as much brain matter alive as possible. I don't play competitive hockey so I can get away with throwing on the old 235 from time to time for pickup games. Anyone still playing in a checking league or a physical rec league should be wearing whatever fits and offers enough protection.

Just to clarify, I dislike the cascade helmet. It's hot, bulky and heavy. They should be focusing on doing team sales and getting younger kids in their helmets with the custom color program. Get the kids in their helmets as young as possible and they may be able to keep some of them as they get older. They aren't going to get many adults or older kids into their lids because of the problems with the design.

[Blueandgold26 1]

i agree with u nascam, good luck playing college

[nascam 0]

i agree with u nascam, good luck playing college

Thanks a lot man! It should be a lot of fun.. finally playing after 2 yrs of juniors.

Chadd:

Agree with your assessment of Cascade. Youth sales would be great and their product definitely is on the bulky side; major downfall i believe of their brand. It's not noticable in a sport like Lax because the cages are also so bulky and no one really produces a helmet that isn't overly large. I'm going to cling to my 8k until there is something better or until I am forced to wear something else; probably a NB bucket next year since we are sponsored by them.

Which brings me back to a question I had a while ago, does any one think the 9000 series NB helmet will catch on more in the show? I have heard great things about this helmet.

[Eesh 5]

I'm not sure about the 5 best, but I have a CCM Vector 10 and its the best helmet I've ever owned as far as these characteristics are concerned

Its extrememly light

It has excellent ventalation

and its pretty comfortable

[Blueandgold26 1]

yeah i have a v10 bucket and i love it

[ktang 34]

Do the NHL trainers and players know something that we don't? It seems like players with concussion problems use VN helmets, e.g. Tanguay with a RbK non-8K with VN.

Maybe EPP gives adequate protection with best weight and coolness (comfort), but VN gives the best protection with more weight and less heat dissipation.

He was using the 4K, as far as I know, he never suffered a concussion his whole career, maybe your thinking of another player?

I think he missed 20+ games with a concussion (1 concussion) when he was in juniors. I don't know the grade of concussion, but if it was 20+ games, that was pretty serious. No games missed due to concussion in the NHL.

Some of the guys that had concussion problems went to the carbster when that was still available.

I've never had a chance to see or hold a carbster. I kind of know that its outer shell is carbon graphite, but what is inside?

Same with a Cascade; what is inside it?

Back to the original question, though; different people want different things out of the helmet, such as:

(i) Protection;

(ii) Light Weight;

(iii) Mirror Factor / Looks; and

(iv) Coolness and ventilation

so, depending on the weighting, we could have different "best" helmets on the market.

[fatwabbit 93]

i know that its not 'todays' bucket, but anyone would consider the carbster as part of the list?

[Dougie8 0]

For protection I'd say that it's the most protective helmet I've ever used. Saved me a concussion numerous times with my head slamming the ice/boards. That being said the 8K is the opposite, I've never had a concussion with it, I just dont like the protection of it.

[TBLfan 25]

I think you need to stop slamming your head into the ice and boards... You're not supposed to do that.

[SuperMan3 1]

Do the NHL trainers and players know something that we don't? It seems like players with concussion problems use VN helmets, e.g. Tanguay with a RbK non-8K with VN.

Maybe EPP gives adequate protection with best weight and coolness (comfort), but VN gives the best protection with more weight and less heat dissipation.

He was using the 4K, as far as I know, he never suffered a concussion his whole career, maybe your thinking of another player?

He was wearing the 4k, but now, isn't he wearing the Intake?

Yeah Intake with VN, looked at it at the equipment sale

[Neal 41]

Why isn't VN foam used as the primary foam for protection in elite level bicycling helmets?

I think we've had this discussion. VN versus EPP It would be great if someone would test all the helmets under realistic conditions, but just designing the tests would be a challenge.

We have had this discussion many, many times. However, I assure you all the vendors conduct tests in RD & D with any helmet they design long before it goes to HECC testing for certification. I have seen the tests that NBH conducts in St. Jerome on their helmets. With insurance liability risks, there is nothing left to chance in the design and test elements. Did you know that every production run of helmets also are tested? If one helmet fails after production, the entire production run is destroyed.

I've never said that any helmets were unsafe, except the 235, just that I don't think EPP does as good of a job at preventing concussions.

Chadd, Darkstar's comment is directed at me. I know the helmets are tested and I know the manufacturers spend a lot of time and money coming up with very good test cases. And I've no doubt quality is a very major concern for the vendors.

But each vendor has their own tests. And each vendor's helmet is going to perform best with their testing techniques. It almost has to, they are going to be designing the helmet to beat their tests because that is what they have to ensure quality and performance.

There is no universal test run by an unbiased, highly respected group of scientists that specialize in hockey impacts that all vendors can agree on that would allow us to choose the best helmet. that is what I was trying to get across in my earlier post.

We can argue all we like about which are the best helmets, but we are all using anecdotal evidence to choose our best helmets.

[DarkStar50 679]

HECC runs the universal tests for helmet safety and certification. The tests are not designed for comfort, obviously. The tests are designed to meet standards for impact, strength, and more. The HECC tests are the gold standard for helmet safety. They are independently conducted. Check the back of your helmet. Those two stickers have to be earned by the vendors before they go on the helmets. At NBH in St. Jerome, those stickers are kept in a bank-style safe.