Best helmet for your $$$$

[epstud74 24]

A lot of helmets out there are of high quality and there is no doubt that the upper end helmets (NBH 9500) offer high performance and protection...but not all of us place a premium on such things...especially beer leaguers and players on a budget...So in your opinion..In your own personal experience, which helmet do you consider the best helmet for your money?

[m3thods 13]

Not to sound like a jerk, but the one that fits.

Helmet and skates you should splurge on. Everything else isn't as important.

[epstud74 24]

Not to sound like a jerk, but the one that fits.

Helmet and skates you should splurge on. Everything else isn't as important.

A lot of helmets "fit" but would you splurge on a Cascade or get a CCM V08 or CCM 492?

You're missing the point fo the post..Say you love how the 9500 fits you, but the 4500 fits just as well.. whatcha gonna do?

[dix0r 0]

I'm on the VN boat, so Bauer 4000 / NBH 4500. ~$50 and they don't make you look like the great gazoo.

I've got a bunch more helmets that sit in the garage and periodically get donated to people i'm trying to get to start playing.

[epstud74 24]

I'm on the VN boat, so Bauer 4000 / NBH 4500. ~$50 and they don't make you look like the great gazoo.

I've got a bunch more helmets that sit in the garage and periodically get donated to people i'm trying to get to start playing.

was stretching by the rink last week..and there was a beginner league playing..Saw a guy in a 9500 helmet and mirror visor..fell down a lot of times, but looked good doing it.. :D I've worn the HT2 and 452 helmets for a long time, but was just putzing around a shop and noticed they had the CCM V08 helmets on sale for $49..Tried one on and it did feel pretty nice on my head. I'd been stuck on the old school CCMs for a long time due to habit and preference, but I can appreciate what the new technology does for you..Seems to be a combo of the two foams types in this helmet..

[Chadd 916]

I'm on the VN boat, so Bauer 4000 / NBH 4500. ~$50 and they don't make you look like the great gazoo.

I've got a bunch more helmets that sit in the garage and periodically get donated to people i'm trying to get to start playing.

was stretching by the rink last week..and there was a beginner league playing..Saw a guy in a 9500 helmet and mirror visor..fell down a lot of times, but looked good doing it.. :D I've worn the HT2 and 452 helmets for a long time, but was just putzing around a shop and noticed they had the CCM V08 helmets on sale for $49..Tried one on and it did feel pretty nice on my head. I'd been stuck on the old school CCMs for a long time due to habit and preference, but I can appreciate what the new technology does for you..Seems to be a combo of the two foams types in this helmet..

I have a V08 on order, can't wait to replace my Intake Fusion.

[AmoriZep 0]

i say spend the extra dough (if ya have it of course) on protecting the melon

[duch 0]

I love my Bauer 8500 for overall comfort. For ventilation though I'd be hard pressed to find any thing better than my Mission Intake. It's not as comfortable as my 8500 but I don't sweat near a much in it. My overall favourite of all time was my old Jofa 690. Had the best of all worlds, good ventilation, protection and comfort.

[dix0r 0]

maybe i'm over-analyzing, but i'm bored, so:

seeing as how i'm only playing beer league, i'd probably place importance on the following things (in order):

1) being "protective enough" - as in, is it better than a mylec helmet? if so, good enough. since that doesn't really eliminate any helmets on the market that i can think of, i'll move on to #2 to narrow things down a bit more.

2) fit/comfort (will it rotate on my head or come off if i do fall, and does it give me headaches after 10 mins - like a lot of EPP helmets do)

3) looks (just being honest - not a big fan of huge looking helmets - which also eliminates a lot of EPP helmets)

4) price (gear whore / price doesn't matter syndrome)

that said, since pretty much every helmet on the market exceeds my #1 requirement, and regarding #2, a large number of them fit me alright, #3 ends up being the most important deciding factor. if you haven't had concussion problems or anything, just get something certified, that fits, that you like.

[Datsyukrulez13 0]

like a lot of people said, something that fits. i personally like the vector 08 cause im into vn and the helmet fits perfectly

[A2rhino 75]

Chadd' date='Aug 8 2008, 03:55 PM' post='601048']

I have a V08 on order, can't wait to replace my Intake Fusion.

Chadd, please let me know your thoughts on the V08. I have a V10 but would really like to go back to the simple VN.

[prenny207 1]

its funny how often people will spend $200 on a stick that you use for 35 days, but complain about spending $120 for a helmet that will be worn for 3 years.... oh ya, and it protects your HEAD!!!!!!!!!!

[WhiskeyTango19 0]

I have a V08 on order, can't wait to replace my Intake Fusion.

Chadd, is your Fusion in good shape? What size/color? I might want to take that off your hands if you plan on selling.

[Smitty34 0]

I bought my Rbk 6k two years ago, and I just can't imagine wearing anything else. Its comfortable and it has done more than stand up to the abuse that a helmet gets.

[kilner 0]

http://www.hockeymonkey.com/nbh-hh4500.html

Basic, not too flashy, comfy, reasonably priced, well protected, and doesn't make you look like you've got a brain tumour.

[ramensandwich 1]

you can get 852 tacks on closeout most anywhere now for around 50. dual-layer VN and very comfortable, with a classic look.

[Louie 28]

I agree I loved my 852. I also love my Vector 10 helmet too.

[aarondevera 0]

I second the CCM V08. Hands-down the most comfortable helmet I've ever owned. Not the lightest or the most protective (as it doesn't have EPP), but I don't see myself going to any other bucket any time soon.

... Then again, whatever fits.

[Rustpot 1]

I have the V10 - at $80 it's a bargain in my book. Fits like a glove, no complaints except the EPP.

Chadd- I'd like to hear about the V08 as well. I saw one in my LHS but I couldn't get it to open up to try on and I was in a hurry.

[patty2109 0]

its funny how often people will spend $200 on a stick that you use for 35 days, but complain about spending $120 for a helmet that will be worn for 3 years.... oh ya, and it protects your HEAD!!!!!!!!!!

couldnt agree more.

i would go with the 8k. it comfy, due to the ability to greatly customize fit. and it looks great

[Chadd 916]

its funny how often people will spend $200 on a stick that you use for 35 days, but complain about spending $120 for a helmet that will be worn for 3 years.... oh ya, and it protects your HEAD!!!!!!!!!!

couldnt agree more.

i would go with the 8k. it comfy, due to the ability to greatly customize fit. and it looks great

I could never customize the 8k enough to fit comfortably. What works for one person doesn't always work for everyone else.

I have the V10 - at $80 it's a bargain in my book. Fits like a glove, no complaints except the EPP.

Chadd- I'd like to hear about the V08 as well. I saw one in my LHS but I couldn't get it to open up to try on and I was in a hurry.

I found one locally at a big box store so I sucked it up and overspent to pick one up. Fortunately the girl behind the counter gave me a discount for some reason and it ended up being a wash. The fit changed a bit when I put my visor on it but it still feels great. The shell seems somewhat soft, or at least flexible, but not as bad as the 8k. Comfort is great and I like the fact that it comes down farther in the back than my Intake Fusion.

Oh, and it is not one of the ones that was recalled.

[Eesh 5]

The best helmet for me thus far is the CCM Vector 10. Its Light as hell, has really good ventalation, and it doesn't feel like your wearing a space helmet. Thumbs up from me.

[rmnyi 0]

Is there a big difference between the ccm852 and V08 as far as ventilation goes?

[HattrickSwayze 3]

you can get 852 tacks on closeout most anywhere now for around 50. dual-layer VN and very comfortable, with a classic look.

I got a CCM 892, which I think is basically the same as the Tacks 852, on sale for $35 and I love it. It's really comfortable and lightweight. I do sweat a lot in it, but it doesn't seem to get in my eyes which is good. What I like about it the most is when I have my cage on it, the chinstrap adjusts long enough where I can slip the helmet off without opening the cage. My first Nike Bauer helmet couldn't do that.

[duch 0]

Finally saw the new Easton S-17 helmet at National Sports yesterday and tried it on. Nice fitting helmet but I'm not overly impressed with the padding inside. I find the gel padding in my Nike/Bauer 8500 is much more superior for comfort. The orange padding at the back of the head at the top of the neck is also very hard. Not a good thing for an EPP lined helmet. It is however very easy to adjust for size and the occipital lock at the back works very well to hold the helmet snug so it doesn't rotate on your head. I may opt for the VN lined S-9 if I decide to buy this helmet simply because of the comfort factor.